Teaching Science as Investigations: Modeling Inquiry Through Learning Cycle Lessons » (1st Edition)

Written with reform in mind, this book combines the teaching and learning of science by integrating pedagogy within science content investigations. The first chapter in each unit includes investigations appropriate for K-4 learners and the subsequent chapters present investigations for Grades 5-8. Each investigation has one student version that can be reproduced for classroom use and one teacher version that includes the expanded content needed to teach the investigation in a constructivist way. Aligned with the NSES science content standards, the investigations are sequenced to build conceptual development of science concepts and are supported by the 5E learning cycle lesson format.

FEATURES:

Foundational chapter presents research on how children learn - Chapter 1.

Investigations supported by the 5E learning cycle lesson format help professors model for their students how to teach science as inquiry in the classroom.

Physical, Life, and Earth/Space concepts each presented as a Unit, for a total of three.

Four learning cycle lessons, or investigations introduce readers to developmentally appropriate inquiry learning. The first chapter in each unit includes investigations appropriate for K-4 learners and the subsequent 3 chapters present sequential, conceptual investigations for Grades 5-8.

Teaching Tips accompany each investigation to provide practical teaching suggestions for new teachers as they implement lessons for the first time.

Essential Teaching Strategies are presented during each investigation to support new teachers with instructional methodologies including the learning cycle, assessment, materials management, integrating math or reading, questioning strategies, and more.

Lessons/investigations are aligned with the NSES science content standards and are sequencedto build conceptual development of science concepts.

Immediate application to the classroom - Each investigation has one student version that can be reproduced for classroom use and one expanded teacher version that includes all the content and pedagogy needed to teach the investigation in a constructivist way.

Learn to develop additional 5E lesson plans/investigations - through reader-friendly guidelines ensuring that any science activity readers find on the web or in a science book is set up as a valid scientific inquiry with an explorable question.

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1- An Introduction to Science Teaching: How Children Learn Science

UNIT 1: PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Chapter 2-LEARNING CYCLE:

Science Content (Primary): Light

Science Pedagogy: Learning Cycle

Lesson 2.1: See in the Dark?

Lesson 2.2: Filtering Colors

Lesson 2.3: Rainbow Colors

Chapter 3-GUIDED AND OPEN INQUIRY:

Science Content (Intermediate): Solubility

Science Pedagogy: Guided and Open Inquiry

Lesson 3.1: How Long Does It Take?

Lesson 3.2: How Much Will Dissolve?

Lesson 3.3: Dissolving Different Substances

Chapter 4-ASSESSMENT:

Science Content (Intermediate): Density

Science Pedagogy: Assessment

Lesson 4.1: Which Is More Dense?

Lesson 4.2: Do Raisins Sink or Float?

Lesson 4.3: Comparing Densities

Chapter 5-INTEGRATING MATH:

Science Content (Intermediate): Energy

Science Pedagogy: Integrating Math

Lesson 5.1: How Far Can Your Bike Roll Uphill?

Lesson 5.2: How High Will It Bounce?

Lesson 5.3: How Does the Kind of Floor Affect the Bounce?

UNIT 2: LIFE SCIENCE

Chapter 6-MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

Science Content (Primary): Life Cycle of the Mealworm

Science Pedagogy: Materials Management

Lesson 6.1: Moving Mealworms

Lesson 6.2: Where Do Mealworms Go?

Lesson 6.3: What Do Mealworms Look Like As They Grow?

Chapter 7-INTEGRATING READING:

Science Content (Intermediate): Flowering Plants

Science Pedagogy: Integrating Reading

Lesson 7.1: Flower Power

Lesson 7.2: Flower Pollination

Lesson 7.3: Fruits and Vegetables

Chapter 8-QUESTIONING STRATEGIES:

Science Content (Intermediate): Bones

Science Pedagogy: Questioning Strategies

Lesson 8.1: How Many Do You Have?

Lesson 8.2: Comparing Skeletons

Lesson 8.3: How Strong Are Your Bones?

Chapter 9-EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY:

Science Content (Intermediate): Heredity

Science Pedagogy: Educational Technology

Lesson 9.1: Examining Our Traits

Lesson 9.2: A Litter of Puppies

Lesson 9.3: Reading Genetic Code

UNIT 3: EARTH/SPACE SCIENCE

Chapter 10-INQUIRY ABILITIES:

Science Content (Primary): Soil

Science Pedagogy: Inquiry Abilities

Lesson 10.1: What Makes Up Soil?

Lesson 10.2: Investigating Soil and Water

Lesson 10.3: Soil Soaking Rates

Chapter 11-MISCONCEPTIONS:

Science Content (Intermediate): Motions of the Moon

Science Pedagogy: Misconceptions

Lesson 11.1: Moon Patterns and Motions

Lesson 11.2: Moon Phases

Lesson 11.3: Eclipses

Chapter 12-INTEGRATING WRITING AND COMMUNICATION:

Science Content (Intermediate): Interpreting Weather Maps

Science Pedagogy: Integrating Writing and Communication

Lesson 12.1: Comparing Inside Temperatures

Lesson 12.2: Comparing Outside Temperatures

Lesson 12.3: Comparing National Temperatures and Weather

Chapter 13-INTEGRATING INQUIRY IN TEXTBOOK INSTRUCTION

Science Content (Intermediate): Water Cycle

Science Pedagogy: Integrating Inquiry in Textbook Instruction

Lesson 13.1: Evaporation

Lesson 13.2: Condensation

Lesson 13.3: The Water Cycle

CONCLUSION

Chapter 14- Developing Learning Cycle Lessons

Appendices

I. K-4 NSES Standards

II. 5-8 NSES Standards

III. NSTA Position Statement: Safety