Science for all children : a guide to improving elementary science education in your school district / National Science Resources Center, National Academy of Sciences, Smithsonian Institution.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

National Science Resources Center (U.S.)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Study and teaching (Elementary)--United States.

Science.

Science--Study and teaching (Elementary)--United States--Case studies.

Problem-based learning--United States.

Problem-based learning.

Problem-based learning--United States--Case studies.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1997.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Remember the first time you planted a seed and watched it sprout? Or explored how a magnet attracted a nail? If these questions bring back memories of joy and wonder, then you understand the idea behind inquiry-based science-an approach to science education that challenges children to ask questions, solve problems, and develop scientific skills as well as gain knowledge. Inquiry-based science is based on research and experience, both of which confirm that children learn science best when they engage in hands-on science activities rather than read from a textbook. The recent National Science Education Standards prepared by the National Research Council call for a revolution in science education. They stress that the science taught must be based on active inquiry and that science should become a core activity in every grade, starting in kindergarten. This easy-to-read and practical book shows how to bring about the changes recommended in the standards. It provides guidelines for planning and implementing an inquiry-based science program in any school district. The book is divided into three parts. "Building a Foundation for Change," presents a rationale for inquiry-based science and describes how teaching through inquiry supports the way children naturally learn. It concludes with basic guidelines for planning a program. School administrators, teachers, and parents will be especially interested in the second part, "The Nuts and Bolts of Change." This section describes the five building blocks of an elementary science program: Community and administrative support. A developmentally appropriate curriculum. Opportunities for professional development. Materials support. Appropriate assessment tools. Together, these five elements provide a working model of how to implement hands-on science. The third part, "Inquiry-Centered Science in Practice," presents profiles of the successful inquiry-based science programs in districts nationwide. These profiles show how the principles of hands-on science can be adapted to different school settings. If you want to improve the way science is taught in the elementary schools in your community, Science for All Children is an indispensable resource.

Contents:

""Science for All Children""; ""Copyright""; ""Contents""; ""Foreword""; ""Preface""; ""Acknowledgments""; ""Introduction""; ""ORGANIZATION OF SCIENCE FOR ALL CHILDREN""; ""HOW TO USE SCIENCE FOR ALL CHILDREN""; ""Part 1 Building a Foundation for Change""; ""1 The Value of Science Education""; ""THE LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL CLASSROOMS""; ""A GLIMPSE AT AN INQUIRY-CENTERED CLASSROOM""; ""THE BENEFITS OF INQUIRY-CENTERED SCIENCE""; ""PROCESS SKILLS AND ASSESSMENT""; ""For Further Reading""; ""2 How Children Learn""; ""THE ROLE OF INQUIRY-CENTERED EXPERIENCES IN ELEMENTARY SCIENCE""

""THE IMPLICATIONS OF COGNITIVE RESEARCH""""ENSURING THAT THE CURRICULUM IS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE""; ""For Further Reading""; ""3 Sharing the Vision of Exemplary Elementary Science""; ""THE ELEMENTS IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING MODEL""; ""Inquiry-Centered Science Curriculum""; ""Professional Development""; ""Science Materials Support""; ""Assessment""; ""Administrative and Community Support""; ""For Further Reading""; ""4 Planning for the New Elementary Science Program""; ""GETTING STARTED: IDENTIFYING THE STAKEHOLDERS""; ""UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS OF CHANGE""

""ORGANIZING THE LEADERSHIP TEAM""""A THREE-STEP STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS""; ""PLANNING STEP BY STEP""; ""Curriculum Subcommittee""; ""Professional Development Subcommittee""; ""Materials Support Subcommittee""; ""Assessment Subcommittee""; ""Administrative and Community Support Subcommittee""; ""THE IMPORTANCE OF FLEXIBILITY""; ""For Further Reading""; ""Part 2 The Nuts and Bolts of Change""; ""5 Criteria for Selecting Inquiry-Centered Science Curriculum Materials""; ""CRITERIA FOR JUDGING PEDAGOGICAL APPROPRIATENESS""; ""Addressing the Goals of Elementary Science Teaching and Learning""

""Focusing on Inquiry and Activity as the Basis of Learning Experiences""""Using an Effective Instructional Approach""; ""CRITERIA FOR JUDGING SCIENCE CONTENT""; ""CRITERIA FOR JUDGING PRESENTATION AND FORMAT""; ""USING THE CRITERIA""; ""For Further Reading""; ""6 Professional Development for Inquiry-Centered Science""; ""CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM""; ""INITIATING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE RIGHT TIME IN THE RIGHT WAY""; ""LEVELS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT""; ""Phase 1: The Introductory Program""; ""Phase II: The Competent Stage""

""Phase III: The Expert Stage""""STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE""; ""Lead Teachers""; ""Partnerships Between School Districts and Research Scientists""; ""Partnerships with Business and Industry""; ""For Further Reading""; ""7 Establishing a Science Materials Support Center""; ""PLANNING A SCIENCE MATERIALS SUPPORT CENTER""; ""Space""; ""Management""; ""Staffing""; ""Inventory""; ""Packaging""; ""Scheduling""; ""Delivery""; ""Service""; ""Need for Special Handling Procedures""; ""Safety""; ""COST-SAVING MEASURES""; ""Multiple Uses of Kits""; ""Refurbishing Costs""; ""OTHER TYPES OF MATERIALS CENTERS""

""Consortium-Based System""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-195) and index.

ISBN:

0-309-17629-8

1-280-19287-9

9786610192878

0-309-55281-8

0-585-02245-3

OCLC:

923267646