Science in Elementary Education

Joe Peters taught K-12 science before joining the UWF faculty. He has numerous presentations and publications, remains active in K-12 classrooms, and is Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Elementary Science Education. Other service includes a Distinguished Service Award (NARST), Leadership Award (NSELA), Executive Secretary for ASTE, and representation to ICASE, Triangle Coalition, and CSSP.

• Part One         METHODS FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE  Ch. 1:   Inquiring Minds in the Classroom A National Focus on InquiryThe Nature of ScienceHow Do Children and Society Benefit When Science Is Taught Properly?    Ch. 2:   Discovering Science Through InquiryInquiry and Its Role in Promoting Scientific LiteracyInquiry as a Paradigm for Teaching and LearningInquiry and ScientistsInquiry and ChildrenConvergence of IdeasConstructivism and Science Teaching and LearningA Constructivist Approach to TeachingPreparing for Inquiry in Your ClassroomCh. 3:   Planning for Inquiry  Planning Inquiry ExperiencesDevelopment of a 6E LessonNational Standards and PlanningCh. 4:   Inquiry and Assessment       Assessment TodayNCLBLinking Assessment to InquiryThe 6E Model and AssessmentAuthentic AssessmentCharacteristics of Good AssessmentPerformance-Based AssessmentProject-Based AssessmentPeer or Individual AssessmentsInterviewsJournalsPortfoliosConcept MapsTeacher ObservationsOpen-Ended QuestionsAssessing AttitudesCh. 5:   Inquiry and Science as Practice        Inquiry and Scientific Skill DevelopmentThe Goals of Science as PracticeFour Strands of ScienceScientific Skills in Support of Science as PracticeObservingClassifyingMeasuringCommunicatingInferringPredictingExperimentingScientific AttitudesCuriosityInventivenessCritical ThinkingPersistenceUncertaintyDeveloping AttitudesCh. 6:   Inquiry Experiences for All ChildrenCelebrating DiversityCultural DiversityLinguistic DiversityGender EqualityTeaching Students with Special NeedsInclusive ClassroomsAssisting Students with DisabilitiesChildren with DisabilitiesWorking with Gifted StudentsCh. 7:   Inquiry Learning Opportunities         Opportunity to LearnHistorical PerspectiveScience FairsInvention ConventionsScience Learning CentersScience ProjectsScience Learning ResourcesTechnology Education as a Science Learning OpportunityCh. 8:   Professional Development in Support of InquiryLifelong LearningEstablishing Inservice ProgramsA Personal ViewMentoring ProgramsTeacher as Researcher  Part Two         CONCEPTS AND INQUIRIES FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE  Inquiry Unit 1:               Physical Science Light Energy and Color BenchmarksPathways of Light ConceptsLight Refraction ConceptsColor ConceptsColor BlindnessPerception and the Eye ConceptsHeat Energy BenchmarksExpansion and Contraction ConceptsChanging States of Matter ConceptsTemperature and Heat Energy ConceptsThe Calorie and the BTUConduction, Convection, and Radiation ConceptsSound Energy BenchmarksSound Vibration ConceptsHow Sounds Travel ConceptsReflected and Absorbed Sounds ConceptHow Pitch Changes ConceptsHearing and Locating Sounds ConceptsMagnetic Interaction BenchmarksMagnets and What They Attract ConceptsMaking Magnets ConceptsFields of Force ConceptsMagnetic Pole ConceptsMagnetic Therapy and Care of Magnets ConceptsElectrical Energy BenchmarksClosed and Open Circuit ConceptsSeries and Parallel Circuit ConceptsElectrical Flow ConceptsElectromagnet ConceptsGenerating Electricity ConceptsSimple Machine BenchmarksScrews and Inclined Planes ConceptsLever ConceptsWheel and Axle ConceptsPulley ConceptsMotion and Friction ConceptsSimple Machine Print ResourcesInquiry Unit 2: Life Science Plant Life BenchmarksSeed-Related ConceptsVegetative Reproduction ConceptsEnvironmental Conditions ConceptsPlant Part and Function ConceptsAdaptation and Survival ConceptsMolds and Fungi ConceptsAnimal Life BenchmarksClassification of Animals ConceptsAnimals with Backbones ConceptsAnimals Without Backbones ConceptsEcological ConceptsHuman Body and Nutrition BenchmarksSkeletal and Muscle Systems ConceptsNervous System ConceptsCirculatory and Respiratory Systems ConceptsDigestive System ConceptsFood and Nutrition ConceptsHuman Body and Nutrition Print ResourcesInquiry Unit 3: Earth and Space ScienceThe Earth’s Changing Surface BenchmarksWeathering and Erosion ConceptsSoil and its Makeup ConceptsBuilding Up of the Land ConceptsHow Rocks Are Formed ConceptsWater, Air, and Weather BenchmarksWater ConceptsAir and Its Properties ConceptsWeather ConceptsCondensationThe Earth in Space BenchmarksTime and the Seasons ConceptsMoon, Earth, and Sun Orbits ConceptsSolar System and Beyond ConceptsGravity and the Laws of Motion ConceptsThe Earth in Space Print Resources  Appendix A: Professional BibliographyAppendix B: Science Curriculum ProjectsAppendix C: Commercial Science SuppliersAppendix D: Environments and Nutrition for Classroom Animals           Appendix E: Summary of Children’s ThinkingAppendix F: State Education Agencies   ReferencesIndex