Initial Case to Consider

First Year Teacher's Dilemma

Designed to involve the reader in some aspect of the chapter. In this case the case a new teacher questions the department head's philosophy and thinks science should be more application oriented. A great first activity for students to discuss in groups of 3 or 4, with later reporting to the whole class.

Invitations to Inquiry

Preview questions on the content of the chapter.

Useful as advance organizers

Inquiry Activities

1.1. Exploring your Initial Ideas About Science Teaching

1.2. Teaching to Learn: Reflective Teaching

1.3. Surveying Students Views of Science

1.4. The Student is First

Using problem situations for the 5 core ideas introduced in the text, students compare their initial conceptions with each other

 Using a microteaching format students plan lessons based on a listd of science objectives.

Writing an essay, drawing a scientist, answering a questionnaire are used to explore students views and understanding of science.

Using 5 vignettes (which are located on the Companion Website) of teens, students discuss the characteristics and potential learning problems and how to mitigate them.

Science Teachers Talk

Teachers responded to this interview question: What do you like most about science teaching?

We interviewed more than 20 science teachers from five different countries (Australia, Botswana, Canada, Russian and USA) for this feature. You will find a science teachers talk section in the Companion Site correlated with each chapter. In this chapter, the science teacher talk piece is introduced on page 9. We've listed all of the teachers who were interviewed (in the preface), and you'll find the first question and discussion about what experienced teachers like most about science teaching. A great activity is to have small groups of students tell each other what they hope to get out of a career in science teaching, or if you are working with experienced teachers, ask them the question about what they like most. Then have them read what the interviewed teachers had to say.

Cases to Consider

The Student Who Just Can't Relate to This "Physics Stuff." Located on the Companion Website.

Do some students relate less to physics than biology? This case study will lead to discussions of relevancy and science teaching.

Science Education Literature

Science is Not Words by Richard Feynman, located in Gazette

I've used this article (see page 30) as a reading after the first class or session. It sparks students curiosity about the nature of science and science teaching, and was written by Nobel Prize scientist. Initially a speech given to science teachers, it was then published in The Physics Teacher.

Problems and Extensions

Sample: What are your current conceptions of science teaching? What, in your opinion, does a person need to know in order to be a good science teacher?

Problems and extensions are enrichment activities that can foster reflection, and creative and critical thinking. You will find five to ten problems and extensions in each Science Teacher Gazette.

Readings

Located in the Gazette

Articles and some books related to the chapter's content.

On the Web

Located in the Gazette

A short list of websites related to the chapter's content.