How to Teach Elementary School Science and CD

by Peters, Joseph M.; Gega, Peter C.

• ISBN13: 9780130743381
• ISBN10: 0130743380
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Package
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div

Summary

THE CONTENTS OF THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES:

This text presents a constructivist approach to the methodology of effective elementary science teaching. Topics include how science concepts and skills are effectively taught and learned, ways to successfully plan science instruction, resources needed to enhance the science program, assessment of student inquiry, and integration of instructional and design technology.

Features new to the fourth edition:

• A chapter opening vignette that is further developed in the chapter.
• Expanded information about how children's literature can be incorporated throughout an elementary science program.
• A technology chapter that includes discussions on design technology and the applications of technology to advance science as well as the latest educational technology to promote learning in science classrooms.
• An accompanying CD that illustrates inquiry-based science teaching with real classroom footage.

Table of Contents

(NOTE: Chapters 1 through 8 conclude with Summary, Reflection, References, and Suggested Readings.)

I. HOW TO TEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE.

1. Science Inquiry and the Nature of Science.

The Nature of Science. Scientific Concepts and Generalizations. Science Process and the Process Skills. Teaching Children. Teacher as Researcher.

2. Constructing Science Experiences.

Paradigms. Constructivism.

3. Planning for Inquiry.

National Standards and Planning. Planning for Inquiry. Closed- and Open-Ended Activities. Learning with an Integrated Approach. Planning Units. A Sample Unit.

4. Developing Inquiry Skills.

Using the Learning Cycle. Observing. Classifying. Measuring. Communicating. Inferring. Predicting. Experimenting. Scientific Attitudes.

5. Assessment.

Assessment Today. Authentic Assessment. Types of Authentic Assessment. Assessing Attitudes.

6. Science Experiences for All Students.

Mandy's Science Fair. Historical Perspective. Science Learning Centers. Science Projects. Science Fairs. Teaching Students with Special Needs.

7. Constructing Technological Understandings.

Educational Technology and Elementary Science. Science Technology Society. Technology Education and Elementary Science.

8. Science Learning Opportunities.

Mrs. Blackwelder's Class Trip. Science Learning Resources. Individual Partners in Education.

Appendix A: Professional Bibliography.
Appendix B: Science Curriculum Projects.
Appendix C: Commercial Science Suppliers.
Appendix D: Environments and Nutrition for Classroom Animals.
Appendix E: Summary of Children's Thinking.
Appendix F: State Education Agencies.
Index.

Excerpts

Elementary school teaching is a challenging and exciting career. Your future as a professional educator includes the responsibility to meet the future demands and challenges of society, and the elementary classroom is where it all begins. The lifelong science-related attitudes of your elementary students will be shaped, for the most part, before they finish fifth grade. Along with these attitudes comes the desire to seek out new information about the world around them and to apply this knowledge in the form of technology. It is your job to build the skills, content knowledge, and desire for inquiry that will allow your Students to function in a society that will be highly scientific and technologically developed. Your future as a teacher will include lifelong learning and research in your own classrooms. This text serves as a guide to start your journey as a professional educator. New to This Edition As you initiate your learning of elementary science education through the use of the fourth; edition of this text, you will become acquainted with several features that will support you; in your science education experiences. To help you think about the applications of what you are learning, you will find Vignettes opening each chapter that help introduce the concepts contain in the chapters and focus your thoughts Teaching tips for you to consider in your future instruction Companion Website references, which provide extensions to the chap content CD-ROM connections, which help illustrate concepts in an actual classroom setting An entire chapter devoted to technology and science education Organization of the Text You will find that this book contains practical methods covering how to teach science to elementary through middle level learners. A companion paperback text,Concepts Inquiries in Elementary School Science,Fourth Edition, as well as one hardcover text containing the complete content,Science in Elementary Education,Ninth Edition, also published by Prentice Hall, are also available. How to Teach Elementary School Sciencefocuses on the methods of teaching elementary school science. It centers on why science education is basic to children's schooling and explains the foundations that give it form and substance. Each of its eight chapters develops a broad concept or a cluster of related teaching skills through descriptions and the use of many real-life examples. The examples reflect our personal teaching experiences or ongoing, firsthand observations with elementary school children. The chapters and several of the included follow-up exercises should enable you to Decide what areas of science are basic, useful, and learnable for children Recognize and assess differences in children's thinking Use open-ended and closed-ended teaching activities in planning and implementing lessons and units Improve children's scientific skills Develop technological applications Locate and use a variety of resources to teach science Arrange and manage learning centers, microcomputer centers, and projects Assess science teaching Each chapter focuses on an overall concept such as learning, assessment, or technology. To help summarize and extend the content, each chapter includes a summary, reflection, and additional readings. In addition, samples of theNational Research Council's National Science Education Standardsare cited throughout the text when applicable. Supplements CD-ROM Containing classroom footage, this free supplement allows users to view, examine, and manipulate clips of elementary science classroom teaching. The CD is ideal for reflection and developing a deep, lasting understanding of text content. Companion Website A truly text-integrated supplement at www.prenhall.com/pete