Sourcebook for Teaching Science, Grades 6-12: Strategies, Activities, and Instructional Resources »

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.

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.

About this Resource.

About the Author.

Acknowledgments.

I. DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC LITERACY.

1. Building a Scientific Vocabulary.

For the Teacher.

1.1. Biology Vocabulary.

1.2. Chemistry Vocabulary.

1.3. Physics Vocabulary.

1.4. Earth and Space Science Vocabulary.

Answers.

2. Developing Science Reading Skills.

For the Teacher.

2.1. Science Reading Comprehension - Cloze.

2.2. Science Reading Comprehension - Jigsaw.

2.3. Science Vocabulary in Spanish and English.

2.4. Scientific Terminology - Linking Languages.

Answers.

References.

3. Developing Science Writing Skills.

For the Teacher.

3.1. Science Note-Taking.

3.2. Science Journaling.

3.3. Science Essay Questions.

3.4. Types of Science Writing.

3.5. Science Writing Style.

Answers.

References.

4. Science, Technology and Society.

For the Teacher.

4.1. Science and Society.

4.2. Science and Other Subjects.

4.3. Careers in Science.

4.4. Science and Technological Innovation.

Answers.

References.

II. DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC REASONING.

5. Employing Scientific Methods .

For the Teacher.

5.1. Discrepant Events - Establishing a "Need to Know".

5.2. Developing Scientifically Oriented Questions.

5.3. Observation vs. Inference.

5.4. Brainstorming and Hypothesizing.

5.5. Experimental Design.

5.6. Independent Variables.

5.7. Writing Clear Procedures.

5.8. Using History to Teach Scientific Methods.

5.9. Indirect Evidence - "Black Box" Experiments.

5.10. Evaluating Hypotheses.

Answers.

References.

6. Developing Scientific Reasoning Skills .

For the Teacher.

6.1. Levels of Reasoning.

6.2. Inductive Reasoning.

6.3. Deductive Reasoning.

6.4. Lateral Thinking.

Answers.

References.

7. Thinking Critically and Resolving Misconceptions.

For the Teacher.

7.1. Critical Thinking .

7.2 Evaluating Claims.

7.3 Using a Decision-Making Matrix.

7.4 Misconceptions in Physics.

7.5 Misconceptions in Chemistry.

7.6 Misconceptions in Biology.

7.7 Misconceptions in Earth and Space Sciences.

Answers.

References.

III. DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING.

8. Organizing Science Information and Concepts.

For the Teacher.

8.1 Advance Organizers.

8.2 Orders of Magnitude - The Universe in Powers of Ten.

8.3 Organizational Hierarchy in Biology.

8.4 Organization of the Chemistry Curriculum.

8.5 Organization of the Physics Curriculum.

8.6 Earth Systems Interactions.

Answers.

References.

9. Graphic Organizers for Science.

For the Teacher.

9.1. Conceptual Grids.

9.2. Venn Diagrams.

9.3. Flow Charts.

9.4. Mind Maps.

9.5. Concept Maps.

Answers.

References.

10. Learning Science with Analogies.

For the Teacher.

10.1. Extended Science Analogies.

10.2. Analogies for Learning Physics.

10.3. Analogies for Learning Chemistry.

10.4 Analogies for Learning Biology.

10.5 Analogies for Learning Earth and Space Science.

Answers.

References.

11. Tools for Improving Memory in Science.

For the Teacher.

11.1. The Primacy and Recency Effect.

11.2. Expanding Short-Term Memory by Chunking.

11.3. Science Acronyms and Abbreviations.

11.4. Acrostics for Memorizing Lists.

Answers.

References.

12. Structure and Function in Science .

For the Teacher.

12.1. Form and Function in Machines.

12.2. Structure and Function in Anatomy and Physiology.

12.3. Structure and Function in Plants.

12.4. Structure and Function at a Molecular Level.

12.5. Model Building.

Answers.

References.

13. Games for Learning Science .

For the Teacher.

13.1. Science Jeopardy.

13.2. Science Taboo.

13.3. Science Bingo.

13.4. Science Pictionary.

13.5. Science Bowl.

13.6. Science Baseball.

13.7. What in the World?.

13.8. Twenty-One Questions.

13.9. Logic Games.

References.

IV. DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS.

14. Science Word Problems.

For the Teacher.

14.1. Translating Common Words into Mathematical Symbols.

14.2. Translating Natural Language into Algebraic Expressions.

14.3. Translating Algebraic Expressions into Natural Language.

Answers.

15. Geometric Principles in Science .

For the Teacher.

15.1. Developing Measurement Scales.

15.2. Indirect Measurement in Science.

15.3. Ratios for Solving Problems in Science.

15.4 Surface Area to Volume Ratios.

15.5 Surface Area to Volume Ratios in Living Systems.

15.6. The Inverse Square Law in the Physical Sciences.

15.7. Scientific Applications of Conic Sections.

Answers.

References.

16. Diagramming and Visualizing Problems in Science.

For the Teacher.

16.1. Vector Diagrams.

16.2. Interpreting Scientific Diagrams.

16.3. Pictorial Riddles.

16.4. Analyzing Photographs.

16.5. Digital Movies and Animations.

16.6. Extrapolation.

16.7. Interactive Scientific Simulations.

Answers.

References.

17. Dimensional Analysis .

17.1. Unit Measures.

17.2. Fundamental Quantities.

17.3. SI and Non-SI Units.

17.4 CGS and MKS Units.

17.5 Discovering Physical Laws Using Dimensional Analysis.

17.6. Simplifying Calculations with Dimensional Analysis.

17.7. Solving Problems with Dimensional Analysis.

Answers.

References.

18. Stoichiometry - Interactions of Matter .

For the Teacher.

18.1. Predicting Oxidation States and Ions.

18.2. Predicting Polyatomic Ions, Reactants, and Products.

18.3. Techniques for Balancing Equations.

Answers.

V. DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SKILLS .

19. Scientific Databases .

For the Teacher.

19.1. Databases in Chemistry.

19.2. Databases in Biology.

19.3. Databases in Health.

19.4. Databases in Earth and Space Sciences.

19.5. Databases in Physics.

Answers.

20. Spreadsheets, Graphs, and Scientific Data Analysis .

For the Teacher.

Spreadsheet Basics.

20.1. Calculations and Computer Modeling.

20.2. Relating Graphs to Real-World Experiences.

20.3. Graphing Stories.

20.4. Scatter and Line Graphs.

20.5. Column and Bar Graphs.

20.6. Pie and Area Graphs.

20.7 High-Low, Combination, and Log Plots.

20.8. Statistics.

Answers .

References.

21. Mapping and Visualizing Science Data.

For the Teacher.

21.1. Map Construction.

21.2. Topographic Maps.

21.3. Mapping Data Electronically.

21.4. Weather Maps.

21.5. Environmental Maps.

21.6. Astronomy Maps .

21.7. Interpreting Aerial and Satellite Photographs .

Answers.

References.

22. Science Inquiry and Research.

For the Teacher.

22.1. Inquiry.

22.2. Sensors and Probeware.

22.3. Problem-Based Learning.

22.4. Forums and Debates.

22.5. Rotating Laboratories.

22.6. Citing Research.

Answers.

References.

23. Science Projects and Fairs .

For the Teacher.

23.1. Writing Research Questions.

23.2. Developing a Research Proposal.

23.3. Conducting Research.

23.4. Sharing Your Findings.

Answers.

References.

VI. RESOURCES FOR TEACHING SCIENCE.

24. Science Curriculum and Instruction .

24.1. The Nature of Science.

24.2. Theories and Perspectives in Science Education.

24.3. Developments in Science Curriculum and Instruction.

24.4. The Science Curriculum.

24.5. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.

24.6. Teaching Science Inquiry.

24.7. Teaching Science to English Language Learners.

24.8. Teaching Science with Humor.

24.9. Professional Development in Science Education.

24.10. Science Field Trips and Guest Speakers.

References.

25. Planning and Managing Science Instruction.

25.1. Establishing Science Learning Objectives.

25.2. Developing a Science Lesson Plan.

25.3. Developing a Science Semester Plan.

25.4. Getting to Know Your Students.

25.5. Managing the Classroom and Laboratory Effectively.

25.6. Assessing Student Performance.

25.7. Evaluating Teaching Performance.

References.

26. The Science Laboratory.

26.1. Equipping the Science Laboratory.

26.2. Writing Successful Grant Proposals.

26.3. Common and Inexpensive Sources of Chemicals.

26.4. Preparing Stock Solutions.

26.5. Laboratory Safety.

26.6. Safety Equipment Checklist.

26.7. Chemical Hazards and Storage.

26.8. Disposal of Chemicals.

26.9. Accidents.

27. Science Reference Information.

27.1. Writing Style Guidelines.

27.2. Units, Constants and Conversions.

27.3. Chemical Properties.

27.4. Graph Paper, Protractors, and Rulers.

Index.