Teaching Inquiry Science in Middle and Secondary Schools

Anton E. Lawson

Other Titles in:
Curriculum | Science | Teaching in Secondary Schools

December 2009 | 344 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

This textbook provides an introduction to inquiry-oriented secondary science teaching methods. This book stands out from the others by practicing what it preaches- it uses the inquiry approach to teach the inquiry approach. In addition, it provides tools teachers can use in their classrooms immediately, such as lesson planning procedures, classroom management techniques and effective evaluation procedures.

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 (both conceptual knowledge construction and reasoning pattern development)?

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

Report this review

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

Report this review

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

Report this review

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