Teaching Children Science : A Discovery Approach

by Abruscato, Joseph A.

• ISBN13: 9780205396870
• ISBN10: 0205396879
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

Intended for both pre-service and practicing teachers, Teaching Children Science provides elementary science methods, content, and activities using Abruscato's discovery approach. Abruscato organizes the three major componentsmethods, content, and activitiesin a structure that allows for the greatest flexibility. The first half (Chapters 1 through 9) details instructional methods for the classroom, while in the second half the chapters are structured in pairs. The A chapters offer science content, while the B chapters demonstrate accompanying science activities.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xix
Strategies and Techniques
Science and Technology	p. 1
What are science and technology? Why teach them?
You, Children, and Science: Some Hopes, Some Fears, Some Dreams	p. 2
What Is Science?	p. 2
What Is Technology?	p. 6
Why Teach Children about Science and Technology?	p. 6
What Is Discovery Learning?	p. 10
The Scientist: Who Is She?	p. 12
Learning Science	p. 19
How can I use key ideas from learning theory to create a discovery-based classroom?
Are You Learning Now?	p. 20
The Classic Learning Theories	p. 20
Gardner's Multiple Intelligences	p. 26
Constructivism	p. 30
Learning Styles	p. 31
Science Process Skills	p. 37
How can I use the science process skills as starting points for discovery-based units and lesson plans?
Discovery Learning	p. 38
The Science Process Skills: Individual Descriptions with Classroom Examples	p. 39
Planning and Managing	p. 53
How can I plan and manage discovery-based units and lessons?
The Water Rat and the Sea Horse	p. 54
The Scope of the Science Curriculum	p. 55
The Sequence of the Science Curriculum	p. 57
Unit Planning	p. 60
Lesson Planning	p. 61
Classroom Organization and Management for Discovery Learning	p. 66
Strategies for Discovery Learning	p. 73
How can I use cooperative learning, special questioning, active listening, and other strategies to foster discovery learning?
The Problem with Talk	p. 74
Cooperative Learning Strategies	p. 74
Questioning Strategies	p. 78
Active Listening Strategies	p. 81
Demonstrations	p. 82
Science Textbooks	p. 83
Assessment for Understanding and Inquiry	p. 89
How can I move toward using authentic assessment and the assessment recommendations of the NSE standards?
"What D'ja Git?"	p. 90
Traditional Assessment, Authentic Assessment, and the NSE Standards Approach	p. 90
Traditional Assessment Techniques	p. 91
Authentic Assessment Techniques	p. 97
The NSE Standards Recommendations for Assessing Understanding and Inquiry	p. 102
Integrating Science	p. 111
How can I integrate science with other subjects during the school day?
Making Connections	p. 112
Science and the Language Arts	p. 112
Science and Mathematics	p. 116
Science and the Social Studies	p. 119
Science and Art	p. 120
Science and Music	p. 122
Science and Health and Physical Education	p. 123
Science WebQuests	p. 129
How can I plan and manage discovery-based projects for my plugged-in classroom?
A Strange Thing Happened on My Way to School One Day	p. 130
What Is a Science WebQuest?	p. 130
How to Plan and Prepare a Science WebQuest	p. 136
Adapting the Science Curriculum	p. 147
How can I adapt the science curriculum for children from diverse cultural backgrounds, children with special needs, and children with special gifts and talents?
Treasuring the Fleeting Moments	p. 148
Children from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds	p. 148
Children with Special Needs	p. 152
Children with Special Gifts and Talents	p. 159
Earth/Space Sciences and Technology
Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas: The Earth/Space Sciences and Technology	p. 165
Kelly's Gift	p. 166
Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions	p. 167
Unit Plan Starter Ideas	p. 170
Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics	p. 177
Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas	p. 179
Science and Children and Science Scope: Resource Articles for Earth/Space Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 186
The Earth's Surface, Atmosphere, and Weather: Content	p. 189
Spaceship Earth: What Is It Made Of?	p. 190
The Earth's Atmosphere and Weather	p. 201
The Earth's Surface, Atmosphere, and Weather: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 209
Attention Getters for Young Learners	p. 210
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	p. 213
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	p. 216
Demonstrations for Young Learners	p. 221
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	p. 223
The Cosmos: Content	p. 227
Are We Alone?	p. 228
What Is the Universe and How Was It Formed?	p. 228
Our Solar System	p. 233
Exploring Space: The First Steps	p. 240
Exploring Space: The Next Steps	p. 244
The Cosmos: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 247
Attention Getters for Young Learners	p. 248
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	p. 249
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	p. 252
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	p. 257
Demonstrations for Young Learners	p. 262
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	p. 265
Life Sciences and Technology
Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas: The Life Sciences and Technology	p. 269
The Tapper	p. 270
Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions	p. 271
Unit Plan Starter Ideas	p. 275
Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics	p. 286
Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas	p. 288
Science and Children and Science Scope: Resource Articles for Life Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 294
Living Things: Content	p. 297
Living or Nonliving? That's the Question	p. 298
Classifying Living Things	p. 300
The Plant Kingdom: A Closer Look	p. 303
The Animal Kingdom: A Closer Look	p. 306
Two Very Small but Very Interesting Living Things	p. 308
Living Things: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 311
Attention Getters for Young Learners	p. 312
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	p. 313
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	p. 315
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	p. 320
Demonstrations for Young Learners	p. 325
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	p. 327
The Human Body: Content	p. 331
The Body's Systems	p. 332
The Digestive System	p. 332
The Skeletal-Muscular System	p. 333
The Respiratory System	p. 334
The Nervous System	p. 335
The Excretory System	p. 338
The Circulatory System	p. 339
The Reproductive System	p. 342
The Human Body: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 345
Attention Getters for Young Learners	p. 346
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	p. 348
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	p. 350
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	p. 353
Demonstrations for Young Learners	p. 357
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	p. 359
Physical Sciences and Technology
Unit, Lesson, and Enrichment Starter Ideas: The Physical Sciences and Technology	p. 363
The Letter	p. 364
Assessing Prior Knowledge and Conceptions	p. 365
Unit Plan Starter Ideas	p. 367
Lesson Plan Starter Ideas for Common Curriculum Topics	p. 376
Classroom Enrichment Starter Ideas	p. 377
Science and Children and Science Scope: Resource Articles for Physical Science Units, Lessons, Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 384
Matter and Motion: Content	p. 387
From Atoms to Rockets and Other Technological Wonders	p. 388
Matter	p. 388
Motion	p. 396
Matter and Motion: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 401
Attention Getters for Young Learners	p. 402
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	p. 404
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	p. 405
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	p. 409
Demonstrations for Young Learners	p. 413
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	p. 416
Energies and Machines: Content	p. 419
How Energy Is Transferred	p. 420
Electrical Energy	p. 421
Sound Energy	p. 424
Light Energy	p. 425
Heat Energy	p. 428
Machines	p. 429
Energies and Machines: Attention Getters, Discovery Activities, and Demonstrations	p. 433
Attention Getters for Young Learners	p. 434
Attention Getters for Middle-Level Learners	p. 435
Discovery Activities for Young Learners	p. 437
Discovery Activities for Middle-Level Learners	p. 440
Demonstrations for Young Learners	p. 446
Demonstrations for Middle-Level Learners	p. 448
For the Teacher's Desk	p. 453
Your Classroom Enrichment Handbook	p. 455
Your Sclence Source Address Book	p. 466
The National Science Education (NSE) Content Standards, Grades K-8	p. 473
Index	p. 477
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