Book Description

Teaching Primary Science Constructively helps readers to create effective science learning experiences for primary students by using a constructivist approach to learning: a method that has personal, social and cultural dimensions. Introductory chapters explain the principles of constructivism and their implications for teaching. They also discuss scaffolding strategies, planning and implementing sequential lessons, 'thinking and working scientifically' and general pedagogical issues, including concerns teachers may have about their own level of scientific knowledge. Subsequent chapters then focus on the major topic strands covered in most primary science syllabuses. Each topic-focused chapter: suggests ways to reflect on and challenge your own ideas about learning science, teaching science and the topic's key scientific concepts; offers suggestions for improving your own understanding of the topic; reviews the research related to primary students' ideas about the topic; discusses scientists' ideas on aspects of the topic; considers what children want to know about the topic; supplies key constructivist teaching principles and selected strategies for to the topic; includes case studies of lesson sequences based on constructivist teaching approaches; lists the key scientific concepts and understandings that teachers should be familiar with; details other teaching and learning considerations related to the topic or to primary science teaching in general; incorporates activities to encourage analysis and reflection. Intended for pre-service as well as practicing teachers, Teaching Primary Science Constructively enables readers to successfully facilitate scientific learning by building upon students' pre-existing notions of how their world works from a scientific viewpoint.