Elementary Mathematics and Science Methods: Inquiry Teaching and Learning / Edition 1

by Gerald William Foster

Overview

Using constructivist theory and inquiry learning methods, Foster presents a text that both meets national standards and satisfies the needs of this emerging market. This book will appeal to those who have embraced the NCTCM standards and the reform philosophy of using collaborative learning, real-world applications, and the discovery method for teaching math and science concepts. Students learn how to teach children about math through science, and science through math. Parallels are drawn between the two subjects to make them applicable to everyday life. Foster shows the student how to encourage learning in their students (teaching how to learn) rather than merely teaching their students what to learn (i.e., memorization). The text uses practical activities for students to use in their future classroom to facilitate learning and create inquisitive learners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780534515799
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	01/14/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

PART 1: THE FOUNDATION. 1. A Road Map for a Learning Journey. 2. Journey to the Past: Mathematics and Science Images and Attitudes. 3. Mathematics and Science Relevancy Through Cultural and Social Issues. PART 2: CONSTRUCTING LEARNING. 4. Why Is the Sky Blue? 5. Observations. 6. The Other learning Processes. 7. How Children Learn Mathematics and Science. PART 2: THE CONSTRUCTED FRAMEWORK. 8. Classes and Relations. 9. Geometry and Spatial Relations. 10. Measure for Measure. 11. Measurement of Forces. 12. Liquids, Earth, and Life. PART 4: BUILDING INSPECTION. 13. Assessing Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry. 14. Assessing the Management of the Learning Environment and Curriculum Through Inquiry.

Editorial Reviews

Advocates facilitating natural inquisitiveness in both the students and the teacher to teach children math and science. Using inquiry methods and constructivist theory, the author encourages teachers to examine their own belief system about learning, and shows how these images influence their teaching. He then explains how children construct math and science knowledge, describes the mental structures necessary for understanding many mathematical and scientific ideas, and concludes with assessment ideas and ways to make the classroom conducive to math and science teaching. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews