Description
The science education reform tool, Atlas of Science Literacy, is designed to help educators navigate the science curriculum and the National Science Education Standards. It graphically depicts connections among the learning goals established in AAAS’s Project 2061 Benchmarks for Science Literacy. Atlas is a collection of 50 linked conceptual strand maps that illustrate exactly how students in grades K-12 can expand their understanding and skills toward specific science-literacy goals. It further shows how the ideas and skills that students learn in different grades and topics—and even disciplines such as math, technology, and science (of course) depend on and support one another.
This groundbreaking book is every school’s road map to helping children learn science systematically. Using the Atlas as your guide, you can trace the prerequisites for learning in each grade, make the connections to support science content, and facilitate the next learning path for your students.
Ideas For Use
Before beginning instruction on a new topic, teachers will find it useful to consult Atlas to identify the earlier ideas that students are likely to need to understand the new topic. When teachers find students struggling with a concept, they can consult Atlas to determine if there are precursor ideas that may be missing from their student’s background knowledge. It makes sense to clarify the earlier supporting ideas rather than to simply repeat the original instruction one more time.
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
•About Atlas of Science Literacy
•About Strand Maps
Map Key
Chapter 1: THE NATURE OF SCIENCE
Cluster: Scientific Inquiry
Maps:
•Evidence and Reasoning in Inquiry
•Scientific Investigations
•Scientific Theories
•Avoiding Bias in Science
Chapter 2: THE NATURE OF MATHEMATICS
Cluster: Mathematical Inquiry
Maps:
•Mathematical Processes
•Mathematical Models
Chapter 3: THE NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY
Cluster: Design and Systems
Maps:
•Design Constraints
•Design Systems
Cluster: Issues in Technology
Maps:
•Interaction of Technology and Society
•Decisions about Using Technology
Chapter 4: THE PHYSICAL SETTING
Cluster: The Universe
Maps:
•Gravity
•Solar System
•Stars
•Galaxies and the Universe
Cluster: Processes That Shape the Earth
Maps:
•Changes in the Earth’s Surface
•Plate Tectonics
Cluster: Structure of Matter
Maps:
•Atoms and Molecules
•Conservation of Matter
•States of Matter
•Chemical Reactions
Cluster: Motion
Maps:
•Laws of Motion
•Waves
Chapter 5: THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT
Cluster: Heredity
Maps:
•DNA and Inherited Characteristics
•Variation in Inherited Characteristics
Cluster: Cells
Maps:
•Cell Functions
•Cells and Organs
Cluster: Flow of Matter and Energy
Maps:
•Flow of Matter in Ecosystems
•Flow of Energy in Ecosystems
Cluster: Evolution of Life
Maps:
•Biological Evolution
•Natural Selection
Chapter 6: THE HUMAN ORGANISM
Cluster: Physical Health
Maps:
•Disease
•Maintaining Good Health
Cluster: Mental Health
Maps:
•Coping with Mental Distress
•Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Disorders
Chapter 7: HUMAN SOCIETY
Cluster: Behavior
Maps:
•Heredity and Experience Shape Behavior
•Culture Affects Behavior
Cluster: Social Change
Maps:
•Influences on Social Change
•Social Decisions
Chapter 8: SOCIAL CHANGE
Map:
•Agricultural Technology
Cluster: Communication and Information
Maps:
•Communication Technology
•Computers
Chapter 9: THE MATHEMATICAL WORLD
Cluster: Mathematical Representation
Maps:
•Graphic Representation
•Symbolic Representation
Cluster: Proportional Reasoning
Maps:
•Ratios and Proportionality
•Describing Change
Cluster: Statistics
Maps:
•Averages and Comparisons
•Correlation
•Statistical Reasoning
Chapter 10: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
Chapter 11: COMMON THEMES
Map:
•Systems
Chapter 12: HABITS OF MIND
REFLECTIONS
•Origin of Strand Maps
•Issues
•Concentration of Strand Maps
STRAND MAPS AND BENCHMARKS
•Distribution of Mapped Benchmarks
•Index of Mapped Benchmarks
REFERENCES
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CREDITS