Science in Elementary Education

Part One METHODS FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE



Ch. 1: Inquiring Minds in the Classroom

A National Focus on Inquiry

The Nature of Science

How Do Children and Society Benefit When Science Is Taught Properly?

Ch. 2: Discovering Science Through Inquiry

Inquiry and Its Role in Promoting Scientific Literacy

Inquiry as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning

Inquiry and Scientists

Inquiry and Children

Convergence of Ideas

Constructivism and Science Teaching and Learning

A Constructivist Approach to Teaching

Preparing for Inquiry in Your Classroom

Ch. 3: Planning for Inquiry

Planning Inquiry Experiences

Development of a 6E Lesson

National Standards and Planning

Ch. 4: Inquiry and Assessment

Assessment Today

NCLB

Linking Assessment to Inquiry

The 6E Model and Assessment

Authentic Assessment

Characteristics of Good Assessment

Performance-Based Assessment

Project-Based Assessment

Peer or Individual Assessments

Interviews

Journals

Portfolios

Concept Maps

Teacher Observations

Open-Ended Questions

Assessing Attitudes

Ch. 5: Inquiry and Science as Practice

Inquiry and Scientific Skill Development

The Goals of Science as Practice

Four Strands of Science

Scientific Skills in Support of Science as Practice

Observing

Classifying

Measuring

Communicating

Inferring

Predicting

Experimenting

Scientific Attitudes

Curiosity

Inventiveness

Critical Thinking

Persistence

Uncertainty

Developing Attitudes

Ch. 6: Inquiry Experiences for All Children

Celebrating Diversity

Cultural Diversity

Linguistic Diversity

Gender Equality

Teaching Students with Special Needs

Inclusive Classrooms

Assisting Students with Disabilities

Children with Disabilities

Working with Gifted Students

Ch. 7: Inquiry Learning Opportunities

Opportunity to Learn

Historical Perspective

Science Fairs

Invention Conventions

Science Learning Centers

Science Projects

Science Learning Resources

Technology Education as a Science Learning Opportunity

Ch. 8: Professional Development in Support of Inquiry

Lifelong Learning

Establishing Inservice Programs

A Personal View

Mentoring Programs

Teacher as Researcher



Part Two CONCEPTS AND INQUIRIES FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE



Inquiry Unit 1: Physical Science

Light Energy and Color Benchmarks

Pathways of Light Concepts

Light Refraction Concepts

Color Concepts

Color Blindness

Perception and the Eye Concepts

Heat Energy Benchmarks

Expansion and Contraction Concepts

Changing States of Matter Concepts

Temperature and Heat Energy Concepts

The Calorie and the BTU

Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Concepts

Sound Energy Benchmarks

Sound Vibration Concepts

How Sounds Travel Concepts

Reflected and Absorbed Sounds Concept

How Pitch Changes Concepts

Hearing and Locating Sounds Concepts

Magnetic Interaction Benchmarks

Magnets and What They Attract Concepts

Making Magnets Concepts

Fields of Force Concepts

Magnetic Pole Concepts

Magnetic Therapy and Care of Magnets Concepts

Electrical Energy Benchmarks

Closed and Open Circuit Concepts

Series and Parallel Circuit Concepts

Electrical Flow Concepts

Electromagnet Concepts

Generating Electricity Concepts

Simple Machine Benchmarks

Screws and Inclined Planes Concepts

Lever Concepts

Wheel and Axle Concepts

Pulley Concepts

Motion and Friction Concepts

Simple Machine Print Resources

Inquiry Unit 2: Life Science

Plant Life Benchmarks

Seed-Related Concepts

Vegetative Reproduction Concepts

Environmental Conditions Concepts

Plant Part and Function Concepts

Adaptation and Survival Concepts

Molds and Fungi Concepts

Animal Life Benchmarks

Classification of Animals Concepts

Animals with Backbones Concepts

Animals Without Backbones Concepts

Ecological Concepts

Human Body and Nutrition Benchmarks

Skeletal and Muscle Systems Concepts

Nervous System Concepts

Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Concepts

Digestive System Concepts

Food and Nutrition Concepts

Human Body and Nutrition Print Resources

Inquiry Unit 3: Earth and Space Science

The Earth's Changing Surface Benchmarks

Weathering and Erosion Concepts

Soil and its Makeup Concepts

Building Up of the Land Concepts

How Rocks Are Formed Concepts

Water, Air, and Weather Benchmarks

Water Concepts

Air and Its Properties Concepts

Weather Concepts

Condensation

The Earth in Space Benchmarks

Time and the Seasons Concepts

Moon, Earth, and Sun Orbits Concepts

Solar System and Beyond Concepts

Gravity and the Laws of Motion Concepts

The Earth in Space Print Resources



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



References

Index