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

Intended for both pre-service and practicing teachers, Teaching Children Science provides elementary science methods, content, and activities using Abruscato's “discovery approach ” and presents contemporary ideas in a motivating, engaging writing style that captivates future classroom teachers and enhances his/her instruction in the science 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.

Table of Contents:
Most chapters conclude with “Summary,” “Going Further,” “Resources for Discovery Learning,” and “Notes.” Welcome. INTRODUCTION: STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES. HOW WILL I CREATE MY INQUIRY-BASED, DISCOVERY-FOCUSED CLASSROOM? A New Day Begins. A Chance to Touch Tomorrow. You: Science-Teaching Fears, Hopes, and Dreams. Your Children: Curious, Small Scientists Who Need Guidance and Direction. Science: What Is It, Really? REAL TEACHERS TALKING. Technology: It's Changing Your Life and Their Lives. MAKE THE CASE. Discovery: Your Destination. Inquiry: The Path Children Will Take toward Discovery. National, State, and Local Standards: They Will Light Your Way. PROJECT 2061. Yes, You Can Do It! Science for All Children, Every Day in Every Way. 2. Constructing Knowledge and Discovering Meaning. How can I help children learn science? What Is Learning, Really? PROJECT 2061. Traditional Views about How Children Learn Science. Constructivism: A Modern View of How Children Learn Science. Ways to Support Your Constructivist Teaching. MAKE THE CASE. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. 3. The Inquiry Process Skills. How can I help children use the inquiry process skills to make discoveries? Digging to Discover. Inquiry: The Path. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. The Learning Cycle. The Inquiry Process Skills. PROJECT 2061. MAKE THE CASE. 4. Planning and Managing. How can I plan and manage inquiry-based, discovery-focused units and lessons? The Water Rat and the Sea Horse. The Scope of the Science Curriculum. The Sequence of the Science Curriculum. Unit Planning. PROJECT 2061. Lesson Planning. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. MAKE THE CASE. 5. Strategies and QuickChecks. How can I effectively use cooperative learning, questioning and wait-time strategies, active listening, demonstrations, and textbooks in my classroom? Talk, Talk, and More Talk! Cooperative Learning Strategies. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. Questioning Strategies. Wait-Time/Think-Time Strategies. Active Listening Strategies. Demonstrations. MAKE THE CASE. Science Textbooks. 6. Assessment of Understanding and Inquiry. How can I put the NSE Standards approach, along with traditional and authentic assessment techniques, to work in my classroom? “What D'ja Git?” Three Approaches to Assessment. The NSE Standards Approach to Assessment. Authentic Assessment Techniques. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. Putting It All Together. MAKE THE CASE. 7. Integrating Science. How can I integrate inquiry-based science with other subjects in a child's school day? Inquiry as the "Superglue" of Knowledge. PROJECT 2061. Science and the Language Arts. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. Science and Mathematics. MAKE THE CASE. Science and the Social Studies. Science and Art. Science and Music. Science and Health and Physical Education. 8. Science WebQuests. How can I create inquiry-based, discovery-focused Internet projects for children? A Strange Thing Happened on My Way to a School One Day. The Internet: An Important Resource for Inquiry and Discovery. PROJECT 2061. How to Plan and Prepare a Science WebQuest . Real Teachers Talking. Make the Case. 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. The “Digital Divide”: A Cautionary Tale. Children from Diverse Cultural Backgrounds. Children with Special Needs. MAKE THE CASE. REAL TEACHERS TALKING. Children with Special Gifts and Talents. YOUR CLASSROOM ENRICHMENT HANDBOOK. Position Statements of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). Keeping Living Things . . . Alive. Materials to Keep in Your Science Closet The Metric Helper. Content Coverage Checklists. Your Science Survival Bookshelf. YOUR SCIENCE SOURCE ADDRESS BOOK. Free and Inexpensive Materials. The “Book” Companies. Bilingual Child Resources. Special-Needs Resources. Science Teachers Associations. NASA Teacher Resource Centers. Index.