Syllabus helpers chart

Chapter 9

Syllabus Helpers

Three major ideas are developed in this chapter: strategies for interactive teaching, strategies for establishing a culture of learning, and strategies fostering independent and collaborative thinking. Teachers will be able to implement many of these strategies into the classroom and consequently you will want to return to this chapter from time to time. The chapter also includes a section on language and learning science, with specific strategiies on talking about, reading, and writing about science. The last section explores the importance of problem solving in the context of independent and collaborative thinking.

Pedagogical Tool Highlights/Content Notes

Initial Case Study

The Learning Log, p. 331

A teacher is excited about implementing a writing-to-learn project, but finds one of his colleagues thinks its a waste of time. A debate follows.

Invitations to Inquiry

Focus questions for the chapter, p. 332

The focus of this chapter is strategies that foster thinking in the science classroom.

Inquiry Activities

Inquiry Activity 9.1: Microteaching: Practicing Science Teaching Skills

A strategy for laboratory approach to learning science teaching skills.

Sample Lessons

Lesson 8.1: Earthquakes

Lesson 8.2: Crusty (Rock) Writing

Lesson 8.3: Using the Learning Log with a Hands-On Activity

Using the K-W-L method

Science and poetry

Integrating writing into a hands-on science activity

Think Pieces

Sample Think Piece: Make a list of strategies you think will enhance critical thinking in science classrooms. Then make a separate list of strategies you think will enhance creative thinking. What criteria did you use to generate each list? How do the criteria compare?

The Think Pieces in this chapter direct the students to think about a variety of strategies of teaching and they enhance student learning.

Science Teachers Talk

Teacher's discuss: What strategy of instruction do you find to be the most effective with your students?

Read what science educator's Tom Brown, Rachel Zgonc, John Ricciardi, and Mary Wilde describe as their most effective strategies.

Case Studies

Questioning: Inquiry or Inquisition?

What attitude should teacher's express when asking and listening to student responses. Find how "Joe Ellis" deals with this in his classroom.

Research Matters

Using Questions in Science Classrooms by Patricia E. Blosser

When are Science Projects Learning Opportunities by Marcia C. Linn and Helen C. Clark

A classic piece on the questioning strategy and science teaching.

An important piece on how projects are important in science teaching.

Problems and Extensions

Sample Problem and Extension: Present a demonstration, teaching tool, simple lab activity, creative homework assignment, or strategy or technique related to one of the following areas of science teaching: earth science, life science, physical science, or STS.

The 11 P & E engage students in problems that focus on strategies of teaching science.

Readings

p. 368

A selection of readings that focus on strategies of teaching.

On the Web

p. 368

A collection of sites you might want to use to extend students' knowledge of strategies of teaching.

Pedagogical Tool	Highlights/Content	Notes
Initial Case Study	The Learning Log, p. 331	A teacher is excited about implementing a writing-to-learn project, but finds one of his colleagues thinks its a waste of time. A debate follows.
Invitations to Inquiry	Focus questions for the chapter, p. 332	The focus of this chapter is strategies that foster thinking in the science classroom.
Inquiry Activities	Inquiry Activity 9.1: Microteaching: Practicing Science Teaching Skills	A strategy for laboratory approach to learning science teaching skills.
Sample Lessons	Lesson 8.1: Earthquakes Lesson 8.2: Crusty (Rock) Writing Lesson 8.3: Using the Learning Log with a Hands-On Activity	Using the K-W-L method Science and poetry Integrating writing into a hands-on science activity
Think Pieces	Sample Think Piece: Make a list of strategies you think will enhance critical thinking in science classrooms. Then make a separate list of strategies you think will enhance creative thinking. What criteria did you use to generate each list? How do the criteria compare?	The Think Pieces in this chapter direct the students to think about a variety of strategies of teaching and they enhance student learning.
Science Teachers Talk	Teacher's discuss: What strategy of instruction do you find to be the most effective with your students?	Read what science educator's Tom Brown, Rachel Zgonc, John Ricciardi, and Mary Wilde describe as their most effective strategies.
Case Studies	Questioning: Inquiry or Inquisition?	What attitude should teacher's express when asking and listening to student responses. Find how "Joe Ellis" deals with this in his classroom.
Research Matters	Using Questions in Science Classrooms by Patricia E. Blosser When are Science Projects Learning Opportunities by Marcia C. Linn and Helen C. Clark	A classic piece on the questioning strategy and science teaching. An important piece on how projects are important in science teaching.
Problems and Extensions	Sample Problem and Extension: Present a demonstration, teaching tool, simple lab activity, creative homework assignment, or strategy or technique related to one of the following areas of science teaching: earth science, life science, physical science, or STS.	The 11 P & E engage students in problems that focus on strategies of teaching science.
Readings	p. 368	A selection of readings that focus on strategies of teaching.
On the Web	p. 368	A collection of sites you might want to use to extend students' knowledge of strategies of teaching.