Table of Contents
History of Science Topics ix
Acknowledgments x
About the Authors xi
Introduction 1
1 Design Your Classroom to Create Communities of Learners 4
Explore Your School and Classroom 5
Meet Your Department and Team 6
Investigate Your School's and Community's History and Customs 7
Access Textbooks and Equipment 8
Plan for Exploration and Experimentation 10
Collect Materials and Resources 13
Investigate Laboratory Space and Equipment 14
Safely Use and Store Supplies and Equipment 15
Establish Your Policies and Procedures 15
Create a Shared Learning Environment 17
Ensure Equity and Fairness 18
Use Appropriate and Neutral Language 19
Involve Parents and Families 21
Begin Each Day Anew 22
Establish a Sense of Place... 23
2 Understand Standards to Develop Your Curriculum 24
Consider the History of Science Education 25
Understand the Nature of Science 26
Accomplish Project 2061 Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy 27
Address National Science Education Standards for Students 29
Meet National Science Education Teaching Standards for Teachers 32
Draw From the Academic Disciplines 34
Teach Skills in Experimentation and Investigation 35
Reference Your State Standards 37
Incorporate Your District's Expectations 38
Feature Your School's Organization and Mission 39
Link References to Develop Curriculum 40
Plan Your Year With a Curriculum Blueprint 40
Connect Science With Your Students.... 43
3 Emphasize Inquiry Science to Deepen Understanding 44
Use the Inquiry Continuum 45
Involve Students in Doing Science 46
Engage in Hypothesis Testing 47
Promote the Use of the Scientific Method 49
Integrate Scientific Process Skills Into AllActivities 51
Weave Inquiry-Based Laboratory Investigations Into Every Lesson 54
Head for the Outdoors 56
Support Scientific Investigations With Resources 57
Use Demonstrations to Promote Learning 58
Teach Through Discrepant Events 59
Teach Safety to Students 60
Equip Your Students to Understand Their World... 61
4 Know Your Students to Support Science Achievement 62
Begin From the Perspective of the Learners 63
See Students as Individuals 63
Understand Changes in Today's Students 65
Consider the Contexts of Students' Families and Peers 66
Showcase Powerful Teaching and Learning 67
Feature Actions and Verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy 68
Form Habits of Mind 68
Capitalize Upon the Multiple Intelligences 73
Differentiate Instruction 76
Support All Students 78
Incorporate Instruction That Works 78
Let Your Students Teach One Another... 80
5 Design Assessments to Align With Objectives 81
Set Goals, Objectives, and Expectations 81
Start With the End in Mind 84
Feature All Three Types of Assessment 86
Determine the Functions and Purposes 87
Vary the Structures and Formats 88
Use Selected Responses 89
Include Constructed Essays 90
Highlight Demonstrated Performances and Laboratory Skills 91
Remember Personal Communications 92
Offer Authentic and Alternative Assessments 93
Incorporate Portfolios 95
Prepare Rubrics and Scoring Guides 96
Understand the Results of Standardized Testing 97
Develop an Assessment Blueprint 98
Make Sure the Process Makes Sense for Everyone... 100
6 Connect the Learning to Reach Students' Lives 101
Create Constructivist Classrooms 102
Clarify Misconceptions 104
Select Questions Effectively 105
Consider Various Approaches to Asking Questions 106
Analyze Current Events to Prepare Informed Citizens 107
Address Controversial Issues 107
Draw On the Essential Questions of Science 109
Make Linkages Among Science, Technology, and Society 110
Advance Your Classroom Discussions 112
Conduct a Benefit/Risk Analysis 113
Involve Students in Project-Based Learning 114
Integrate Twenty-First-Century Learning Skills 115
Look for More Ideas 117
Reinforce How Science Impacts Society and Our Personal Lives... 118
7 Develop Literacy to Build Science Skills 119
Introduce Literacy Processes and Outcomes 120
Develop Vocabulary and Concepts 120
Develop Characteristics of Expert Readers 122
Use the Textbook as a Tool 124
Start With Reading Anticipation Activities 126
Assign Reading 126
Facilitate Reading Response Strategies 126
Include All Kinds of Text 128
Support Struggling Readers and English Language Learners 129
Integrate Various Types of Writing 130
Grant Your Students Writing P.O.W.E.R. 131
Try the DRAFT Writing Process 131
Develop Observation Skills 133
Reference Current and Historical Events 133
Equip Your Students to Communicate Science... 136
8 Plan With Students in Mind to Prepare Your Teaching 137
Select Your Units of Learning 138
Highlight Concepts 138
Emphasize Significant Themes of Science 139
Teach Societal Issues 140
Envision Your Planning Schema 144
Follow a Consistent Lesson Plan Format 148
Understand Attention Span 148
Captivate Students as You Open Lessons 149
Begin the Learning Experience 153
Start With Some Direct Teaching 154
Feature Indirect Teaching 156
Reinforce Learning During Closure 160
Assign Homework 161
Use Block Scheduling Wisely 162
Make the Most of Your Time... 163
9 Include Resources to Make Science Real 164
Set the Stage 164
Introduce Models and Specimens 166
Bring In Plants and Animals 166
Teach With Toys 167
Feature Science Literature, Poetry, and Humor 168
Draw From Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts 169
Explore the Rich History of Science 171
Incorporate Multimedia Selections 175
Take Field Trips 176
Follow Guidelines for Taking Field Trips 177
Consider Virtual Field Trips 178
Conduct Virtual Dissections and Experiments 179
Become a Role Model of Resourcefulness... 180
10 Integrate Technology to Enrich Learning 181
Take a Technology Inventory 182
Plan for Computer Use 186
Organize Your Resources 187
Improve Administrativia 188
Improve Teaching With Technology Tools 189
Have Students Communicate Electronically 190
Calculate and Probe Hands-On Science 191
Position Your Students for Learning 193
Investigate Critical Thinking Interactives 193
Utilize Teacher Utilities 196
Tap the Audience With a Response System 197
Consider a Few More Web Resources 198
Demonstrate the Cutting Edge of Science... 201
11 Seek Powerful Activities to Engage Learners 203
Participate in Competitions and Programs 204
Showcase Science Fair Projects 205
Encourage Individual Competitions 206
Team Up for Collaborative Competitions 207
Connect to Careers 208
Invite Guest Speakers 211
Prepare Students to Be a Receptive Audience 213
Develop Science Activities in Your School 215
Celebrate Learning Through Science 216
Offer Service-Learning Opportunities 216
Sponsor a Club 218
Check Out Community Resources 219
Start a School Resource Bank 221
Have Fun With Science... 222
12 Collaborate With Colleagues to Expand Opportunities 223
Contemplate the Collaborative Nature of Scientific Discovery 224
Examine Collaborative Concepts and Practices 226
Adopt the Secrets of Successful Collaborators 227
Consider Various Teaming Configurations 227
Weigh the Pros and Cons of Team Teaching Carefully 231
Understand School Organizational Patterns 232
Make the Most of Departmentalization 233
Integrate Science Across the Curriculum 234
Talk to Technology Specialists 236
Team Up With Instructional Aides to Support Students 240
Contact Other Employees in the District 241
See Science in Society and the World 241
Integrate Science Naturally... 242
13 Reflect on Your Practice to Fortify Your Future 243
Look Back to Look Ahead 243
Reflect on Learning With Purpose 244
Evaluate Your Curriculum 245
Make a Difference at the School or District Level 246
Join Professional Organizations 246
Attend a Science Education Conference 248
Find a Mentor 248
Earn a Graduate Degree or Additional Credential 249
Look at Science Literature 250
Apply the Findings of Research in Science Education 252
Engage in Scientific Research 254
Consider National Board Certification 255
Keep an Open and Active Mind 255
Become the Teacher You Always Wanted to Be... 256
Resources 257
A Science Safety Checklist 258
B Science Textbook Evaluation Tool 260
C Detailed Lesson Plan Guide 262
D Abbreviated Lesson Plan Guide 264
E Curriculum Evaluation Guide for Science 265
Readings and References 267
Index 273