Description
Not your average safety guide, Inquiring Safely is a uniquely readable resource from experienced teachers who know both middle school science content and how middle school students behave. The authors go beyond the standard rules and regulations to discuss safety concepts in the context of real classrooms—and to help you make students your partners-in-safety within an inquiry-based science curriculum.
New and veteran teachers alike can use Inquiring Safely to develop better approaches to equip labs, dispose of chemicals and other hazardous materials, maintain documentation, and organize field trips. Some chapters cover specific disciplines, such as physical science, chemistry, Earth science, and biology. Others deal with general topics such as supervising students’ online activities, accommodating students with special needs, and working with volunteers. Special features include an unusually detailed index plus model student contracts and permission forms.
Like Exploring Safely: A Guide for Elementary Teachers, this essential book emphasizes a preventive approach to an up-to-date range of potential hazards. Given increased scrutiny of teaching practices and growing concerns about liability, Inquiring Safely belongs on the reference shelf of every middle school science teacher.
Ideas For Use
Individual chapters are devoted to the sciences that are traditionally a part of the middle school curriculum, including life science, chemistry, physical science, and Earth and space science. The physical size of the classroom, furniture, storage, lighting, and electrical outlets are all addressed, as is the importance of materials safety data sheets (MSDS). The conclusion provides a quick overview of each chapter, and the index is very comprehensive. In addition, SciLinks allow teachers to find relevant Internet connections.
Contents
Preface
SciLinks
Chapter 1 - Setting the Scene
Basic Rules for a Safer Science Classroom
Chapter 2 - Communities of Learners
Promoting Safety for Every Student
Chapter 3 - Where Science Happens
Equipping Your Lab for Safety
Chapter 4 - Finders Keepers
Essentials of Safer Storage
Chapter 5 - Lively Science
Live Organisms Are Worth the Work
Chapter 6 - Modern Alchemy
Safer Teaching with Chemistry
Chapter 7 - Striking Gold
Exploring Earth and Space Sciences
Chapter 8 - Falling for Science
Physical Science May Be Simpler Than You Think
Chapter 9 - The Great Outdoors
Field Trips Near and Far
Chapter 10 - The Kitchen Sink
A Potpourri of Safety Tips
Chapter 11 - Live Long and Prosper
And Remember, You Are Responsible
Conclusion
Short Chapter Reviews
References
Appendix A
Chemicals to Go
Appendix B
NSTA Position Statement on Safety
Appendix C
American Chemical Society Safety Guidelines
Index