Science in Elementary Education Methods, Concepts, and Inquiries

Joe Peters taught K-12 science before joining the UWF faculty. He has numerous presentations and publications, remains active in K-12 classrooms, and is Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Elementary Science Education. Other service includes a Distinguished Service Award (NARST), Leadership Award (NSELA), Executive Secretary for ASTE, and representation to ICASE, Triangle Coalition, and CSSP.

Part One         METHODS FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE

Ch. 1:   Inquiring Minds in the Classroom 

            A National Focus on Inquiry

            The Nature of Science

            How Do Children and Society Benefit When Science Is Taught Properly?   

Ch. 2:   Discovering Science Through Inquiry

            Inquiry and Its Role in Promoting Scientific Literacy

            Inquiry as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning

            Inquiry and Scientists

            Inquiry and Children

            Convergence of Ideas

            Constructivism and Science Teaching and Learning

            A Constructivist Approach to Teaching

            Preparing for Inquiry in Your Classroom

Ch. 3:   Planning for Inquiry 

            Planning Inquiry Experiences

            Development of a 6E Lesson

            National Standards and Planning

Ch. 4:   Inquiry and Assessment      

            Assessment Today

            NCLB

            Linking Assessment to Inquiry

            The 6E Model and Assessment

            Authentic Assessment

            Characteristics of Good Assessment

            Performance-Based Assessment

            Project-Based Assessment

            Peer or Individual Assessments

            Interviews

            Journals

            Portfolios

            Concept Maps

            Teacher Observations

            Open-Ended Questions

            Assessing Attitudes

Ch. 5:   Inquiry and Science as Practice       

            Inquiry and Scientific Skill Development

            The Goals of Science as Practice

            Four Strands of Science

            Scientific Skills in Support of Science as Practice

Observing

Classifying

Measuring

Communicating

Inferring

Predicting

Experimenting

Scientific Attitudes

Curiosity

Inventiveness

Critical Thinking

Persistence

Uncertainty

Developing Attitudes

Ch. 6:   Inquiry Experiences for All Children

            Celebrating Diversity

            Cultural Diversity

            Linguistic Diversity

            Gender Equality

            Teaching Students with Special Needs

            Inclusive Classrooms

            Assisting Students with Disabilities

            Children with Disabilities

            Working with Gifted Students

Ch. 7:   Inquiry Learning Opportunities        

            Opportunity to Learn

            Historical Perspective

            Science Fairs

            Invention Conventions

            Science Learning Centers

            Science Projects

            Science Learning Resources

            Technology Education as a Science Learning Opportunity

Ch. 8:   Professional Development in Support of Inquiry

            Lifelong Learning

            Establishing Inservice Programs

            A Personal View

            Mentoring Programs

            Teacher as Researcher

Part Two         CONCEPTS AND INQUIRIES FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE

Inquiry Unit 1:               Physical Science

            Light Energy and Color Benchmarks

            Pathways of Light Concepts

            Light Refraction Concepts

            Color Concepts

            Color Blindness

            Perception and the Eye Concepts

            Heat Energy Benchmarks

            Expansion and Contraction Concepts

            Changing States of Matter Concepts

            Temperature and Heat Energy Concepts

            The Calorie and the BTU

            Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Concepts

            Sound Energy Benchmarks

            Sound Vibration Concepts

            How Sounds Travel Concepts

            Reflected and Absorbed Sounds Concept

            How Pitch Changes Concepts

            Hearing and Locating Sounds Concepts

            Magnetic Interaction Benchmarks

            Magnets and What They Attract Concepts

            Making Magnets Concepts

            Fields of Force Concepts

            Magnetic Pole Concepts

            Magnetic Therapy and Care of Magnets Concepts

            Electrical Energy Benchmarks

            Closed and Open Circuit Concepts

            Series and Parallel Circuit Concepts

            Electrical Flow Concepts

            Electromagnet Concepts

            Generating Electricity Concepts

            Simple Machine Benchmarks

            Screws and Inclined Planes Concepts

            Lever Concepts

            Wheel and Axle Concepts

            Pulley Concepts

            Motion and Friction Concepts

            Simple Machine Print Resources

Inquiry Unit 2: Life Science

            Plant Life Benchmarks

            Seed-Related Concepts

            Vegetative Reproduction Concepts

            Environmental Conditions Concepts

            Plant Part and Function Concepts

            Adaptation and Survival Concepts

            Molds and Fungi Concepts

            Animal Life Benchmarks

            Classification of Animals Concepts

            Animals with Backbones Concepts

            Animals Without Backbones Concepts

            Ecological Concepts

            Human Body and Nutrition Benchmarks

            Skeletal and Muscle Systems Concepts

            Nervous System Concepts

            Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Concepts

            Digestive System Concepts

            Food and Nutrition Concepts

            Human Body and Nutrition Print Resources

Inquiry Unit 3: Earth and Space Science

            The Earth’s Changing Surface Benchmarks

            Weathering and Erosion Concepts

            Soil and its Makeup Concepts

            Building Up of the Land Concepts

            How Rocks Are Formed Concepts

            Water, Air, and Weather Benchmarks

            Water Concepts

            Air and Its Properties Concepts

            Weather Concepts

            Condensation

            The Earth in Space Benchmarks

            Time and the Seasons Concepts

            Moon, Earth, and Sun Orbits Concepts

            Solar System and Beyond Concepts

            Gravity and the Laws of Motion Concepts

            The Earth in Space Print Resources

Appendix A: Professional Bibliography

Appendix B: Science Curriculum Projects

Appendix C: Commercial Science Suppliers

Appendix D: Environments and Nutrition for Classroom Animals          

Appendix E: Summary of Children’s Thinking

Appendix F: State Education Agencies 

References

Index

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