Teaching Emerging Scientists Fostering Scientific Inquiry with Diverse Learners in Grades K-2

Teaching Emerging Scientists: Professional Development Guide to Teaching K-2 Science by Pamela Fraser-Abder provides science content and process, curriculum, instruction, and pedagogy as well as a venue for reflective thought, deliberate action, and experimentation. It assists teachers in developing, implementing, and evaluating their science teaching and their students’ science learning.

As teachers complete the reflections in this book, they will explore the what, why, and how they teach; their deep-seated, often unconscious feelings toward science teaching and learning; and their views on who has ownership of science through their science autobiography and other reflection opportunities. With the information and tools in this book, readers will evolve into outstanding, confident teachers of emerging scientists.

‘’A step by step guide that will improve science … If teachers really want to improve their science teaching, this book will do the trick!The author has a very good grasp of an elementary classroom and writes well for a teacher audience.’’ -Jamie Barnett, Science Coordinator, Cherokee County Schools, Murphy, North Carolina

‘’With the emphasis on teaching science and the required hands-on lessons, I would recommend this text as a book study for a school.’’ -Nancy B. Smoot, Kindergarten Teacher, Clemmons Elementary School, Clemmons, North Carolina

‘’Excellent examples – very, very useful for in-service teachers.’’-Pascale Creek Pinner, Science Department Chairperson, Hilo Intermediate School, Hilo, Hawaii

Pamela Fraser-Abder teaches science to aspiring and current K-12 teachers in New York City, where she also consults on K-16 science curriculum and professional development. She currently edits an annual volume on Pedagogical Issues in Science Mathematics and Technology Education and in 2008 received the Steinhardt Teaching Excellence award for her work at New York University.

Table of Contents

Preface

Chapter 1:  Factors Which Influence Your Science Teaching Philosophy

Why Teach Science To Young Children?

Your Personal Context

Who Are You And How Do You Feel About Science?

What Is Your Teaching And Learning Style?

What Are Your Views On Science And Scientists?

What Were Your Early Experiences With Science?

Science Education Then And Now

How has science education changed since the 1950s?

Chapter 2: How Young Children Learn and Think about Science

Can You Recall Your First Experience With Science?

What Are Your Children’s Views Of Science And Scientists?

What Does Research Say About How Young Children View Science And Scientists?

What is Science?

What Are K-2 Children’s Ideas About Science?

How Do Young Children Learn Science?

Children’s Understandings Of Physical Properties

Children’s Understandings Of Animals

Children’s Understandings Of Plants

Children’s Understandings Of Earth Science

What Are Some Common Misconceptions In Your Science Classroom?

Chapter 3: Your Children And Science Learning

Who Are Your Children?

What Are Your Class’ Demographics?

How Can You Develop A Cultural Understanding Of Your Children?

How Can You Use Your Children’s Lived Experiences To Inform Your Teaching?

What Are Your Expectations For Your Children?

How Can You Help Your K-2 Children Succeed In Science?

Chapter 4: The Inquiry Approach to Teaching and Learning Science

What Is Scientific Inquiry?

How Can You Develop Inquiry Skills?

What Are Some Inquiry-Based Teaching Strategies?

Guided Discovery

Problem-Based Learning

How Can You Use Process Skills In Inquiry Teaching?

How Do You Use Process Skills In Your Daily Life?

Chapter 5: Exploring Process Skills

How can you develop Observation skills?

How can you develop measuring skills?

How can you develop communication skills?

How can you develop classification skills?

Classy Classification

How can you develop inference-making skills?

How Well Do You Know The Process Skills?

Chapter 6: Establishing Your Science Program

What Are The BIG IDEAS In Science?

What Concepts Should You Include In Your Curriculum?

How Do You Build An Effective Science Learning Environment?

How Can You Set Up Your Classroom For Science?

Chapter 7: Resources You Can Use in Your Science Teaching

What resources are available for teaching K-2 science?

You

Scientists

Non Formal Institutions

Zoos

Museums

Aquariums

Farms

Parents

Journals and Books

Internet

Education Program

Chapter 8: Developing Your Plan For Teaching

Where Am I In My Development As A Science Teacher?

Where Am I Going In My Science Teaching Practice?

State Standards

City/District Standards

School Standards

Classroom Standards

How Do I Plan To Be An Effective Science Teacher?

Beginning The Plan

Rationale For Teaching A Topic

What are my goals for teaching this lesson?

Terms that will help you define Your Science Teaching Goals

Deciding On My  Mode Of Science Instruction

Organizing My Class

Curriculum Development

Ideas From Other Science Teachers

Developing My  Own Plan

How Will I Know When I Have Arrived At My Best Level Of Practice?

Appendix 1: The National Science Education Standards and Benchmarks

What are the standards for K-4 science content?

What are the goals for school science?

What are the Standards For K-4 Science Content?

What are the Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy?

Appendix 2: Science Content Information For K-2

Properties of Objects

Plants

Animals

Weather and Water

Properties of Matter

Weather and Seasons

Animal Diversity

Forces and Motion

Soil

Plant Diversity

Life Sciences

References

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