Strategies For Successful Science Teaching

Strategies for Successful Science Teaching is an exciting new text for science education classes, and a supplement for teachers of science (especially new teachers). It is aimed at K-8 teachers, but can also help 9-12 teachers. For administrators and others, the book will quickly become a standard reference on current science education strategies. Easy to navigate and presented in a discussion-style format, the book addresses: -the inquiry approach, -process skills, -lesson planning, -adapting science for special needs students, -integrating science with other subjects, -assessment of science activities, -technology and other creative teaching strategies, and -research and resources. Most chapters include a sample lesson plan with hands-on activities that illustrate the concepts discussed. In some instances, several examples are included. Appropriate websites are also provided. The chapters are short and readable. Appendices include lists of curriculum kits, activity books, organizations, periodicals, suppliers, and technology resources, in addition to the typical bibliography. These extensive appendices provide abundant resources for science education. Strategies for Successful Science Teaching is a must-have for science educators. A comprehensive resource, it never loses sight of the wonder of science and the pleasure of teaching it.

"I found several strategies mentioned to be helpful to my own practice and tried them right away with immediate success." —Deanna Brunlinger, National Board Certified Science Teacher, Elkhorn Area School District, WI "The research is strong and well presented. The book addresses all aspects of science education and focuses on developing scientific thinkers." —Loukea Kovanis-Wilson, Chemistry Instructor, Clarkston High School, MI Supercharge your science lessons with proven strategies! The experience and science expertise of these award-winning authors makes this easy-to-use guide a teacher′s treasure trove. This latest addition to the popular What Successful Teachers Do series describes 75 research-based strategies and outlines best practices for inquiry-oriented science. Each strategy includes a brief description of the supporting research, classroom applications, pitfalls to avoid, and references for additional learning. Teachers of students in Grades K–12 will find a host of novel ways to engage children′s natural curiosity, concern, and creativity in science learning. Highlights include how to: Promote collaborative learning Use formative assessment to engage students in content and instruction Develop culturally responsive practices that invite contributions from diverse students Build students′ scientific literacy and reasoning skills Incorporate students′ Internet skills into their studies When it comes to teaching science, you don′t need to reinvent the wheel. Learn from the experts today and jump-start your science curriculum tomorrow!

To most of us, learning something "the hard way" implies wasted time and effort. Good teaching, we believe, should be creatively tailored to the different learning styles of students and should use strategies that make learning easier. Make It Stick turns fashionable ideas like these on their head. Drawing on recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and other disciplines, the authors offer concrete techniques for becoming more productive learners. Memory plays a central role in our ability to carry out complex cognitive tasks, such as applying knowledge to problems never before encountered and drawing inferences from facts already known. New insights into how memory is encoded, consolidated, and later retrieved have led to a better understanding of how we learn. Grappling with the impediments that make learning challenging leads both to more complex mastery and better retention of what was learned. Many common study habits and practice routines turn out to be counterproductive. Underlining and highlighting, rereading, cramming, and single-minded repetition of new skills create the illusion of mastery, but gains fade quickly. More complex and durable learning come from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. Speaking most urgently to students, teachers, trainers, and athletes, Make It Stick will appeal to all those interested in the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement.

Science, engineering, and technology permeate nearly every facet of modern life and hold the key to solving many of humanity's most pressing current and future challenges. The United States' position in the global economy is declining, in part because U.S. workers lack fundamental knowledge in these fields. To address the critical issues of U.S. competitiveness and to better prepare the workforce, A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field. A Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators. This book identifies three dimensions that convey the core ideas and practices around which science and engineering education in these grades should be built. These three dimensions are: crosscutting concepts that unify the study of science through their common application across science and engineering; scientific and engineering practices; and disciplinary core ideas in the physical sciences, life sciences, and earth and space sciences and for engineering, technology, and the applications of science. The overarching goal is for all high school graduates to have sufficient knowledge of science and engineering to engage in public discussions on science-related issues, be careful consumers of scientific and technical information, and enter the careers of their choice. A Framework for K-12 Science Education is the first step in a process that can inform state-level decisions and achieve a research-grounded basis for improving science instruction and learning across the country. The book will guide standards developers, teachers, curriculum designers, assessment developers, state and district science administrators, and educators who teach science in informal environments.

Teachers simply do not have the time to do any more work. Yet the pressure to improve results is ever-upwards. The emphasis in this book is not on doing anything extra, but on doing all the everyday things that science teachers do – planning lessons, marking work and exams, providing feedback, and getting students involved in discussions, or self and peer-assessment – in a slightly different way. The book is full of simple, practical, formative assessment techniques and strategies, based on real classroom practices, repeated across the range of ages and abilities at secondary levels, in a variety of schools, that have been repeatedly shown to significantly improve examination results, and student involvement in lessons. Whether you are just about to embark on a career as a science teacher, or you have been one for many years, there is bound to be something here.

Solidly grounded in current recommendations of the National Science Education Standards, this text offers teaching guidance and strategies for physical, biological, and earth science courses for middle school, junior high, and high school. The authors' extensive curriculum development experience imbues the text with a practical focus. Their collective knowledge of the field balances coverage of the theory and research behind the strategies they present. Also, inherent in the text is a description of the role of constructivism in science teaching and the connection between science and society including how technological development is driven by societal needs.

Discover the keys to improving student learning and success. Taking a practical approach to instructional delivery, the authors outline research-based strategies and illustrate how teachers, coaches, and administrators can use them to enhance their everyday practices. Organized around 10 methods of instruction, this user-friendly guide will help you dig deep into classroom discussion, concept mapping, inquiry-based learning, and more.