Creating a Classroom Community of Young Scientists

by Bloom; Jeffrey

• ISBN13: 9780415952361
• ISBN10: 0415952360
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-07-20
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Creating a Classroom of Community Young Scientistsis intended to help teachers--both pre-service and in-service--develop exciting science programs in their classrooms. This book provides the groundwork for designing and implementing a science programs in their classrooms. This book provides the groundwork for designing and implementing a science program that takes into account the latest research in teaching and learning. It provides an approach that will capture children's imaginations, stimulate their curiosity, and create a strong foundation for their continued interest in, and appreciation of, science and the world in which they live. The book is designed to be user friendly, and offers an approach to teaching science that is exciting for teachers as well. This thoroughly revised, second edition will focus on making inquiry more explicit both in terms of the process of inquiry and teaching in ways that capitalize on children's curiosity and questions. New material will also be added on U.S. andCanadian science standards, as well as professional standards for teachers.

Table of Contents

Getting Started Introduction
Beginning the journey
Philosophy and theoretical framework
Goals and emphases
How to use this book
Some questions to consider
Two quotes to think about
Initial Explorations
Pond water investigation
Investigating earthworms
Nature walk
Moon study
Exploring light, lenses, and mirrors
Summary
Teaching Science for Children's Meaningful Learning
Nature of Science
Introduction
Views of science: Scientists and thinkers about science
Activities
Examples of children's ideas
Summary
Children's Learning and Sense-Making
Constructivism
Social constructivism
Contexts of meaning
Categorization
Play
Complex learning
Summary of implications for teaching
Children's Talk
The traditional approach to classroom discussions
An alternative approach to classroom discussions
An example of a classroom argument
Extending our understandings of how to work with children's discussions
Teaching and Learning through Inquiry
Types of questions and inquiry
Patterns of inquiry in the classroom
A cycle of inquiry
Observational studies
Experimental studies
Inquiry and learning
Assessing Children's Learning, Thinking, and Talk
Establishing goals
Some necessary background
The purpose of assessment
Some approaches to assessment
Observations and performance assessment
What to look for and keeping track
Additional issues of assessment as driven by curricular documents and national standards
A final activity
Planning and Implementing Instruction
Some basic guidelines and principles to consider
How and where to start
A simple model of planning - E	p. 7
Instructional plans
Alternative sequencing for a restricted curriculum situation
Taking into account children's ability levels (...but not selling them short!)
Teaching and working with children: Implementing instruction
Some example unit topics and themes
Yearly planning
Classroom as Community of Young Scientists
Developing the classroom as a community of learners, inquirers, and young scientists
Establishing a classroom community
Setting up your classroom
Working with children
Working with parents and the extended community
Working with yourself
Reflective Practice
Background to professional thinking and learning
An overview of reflection
Working with yourself
The focus of reflection
Reflection examples and activities
Dilemmas
Where to Go From Here: Participating in the Professional Community
Participating in the professional community
Continuing to learn about science
Continuing your professional development
Appendices
Safety
Physical safety
Personal, psychological, and social safety
United States Science Education Standards
Canadian Science Education Standards
Learning and Teaching for Complexity
Systems
Patterns, metapatterns, and other broadly connecting concepts
Teaching and learning for complex understandings
More On Planning - Curriculum Units
More planning tools
Sample curriculum unit ideas
Field Studies
Types of field studies
Planning an extended field study
Summary
Sample Activities
Structures
Marble collisions
Pendulums
Balancing act
Batteries and bulbs
Construct a boat to hold a specific cargo
Forest or open field study
Exploring metapatterns
Challengers - Jumping into what scientists experience
Data Collection and Analysis Techniques
Background
Coll
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