Teaching, Learning & Assessing Science 5-12

`The book is a practical work emphasizing the nuts and bolts of how to plan and deliver the curriculum in the classroom, as well as assessing the learning outcomes. It also looks at the pros and cons of the different types of teaching resources. The book is good for curriculum planning for NQT′s and experienced teachers alike′ - Environmental Education `Wynne Harlen is an acknowledged authority in the United Kingdom on science education for children from five-12 years (often referred to as the primary school phase). This book is the product of a lifetime of dedicated work in this area. Its success is indicated by the fact that it is a further edition of a book already accepted by the teaching community as one that addresses some of their immediate and most basic concerns. For those who are familiar with the previous edition it may be helpful for readers to know that this latest one provides an update on thinking about the practice of primary school science, particularly in the light of the considerable developments that have taken place in the last 4 years.... Science educators, in particular, will find this makes a valuable contribution to their professional development, and environmental concerns are not neglected in the process′ - Environmental Education Research Teaching, Learning & Assessing Science 5-12 is a new and totally revised edition of Teaching and Learning Primary Science. The author provides a theoretical rationale for why science should be taught in particular ways, and ideas and examples of how to do it. The opening chapters show how children learn, and discuss the nature of the goals of teaching science to children aged from five to 12 years. It is teachers′ understanding of these things that determines the kind of learning experiences they provide for children. Evidence is given to support a constructivist view: a view of learning which recognizes that children already have ideas about the world around them, formed from their everyday experiences and everyday ways of thinking. The teacher′s role is to help children to build their understanding and change their ideas towards the more scientific view. In science, this means through inquiry, which involves first-hand investigation of materials, the use of books and other resources and discussion. Several chapters describe and illustrate aspects of the teacher′s role in bringing about this learning, including planning and providing learning resources.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Teaching Science 5-12 Why and How The Goals of Science Education Children Learning Children′s Ideas Changing Ideas Children′s Learning Experiences The Teacher′s Role Overview Assessing for Learning Gathering Evidence about Children′s Learning Interpreting Evidence for Formative Assessment Helping the Development of Scientific Ideas Helping the Development of Process Skills and Attitudes Gathering and Interpreting Evidence for Summative Assessment Choosing and Using Resources The Whole-School Role

About the Author :
Professor Wynne Harlen is one of the key international figures in primary science. She was most recently head of the Scottish Council for Research in Education and is now retired.

Review :
`The book is a practical work emphasizing the nuts and bolts of how to plan and deliver the curriculum in the classroom, as well as assessing the learning outcomes. It also looks at the pros and cons of the different types of teaching resources. The book is good for curriculum planning for NQT′s and experienced teachers alike′ - Environmental Education `Professor Wynne Harlen is an acknowledged authority in the UK on science education for children 5-12 years (often referred to as the primary school phase). This book is the product of a lifetime of dedicated work in this area. Its success is indicated by the fact that it is a further edition of a book already accepted by the teaching community as one that addresses some of their immediate and most basic concerns. For those who are familiar with the previous edition it may be helpful for readers to know that this latest one provides an update on thinking about the practice of primary school science, particularly in the light of the considerable developments that have taken place in the last 4 years.... Science educators, in particular, will find this makes a valuable contribution to their professional development, and environmental concerns are not neglected in the process′ - Environmental Education Research