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Seamless Assessment in Science: A Guide for Elementary and Middle School Teachers


By: Sandra K. Abell and Mark J. Volkmann
$15.96 - Member Price  
$19.95 - Nonmember Price


Details

Type of Product:NSTA Press Book
Average Rating:
 based on 4 reviews
Publication Date:1/1/2006
Pages:148
Stock Number:PA007X
ISBN:978-0-32500-769-4
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School
NSTA Recommends
Our reviewers—top-flight teachers and other outstanding science educators—have determined that this resource is among the best available supplements for science teaching.
[Read the full review]


Description

When you open your science classroom to inquiry-based learning you must align your curriculum to assessment strategies that mirror the investigatory spirit, rather than rely solely on traditional, end-of-unit tests that eschew process for product. Seamless Assessment in Science introduces assessment strategies that parallel inquiry-driven instruction and offer a variety of options and entry points.

Seamless Assessment in Science is your one-stop guide for assessing students’ learning. Working with the popular 5E model as an instructional framework, Sandra Abell and Mark Volkmann have designed accompanying methods for embedding formative and summative assessment throughout any science unit. They’ve tested their ideas in real classrooms. Seamless Assessment in Science includes thirteen vignettes, written by practicing teachers in a variety of settings where assessment isn’t merely a test, but an opportunity for students to share what they’ve learned. You’ll observe inquiry-driven classrooms in action as primary, intermediate, and middle level students tackle topics in the life, physical, and earth sciences.

Aligned with the National Science Standards, full of research-based strategies and ready to work in your science classroom, Seamless Assessment in Science is so practical it will find a permanent home next to your planning book. Read Seamless Assessment in Science and find great ideas for assessment that complement inquiry-based instruction.


Ideas For Use

In addition to practical assessment strategies, Seamless Assessment in Science incorporates recent research on how students learn. The book provides an excellent bridge between research and practice. Further, it also does this for the important area of scientific inquiry, as described in the National Science Education Standards.

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Science process skills
Intended User Role:College/University Professor (preservice science education), Curriculum Supervisor, Elementary-Level Educator, Middle-Level Educator, Teacher
Educational Issues:Achievement, Assessment of students, Classroom management, Educational research, Inquiry learning, Learning theory, Professional development, Teacher preparation, Teaching strategies

Contents

Foreword by Rodger W. Bybee
Preface
Chapter 1 Seamless Assessment: An Introduction
Chapter 2 Seamless Assessment and the 5-E(s)
Chapter 3 Seamless Assessment in Life Science Primary Science
Vignette, Grades 1-3
•Seeds and Eggs
Intermediate Science Vignette, Grades 4-5
•It All Goes Back to Plants
Middle School Science Vignettes, Grades 6-8
•What’s the Anther?
•Water You Know
Chapter 4 Seamless Assessment in Physical Science
Primary Science Vignettes, Grades 1-3
•May the Force Be with You
•Sounding Off
Intermediate Science Vignettes, Grades 4-5
•Shocking News: Static Electricity
•Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Middle School Science Vignette, Grades 6-8
•Will It Float?
Chapter 5 Seamless Assessment in Earth and Space Science Vignette, Grades 1-3
•Toiling in the Soil
Intermediate Science Vignette, Grades 4-5
•Rock On!
Middle School Vignettes, Grades 6-8
• It’s Volcanic!
• Misconceiving the Moon
Chapter 6 Lessons Learned and Stories Untold
Appendix:Online Resources for Assessment Strategies
References
About the Authors


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National Standards Correlation

This resource has 11 correlations with the National Standards.  
[VIEW CORRELATIONS]

This resource has 11 correlations with the National Standards.  
[HIDE CORRELATIONS]

  • Process Standards for Professional Development
    • Research-Based
      • Use inquiry, reflection, interpretation of research, modeling, and guided practice to build understanding and skill in science teaching. (NSES)
    • Design
      • Introduce teachers to scientific literature, media, and technological resources that expand their science knowledge and their ability to access further knowledge. (NSES)
    • Learning
      • Build on the teacher's current science understanding, ability, and attitudes. (NSES)
      • Incorporate ongoing reflection on the process and outcomes of understanding science through inquiry. (NSES)
  • Teaching Standards
    • Teachers of science plan an inquiry-based science program for their students.
      • Select teaching and assessment strategies that support the development of student understanding and nurture a community of science learners.
    • Teachers of science engage in ongoing assessment of their teaching and of student learning.
      • Analyze assessment data to guide teaching.
      • Use student data, observations of teaching, and interactions with colleagues to reflect on and improve teaching practice.
      • Use multiple methods and systematically gather data about student understanding and ability.
    • Teachers of science develop communities of science learners that reflect the intellectual rigor of scientific inquiry.
      • Model and emphasize the skills, attitudes, and values of scientific inquiry.
  • Science as Inquiry
    • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
      • NA
    • Understandings about scientific inquiry
      • NA


Customer Reviews
Useful for teacher educators!
  Reviewed by: Deborah Hanuscin (Columbia, MO) on July 6, 2010
  I use this book as one of the resources in my professional development program-- it really resonates with teachers!

Great for new teachers
  Reviewed by: Kortni N (Barnard, MO) on July 16, 2008
  This book was a good resource. I would recommend the book to any teacher who is not all that familiar with the 5 E learning cycle. The book gives great examples and its a pretty easy read.

Seamless Assessment in Science: A Guide for Eleme
  Reviewed by: Molly Z (Spokane, WA) on November 1, 2007
  This book is very useful and helpful for teachers who use inquiry-based learning in the classroom. It covers the five essential characteristics of inquiry-based classrooms and assessment strategies for each phase. It was vey helpful to me in stepping up the inquiry-based practice in my classroom.

A must buy
  Reviewed by: Shelley Campbell (New London, MO) on November 1, 2007
  I'm a state science facilitator for Missouri and this is the best book on formative assessment to use with the 5-E learning cycle. It's an easy read and full of usable information.

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