Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School: A Cognitive and Cultural Approach

A practical methods text that prepares teachers to engage their students in rich science learning experiences Featuring an increased emphasis on the way today's changing science and technology is shaping our culture, this Second Edition of Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School provides pre- and in-service teachers with an introduction to basic science concepts and methods of science instruction, as well as practical strategies for the classroom. Throughout the book, the authors help readers learn to think like scientists and better understand the role of science in our day-to-day lives and in the history of Western culture. Part II features 100 key experiments that demonstrate the connection between content knowledge and effective inquiry-based pedagogy. The Second Edition is updated throughout and includes new coverage of applying multiple intelligences to the teaching and learning of science, creating safe spaces for scientific experimentation, using today's rapidly changing online technologies, and more. Valuable Instructor and Student resources: The password-protected Instructor Teaching Site includes video clips that illustrate selected experiments, PowerPoint® lecture slides, Electronic Test Bank, Teaching guides, and Web resources. The open-access Student Study Site includes tools to help students prepare for exams and succeed in the course: video clips that illustrate selected experiments, chapter summaries, flash cards, quizzes, helpful student guides links to state standards, licensure exams and PRAXIS resources, and Learning from SAGE Journal Articles.

Table of Contents:
Preface Part I. Creating the Context for Science Education 1. The Nature of Science What Is Science? Theory Into Practice 1.1: Nature of Science Cards What Science Is Not How Science Is Done Theory Into Practice 1.2: Hidden Shapes Patterns That Connect Qualities of Scientific Inquiry Combining the Qualities of Scientific Inquiry to Address Scientific Questions Theory Into Practice 1.3: The Hypothesis Box Paradigms and Paradigm Shifts in the Nature of Science Summary Student Study Site Reflections on Science Learning Science On-Line: Researching Scientist Biographies Internet Connections: Nature of Science Resources References 2. Science Education in Social Context The Historical Role of Science Education in Our Society Theory Into Practice 2.1: What Would Life Be Like Without Certain Inventions? Science Education Within Broader Educational Reforms Theory Into Practice 2.2: Education Reform and You The Contemporary Role of Science Education in Our Society and the Current Wave of Science Education Reform Theory Into Practice 2.3: D efinitions of Scientific Literacy Broader Education Reforms and Science Education Learning to Speak the Language of Science Theory Into Practice 2.4: Metaphors in Science Ethics in Science and the Concept of Human Progress Theory Into Practice 2.5: Ethics and the Humane Treatment of Experimental Animals Summary Student Study Site Reflections on Science Learning Science On-Line: Creating a Virtual Smithsonian Science Museum Internet Connections: Science Museums on the Internet References 3. Toward a Philosophy of Hands-On Inquiry-Based Science Education Piagetian Constructivism and Learning Through Rediscovery Learning Through Play Theory Into Practice 3.1: Helping Students Make Meaning of Experience Designing Experiments and Learning Through Project-Based Science Theory Into Practice 3.2: Learning by Design Sociocultural Theory and Learning Through Legitimate Peripheral Participation Theory Into Practice 3.3: Learning Theories Textbook Review On-Line Resources and the Changing Science Classroom Summary Student Study Site Reflections on Science Learning Science On-Line: Studying Natural Disasters Internet Connections: Design-Based Learning References 4. Diverse Learners in the Science Classroom History of Diverse Learners in the Science Classroom Theory Into Practice 4.1: Draw a Scientist Current Science Education Reforms and Their Impact on Diverse Learners Theory Into Practice 4.2: Mapping the Increasing Diversity in American Classrooms Strategies for Working With Diverse Learners in the Science Classroom Theory Into Practice 4.3: Two-Column Girls and Scientists Activity Theory Into Practice 4.4: Modifying Lab Activities Theory Into Practice 4.5: Sheltered Second- Language Activity Theory Into Practice 4.6: Debating the “Fairness” of Gifted Education Summary Student Study Site Reflections on Science Learning Science On-Line: Auditory and Visual Learning in Science Education Internet Connections: Science for Diverse Learners References 5. Observing as a Scientist and as a Science Teacher Scientific Observation Theory Into Practice 5.1: Observation Experiment: Watching a Traffic Pattern Observation in the Classroom From Observation to Assessment of Science Learning From Observation to Managing the Classroom to Enhance Science Learning Creating a Safe Science Learning Environment Field Experiences, Peer Teaching, and Other Opportunities to Practice the Craft of Science Teaching Observational Forms Theory Into Practice 5.2: Science Lesson Observation Form Theory Into Practice 5.3: Observing in a Science Museum or Other Non-School Setting Theory Into Practice 5.4: Interviewing a Teacher After Observing a Science Lesson Beyond Observation: Other Science Inquiry Processes Creating a Science Educator’s Portfolio Theory Into Practice 5.5: Looking at Electronic Portfolios Summary Student Study Site Reflections on Science Learning Science On-Line: Combining Content with Field Experiences Internet Connections: Scientific Observation Part II. Teaching and Learning the Science Disciplines 6. Understanding and Teaching Earth and Space Sciences Earth Scientists Then and Now: Mary Anning and Charles Keeling The Place of Earth and Space Science in Science Education Measuring and Estimating in Earth and Space Science Experiment 1: Estimating the Number of Books in Your School Library Experiment 2: Orienteering Experiment 3: Geologic Time on a Football Field The Cosmos: The Sun, Planets, Solar System, Stars, and Beyond Experiment 4: Solar System Model Experiment 5: Expanding Universe Model Experiment 6: Hot Enough to Fry an Egg Astronomy: Observing the Heavens From Earth in the Past and Present Experiment 7: Modeling Phases of the Moon Experiment 8: The Changing Seasons Experiment 9: Changing Lengths of Shadows Restless Earth: Earth’s Composition, Layers, Movements, and Impacts in Surface Features Experiment 10: Convection Currents Experiment 11: Mountain Building With Towels Experiment 12: Earthquake-Resistant Structures Rocks and Minerals: Formation, Identification, and Human Use of Common Rocks and Minerals Experiment 13: Crystals in Your Kitchen Experiment 14: Identifying Minerals Experiment 15: Determining Soil Type Earth Cycles: Many Processes on Earth Operate in Cycles Experiment 16: Building an Aquifer Model Experiment 17: Edible Rock Cycle Experiment 18: Cloud in a Bottle Weather and Climate: Weather Patterns, Climate Zones, and Climatic Change Over Time Experiment 19: Tracking Rainfall Experiment 20: Making an Anemometer Experiment 21: Rainforest Terrarium Atmosphere: Atmospheric Movement, Layers, Pressure and Cloud Formation, Smog and Pollution Experiment 22: Why Are Clouds White? Experiment 23: Why Is the Sky Blue? Experiment 24: Smog in a Jar Water and Oceans: Fresh Water/Salt Water Distribution, Interactions, and Contamination Experiment 25: How Salty Is Too Salty? Experiment 26: Mapping the Ocean Floor Experiment 27: Oil Spill Clean-Up Student Study Site Reflections on Science Internet Connections: Earth and Space Science 7. Understanding and Teaching Biology Biologists Then and Now: Ernst Haeckel and Steven Jay Gould The Place of Biology in Science Education Measurement in Biology Experiment 28: Measuring Peak Flow Rate Experiment 29: Estimating Lengths of Very Small Objects Experiment 30: Measuring Population Change Classification Experiment 31: Observation in the Bag Experiment 32: Developing a System of Classification Experiment 33: Classifying Different Animals Plants Experiment 34: Seed Germination Experiment 35: Making a Plant Cell Model Experiment 36: The Effect of Acid Rain on Plant Growth Animals Experiment 37: Owl Pellet Dissection Experiment 38: Making an Animal Cell Model Experiment 39: Conducting a Bird Census Neither Plant nor Animal: Protista, Monera, Viruses, Bacteria, Fungi Experiment 40: Exploring Pond Water Experiment 41: The Power of Yeast Experiment 42: Making Yogurt Ladder of Life: The Building Blocks of Organisms Experiment 43: Cell Packing Experiment 44: Photosynthesis and Transpiration Experiment 45: Minimal Surfaces in Natural and Biological Forms Code of Life: All Life Is Based on the Same Genetic Code Experiment 46: Making a Model of the DNA Double Helix Experiment 47: Black Marker “Fingerprints” Experiment 48: Hearing Loss Simulation Evolution: Natural Selection and Evidence for Species Evolution Experiment 49: Bird Beak Models Experiment 50: Experimenting With Stereoscopic Vision Experiment 51: Design-an-Organism Biomes and Ecosystems: Interactions Between Plants, Animals, and the Non-Living World Experiment 52: Tracing Food Webs Experiment 53: Greenhouse Effect Model Experiment 54: Unintended Consequences The Human Body and Human Health Experiment 55: You Are What You Eat Experiment 56: Modeling the Human Arm Experiment 57: Spreading Infectious Disease Student Study Site Reflections on Science Internet Connections: Biology References 8. Understanding and Teaching Chemistry Chemists Then and Now: Marie Curie and Frank Sherwood Rowland The Place of Chemistry in Science Education Measurement in Chemistry Experiment 58: Estimating Volume Experiment 59: Making a Thermometer Experiment 60: Serial Dilution of Colored Liquid Atoms, Elements, and Molecules Experiment 61: Marshmallow Molecule Models Experiment 62: Evaporating Molecules Experiment 63: Elements You Eat Matter Experiment 64: Hot Air Rises Experiment 65: Densities of Liquids Experiment 66: Making Salt Crystals Experiment 67: Floating a Needle on Water Experiment 68: Separating Mixtures Experiment 69: Comparing Soaps Temperature Experiment 70: Evaporation of Alcohol and Water Experiment 71: Hot and Cold Water Mixtures Experiment 72: Making Ice Cream Pressure Experiment 73: Burning Candles Experiment 74: Creating a Simple Vacuum Experiment 75: Cartesian Diver Fuels Experiment 76: Building a Voltaic Pile Experiment 77: Making a Solar Water Heater Experiment 78: Peanut Power Student Study Site Reflections on Science Internet Connections: Chemistry References 9. Understanding and Teaching Physics Physicists Then and Now: Michael Faraday and Stephen W. Hawking The Place of Physics in Science Education Measurement in Physics Experiment 79: Using Standard and Nonstandard Units of Length Experiment 80: Determining Relative and Absolute Weights Using a Pan Balance Experiment 81: Using a Stopwatch to Measure Time Force: Gravity, Velocity, Acceleration, Newton’s Laws Experiment 82: Flipping a Card off Your Finger While Leaving a Quarter in Place Experiment 83: Swinging a Bucket of Water in a Circle Without Getting Wet Experiment 84: Demonstrating “Lift” with a Ping-Pong Ball and Straw Forms of Energy Experiment 85: Bouncing Superballs Experiment 86: Modeling Nuclear Half-Life Experiment 87: Creating an Electroscope to Detect Static Electricity Simple Machines Experiment 88: Experimenting With Pulleys Experiment 89: Experimenting With Ramps Experiment 90: Experimenting With Levers Sound Experiment 91: Demonstrating the Conduction of Sound Experiment 92: Experimenting With Harmonic Sound Experiment 93: Experimenting With Resonance Light and Color Experiment 94: Making a Thaumatrope Experiment 95: Color Blending Experiment 96: Bending Light Electricity and Magnetism Experiment 97: Observing Magnetic Fields Experiment 98: Making a Simple Circuit Experiment 99: Making an Electromagnet Student Study Site Reflections on Science Experiment 100: Design Your Own Experiment Internet Connections: Physics References Part III. Making the Transition From Preservice Teacher to Inservice Teacher 10. Teacher Professional Development: Growing as a Teacher of Science History of Teacher Professional Development The Current State of Teacher Professional Development Theory Into Practice 10.1: Recertification Requirements Across States Action Research: From Research “On” to Research “With” Lesson Study Theory Into Practice 10.2: The TIMMS Video Project Parental Involvement and Parental Engagement Theory Into Practice 10.3: Parent Interview Professional Organizations: NSTA Advanced Study Theory Into Practice 10.4: Interviewing an NBCT in Your School District Applying for Grants Theory Into Practice 10.5: If I Had $500 Summary Student Study Site Reflections on Science Learning Science On-Line: On-Line Resources for Science Teaching References Appendix. The National Science Education Standards for Science Content Glossary Index About the Authors