Teaching Constructivist Science, K-8

Nurturing Natural Investigators in the Standards-Based Classroom
First Edition
Michael L. Bentley
Edward S. Ebert
Christine K. Ebert
Teaching Constructivist Science, K-8
February 2007 | 248 pages | Corwin
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Hardcover
ISBN: 9781412925754
Available from January 0001

Description

Invite young minds to engage in meaningful, standards-based science!

Good teachers know that science is more than just a collection of facts in a textbook and that teaching science goes beyond the mere transmission of information. Actively engaging students in the learning process is critical to building their knowledge base, assessing progress, and meeting science standards. Teaching Constructivist Science, K–8 shows teachers how to transform students' natural curiosity into dynamic learning opportunities. By helping students construct new knowledge using the understandings they bring to the classroom, teachers can make the most of instruction and new learning experiences. With practical applications, teaching strategies, activities, and assessment tools, this reader-friendly book demonstrates how to teach student-ready, standards-based science.

Teachers will be able to use:

  • Classic and new activities to teach big ideas with basic materials
  • An interview approach for uncovering student misunderstandings that block new learning
  • A rich resource list for finding materials and organizations
  • Guidelines for building a science-friendly environment
  • Sample lessons and learning experiences aligned to national science standards
  • Discussion questions for teacher study groups in each chapter

For both experienced and novice teachers, this accessible resource provides the perfect method to teach science in sound ways that make sense to students.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

List of Tables

List of Tables

List of Activities

List of Activities

About the Authors

About the Authors

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Part I. Foundations for Teaching Science

  • 1. The World of the Scientist and the Nature of Science
  • 2. The Content of K-8 Science
  • 3. Characteristics of the Science Learner: Development in Childhood and Adolescence

Part II. Teaching Children Science: Approaches and Strategies

  • 4. Developing the Classroom Curriculum
  • 5. Engaging Students in Inquiry: Skills and Investigative Techniques
  • 6. Designing Science Lessons for All: Differentiating Instruction
  • 7. Making Real-World Connections

Part III. Planning, Management, Assessment, and Resources

  • 8. Nuts and Bolts: Organizing and Managing the Classroom for Inquiry
  • 9. Assessment and Evaluation
  • 10. A Compendium of Resources

A Professional Development Bibliography

A Professional Development Bibliography

References

References

Index

Index

Description

Invite young minds to engage in meaningful, standards-based science!

Good teachers know that science is more than just a collection of facts in a textbook and that teaching science goes beyond the mere transmission of information. Actively engaging students in the learning process is critical to building their knowledge base, assessing progress, and meeting science standards. Teaching Constructivist Science, K–8 shows teachers how to transform students' natural curiosity into dynamic learning opportunities. By helping students construct new knowledge using the understandings they bring to the classroom, teachers can make the most of instruction and new learning experiences. With practical applications, teaching strategies, activities, and assessment tools, this reader-friendly book demonstrates how to teach student-ready, standards-based science.

Teachers will be able to use:

  • Classic and new activities to teach big ideas with basic materials
  • An interview approach for uncovering student misunderstandings that block new learning
  • A rich resource list for finding materials and organizations
  • Guidelines for building a science-friendly environment
  • Sample lessons and learning experiences aligned to national science standards
  • Discussion questions for teacher study groups in each chapter

For both experienced and novice teachers, this accessible resource provides the perfect method to teach science in sound ways that make sense to students.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

List of Tables

List of Tables

List of Activities

List of Activities

About the Authors

About the Authors

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Part I. Foundations for Teaching Science

  • 1. The World of the Scientist and the Nature of Science
  • 2. The Content of K-8 Science
  • 3. Characteristics of the Science Learner: Development in Childhood and Adolescence

Part II. Teaching Children Science: Approaches and Strategies

  • 4. Developing the Classroom Curriculum
  • 5. Engaging Students in Inquiry: Skills and Investigative Techniques
  • 6. Designing Science Lessons for All: Differentiating Instruction
  • 7. Making Real-World Connections

Part III. Planning, Management, Assessment, and Resources

  • 8. Nuts and Bolts: Organizing and Managing the Classroom for Inquiry
  • 9. Assessment and Evaluation
  • 10. A Compendium of Resources

A Professional Development Bibliography

A Professional Development Bibliography

References

References

Index

Index

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Teaching Constructivist Science, K-8

Nurturing Natural Investigators in the Standards-Based Classroom

Michael L. Bentley , Edward S. Ebert , Christine K. Ebert
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February 2007 | 248 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412925754 $94.95

Invite young minds to engage in meaningful, standards-based science!

Good teachers know that science is more than just a collection of facts in a textbook and that teaching science goes beyond the mere transmission of information. Actively engaging students in the learning process is critical to building their knowledge base, assessing progress, and meeting science standards. Teaching Constructivist Science, K–8 shows teachers how to transform students' natural curiosity into dynamic learning opportunities. By helping students construct new knowledge using the understandings they bring to the classroom, teachers can make the most of instruction and new learning experiences. With practical applications, teaching strategies, activities, and assessment tools, this reader-friendly book demonstrates how to teach student-ready, standards-based science.

Teachers will be able to use:

  • Classic and new activities to teach big ideas with basic materials
  • An interview approach for uncovering student misunderstandings that block new learning
  • A rich resource list for finding materials and organizations
  • Guidelines for building a science-friendly environment
  • Sample lessons and learning experiences aligned to national science standards
  • Discussion questions for teacher study groups in each chapter

For both experienced and novice teachers, this accessible resource provides the perfect method to teach science in sound ways that make sense to students.


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Figures
  • List of Tables
  • List of Activities
  • About the Authors
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • Part I. Foundations for Teaching Science
  • 1. The World of the Scientist and the Nature of Science
  • 2. The Content of K-8 Science
  • 3. Characteristics of the Science Learner: Development in Childhood and Adolescence
  • Part II. Teaching Children Science: Approaches and Strategies
  • 4. Developing the Classroom Curriculum
  • 5. Engaging Students in Inquiry: Skills and Investigative Techniques
  • 6. Designing Science Lessons for All: Differentiating Instruction
  • 7. Making Real-World Connections
  • Part III. Planning, Management, Assessment, and Resources
  • 8. Nuts and Bolts: Organizing and Managing the Classroom for Inquiry
  • 9. Assessment and Evaluation
  • 10. A Compendium of Resources
  • A Professional Development Bibliography
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"Used for systemwide inservice, this book could serve as a framework for lesson development, critique, analysis, and modification. For those just starting out, there are copious useful materials included."
NSTA Recommends
"So easy to follow, including the lists, figures, tables, and activities. The coverage of science methods includes everything I consider a priority to incorporate into a methods class, including the many real-life strategies and examples."
Jerry Clemens, Science Educator, Lake Zurich Middle School North, Hawthorn Woods, IL, Science Methods Instructor, National-Louis University
"One of the best I have read! A well-written and beneficial professional development resource for inservice elementary teachers wishing to expand their knowledge or refresh their memory."
Christine Anne Royce, Assistant Professor of Education, Shippensburg University
"Provides not just more, but why and how to! A much-needed book with wonderful strategies for setting up an inquiry-based classroom, choosing significant topics for investigation, differentiating within an inquiry-based classroom, and assessing learning."
Bena Kallick, Education Consultant

Recommendations