Preface


Acknowledgments


About the Authors


Safety Considerations in the Classroom





Part 1: Scientific Inquiry and Models in the Classroom


Chapter 1: Scientific Inquiry and Scientific Literacy


1.1 The Goal of Scientific Literacy


1.2 Why Are Teaching and Doing Scientific Inquiry So Hard?





Chapter 2: The Role of Models in Science


2.1 Can We Define Scientific Inquiry?


2.2 Scientific Inquiry Is Model Making


2.3 Developing a Scientific Model in the Classroom


2.4 Why Inquiry-Based Science Promotes Scientific Literacy


2.5 Models, Theories, Hypotheses, and Terminology in Science





Part 2: Implementing and Teaching Scientific Inquiry


Chapter 3: Scientific Models and Conceptual Change


3.1 Children and Scientific Models


3.2 Why Children’s Models Are Resistant to Change


3.3 Fostering Changes in Students’ Models


3.4 Criteria for Creating Good Scientific Explanations





Chapter 4: Evaluating Variables, Explanations, and Models


4.1 Evaluating a Scientific Model: Autumn Colors


4.2 Scientific Tests and Investigations Must Be Fair


4.3 Important Variables


4.4 Identifying Important Variables


4.5 Controlling Variables


4.6 Testing Variables by Observation


4.7 Testing Variables by Collecting Data


4.8 Fair Testing and Variables in the Classroom





Chapter 5: Designing Scientific Tests and Investigations


5.1 Testing a Model for the Mediterranean Sea


5.2 Strategies for Testing Models and Explanations


5.3 Putting Testing Strategies Into Practice


5.4 Testing Competing Explanations and Models


5.5 An Example of Model Testing With Students





Chapter 6: Problem Solving


6.1 Problems in Science


6.2 Using Manipulatives and Visualization Aids


6.3 Working Outside the Box


6.4 Patterns and Similarities


6.5 Working Backward


6.6 Estimations and Approximations


6.7 Implementing Problem Solving in the Classroom


6.8 Problem-Solving Ideas for Students by Content Area


6.9 Problems Encountered by Science Teachers





Chapter 7: Integrating Content and Scientific Inquiry in Your Lessons


7.1 Introducing the Learning Cycle


7.2 The Learning Cycle Approach Versus Traditional Teaching: A Case Study


7.3 Questions About Implementing the Learning Cycle


7.4 Integrating Problem Solving and Model Testing Into the Learning Cycle





Part 3: Supplementary Skills for Scientific Inquiry


Chapter 8: Observations and Inferences


8.1 Observations and Inferences in Science


8.2 Observations and Inferences in the Classroom





Chapter 9: Classification


9.1 Classification in Science


9.2 Classification in Elementary and Middle School



Chapter 10: Communication


10.1 Communication in Science


10.2 Teaching Students to Communicate Effectively



Chapter 11: Measurement


11.1 Measurement in Science


11.2 Implementing Measurement in Elementary and Middle School