Creating a Classroom Community of Young Scientists (2nd ed.)
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Creating
a Classroom Community of Young Scientists is a rich smorgasbord of fruitful
and inspiring ideas about science teaching that will serve a wide range
of readers. The book is based on current research about learning, classrooms,
and teaching and supplies a multitude of practical ideas for teaching
that are richly illustrated by samples of student work and classroom
dialogue, making them useful for teachers of all levels of experience.
The theoretical frameworks Bloom supplies help the reader understand
the reasons for the practical ideas he presents.”
“Jeffrey Bloom has deliberately added to the value of Creating a Classroom Community of Young Scientists in the second edition. In this book, he comprehensively connects the why to the how, providing those who use it with a vision and a pathway for effective teaching practice. As a veteran science educator, I understand that the goal of scientific literacy can, at times, seem insurmountably difficult to achieve, but this book will enable even the most inexperienced teachers to immediately address the problem of superficial science learning in their classrooms.
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Creating a Classroom Community of Young
Scientists provides teachers with the insight and tools they need
to develop exciting elementary and middle school science programs.
Bloom’s approach to science education is founded on the notion
of democratic classroom communities, where students are responsible
for—and in control of—their own and others’ learning.
This approach, and the inquiry-based and activity-oriented learning
methods it endorses, will stimulate children’s imaginations
and create a strong foundation for their continued interest in science.
Jeffrey W. Bloom is
Professor of Elementary Science Education at Northern Arizona University.
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New York: Routledge (Taylor & Francis) Publishing
ISBN 0415952360
Estimated Selling Price: US $41.95
Canadian Distributor: Fitzhenry Whiteside
*** If you want more information or if you want the publisher to contact you about exam or desk copies, please contact me.***
*** OR, go to the Routledge site. ***
Book Description:
This book addresses the gaps evident among current elementary science teaching methods textbooks. The major intent of this book is to provide teachers and teachers-in-training with a cohesive framework for teaching science in elementary and middle schools. This framework focuses on teaching science through social constructivist processes of inquiry. The book also emphasizes teaching for richly interconnected, meaningful, relevant, and complex learning. This entire approach is embedded within the notion of democratic classroom communities, where students learn to take on control and responsibility for their own and others’ learning and participation. In addition, this book promotes the development of teachers as participants in the professional community. The book also includes in-depth treatment of the nature of science, children’s learning and discourse, teaching and learning through inquiry, assessment, planning and implementing instruction, classroom communities, reflective practice and teacher research, and the professional community of teachers. In general, the book provides a theoretical framework that is meaningfully and relevantly connected to teaching practices, including designing inquiries and collecting and analyzing data. The overall tone of this book is conversational with real life examples and sidebar reflective questions. The United States’ and Canadian science standards are cross-referenced to the chapters and appendices.
Table of Contents
Preface
Preface to 2nd Edition
PART I Getting Started
1 Introduction1.1 — Beginning the journey
1.2 — Philosophy and theoretical framework
1.3 — Goals and emphases
1.4 — How to use this book
1.5 — Some questions to consider
1.6 — Two quotes to think about
2 Initial Explorations
2.1 — Pond water investigation
2.2 — Investigating earthworms
2.3 — Nature walk
2.4 — Moon study
2.5 — Exploring light, lenses, and mirrors
2.6 — Summary
PART II Teaching Science for Children’s Meaningful Learning
3 Nature of Science
3.1 — Introduction
3.2 — Views of science: Scientists and thinkers about science
3.3 — Activities
3.4 — Examples of children’s ideas
3.5 — Summary
4 Children's Learning and Sense-Making
4.1 — Constructivism
4.2 — Social constructivism
4.3 — Contexts of meaning
4.4 — Categorization
4.5 — Play
4.6 — Complex learning
4.7 — Summary of implications for teaching
5 Children's Talk
5.1 — The traditional approach to classroom discussions
5.2 — An alternative approach to classroom discussions
5.3 — An example of a classroom argument
5.4 — Extending our understandings of how to work with children’s discussions
6 Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry
6.1 — Types of questions and inquiry
6.2 — Patterns of inquiry in the classroom
6.3 — A cycle of inquiry
6.4 — Observational studies
6.5 — Experimental studies
6.6 — Inquiry and learning
7 Assessing Children’s Learning, Thinking, and Talk
7.1 — Establishing goals
7.2 — Some necessary background
7.3 — The purpose of assessment
7.4 — Some approaches to assessment
7.5 — Observations and performance assessment
7.6 — What to look for and keeping track
7.7 — Additional issues of assessment as driven by curricular documents and national standards
7.8 — A final activity
8 Planning and Implementing Instruction
8.1 — Some basic guidelines and principles to consider
8.2 — How and where to start
8.3 — A simple model of planning – E-7
8.4 — Instructional plans
8.5 — Alternative sequencing for a restricted curriculum situation
8.6 — Taking into account children’s ability levels (…but not selling them short!)
8.7 — Teaching and working with children: Implementing instruction
8.8 — Some example unit topics and themes
8.9 — Yearly planning
9 Classroom as Community of Young Scientists
9.1 — Developing the classroom as a community of learners, inquirers, and young scientists
9.2 — Establishing a classroom community
9.3 — Setting up your classroom
9.4 — Working with children
9.5 — Working with parents and the extended community
6.6 — Working with yourself
10 Reflective Practice
10.1 — Background to professional thinking and learning
10.2 — An overview of reflection
10.3 — Working with yourself
10.4 — The focus of reflection
10.5 — Reflection examples and activities
10.6 — Dilemmas
11 Where to Go From Here: Participating in the Professional Community
11.1 — Participating in the professional community
11.2 — Continuing to learn about science
11.3 — Continuing your professional development
PART III Appendices
A Safety
A.1 — Physical safety
A.2 — Personal, psychological, and social safety
B United States Science Education Standards
C Canadian Science Education Standards
D Learning and Teaching for Complexity
D.1 — Systems
D.2 — Patterns, metapatterns, and other broadly connecting concepts
D.3 — Teaching and learning for complex understandings
E More On Planning – Curriculum Units
E.1 — More planning tools
E.2 — Sample curriculum unit ideas
F Field Studies
F.1 — Types of field studies
F.2 — Planning an extended field study
F.3 — Summary
G Sample Activities
G.1 — Structures
G.2 — Marble collisions
G.3 — Pendulums
G.4 — Balancing act
G.5 — Batteries and bulbs
G.6 — Construct a boat to hold a specific cargo
G.7 — Forest or open field study
G.8 — Exploring metapatterns
G.9 — Challengers – Jumping into what scientists experience
H Data Collection and Analysis Techniques
H.1 — Background
H.2 — Collecting data
H.3 — Analyzing data
H.4 — Formulas and conversions
H.5 — Summary
I Science Techniques
I.1 — Collecting and keeping organisms
I.2 — Science techniques and procedures
I.3 — Science equipment and measurement
J Technology
J.1 — Computers and the Internet
J.2 — Photography
J.3 — Video
J.4 — Audio
J.5 — Laboratory probeware
J.6 — Other science equipment
K Equipment, Supplies, and Materials
K.1 — Basic science equipment and materials for the classroom
K.2 — Sources of science supplies and equipment
L Professional Resources
L.1 — Professional organizations
L.2 — Science-related organizations
L.3 — Internet resources by science topic or resource
L.4 — Teacher professional journals and children’s magazines
L.5 — Books for teachers
Index