Teaching Children Science : Discovery Methods for the Elementary and Middle Grades

by Abruscato, Joseph A.

• ISBN13: 9780205402618
• ISBN10: 0205402615
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This truncated, paperback volume is composed of strategies and techniques for teaching science derived from the Sixth Edition of Joseph Abruscato's successful text, Teaching Children Science: A Discovery Approach. This text offers the first nine chapters of Teaching Children Science, providing students with a discovery approach to promote the teaching of the concepts, skills, and attitudes of science in the classroom. These nine basic science teaching methods chapters cover strategies and techniques for teachers to incorporate cooperative learning, questioning, and active listening in their classrooms. The author also covers planning and managing discovery-based units, assessing students' learning and understanding, the preparation of Internet-based Science WebQuests, and integrating science across the curriculum.

Author Biography

Joseph Abruscato presently teaches science curriculum and methods courses at the University of Vermont, Burlington.

Table of Contents

All chapters include “Real Teachers Talking,” “Make the Case,” and “Internet Resources” and end with “Summary,” “Going Further,” “Notes,” and “Suggested Readings.”

Preface.

I. WELCOME TO DISCOVERY METHODS FOR THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE GRADES.

1. Science and Technology: What Are Science and Technology? Why Teach Them?
You, Children, and Science: Some Hopes, Some Fears, Some Dreams.
What Is Science?
What Is Technology?
Why Teach Children About Science and Technology?
What Is Discovery Learning?
The Scientist: Who Is She?

2. Learning Science: How Can I Use Key Ideas from Learning Theory to Create a Discovery-Based Classroom?
Are You Learning Now?
The Classic Learning Theories.
Gardner's Multiple Intelligences.
Constructivism.
Learning Styles.

3. Science Process Skills: How Can I Use the Science Process Skills as Starting Points for Discovery-Based Units and Lesson Plans?
Discovery Learning.
The Science Process Skills: Individual Descriptions with Classroom Examples.

4. Planning and Managing: How Can I Plan and Manage Discovery-Based Units and Lessons?
The Water Rat and the Sea Horse.
The Scope of the Science Curriculum.
The Sequence of the Science Curriculum.
Unit Planning.
Lesson Planning.
Classroom Organization and Management for Discovery Learning.

5. Strategies for Discovery Learning: How Can I Use Cooperative Learning, Special Questioning, Active Listening, and Other Strategies to Foster Discovery Learning?
The Problem with Talk.
Cooperative Learning Strategies.
Questioning Strategies.
Active Listening Strategies.
Demonstrations.
Science Textbooks.

6. Assessment for Understanding and Inquiry: How Can I Move Toward Using Authentic Assessment and the Assessment Recommendations of the NSE Standards?
“What D'ja Git?”
Traditional Assessment, Authentic Assessment, and the NSE Standards Approach.
Traditional Assessment Techniques.
Authentic Assessment Techniques.
The NSE Standards Recommendations for Assessing Understanding and Inquiry.

7. Integrating Science: How Can I Integrate Science with Other Subjects During the School Day?
Making Connections.
Science and the Language Arts.
Science and Mathematics.
Science and the Social Studies.
Science and Art.
Science and Music.
Science and Health and Physical Education.

8. Science WebQuests: 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.
What Is a Science WebQuest?
How to Plan and Prepare a Science WebQuest.

9. Adapting the Science Curriculum: 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.
Children from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds.
Children with Special Needs.
Children with Special Gifts and Talents.

For the Teacher's Desk.

Your Classroom Enrichment Handbook.

Your Science Source Address Book.

Appendix: The National Science Education (NSE) Content Standards, Grades K-8.

Index.