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Teaching Inquiry Science in Middle and Secondary Schools
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Teaching Inquiry Science in Middle and Secondary Schools

Courses:
Science Methods
September 2009 | 344 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Provides solutions for using inquiry-based teaching while meeting standards

This compelling new text practices what it preaches—it uses the inquiry approach to teach the inquiry approach.

The book is developed around six key questions:
1. What is science?
2. Why teach science?
3. What is the nature of scientific knowledge?
4. How do scientists construct knowledge?
5. How do people develop effective reasoning patterns?
6. What teaching methods best facilitate scientific knowledge acquisition?


Key Features

  • Focus on inquiry teaching methods: This text shows teachers how to use inquiry-based teaching in a standards-based environment.
  • Practical examples: Several examples of inquiry lessons are provided, along with examples of classroom management techniques, lesson planning procedures, and effective evaluation procedures.
  • Research-based content: Written by a leader in the field, the book includes current and important research to frame the examples and methods.


Ancillaries
A password-protected instructor resources site at http://www.sagepub.com/lawsoninstr/ includes PowerPoint slides for each chapter, a test bank, chapter outlines with notes, Internet resources, and sample assignments.

 
Part I. The Nature of Science
 
1. Educational Goals and The Nature of Science Inquiry
Exploring Instructional Alternatives

 
The Goals of American Education

 
How Science Is Practiced

 
Testing Hypothesis Using Experiments

 
Basic and Applied Research

 
 
2. The Nature of Scientific Theories
The Greek Four-Material Theory

 
The "Discovery" of Oxygen

 
Description Versus Explanation: Why Do Objects Fall?

 
Proof and Disproof

 
The Elements of Scientific Discovery

 
How Do Science and Religion Differ?

 
 
Part II. Student Thinking, Development, and Learning
 
3. How Students Think
Exploring Student Reasoning

 
How Do Student Responses Relate to Intellectual Development?

 
Is There A Fifth State?

 
Why Developmental Stages Are Important to Teachers

 
 
4. Developing and Learning Different Types of Knowledge
Developing Procedural Knowledge

 
Provoking Self-Regulation In The Classroom

 
Why Does State "Retardation" Occur?

 
Learning Declarative Knowledge

 
Provoking Development and Learning In The Classroom

 
Teaching for Development and Learning

 
 
Part III. Elements of Inquiry Instruction
 
5. The Origins And Outcomes of Inquiry Instruction
A Brief History of Science Instruction

 
Outcomes of Inquiry Instruction

 
 
6. Inquiry Instruction
Exploring Instructional Alternatives

 
Types of Learning Cycles

 
How Do Learning Cycles Relate to Doing Science?

 
Using Textboks to Introduce New Terms

 
 
7. Planning For Inquiry
Questions to Consider

 
Preparing Good Lesson Plans

 
 
8. Technology, Labs, and Safety in the Inquiry Classroom
Classroom Technology

 
Labs in the Inquiry Classroom

 
Lab Safety and Organism Use

 
 
Part IV. Instructional Strategies
 
9. Demonstrations, Lectures, Discussions, and Field Trips
Demonstrations

 
Lectures

 
Discussions

 
Field Trips

 
 
10. Managing the Inquiry Classroom
Classrooms Rules and Procedures

 
Solving Management Problems

 
The Classroom Management Survey

 
 
11. Inquiry Instruction and Diverse Learners
Strategies for English Language Learners

 
Avoiding Gender Bias

 
Students With Learning Disabilities

 
Meeting the Needs of Gifted Students

 
Selecting and Using a Textbook for Diverse Learners

 
 
12. Curriculum Development
Types of Concepts

 
Conceptual Systems

 
Inititating and Sequencing Units

 
Teaching the Ecosystem Conceptual System

 
Scheduling Learning Cycles

 
Integrating Technological and Societal Issues

 
 
13. Assessing Student Progress
Types of Assessment

 
Anticipating and Reducing Bias

 
Assigning Grades

 
Developing Effective Exams

 
Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives

 
Using Exams to Encourage Self-Regulation

 
Developing and Scoring Essay Exams

 
Using Homework Problems to Encourage Self-Regulation

 
Using Written Assignments to Encourage Self-Regulation

 
 
Part V. Professional Induction and Development
 
14. Helping More Teachers Use Inquiry
Inquiry Doesn't Take Too Much Time and Energy

 
Inquiry Can "Cover" Enough Material

 
Reading Inquiry Textbooks Can Be Easier

 
Risk Is Not Too High

 
Concrete Thinkers Can Inquire

 
Students Don't Waste Too Much Time

 
Old "Dogs" Can Learn New "Tricks"

 
Inquiry Is Flexible

 
Inquiry Increases Comfort

 
Inquiry Is Not Too Expensive

 
Using the RTOP to Measure and Improve Inquiry Teaching

 
 
15. Professional Development
Professional Development Standards

 
Good Teaching Really Matters

 
Conducting Action Research in Your Classroom

 

"This is an excellent and needed contribution to the science education teacher preparation field."

Douglas Zook
Boston University

"Processes and products of inquiry are evident in the text and real classroom situations are presented with anecdotes, reflection and possible solutions when certain issues may develop. It presents a model for instruction that can be replicated in different classrooms."

Bonita Flournoy
Columbus State University

This is a very thoughtful book that I plan to use this summer. I am awaiting approval. The books does a great job discussing the elements of inquiry within a secondary setting.

Dr Georgia Hodges
Science Education Dept, University of Georgia
March 29, 2011
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My section of the course was cancelled due to low enrollment. I believe the text was excellent and plan to use it if I teach science methods in the spring.

Dr Glenn Markle
Division of Teacher Education, University of Cincinnati
September 23, 2010
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I liked the prior edition, and really like the way this one is set up. A must-have for science teaching professionals.

Professor John Deming
Chemistry Dept, Winona State University
June 21, 2010
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The focus of the textbook is on inquiry teaching. The author's writing style is very readable.

Dr Susan Cooper
College Of Education, Florida Gulf Coast University
January 21, 2010
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