The Sourcebook for Teaching Science is a unique, comprehensive resource designed to give middle and high school science teachers a wealth of information that will enhance any science curriculum. Filled with innovative tools, dynamic activities, and practical lesson plans that are grounded in theory, research, and national standards, the book offers both new and experienced science teachers powerful strategies and original ideas that will enhance the teaching of physics, chemistry, biology, and the earth and space sciences.
Table of Contents:
About the Author vii
Acknowledgments xi
PART ONE Developing Scientific Literacy 1
1 Building a Scientific Vocabulary 3
For the Teacher 3
1.1 Biology Vocabulary 4
1.2 Chemistry Vocabulary 15
1.3 Physics Vocabulary 24
1.4 Earth and Space Science Vocabulary 28
Answers to Chapter Activities 33
2 Developing Science Reading Skills 35
For the Teacher 35
2.1 Science Reading Comprehension: Cloze 38
2.2 Science Reading Comprehension: Jigsaw 39
2.3 Science Vocabulary in Spanish and English 39
2.4 Scientific Terminology: Linking Languages 41
Answers to Chapter Activities 42
3 Developing Science Writing Skills 45
For the Teacher 45
3.1 Science Note Taking 46
3.2 Science Journaling 47
3.3 Science Essay Questions 49
3.4 Types of Science Writing 51
3.5 Science Writing Style 53
Answers to Chapter Activities 57
4 Science, Technology, and Society 58
For the Teacher 58
4.1 Science and Society 59
4.2 Science and Other Subjects 61
4.3 Careers in Science 67
4.4 Science and Technological Innovation 70
Answers to Chapter Activities 74
PART TWO Developing Scientific Reasoning 77
5 Employing Scientific Methods 79
For the Teacher 79
5.1 Discrepant Events: Establishing a “Need to Know” 80
5.2 Developing Scientifically Oriented Questions 83
5.3 Observation Versus Inference 86
5.4 Brainstorming and Hypothesizing 87
5.5 Experimental Design 90
5.6 Independent Variables 92
5.7 Writing Clear Procedures 94
5.8 Using History to Teach Scientific Methods 95
5.9 Indirect Evidence: “Black Box” Experiments 99
5.10 Evaluating Hypotheses 101
Answers to Chapter Activities 102
6 Developing Scientific Reasoning Skills 106
For the Teacher 106
6.1 Levels of Reasoning 108
6.2 Inductive Reasoning 111
6.3 Deductive Reasoning 116
6.4 Lateral Thinking 121
Answers to Chapter Activities 122
7 Thinking Critically and Resolving Misconceptions 125
For the Teacher 125
7.1 Critical Thinking 126
7.2 Evaluating Claims 129
7.3 Using a Decision-Making Matrix 131
7.4 Misconceptions in Physics 132
7.5 Misconceptions in Chemistry 135
7.6 Misconceptions in Biology 137
7.7 Misconceptions in Earth and Space Science 139
Answers to Chapter Activities 142
PART THREE Developing Scientific Understanding 149
8 Organizing Science Information and Concepts 151
For the Teacher 151
8.1 Advance Organizers 153
8.2 Orders of Magnitude: The Universe in Powers of Ten 154
8.3 Organizational Hierarchy in Biology 157
8.4 Organization of the Chemistry Curriculum 161
8.5 Organization of the Physics Curriculum 161
8.6 Earth Systems Interactions 162
Answers to Chapter Activities 165
9 Graphic Organizers for Science 168
For the Teacher 168
9.1 Conceptual Grids 169
9.2 Venn Diagrams 172
9.3 Flowcharts 174
9.4 Mind Maps 176
9.5 Concept Maps 178
Answers to Chapter Activities 182
10 Learning Science Concepts with Analogies 184
For the Teacher 184
10.1 Extended Science Analogies 187
10.2 Analogies for Learning Physics 195
10.3 Analogies for Learning Chemistry 197
10.4 Analogies for Learning Biology 198
10.5 Analogies for Learning Earth and Space Science 199
Answers to Chapter Activities 200
11 Tools for Improving Memory in Science 203
For the Teacher 203
11.1 The Primacy and Recency Effect 211
11.2 Expanding Short-Term Memory by Chunking 211
11.3 Science Acronyms and Abbreviations 215
11.4 Acrostics for Memorizing Lists 216
Answers to Chapter Activities 219
12 Structure and Function in Science 225
For the Teacher 225
12.1 Form and Function in Machines 226
12.2 Structure and Function in Anatomyand Physiology 229
12.3 Structure and Function in Plants 233
12.4 Structure and Function at a Molecular Level 235
12.5 Model Building 238
Answers to Chapter Activities 239
13 Games for Learning Science 243
For the Teacher 243
13.1 Science Jeopardy 244
13.2 Science Taboo 247
13.3 Science Bingo 248
13.4 Science Pictionary 248
13.5 Science Bowl 250
13.6 Science Baseball 252
13.7 What in the World? 252
13.8 Twenty Questions 255
13.9 Logic Games 256
PART FOUR Developing Scientific Problem-Solving Skills 259
14 Science Word Problems 261
For the Teacher 261
14.1 Translating Common Words into Mathematical Symbols 263
14.2 Translating Natural Language into Algebraic Expressions 264
14.3 Translating Algebraic Expressions into Natural Language 266
Answers to Chapter Activities 268
15 Geometric Principles in Science 270
For the Teacher 270
15.1 Developing Measurement Scales 271
15.2 Indirect Measurement in Science 273
15.3 Ratios for Solving Problems in Science 275
15.4 Surface Area to Volume Ratios 277
15.5 Surface Area to Volume Ratios in Living Systems 279
15.6 The Inverse Square Law in the Physical Sciences 283
15.7 Scientific Applications of Conic Sections 287
Answers to Chapter Activities 290
16 Diagramming and Visualizing Problems in Science 293
For the Teacher 293
16.1 Vector Diagrams 295
16.2 Interpreting Scientific Diagrams 298
16.3 Pictorial Riddles 301
16.4 Analyzing Photographs 04
16.5 Digital Movies and Animations 310
16.6 Extrapolation 316
16.7 Interactive Scientific Simulations 318
Answers to Chapter Activities 319
17 Dimensional Analysis 322
For the Teacher 322
17.1 Unit Measures 326
17.2 Fundamental Quantities 329
17.3 SI and Non-SI Units 332
17.4 CGS and MKS Units 334
17.5 Discovering Physical Laws Using Fundamental Units 335
17.6 Simplifying Calculations with the Line Method 337
17.7 Solving Problems with Dimensional Analysis 339
Answers to Chapter Activities 346
18 Stoichiometry: Interactions of Matter 351
For the Teacher 351
18.1 Predicting Oxidation States and Ions 354
18.2 Predicting Polyatomic Ions, Reactants,and Products 360
18.3 Techniques for Balancing Equations 363
Answers to Chapter Activities 366
PART FIVE Developing Scientific Research Skills 371
19 Scientific Databases 373
For the Teacher 373
19.1 Databases in Chemistry 374
19.2 Databases in Biology 378
19.3 Databases in Health 382
19.4 Databases in Earth and Space Science 385
19.5 Databases in Physics 387
Answers to Chapter Activities 389
20 Spreadsheets, Graphs, and Scientific Data Analysis 392
For the Teacher 392
20.1 Calculations and Computer Modeling 394
20.2 Relating Graphs to Real-World Experiences 398
20.3 Graphing Stories 400
20.4 Scatter and Line Graphs 402
20.5 Column and Bar Graphs 406
20.6 Pie and Area Graphs 410
20.7 High-Low, Combination, and Log Plots 413
20.8 Statistics 418
Answers to Chapter Activities 420
21 Mapping and Visualizing Scientific Data 426
For the Teacher 426
21.1 Map Construction 427
21.2 Topographic Maps 428
21.3 Mapping Data Electronically 434
21.4 Weather Maps 438
21.5 Environmental Maps 444
21.6 Astronomy Maps 446
21.7 Interpreting Aerial and Satellite Photographs 452
Answers to Chapter Activities 454
22 Science Inquiry and Research 458
For the Teacher 458
22.1 Inquiry 459
22.2 Sensors and Probeware 461
22.3 Problem-Based Learning 465
22.4 Forums and Debates 466
22.5 Rotating Laboratories 468
22.6 Citing Research 470
Answers to Chapter Activities 471
23 Science Projects and Fairs 473
For the Teacher 473
23.1 Writing Research Questions 474
23.2 Developing a Research Proposal 486
23.3 Conducting Research 487
23.4 Sharing Your Findings 488
Answers to Chapter Activities 490
PART SIX Resources for Teaching Science 491
24 Science Curriculum and Instruction 493
24.1 The Nature of Science 493
24.2 Theories and Perspectives in Science Education 496
24.3 Developments in Science Curriculum and Instruction 498
24.4 The Science Curriculum 502
24.5 Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Curricula 504
24.6 Teaching Science Inquiry 506
24.7 Teaching Science to English Language Learners 508
24.8 Teaching Science with Humor 511
24.9 Professional Development in Science Education 513
24.10 Science Field Trips and Guest Speakers 515
25 Planning and Managing Science Instruction 517
25.1 Establishing Science Learning Objectives 517
25.2 Developing a Science Lesson Plan 517
25.3 Developing a Science Semester Plan 519
25.4 Getting to Know Your Students 519
25.5 Managing the Classroom Effectively 522
25.6 Assessing Student Performance 525
25.7 Evaluating Teaching Performance 528
26 The Science Laboratory 529
26.1 Equipping the Science Laboratory 529
26.2 Writing Successful Grant Proposals 533
26.3 Common and Inexpensive Sources of Chemicals 534
26.4 Preparing Solutions 538
26.5 Laboratory Safety 540
26.6 Safety Equipment Checklist 540
26.7 Chemical Hazards and Storage 542
26.8 Disposal of Chemicals 546
26.9 Accidents 547
27 Science Reference Information 549
27.1 Writing Style Guidelines 549
27.2 Units, Constants, and Conversions 551
27.3 Chemical Properties 554
27.4 Graph Paper, Protractors, and Rulers 559
Notes 567
Index 577
About the Author :
THE AUTHOR
NORMAN HERR, Ph.D., is a professor of science and computer education at California State University, Northridge. He earned his doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and has worked as a scientist, high school science teacher, college science instructor, science education consultant, and director of graduate programs in science education. Dr. Herr is co-author of Hands-On Physics Activities with Real-Life Applications and Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications from Jossey-Bass.
