Understanding Primary Science

Now in its Third Edition, this text provides the background knowledge primary teachers need to plan effective programmes of work and answer children′s questions with confidence. The new edition links explanations of scientific concepts with children′s everyday experiences to help teachers and trainees foresee how they will present the subject knowledge to their pupils. Shaped by the National Curriculum, this text explains key scientific theories and concepts which pupils at primary level, including very able children, need in order to understand the observations and investigations they undertake. A CD ROM of 200 science investigations for young students is included with the new edition, allowing teachers to explore the practical application of topics covered in the book. This is an essential book for teachers, student teachers and anyone interested in the roots and growth of science education.

Develops secure subject knowledge for primary science with the ability to test understanding through the new online resources.

Primary Science: Promoting positive attitudes to conceptual learningis a full colour, core textbook to support, inform and inspire anyone training to teach Science at primary level. This book is a new kind of text linking subject knowledge and pedagogy in one package, rather than treating them as separate entities. The text aims to encourage trainee teachers to teach scientific concepts in contexts which will inspire the children to look at the world in new and intriguing ways, rather than presenting it as a list of facts and definitions. Encouraging critical reflection and offering practical support, this book will help trainee teachers to overcome negative attitudes to Science. The two part structure of the book first presents insights into the nature of science and science education, exploring issues such as the value and purpose of teaching Science in the primary school and the value of scientific enquiry. It then moves on to cover subject knowledge, relating it to pedagogy.

'Thought-provoking and entices the reader to take a discerning look at science.' Claire Garven, MA Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. ̃An approach to planning and teaching primary science that gives children permission to question their own preconceptions. This enables teachers to encourage children to actively think and discuss what they see, and give reasons for their developing scientific ideas. Strongly recommended for teachers who want their children to learn to think scientifically.' Jane Gibson, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of primary science in ITE at the University of St Mark and St John (Marjon), UK This second edition brings science subject knowledge and pedagogy together to support, inform and inspire those training to teach primary science. Written in a clear and accessible way, the book provides comprehensive coverage of science themes. Ideas for teaching and examples from practice provide a basis for inspiring children to explore science and look at the world in new and intriguing ways. Hallmark features Ideas for practice exemplify how you can help children to use scientific knowledge and concepts to satisfy their curiosity about natural phenomena. Something to think about scenarios help to extend and develop your own understanding of key ideas. The companion website includes links to suggested reading and Teachers TV clips for your own development and for use in the classroom. New to this edition A new chapter called Views of Science Learning encourages the teacher to take a central role in helping children develop scientific attitudes, skills and conceptual understanding. Learning Outside the Classroom is a new chapter that provides ideas and guidance that helps to develop children’s scientific skills and knowledge, while also promoting positive attitudes to science. New Global Dimensions sections offer starting points for discussion and research into how scientific ideas can be positively applied and can be used to evaluate the impact of human activity on the natural world. Talk Skills and Science Discussion sections enable you to develop children's scientific knowledge and verbal reasoning skills.

Big Ideas in Outdoor Primary Science takes a fresh approach to learning science in outdoor contexts. It combines new thinking in science teaching using big ideas, with our growing need to look after our planet, and encourages children to learn from what scientists have to say about issues which will impact their lives today and in the future. The book offers primary teachers the subject and pedagogical knowledge, as well as the confidence they need, to integrate the seeds of big ideas into their curriculum. To this end, it provides models of good practice which exemplify how primary-aged children can work towards understanding some of science’s big ideas and engage with important issues related to wildlife conservation. The easy-to-use book covers topics such as: Interdependence Adaptation Inheritance Following in Darwin’s footsteps Protecting ecosystems Full of ideas for outside learning, this book is a comprehensive, valuable and essential resource for all teachers of primary science.

Successful science teaching in primary schools requires a careful understanding of key scientific knowledge. This book covers all the major areas of science relevant for beginning primary school teachers, explaining key concepts from the ground up, helping trainees develop into confident science educators. This new edition comes with: · New guidance on teaching primary science today · Activities to enhance your understanding of key teaching topics · Links to national curricula for England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand · Videos of useful science experiments and demonstrations for the primary classroom

Not intended as a teaching guide, but rather as a reference explaining facts, concepts, and theories so that primary teachers can know enough about what they're teaching to plan effective lessons and answer children's questions with confidence. Among the topics covered in 18 chapters: humans and other animals, states of matter and physical change.

Many primary teachers need help with their personal subject knowledge in science. Now that there is a nationally published scheme of work for science in primary schools, many teachers also need help in constructing lesson plans in order to cover all of the themes and possible activities in the scheme. Designed with those needs in mind, this book provides practical help in the form of sample lesson plans together with linked background subject knowledge for each of the science topics in the primary national curriculum. Each chapter has sample lesson plans for four different age-groups: reception, years 1-2, years 3-4 and years 5-6.