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Secrets to Success for Science Teachers
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Secrets to Success for Science Teachers

Edited by:


March 2009 | 296 pages | Corwin

"This book isn't just for new teachers! Even after years as a science teacher, this book gave me suggestions to use right away in my classroom."
—Regina Brinker, Science Teacher
Christensen Middle School, Livermore, CA

Create a science classroom that fosters a creative learning community and leads to success!

From successfully setting up a classroom to achieving meaningful instruction, science teachers face a variety of challenges unique to their practice every day. This easy-to-read guide provides new and seasoned teachers with practical ideas, strategies, and insights to help address essential topics in effective science teaching, including emphasizing inquiry, building literacy, implementing technology, using a wide variety of science resources, and maintaining student safety.

Aligned with current science standards, this guide helps teachers streamline their efforts, organize their work, and set the stage for outstanding instruction and enthusiastic student participation. Other features include:

  • Practical examples, snapshots of moments in the history of science, and Web references
  • A compilation of professional development activities
  • Checklists to rate curricula and textbooks
  • Guidance on networking with colleagues and establishing relationships with families

By leveraging this book's rich resources, science teachers will discover how to turn their classrooms into thriving environments for learning.


 
History of Science Topics
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
1. Design Your Classroom to Create Communities of Learners
Explore Your School and Classroom

 
Meet Your Department and Team

 
Investigate Your School's and Community's History and Customs

 
Access Textbooks and Equipment

 
Plan for Exploration and Experimentation

 
Collect Materials and Resources

 
Investigate Laboratory Space and Equipment

 
Safely Use and Store Supplies and Equipment

 
Establish Your Policies and Procedures

 
Create a Shared Learning Environment

 
Ensure Equity and Fairness

 
Use Appropriate and Neutral Language

 
Involve Parents and Families

 
Begin Each Day Anew

 
Establish a Sense of Place...

 
 
2. Understand Standards to Develop Your Curriculum
Consider the History of Science Education

 
Understand the Nature of Science

 
Accomplish Project 2061 Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy

 
Address National Science Education Standards for Students

 
Meet National Science Education Teaching Standards for Teachers

 
Draw From the Academic Disciplines

 
Teach Skills in Experimentation and Investigation

 
Reference Your State Standards

 
Incorporate Your District's Expectations

 
Feature Your School's Organization and Mission

 
Link References to Develop Curriculum

 
Plan Your Year With a Curriculum Blueprint

 
Connect Science With Your Students...

 
 
3. Emphasize Inquiry Science to Deepen Understanding
Use the Inquiry Continuum

 
Involve Students in Doing Science

 
Engage in Hypothesis Testing

 
Promote the Use of the Scientific Method

 
Integrate Scientific Process Skills Into All Activities

 
Weave Inquiry-Based Laboratory Investigations Into Every Lesson

 
Head for the Outdoors

 
Support Scientific Investigations With Resources

 
Use Demonstrations to Promote Learning

 
Teach Through Discrepant Events

 
Teach Safety to Students

 
Equip Your Students to Understand Their World...

 
 
4. Know Your Students to Support Science Achievement
Begin From the Perspective of the Learners

 
See Students as Individuals

 
Understand Changes in Today's Students

 
Consider the Contexts of Students' Families and Peers

 
Showcase Powerful Teaching and Learning

 
Feature Actions and Verbs From Bloom's Taxonomy

 
Form Habits of Minds

 
Capitalize Upon the Multiple Intelligences

 
Differentiate Instruction

 
Support All Students

 
Incorporate Instruction That Works

 
Let Your Students Teach One Another...

 
 
5. Design Assessments to Align With Objectives
Set Goals, Objectives, and Expectations

 
Start With the End in Mind

 
Feature All Three Types of Assessment

 
Determine the Functions and Purposes

 
Vary the Structures and Formats

 
Use Selected Responses

 
Include Constructed Essays

 
Highlight Demonstrated Performances and Laboratory Skills

 
Remember Personal Communications

 
Offer Authentic and Alternative Assessments

 
Incorporate Portfolios

 
Prepare Rubrics and Scoring Guides

 
Understand the Results of Standardized Testing

 
Develop an Assessment Blueprint

 
Make Sure the Process Makes Sense for Everyone...

 
 
6. Connect the Learning to Reach Students' Lives
Create Constructivist Classrooms

 
Clarify Misconceptions

 
Select Questions Effectively

 
Consider Various Approaches to Asking Questions

 
Analyze Current Events to Prepare Informed Citizens

 
Address Controversial Issues

 
Draw on the Essential Questions of Science

 
Make Linkages Among Science, Technology, and Society

 
Advance Your Classroom Discussions

 
Conduct a Benefit/Risk Analysis

 
Involve Students in Project-Based Learning

 
Integrate Twenty-First-Century Learning Skills

 
Look for More Ideas

 
Reinforce How Science Impacts Society and Our Personal Lives...

 
 
7. Develop Literacy to Build Science Skills
Introduce Literacy Processes and Outcomes

 
Develop Vocabulary and Concepts

 
Develop Characteristics of Expert Readers

 
Use the Textbook as a Tool

 
Start With Reading Anticipation Activities

 
Assign Reading

 
Facilitate Reading Response Strategies

 
Include All Kinds of Text

 
Support Struggling Readers and English Language Learners

 
Integrate Various Types of Writing

 
Grant Your Students Writing P.O.W.E.R.

 
Try the DRAFT Writing Process

 
Develop Observation Skills

 
Reference Current and Historical Events

 
Equip Your Students to Communicate Science...

 
 
8. Plan With Students in Mind to Prepare Your Teaching
Select Your Units of Learning

 
Highlight Concepts

 
Emphasize Significant Themes of Science

 
Teach Societal Issues

 
Envision Your Planning Schema

 
Follow a Consistent Lesson Plan Format

 
Understand Attention Span

 
Captivate Students as You Open Lessons

 
Begin the Learning Experience

 
Start With Some Direct Teaching

 
Feature Indirect Teaching

 
Reinforce Learning During Closure

 
Assign Homework

 
Use Block Scheduling Wisely

 
Make the Most of Your Time....

 
 
9. Incorporate Resources to Make Science Real
Set the Stage

 
Introduce Models and Specimens

 
Bring in Plants and Animals

 
Teach With Toys

 
Feature Science Literature, Poetry, and Humor

 
Draw From Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts

 
Explore the Rich History of Science

 
Incorporate Multimedia Selections

 
Take Field Trips

 
Follow Guidelines for Taking Field Trips

 
Consider Virtual Field Trips

 
Conduct Virtual Dissections and Experiments

 
Become a Role Model of Resourcefulness...

 
 
10. Integrate Technology to Enrich Learning
Take a Technology Inventory

 
Plan for Computer Use

 
Organize Your Resources

 
Improve Administrativia

 
Improve Teaching With Technology Tools

 
Have Students Communicate Electronically

 
Calculate and Probe Hands-On Science

 
Position Your Students for Learning

 
Investigate Critical Thinking Interactives

 
Utilize Teacher Utilities

 
Tap the Audience With a Response System

 
Consider a Few More Web Resources

 
Demonstrate the Cutting Edge of Science...

 
 
11. Seek Powerful Activities to Engage Learners
Participate in Competitions and Programs

 
Showcase Science Fair Projects

 
Encourage Individual Competitions

 
Team Up for Collaborative Competitions

 
Connect to Careers

 
Invite Guest Speakers

 
Prepare Students to Be a Receptive Audience

 
Develop Science Activities in Your School

 
Celebrate Learning Through Science

 
Offer Service-Learning Opportunities

 
Sponsor a Club

 
Check out Community Resources

 
Start a School Resource Bank

 
Have Fun With Science...

 
 
12. Collaborate With Colleagues to Expand Opportunities
Contemplate the Collaborative Nature of Scientific Discovery

 
Examine Collaborative Concepts and Practices

 
Adopt the Secrets of Successful Collaborators

 
Consider Various Teaming Configurations

 
Weigh Pros and Cons of Team Teaching Carefully

 
Understand School Organizational Patterns

 
Make the Most of Departmentalization

 
Integrate Science Across the Curriculum

 
Talk to Technology Specialists

 
Team Up With Instructional Aides to Support Students

 
Contact Other Employees in the District

 
See Science in Society and the World

 
Integrate Science Naturally...

 
 
13. Reflect on Your Practice to Fortify Your Future
Look Back to Look Ahead

 
Reflect on Learning With Purpose

 
Evaluate Your Curriculum

 
Make a Difference at the School or District Level

 
Join Professional Organizations

 
Attend a Science Education Conference

 
Find a Mentor

 
Earn a Graduate Degree or Additional Credential

 
Look at Science Literature

 
Apply the Findings of Research in Science Education

 
Engage in Scientific Research

 
Consider National Board Certification

 
Keep an Open and Active Mind

 
Become the Teacher You Always Wanted to Be...

 
 
Resources
A. Science Safety Checklist

 
B. Science Textbook Evaluation Tool

 
C. Detailed Lesson Plan Guide

 
D. Abbreviated Lesson Plan Guide

 
E. Curriculum Evaluation Guide for Science

 
 
Readings and References
 
Index

“This book is a phenomenal text for a preservice teacher. It has so many ideas that, as one gains experience, there might be others to explore as time goes on.”

Sally Koczan, Science Specialist
Meramec Elementary School, Clayton, MO

“This book is a valuable tool for the science teacher or administrator with the serious task of integrating all the forces required to provide solid science curriculum and teaching. The authors leave no stone unturned in the quest to provide a working map for science teachers of all levels.”

Darleen Horton, Science Lab Teacher
Chenoweth Elementary School, Louisville, KY

“This book isn’t just for new teachers! Even after years as a science teacher, this book gave me suggestions to use right away in my classroom and to keep on track with teaching and inspiring my students.”

Regina Brinker, Science Teacher
Christensen Middle School, Livermore, CA
Key features
  • Each chapter offers a snapshot of the history of science, web references, and practical examples
  • Each chapter also offers a list of professional development activities to extend and personalize the content
  • Aligned with science standards
  • Easy-to-read and use for both new and seasoned teachers at any level, from elementary through high school
  • Resources include a safety checklist and a checklist designed to rate the quality of curricula and textbooks

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ISBN: 9781452273020

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