1st Edition

Designing and Teaching the Elementary Science Methods Course

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    320 Pages
    by Routledge

    What do aspiring and practicing elementary science teacher education faculty need to know as they plan and carry out instruction for future elementary science teachers? This scholarly and practical guide for science teacher educators outlines the theory, principles, and strategies needed, and provides classroom examples anchored to those principles. The theoretical and empirical foundations are supported by scholarship in the field, and the practical examples are derived from activities, lessons, and units field-tested in the authors’ elementary science methods courses.

    Designing and Teaching the Elementary Science Methods Course is grounded in the theoretical framework of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), which describes how teachers transform subject matter knowledge into viable instruction in their discipline. Chapters on science methods students as learners, the science methods course curriculum, instructional strategies, methods course assessment, and the field experience help readers develop their PCK for teaching prospective elementary science teachers. "Activities that Work" and "Tools for Teaching the Methods Course" provide useful examples for putting this knowledge into action in the elementary science methods course.

    Contents
    Preface
    Acknowledgement
    Introduction

    Part I: Theoretical, Contextual, and Pedagogical Foundations for the Elementary Science Methods Course

    1. Perspectives of Teacher Learning

    Views about Learning and Teaching

    Ideas about Knowledge

    Learning Theories

    A View of Learning

    An Example Application to a Science Methods Course

    Conclusion

    More to Explore

    References

    2. The Context for Elementary Science Teacher Preparation

    Who is Responsible for Educating Elementary Science Teachers?

    The Policy Context: Goals and Standards for Elementary Science Teacher Education

    The Program Context: Elementary Teacher Education

    The Program Context: Science Courses

    The Program Context: Field Experience and Partnerships with Local Schools

    Conclusion

    More to Explore

    References

    3. Orientations to Teaching Science Teachers

    Introduction

    What are Orientations to Teaching Teachers?

    Some Orientations to Teaching Science Teachers

    The Reflection Orientation and the Science Methods Course

    Conclusion

    Tools for Teaching Elementary Science Methods

    References

    4. Understanding the Elementary Science Methods Student

    Introduction

    Prospective Teachers as Learners

    Prospective Teachers’ Knowledge for Science Teaching

    Understanding Your Methods Students

    Conclusion

    More to Explore

    References

    5. Curriculum and Resources for Elementary Science Teacher Education

    Aims and Goals for the Science Methods Course

    The Methods Course Curriculum—What to Include?

    Selecting Resources and Materials

    Facilities and Equipment

    Communicating Your Expectations to Students: The Course Syllabus

    Conclusion

    Tools for Teaching the Elementary Science Methods Course

    More to Explore

    References

    6. Instructional Strategies for the Elementary Science Methods Course

    Aspects of PCK Pertinent to this Chapter

    Your Orientation to Learning and Teaching

    Environment

    General Pedagogy

    Teaching Models

    Teaching How to Plan

    Conclusion

    More to Explore

    References

    7: Assessment Strategies for the Elementary Methods Course

    Purposes and Examples of Assessment in the Elementary Science Methods Course

    Principles of Effective Assessment

    Scoring and Grading Assignments

    Putting it All Together: Designing a Methods Course Assignment

    Conclusion

    Tools for Teaching Elementary Science Methods

    More to Explore

    References

    8: Field Experiences in Elementary Science Methods

    Benefits of Field Experiences

    Addressing Challenges to the Science Methods Field Experience

    Various Models of Science Methods Field Experiences

    Student Reflection on the Field Experience

    Conclusion: Design Principles for Science Methods Field Experiences

    Tools for Teaching Elementary Science Methods

    References

    Part II: Activities that Work for the Elementary Science Methods Course

    ATW 1: Learning about the 5E Learning Cycle: Magnetism

    ATW 2: The Interactive Approach: Floating & Sinking

    ATW 3: Inquiring into Guided and Open Inquiry: Insect Study

    ATW 4: Eliciting Student Ideas: The Human Body

    ATW 5: Using Models and Analogies: Electric Circuits

    ATW 6: Learning about Discourse: Light and Shadows

    ATW 7: Integrating Language Arts and Science: The Water Cycle

    ATW 8: Seamless Assessment: The Moon Investigation

    About the Authors

    Index

    Biography

    Sandra K. Abell is Curators’ Professor of Science Education at the University of Missouri, US, where she directs the university’s Science Education Center.

    Ken Appleton is semi-retired as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Central Queensland University, Australia.

    Deborah L. Hanuscin is Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at the University of Missouri, US, where she holds a joint appointment in the Department of Physics & Astronomy and Department of Learning, Teaching, & Curriculum.