What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Science

by Sheninger, Eric C.; Devereaux, Keith

• ISBN13: 9781935543589
• ISBN10: 193554358X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-10-15
• Publisher: Solution Tree

Summary

The goal of the What Principals Need to Know About series is to help principals focus on the major components of the topics covered. What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Science (2nd Edition) offers K¿8 principals practical strategies for increasing student achievement in science and fostering a school environment that supports the science curriculum. This guide includes checklists, assessments, reproducibles, and other material principals can use to collaborate with teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to evaluate and improve their schools¿ science instruction. In chapter 1, authors Eric C. Sheninger and Keith Devereaux explain the nature and benefits of scientific inquiry and outline the guiding principles and goals of K¿8 science programs. Principals will learn how to shift the emphasis in their schools¿ science programs to promote inquiry. In chapter 2, principals will learn to align the science curriculum with what students are actually being taught and what students have learned. In chapter 3, Sheninger and Devereaux give principals the keys to assess their own science programs; and in chapter 4, they provide them with the tools to evaluate their teachers¿ preparedness. Chapter 5 explains diagnostic, summative, formative, and confirmatory assessments, and recommends the best assessments for evaluating whether students are learning what they should. Finally, chapter 6 shows principals how to create, sustain, and promote professional development that supports a strong science curriculum. In this chapter, principals will also learn how to plan a meaningful professional development program and form effective teacher teams. The book closes with a glossary of terms and appendices that offer readers a wealth of useful information, including links to education resources and elementary and middle school curricula.