Secrets to Success for Science Teachers

by Ellen Kottler, Victoria Brookhart Costa

Overview

From successfully setting up a classroom to achieving meaningful instruction, science teachers face a variety of challenges unique to their practice every day. This easy-to-read guide provides new and seasoned teachers with practical ideas, strategies, and insights to help address essential topics in effective science teaching, including emphasizing inquiry, building literacy, implementing technology, using a wide variety of science resources, and maintaining student safety.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781634503587
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	10/27/2015
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	466,926
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Ellen Kottler, Ed.S., has been a teacher for over 30 years in public and private schools, alternative schools, adult education programs, and universities. She has worked in inner-city schools as well as in suburban and rural set­tings. She was a curriculum specialist in charge of secondary social studies and law-related education for one of the country’s largest school districts. Ellen is the author or coauthor of several books for educators, including Secrets for Secondary School Teachers: How to Succeed in Your First Year, On Being a Teacher, Secrets for Beginning Elementary School Teachers, Counseling Skills for Teachers, English Language Learners in Your Classroom: Strategies That Work, Secrets to Success for Science Teachers, and Students Who Drive You Crazy: Succeeding with Resistant, Unmotivated, and Otherwise Difficult Young People.

She teaches secondary education and supervises intern teachers at California State University, Fullerton.

Victoria Costa has taught chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and education at the secondary, community college, and university levels. She is the director of science education at California State University, Fullerton. Her research focuses on recruitment, development, and support of secondary science teachers and the preparation of all teachers to support 21st-century learning in technology-rich environments. She has been the principal investigator for two million dollars of grants to support math and science education, including the Professional Development Resources Online for Mathematics (PD-ROM) and the Math and Science Teachers Project (MAST). She has published in highly respected journals, including Journal of Curriculum Studies, Journal of College Science Teaching, Science Education, International Journal of Science Education, and Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

Table of Contents

History of Science Topics ix

Acknowledgments x

About the Authors xi

Introduction 1

1 Design Your Classroom to Create Communities of Learners 4

Explore Your School and Classroom 5

Meet Your Department and Team 6

Investigate Your School's and Community's History and Customs 7

Access Textbooks and Equipment 8

Plan for Exploration and Experimentation 10

Collect Materials and Resources 13

Investigate Laboratory Space and Equipment 14

Safely Use and Store Supplies and Equipment 15

Establish Your Policies and Procedures 15

Create a Shared Learning Environment 17

Ensure Equity and Fairness 18

Use Appropriate and Neutral Language 19

Involve Parents and Families 21

Begin Each Day Anew 22

Establish a Sense of Place... 23

2 Understand Standards to Develop Your Curriculum 24

Consider the History of Science Education 25

Understand the Nature of Science 26

Accomplish Project 2061 Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy 27

Address National Science Education Standards for Students 29

Meet National Science Education Teaching Standards for Teachers 32

Draw From the Academic Disciplines 34

Teach Skills in Experimentation and Investigation 35

Reference Your State Standards 37

Incorporate Your District's Expectations 38

Feature Your School's Organization and Mission 39

Link References to Develop Curriculum 40

Plan Your Year With a Curriculum Blueprint 40

Connect Science With Your Students.... 43

3 Emphasize Inquiry Science to Deepen Understanding 44

Use the Inquiry Continuum 45

Involve Students in Doing Science 46

Engage in Hypothesis Testing 47

Promote the Use of the Scientific Method 49

Integrate Scientific Process Skills Into AllActivities 51

Weave Inquiry-Based Laboratory Investigations Into Every Lesson 54

Head for the Outdoors 56

Support Scientific Investigations With Resources 57

Use Demonstrations to Promote Learning 58

Teach Through Discrepant Events 59

Teach Safety to Students 60

Equip Your Students to Understand Their World... 61

4 Know Your Students to Support Science Achievement 62

Begin From the Perspective of the Learners 63

See Students as Individuals 63

Understand Changes in Today's Students 65

Consider the Contexts of Students' Families and Peers 66

Showcase Powerful Teaching and Learning 67

Feature Actions and Verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy 68

Form Habits of Mind 68

Capitalize Upon the Multiple Intelligences 73

Differentiate Instruction 76

Support All Students 78

Incorporate Instruction That Works 78

Let Your Students Teach One Another... 80

5 Design Assessments to Align With Objectives 81

Set Goals, Objectives, and Expectations 81

Start With the End in Mind 84

Feature All Three Types of Assessment 86

Determine the Functions and Purposes 87

Vary the Structures and Formats 88

Use Selected Responses 89

Include Constructed Essays 90

Highlight Demonstrated Performances and Laboratory Skills 91

Remember Personal Communications 92

Offer Authentic and Alternative Assessments 93

Incorporate Portfolios 95

Prepare Rubrics and Scoring Guides 96

Understand the Results of Standardized Testing 97

Develop an Assessment Blueprint 98

Make Sure the Process Makes Sense for Everyone... 100

6 Connect the Learning to Reach Students' Lives 101

Create Constructivist Classrooms 102

Clarify Misconceptions 104

Select Questions Effectively 105

Consider Various Approaches to Asking Questions 106

Analyze Current Events to Prepare Informed Citizens 107

Address Controversial Issues 107

Draw On the Essential Questions of Science 109

Make Linkages Among Science, Technology, and Society 110

Advance Your Classroom Discussions 112

Conduct a Benefit/Risk Analysis 113

Involve Students in Project-Based Learning 114

Integrate Twenty-First-Century Learning Skills 115

Look for More Ideas 117

Reinforce How Science Impacts Society and Our Personal Lives... 118

7 Develop Literacy to Build Science Skills 119

Introduce Literacy Processes and Outcomes 120

Develop Vocabulary and Concepts 120

Develop Characteristics of Expert Readers 122

Use the Textbook as a Tool 124

Start With Reading Anticipation Activities 126

Assign Reading 126

Facilitate Reading Response Strategies 126

Include All Kinds of Text 128

Support Struggling Readers and English Language Learners 129

Integrate Various Types of Writing 130

Grant Your Students Writing P.O.W.E.R. 131

Try the DRAFT Writing Process 131

Develop Observation Skills 133

Reference Current and Historical Events 133

Equip Your Students to Communicate Science... 136

8 Plan With Students in Mind to Prepare Your Teaching 137

Select Your Units of Learning 138

Highlight Concepts 138

Emphasize Significant Themes of Science 139

Teach Societal Issues 140

Envision Your Planning Schema 144

Follow a Consistent Lesson Plan Format 148

Understand Attention Span 148

Captivate Students as You Open Lessons 149

Begin the Learning Experience 153

Start With Some Direct Teaching 154

Feature Indirect Teaching 156

Reinforce Learning During Closure 160

Assign Homework 161

Use Block Scheduling Wisely 162

Make the Most of Your Time... 163

9 Include Resources to Make Science Real 164

Set the Stage 164

Introduce Models and Specimens 166

Bring In Plants and Animals 166

Teach With Toys 167

Feature Science Literature, Poetry, and Humor 168

Draw From Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts 169

Explore the Rich History of Science 171

Incorporate Multimedia Selections 175

Take Field Trips 176

Follow Guidelines for Taking Field Trips 177

Consider Virtual Field Trips 178

Conduct Virtual Dissections and Experiments 179

Become a Role Model of Resourcefulness... 180

10 Integrate Technology to Enrich Learning 181

Take a Technology Inventory 182

Plan for Computer Use 186

Organize Your Resources 187

Improve Administrativia 188

Improve Teaching With Technology Tools 189

Have Students Communicate Electronically 190

Calculate and Probe Hands-On Science 191

Position Your Students for Learning 193

Investigate Critical Thinking Interactives 193

Utilize Teacher Utilities 196

Tap the Audience With a Response System 197

Consider a Few More Web Resources 198

Demonstrate the Cutting Edge of Science... 201

11 Seek Powerful Activities to Engage Learners 203

Participate in Competitions and Programs 204

Showcase Science Fair Projects 205

Encourage Individual Competitions 206

Team Up for Collaborative Competitions 207

Connect to Careers 208

Invite Guest Speakers 211

Prepare Students to Be a Receptive Audience 213

Develop Science Activities in Your School 215

Celebrate Learning Through Science 216

Offer Service-Learning Opportunities 216

Sponsor a Club 218

Check Out Community Resources 219

Start a School Resource Bank 221

Have Fun With Science... 222

12 Collaborate With Colleagues to Expand Opportunities 223

Contemplate the Collaborative Nature of Scientific Discovery 224

Examine Collaborative Concepts and Practices 226

Adopt the Secrets of Successful Collaborators 227

Consider Various Teaming Configurations 227

Weigh the Pros and Cons of Team Teaching Carefully 231

Understand School Organizational Patterns 232

Make the Most of Departmentalization 233

Integrate Science Across the Curriculum 234

Talk to Technology Specialists 236

Team Up With Instructional Aides to Support Students 240

Contact Other Employees in the District 241

See Science in Society and the World 241

Integrate Science Naturally... 242

13 Reflect on Your Practice to Fortify Your Future 243

Look Back to Look Ahead 243

Reflect on Learning With Purpose 244

Evaluate Your Curriculum 245

Make a Difference at the School or District Level 246

Join Professional Organizations 246

Attend a Science Education Conference 248

Find a Mentor 248

Earn a Graduate Degree or Additional Credential 249

Look at Science Literature 250

Apply the Findings of Research in Science Education 252

Engage in Scientific Research 254

Consider National Board Certification 255

Keep an Open and Active Mind 255

Become the Teacher You Always Wanted to Be... 256

Resources 257

A Science Safety Checklist 258

B Science Textbook Evaluation Tool 260

C Detailed Lesson Plan Guide 262

D Abbreviated Lesson Plan Guide 264

E Curriculum Evaluation Guide for Science 265

Readings and References 267

Index 273

Editorial Reviews

This book is a valuable tool for the science teacher or administrator with the serious task of integrating all the forces required to provide solid science curriculum and teaching. The authors leave no stone unturned in the quest to provide a working map for science teachers of all levels.

Darleen Horton

This book isn’t just for new teachers! Even after years as a science teacher, this book gave me suggestions to use right away in my classroom and to keep on track with teaching and inspiring my students.

Regina Brinker

This book is a phenomenal text for a preservice teacher. It has so many ideas that, as one gains experience, there might be others to explore as time goes on.

Sally Koczan