Reviewed by Jan Wellik
Executive Director, Eco Expressions
This K–12 science curriculum design book draws on recent research in science education to guide teachers in developing effective lesson plans. Written by Anne Tweed, a past president of NSTA and an experienced high school educator and science instruction consultant, this book offers instructional practices and assessments for both beginning and advanced educators.
The book is designed in an easy-to-read format incorporating detailed references based on documented research. The educational premise is based on the CUE instructional framework—Content, Understanding, and Environment to help advise science educators on how to best design science lesson plans. Science teachers wishing to take a closer look at how to design the content for their classrooms will enjoy this inquiry-based strategic planning text that demonstrates significant research and experience in the world of designing curriculum.
The book is divided into five chapters—(1) Building the Framework, (2) Identifying Important Content, (3) Developing Student Understanding, (4) Creating a Learning Environment, and (5) Teacher Learning: A Beginning. It begins with a self-assessment for educators to see where they are in terms of teaching strategies. This is especially useful for new teachers or those who desire to change their current models. Charts and tables help to clearly illustrate the framework and break down the information into hands-on learning strategies.
Review posted on 11/24/2009
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