Full Description
"Constructing Early Childhood Science" focuses on teaching children how to actively engage in the scientific process, rather than learn about it passively. Each chapter begins with at least one hands-on activity, designed to help young science students begin to construct their conceptualizations. The activities include references to nearly 150 different children's literature titles; a feature designed to assist teachers in developing an interdisciplinary approach to instruction. Recurrent themes in the book include ways of utilizing technology, teaching multicultural populations, interdisciplinary approaches and involving parents and the community in the science program. Thoroughly researched, this manual cites the most contemporary publications on each topic.
Contents
Preface, Acknowledgments, To the Student, Chapter 1: Constructing Goals for Early Childhood Science Education. Chapter 2: The Basic Scientific Processes: Observing. Chapter 3: The Basic Scientific Processes: Classifying. Chapter 4: The Basic Scientific Processes: Communicating. Chapter 5: The Basic Scientific Processes: Measuring. Chapter 6: The Basic Scientific Processes: Predicting. Chapter 7: The Basic Scientific processes: Inferring. Chapter 8: The Process-Oriented Objective. Chapter 9: The Integrated Scientific Processes: Identifying and Controlling Variables. Chapter 10: The Integrated Scientific Processes: Formulating and Testing Hypotheses. Chapter 11: The Integrated Scientific Processes: Defining Operationally. Chapter 12: The Integrated Scientific Processes: Interpreting Data. Chapter 13: The Integrated Scientific Processes: Experimenting. Chapter 14: The Integrated scientific Processes: Constructing Models. Chapter 15: Constructivism. Chapter 16: Process-Oriented Inquiry. Chapter 17: Learner Differences. Chapter 18: Assessment. Chapter 19: The Early Childhood Science Education Classroom. Chapter 20: Science Beyond the Classroom. Chapter 21: Technology in Early Childhood Science Education. Chapter 22: Reading, Writing, and Science. Chapter 23: Interdisciplinary Integration. Chapter 24: The Early Childhood Science Education Professional. Appendix 1: Selected Sources of Free and Inexpensive Materials. Appendix 2: Materials for a well-Equipped Early Childhood Science Classroom. Appendix 3: Activities Cross-Referenced to content standards of the National Science Education Standards. Appendix 4: Listing of Children''s Literature Cited.
