NSTA - National Science Teachers Association

Assessing Science as Inquiry in the Classroom By: Pamela Van Scotter and K. David Pinkerton A chapter from Science as Inquiry in the Secondary Setting Average User Rating: Assessments of inquiry should align with what we know about learning and should be balanced and authentic. That is, they should include all the important features of inquiry, not just those easy to assess. This approach helps ensure that all students...  [view full summary] Assessments of inquiry should align with what we know about learning and should be balanced and authentic. That is, they should include all the important features of inquiry, not just those easy to assess. This approach helps ensure that all students acquire the knowledge of and skills regarding scientific inquiry considered important. In turn, this foundation of knowledge should help students participate more effectively in an increasingly complex world.This chapter will describe some ideas about assessing for understanding and abilities related to inquiry. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Middle School, High School

Rocking Around the Rock Cycle By: Christine Anne Royce A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: “What type of rock is this?” is a common question spoken by all children at some point in their young lives. Many students have rocks of all shapes and sizes in their “collections.” In this chapter, young students will have the opportunity to explore...  [view full summary] “What type of rock is this?” is a common question spoken by all children at some point in their young lives. Many students have rocks of all shapes and sizes in their “collections.” In this chapter, young students will have the opportunity to explore more in depth as they make observations of the three types of rocks—igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Upper-grade students who have some previous study of rocks can use these books to review what they know of the rock cycle. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Rock Solid Science By: Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan A chapter from Teaching Science Through Trade Books Average User Rating: Children are naturally curious about the world around them, including the rocks beneath their feet. By observing, describing, and sorting a variety of rocks, students can discover that rocks have certain physical properties by which they can be classified....  [view full summary] Children are naturally curious about the world around them, including the rocks beneath their feet. By observing, describing, and sorting a variety of rocks, students can discover that rocks have certain physical properties by which they can be classified. This chapter takes a fun approach to learning about the properties, uses, and formation of rocks. Students in grades K–3 explore the properties and uses of their own “pet rock,” while students in grades 4–6 investigate “rock stories.” [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School

Using Assessment to Help Students Learn By: J. Myron Atkin A chapter from Learning SCIENCE and the science of LEARNING Average User Rating: Assessment in the classroom is more than tests and quizzes on Friday. It is an everyday feature of classroom life. Students and teachers use assessment, for example, when they gauge the quality of a response to a question, judge the accuracy of a diagram,...  [view full summary] Assessment in the classroom is more than tests and quizzes on Friday. It is an everyday feature of classroom life. Students and teachers use assessment, for example, when they gauge the quality of a response to a question, judge the accuracy of a diagram, or evaluate an oral report. Ensuing class discussions help students understand how their own efforts can be improved. Research indicates that such classroom practices, often called formative assessment, are among the most powerful methods of improving learning. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Teaching Strategies By: Linda Froschauer and Mary L. Bigelow A chapter from Rise and Shine: A Practical Guide for the Beginning Science Teacher Average User Rating: As a teacher, you can threaten, cajole, plead, or reward students into doing what you want, but the ultimate decision about how much to participate is made by the students. This chapter gives many suggestions of new strategies to try to help your students...  [view full summary] As a teacher, you can threaten, cajole, plead, or reward students into doing what you want, but the ultimate decision about how much to participate is made by the students. This chapter gives many suggestions of new strategies to try to help your students become active learners in your classroom. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Alignment of Instruction with Knowledge of Student Learning By: Paul Jablon A chapter from Learning SCIENCE and the science of LEARNING Average User Rating: A series of classroom vignettes and student conversations provides a glimpse into how our theoretical understanding of human learning translates into science classroom practice. The surprisingly large number of components operating in an effective classroom...  [view full summary] A series of classroom vignettes and student conversations provides a glimpse into how our theoretical understanding of human learning translates into science classroom practice. The surprisingly large number of components operating in an effective classroom must interrelate with each other if students are to retain and use their science conceptual understandings. The author brings together ideas from neurobiology, learning theory, and developmental psychology and correlates them with the complex matrix of everyday classroom practice that allows students to gain science reasoning skills, conceptual understandings, and insight into the nature of the scientific enterprise. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Assessing Student Learning By: Anne M. Cox-Petersen and Joanne K. Olson A chapter from Learning SCIENCE and the science of LEARNING Average User Rating: Assessment involves an ongoing investigation of student learning that influences teachers’ planning and instruction. Multiple assessment strategies should be used to provide feedback to students and teachers. Such strategies include questioning, concept...  [view full summary] Assessment involves an ongoing investigation of student learning that influences teachers’ planning and instruction. Multiple assessment strategies should be used to provide feedback to students and teachers. Such strategies include questioning, concept maps, reflective journals, written tests, observations, drawings, performance, and interviews. Assessment practices should be inclusive of all students as well as congruent with learning goals and instructional strategies. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Essay: Creating a Foundation Through Student Conversation By: Ann S. Rosebery, Chèche Konnen Center, TERC and Cynthia Ballenger, King Open School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Chèche Konnen Center A chapter from Teaching Science to English Language Learners: Building on Students’ Strengths Average User Rating: This essay discusses a pedagogical practice called Science talks. Science talks allow students to use their diverse language practices and life experience to understand scientific phenomena and allow teachers to see new connections between students’...  [view full summary] This essay discusses a pedagogical practice called Science talks. Science talks allow students to use their diverse language practices and life experience to understand scientific phenomena and allow teachers to see new connections between students’ ideas and those of science. Science talks are a time when all students can think together about scientific ideas and practices and when all teachers can listen carefully to their students’ comments and conversations with one another. This free selection includes the Table of Contents, Introduction, and Index. [hide full abstract] Member Price: Free Nonmember Price: Free Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School

Assessing Science Literacy Using Extended Constructed-Response Items By: Audrey B. Champagne, Vicky I. Kouba, and Linda Gentiluomo A chapter from Assessing Science Learning: Perspectives From Research and Practice Average User Rating: The authors’ goal in this chapter is to provide teachers with information that will make them better formative and summative assessors; better judges of the quality of state, national, and international assessments that their students experience; and...  [view full summary] The authors’ goal in this chapter is to provide teachers with information that will make them better formative and summative assessors; better judges of the quality of state, national, and international assessments that their students experience; and better interpreters of assessment data and its applications for educational decision making. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

Live Long and Prosper By: Terry Kwan and Juliana Texley A chapter from Exploring Safely: A Guide for Elementary Teachers Average User Rating: Consider the changes. Yesterday’s one-room schoolhouse had one teacher responsible for every subject, every grade, and maintenance of the classroom and schoolhouse. Today’s self-contained classroom has one teacher responsible for a diverse group of students...  [view full summary] Consider the changes. Yesterday’s one-room schoolhouse had one teacher responsible for every subject, every grade, and maintenance of the classroom and schoolhouse. Today’s self-contained classroom has one teacher responsible for a diverse group of students with wide-ranging abilities and needs; integrated learning of subjects from the basics to social and behavioral issues; and a roomful of widgets—high-tech, low-tech, and all that’s in between. Everything has changed, yet everything remains the same. You, the teacher, remain responsible for everyone and for everything that goes on in your classroom. This chapter offers some closing insights and suggestions to help you “live long and prosper” in the science classroom. [hide full abstract] Member Price: $2.79 Nonmember Price: $3.49 Grade Level: Elementary School