Description:

The National Science Education Standards have supported teachers -but they have also intimidated them. More content, more process, and less time.... For these teachers, Rising to the Challenge of the National Science Education Standards will provide a very welcome helping hand. This book contains 36 interesting and well-documented investigations for use in grades 4 - 8.

Emphasis is place on learning skills in cooperative groups, a valuable technique for teachers with large classes. The authors help teachers structure group activities so that every student is involved and feels important. The book devotes its attention to the skills of observing, communicating, classifying, estimating, measuring, predicting, and defining operationally. All of these inquiry skills are important in development of the scientifically literate student.

In the investigation phase the scientific method is perfected as the student is directed to (1) set up the hypothesis to be tested, (2) collect and report the data through observation and recording, (3) graph data into a "picture" format, (4) interpret the data and present it in a legible written format, (5) control variables to establish the criteria for measurement of each factor, and (6) determine the effect of each on the outcome as part of the analysis. As students participate in the process and acquire concepts, they also master social skills and improve cooperation.

Easy-to-follow instructions, bold illustrations on the worksheets/transparency masters, and helpful teacher guides make this a very useful book for new and veteran teachers alike. The straightforward approach should make even the teacher who prefers not to teach science feel quite comfortable with this content, and the authors' light, encouraging style will make even the most science-shy teacher enthusiastic.

Author:

Karen Ostlund and Sheryl Mercier

Topics Include:

• The processes of inquiry
• shells - making connections
• rocks - making connections
• sound - making connections
• Putting it all together: A science fair project
• Assessment strategies

Activities Included:

• Needle-nose-pliers
• Super glue

Grade Level : k-8

Page Count : 108 pages.

*Kits require assembly, actual results will vary, glue and tools not included.

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