Exploring Science and Mathematics in a Child's World / Edition 1

by Genevieve A. Davis, David J. Keller

Overview

How do young children learn math and science? Exploring Science and Mathematics in a Child’s World examines the development of learning theory through twelve concept explorations on basic natural science themes. The book models how best learning practices are constructed in classroom settings. It also demonstrates how to apply mathematical concepts in authentic minds-on and hands-on experiences related to science.

Part One lays the foundation of child development, interrelated mathematics and science processes, and Concept Exploration design. Concept Exploration provides an alternative approach to the usual reliance on a basis model, enabling the teacher and students to explore a wider range of design concepts. This is outlined in Chapter Six. Part Two contains chapters of activities based around a theme such as water, clouds, sun and shadows, wind, birds, insects, and more. All of the activities correlate to the NSES and NCTM standards. This is pictured in a chart at the beginning of each activity chapter for easy reference.

For schools where blended math and science courses are offered, this book fills a need as one that demonstrates appropriate content integration and will be a great reference for teachers for many years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780130945228
Publisher:	Pearson
Publication date:	01/11/2008
Series:	Pearson Custom Education Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

PART I

Chapter 1: A CHILD'S WORLD – How Young Children Learn

INTRODUCTION

Implications for Adults

A Child's World of Cause and Effect

Creating Environments that Support Development

How Emergence of Language Supports Mathematics and Science Learning

Emergence of Symbolic Language

Mathematics Development

Pattern – the underlying theme of all mathematic and science

Sequence – organization and order of succession of events and experiences

Seriation – organizing or ordering things in a logical way

Spatial Relationships

Object Permanence

Sorting – putting together items with like attributes

Comparing – noting similarities and differences between items or events

Classifying

One-to-One Correspondence

Thinking Skills

Observing

Imagining

Problem Solving

Collecting and Organizing Data

National Standards in Mathematics and Science
Review and Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 2: NURTURING CHILD DEVELOPMENT – Environments that Promote Learning

INTRODUCTION

Creating a Culture of Caring: The Teacher’s Role

Valuing Children and Childhood

Safety within a Caring Culture

Play

Providing Emotional Security

Being Responsive

Constructing Meaning through Misconceptions

Building a Sense of Community

Families and Schools Together

Children’s Questions and Curiosities

Experiencing Newness

Encouraging Wonder and Discovery

Teachers’ Roles in Creating a Curious Classroom

Wiggle Room and Opportunities for Movement

Creating an Environment

Cooperative Culture for Independent Thinking

Concept Explorations - Long term projects

Documenting Experiences

Documenting through Concept Exploration
Review and Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 3: THE PROCESS OF PROBLEM SOLVING FOR CHILDREN

INTRODUCTION

The Nature of Problem Solving

Problem-Solving Styles

Active Versus Reflective Styles

How Problem-Solving Styles Affect Classroom Practices and Student Experiences

Teacher Tendencies

Student Tendencies

Teacher and Student Interactions

Random Abstract Teachers and Concrete Sequential Students

Concrete Sequential Teachers and Random Abstract Students

Classroom Experiences with Problem Solving

Authentic Learning – Problem Solving in the Real World

Design of Classroom Activities that Encourage Problem Solving

Teaching at Each of the Four Stages of Problem Solving

Collecting and Organizing Data

Review and Discussion Questions

CHAPTER 4: MEASUREMENT ~ A WAY TO CAPTURE OBSERVATIONS IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION

Using Senses to Experience the World

How Things Change and Grow

Seeking Inventive Ways to Capture Change and Growth

Formal Approaches and Techniques of Measurement

National Standards Concerning Measurement

Instructional Psychology for Teaching Measurement

Some Ideas for Teaching Children to Measure

Ways to Help Children Communicate and Share Mathematical Ideas

Group Sharing and Discussion Format

Journaling

Making a Book

Modeling Appropriate Mathematical and Scientific Language

Relating Rational Counting of Units to the Process of Measurement
Providing Discrete Items to Count when Measuring

Developing Referents for Measurement

Temperature

Review and Discussion Questions

Resources for Teachers

CHAPTER 5: ORGANIZING DATA IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

INTRODUCTION

Usefulness of Charts and Graphs

Types of Charts

Webs

Venn Diagrams

Types of Graphs

People Graphs

Concrete Graphs

Pictographs

Bar Graphs

Histograms

Circle Graphs

Line Graphs

Using Maps to Organize Data

Review and Discussion Questions

Resources for Teachers

CHAPTER 6: CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPING CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

INTRODUCTION

Provides Solid Science and Mathematics Content

Solid Science Content

Solid Mathematics Content

Considers the Appropriate Level of Child Development

Truly Integrates Mathematics and Science

Is Guided by the Child's World

Incorporates Children's Literature

Actively Involves Children through Common Basic Materials

Is Founded on a Safe Environment

Concept Exploration Design

Concept Exploration Introduction

Concept Exploration Activities for your Classroom

Conceptual Framework for Science and Mathematics

Children’s Explorations

National Science Education Standards

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics National Standards

The Pre-K – 2 Content Standards

The Pre-K – 2 Process Standards

Resources

Resource Books

Storybooks

Picture Books

Multicultural Books

Writing Your Own Book

Review and Discussion Questions

PART II MATH/SCIENCE CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

CHAPTER 7: ASTRONOMY AND SPACE SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

Newton's Three Laws of Motion and Basic Rocketry

Star Formation

Telescopes and Children

Mathematics: Addressing the NCTM Standards through Concept Explorations

Number and Operation

Algebra and Patterns

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

Observing with All the Senses

Sight

Sound

Safety

Concept Explorations on Astronomy and Space Science for Your Classroom

1. Solar System Models

2. Solar Dances

3. Golf Ball Lunology

4. Moon Watching

5. Binocular Beauties

6. Observing the Sun

7. Collecting Micro-Meteorites

8. Balloon Rockets

9. Film Canister Rockets

10. Water Rockets

11. Air Rockets

12. Chemical Rockets

13. How High Did It Go?

Activities in Other Exploration That Relate to Astronomy and Space Science

Resources for Teachers

Books

Article

Websites

Children's Books on Astronomy and Space Science

CHAPTER 8: BIRDS

INTRODUCTION

Science Concepts for Teachers

Bird Basics

Feather Structure and Types

Migratory Patterns

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number Operation

Algebra and Patterns

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis with Number and Operation

Observing with All the Senses

Sight

Touch

Sound

SAFETY

CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS ON BIRDS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Adopt a Bird

2. Feed the Birds

3. Chart the Birds

4. Food Preferences of Birds

5. Constructing Bird Hotels

6. What's A Bird Have to Say?

7. Construction Time: Can You Build as Well as a Bird?

8. Fright Distance

9. How Do Birds Interact with Each Other and with Other Animals

10. How High Do Birds Fly?

11. Where Do Birds Go for the Winter?

12. Feathers of Fine Friends

13. Egg Incubators

14. How Much Does a Bird Weigh?

15. Birds in Different Cultures

Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Birds

Resources for Teachers

Books

Journal

Computer Disk

Web Sites

Children's Books on Birds

CHAPTER 9: CLOUDS

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

What Causes Clouds

Types of Clouds

Mathematics: Addressing the NCTM Standards Through Learning Experiences

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Sound

SAFETY

CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS ON CLOUDS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Head in the Clouds

2. Capture the Clouds

3. Catch Your Breath

4. How High Is a Cloud?

5. What to Do with the Weather

6. Cloudy Sky Stories

7. I've Looked at Clouds from Both Sides Now

8. Which Way are You Going?

9. As the Saying Goes

Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Clouds

Resources for Teachers

Books

Websites

Children's Books on Clouds

CHAPTER 10: INSECTS

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

Insect Basics

Metamorphosis

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Number and Operation

Algebra, Patterns, and Sorting

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Sound

Touch

Smell and Taste

SAFETY

CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS ON INSECTS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Let's Build an Insect Zoo

2. Create an Insect and Design Its Habitat.

3. Bedtime Bonanza

4. Plant Hotels

5. My Life Story by Billy Beetle

6. Insect Galls

7. Butterfly Detectives

8. Interviewing Insects

9. Ant Investigations

10. Insect Picnic

11. Air Explorations

12. Insect Songs

13. Underground Activities

14. Chromo Pubescents

Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Insects

Resources for Teachers

Books

Articles

Web Sites

Children’s Books on Insects

CHAPTER 11: LEAVES

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

The Value of Leaves

Photosynthesis

Compost

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number and Operation and Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

Patterns and Sequencing

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Sound

Touch

Smell

SAFETY

CONCEPT EXPLORATION ON LEAVES FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Falling Leaves

2. Quiet Leaves
3. Leafy Lunch

4. Scratch and Sniff

5. Evergreens Also Have Leaves

6. Insects Like Leaves Too!

7. A Tribute to Transpiration

8. Leaves - Where Do They All Go?

9. Leaves - Alike But Different

10. A Rainbow Connection of Leaves

11. Leaves' Lasting Impressions

12. From a Leaf's Perspective

Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Leaves

Resources for Teachers

Books

Web Sites

Children's Books on Leaves

CHAPTER 12: MATH/SCIENCE CONCEPT EXPLORATION: LIGHT AND COLOR

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

What Is Light and How Is It Produced?

Polarization

Light’s Enigma: The Duality of Wave and Particle Theories of Light

Visible Light

The Speed of Light

The Normal Sighted Eye

Primary Colors

Absorption and Reflection of Light

Refraction

What Are Lasers and How Do They Work?

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Number and Operation

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Sound

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON LIGHT AND COLOR FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Pinhole Projects

2. Mirrors

3. Seeing Yourself as Others See You

4. The Candle Burning Under Water

5. Up Periscope

6. Doubling Your Fish

7. Reflections of a Laser Pointer

8. Magic Marker Magic

9. Combining Colors

10. Color Television Basic Color

11. Paper Chromatography

12. Technicolor World

13. Grow Plants with a Green Filter

14. Visualizing Sound with Light

Activities in Other Explorations that Relate to Light and Color

Resources for Teachers

Books

Web Sites

Children’s Books

CHAPTER 13: ROCKS

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

Don't Take All Rocks for Granite- What are Minerals and Rocks?

The Rock Cycle

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number and Operation

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Touch

Sound

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON ROCKS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Rocks Waiting to Be Found

2. Swap Rocks with Students in Other Schools

3. My Life Story by Rocky

4. Building Stones

5. Rainbow Rocks

6. Stream Sorting

7. Statues, Jewels, and Trinkets

8. Rocks - Pieces and Parts

9. Fossils

10. Graveyard Geology

Activities in Other Explorations That Relate to Rocks

Resources for Teachers

Books

Web Sites

Children's Books on Rocks

CHAPTER 14: SEEDS

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

The Nature of Seeds

Parts of a Seed

Seed Germination

Seed Transportation

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number and Operation

Algebra and Patterns

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Touch

Sound

Taste

Smell

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON SEEDS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Eating Seeds is Fun!

2. What Foods Do We Eat?

3. What Do Our Animal Neighbors Eat?

4. Seeds Growing in Nature

5. The Germination Race

6. Trees Grow from Seeds

7. Flower Seeds to Flower Seeds

8. Pop corn, Indian Corn, Sweet Corn

9. Let’s be Gentle!

10. All Quiet on the Stage!

11. Lights, Camera, Action

12. Story Time

13. Seed Mosaics

Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Seeds

Resources for Teachers

Books

Article

Web Sites

Children’s Books on Seeds

CHAPTER 15: SUN AND SHADOWS

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

The Sun is a Nuclear Furnace

The Earth's Revolution and Rotation Determine the Earth's Seasons

The Sun in Our Sky

Observing the Daily and Annual Motion of the Sun in Our Sky

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number and Operation

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Touch

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON SUN AND SHADOWS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Here Comes the Sun

2. I Saw the Sun Move

3. Me and My Shadow

4. Silhouettes

5. Exploring the Shapes and Sizes of Shadows

6. Photo Opportunities

7. Shadow Game

8. The Warmth of the Sun

9. The Sun Is a Spotlight

10. Mythology and the Sun

Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Sun and Shadows

Resources for Teachers

Books

Article

Web Sites

Children’s Books on Sun and Shadows

CHAPTER 16: TOYS AND TOOLS

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

Simple Machines

Mechanical Advantage

Inertia

Center of Gravity

Friction

Mass and Weight

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number and Operation

Algebra

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis and Probability

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Touch

Sound

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON TOYS AND TOOLS FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Toy Festival

2. How Many Simple Machines Can You Find?

3. Rulers and Pencils

4. Strings and Things

5. The Toy Factory

6. Toys of Different Countries

7. The Human Machine

8. Invention Convention

9. The Ball Olympics

Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Toys and Tools

Resources for Teachers

Books

Article

Web Sites

Children’s Books on Toys and Tools

CHAPTER 17: WATER

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

Water Cycle

A Detailed Water Cycle

The Water Planet

The Curious Nature of Water

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Number and Operation

Algebra, Patterns, and Sorting

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Touch

Sound

Taste and Smell

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON WATER FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. Splish, Splash

2. Water, Water, Everywhere!

3. How Much Water Do We Use in a day?

4. Don’t Drown Lincoln

5. Little Water – Big Water

6. Water Resources and Water Treatment Plants

7. The Classroom River

8. Drip, Drop, Tick, Tock

9. Water Words

10. Water’s Work

11. Sequencing Water Processes

12. I Scream! You Scream! We all Scream for Ice Cream!

Activities in Other Exploration that Relate to Water

Resources for Teachers

Books

Journal

Web Sites

Children’s Books on Water

Books About Rain

Books About Snow

CHAPTER 18: WIND

INTRODUCTION

SCIENCE CONCEPTS FOR TEACHERS

What Is Wind?

Wind Chill

MATHEMATICS: ADDRESSING THE NCTM STANDARDS THROUGH CONCEPT EXPLORATIONS

Geometry

Measurement

Data Analysis

OBSERVING WITH ALL THE SENSES

Sight

Sound

Touch

Smell and Taste

SAFETY

CONCEPTS EXPLORATONS ON WIND FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

1. See the Wind

2. Capture the Wind

3. Let’s Go Fly a Kite

4. Construct a Maximum Wind Gust Measuring Device

5. Watching the Leaves Blow

6. Animals Using the Wind

7. Using the Wind to Do Work

8. Water Evaporation

9. Micro and Macro

Activities in Other Explorations That Relate to Wind

Resources for Teachers

Books

Websites

Children’s Books on Wind

APPENDIX: NCTM PROCESS STANDARDS THROUGH GRADE 12
REFERENCES