Teaching Primary Science Constructively,
6th Edition

Keith Skamp, Christine Preston

ISBN-13: 9780170379717
Copyright 2018 | Published
616 pages | List Price: USD $96.25

Teaching Primary Science Constructively helps readers to create effective science learning experiences for primary students by using a constructivist approach to learning. This best-selling text explains the principles of constructivism and their implications for learning and teaching, and discusses core strategies for developing science understanding and science inquiry processes and skills. Chapters also provide research-based ideas for implementing a constructivist approach within a number of content strands. Throughout there are strong links to the key ideas, themes and terminology of the revised Australian Curriculum: Science. This sixth edition includes a new introductory chapter addressing readers’ preconceptions and concerns about teaching primary science.

Purchase Enquiry INSTRUCTOR’S eREVIEW COPY

1. Primary science: every teacher, every child
2. Constructivist views of learning and teaching science
3. Implementing the Australian Curriculum: Science with a constructivist mindset
4. Thinking and working scientifically
5. Energy
6. Electricity
7. Movement and force
8. Living things and environments
9. Living things: science and design and technologies
10. Materials and their properties
11. Physical and chemical change
12. Our place in space
13. Our planet Earth
14. Weather and our environment
Coda
Appendix 1: At a glance: key teaching and learning strategies and other pedagogical topics
Appendix 2: At a glance: key content knowledge

  • Keith Skamp

    KEITH SKAMP is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education at Southern Cross University. He has held visiting scholar and professorial positions at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York; Durham University, England; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; University of Lethbridge, Canada; and Flinders University, South Australia. Keith has been a lecturer in undergraduate and graduate units in science education, environmental education and research methodology for many years, and has led or been involved in professional and curriculum development initiatives in primary science and environmental education at state, national and international levels. His research and consultancy in science, environmental and sustainability education has included major research reports for the Australian Academy of Science's Primary Connections initiative, as well as for state and federal governments, and has resulted in numerous refereed journal articles and other publications. Keith has received distinguished awards for university teaching and service to the Australasian Science Education Research Association and the Australian Science Teachers' Association.

  • Christine Preston

    CHRISTINE PRESTON is a lecturer in The Sydney School of Education and Social Work at The University of Sydney. Christine lectures in primary science education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has been a primary specialist science teacher and maintains current classroom practice teaching Foundation Year science at Abbotsleigh Junior School, Sydney. Christine is a regular presenter at state, national and international science education conferences including being an invited keynote speaker. She is passionate about her mission of actualising high quality science learning for every child. Christine has been involved in curriculum development initiatives in NSW and internationally, and continues to engage in professional development of science education with primary teachers. She is a regular contributor of articles about primary science in the Australian Science Teachers Association journal. Christine’s current research involves toys and students’ representations as aids in learning science concepts. Her consultancy projects include evaluations of primary school science programs and teacher professional development in effective science pedagogy. Christine has received distinguished awards for both school science and university teaching including the Inaugural Rotary Club of Sydney award for Innovation and Excellence in the Vocation of Teaching, the NSW Minister of Education and Australian College of Education (NSW) Quality Teaching Award, and University Teaching Excellence awards.

  • Previous edition chapter 1 is now split into two NEW chapters: Chapter 1, 'Primary science: Every teacher, every child' addresses students’ preconceptions and concerns about teaching primary science, and new Chapter 2, 'Constructivist views of learning and teaching science' focuses on the constructivist approach of teaching and learning science.

  • Aligned and updated throughout to reflect the revised Australian Curriculum: Science

  • Discussion of science within the context of STEM throughout the new edition

  • NEW Coda at the end of the book revisits the introductory concepts and ties them all together with the specific science subjects covered in chapters 5 to 14

  • Two new appendices created from one previous edition appendix. NEW Appendix 1 'At a glance: key teaching and learning strategies and other pedagogical topics' and NEW Appendix 2: 'At a glance: key content knowledge' provide quick references to coverage of teaching strategies and content knowledge

  • Help readers understand and alleviate their preconceptions and concerns about teaching primary science through reading new content in the very first chapter, Chapter 1 'Primary science: every teacher, every child'

  • AC icons throughout the text indicate quotes from the Australian Curriculum: Science

  • Icons in the margins highlight ideas and discussions that are relevant to key strands and themes from the Australian Curriculum: Science, including: CCP = Cross-curriculum priorities, GC = General capabilities, and SHE = Science as a human endeavour

  • Help readers address cross-curriculum priorities through the discussion of science in relation to the others elements of STEM throughout the text

  • NEW Coda at the end of the book consolidates student learning by tying together the concepts from the introductory chapters with the context that has been provided by reading the other chapters

  • Explore teaching and learning suggestions ‘in action’ through case studies which illustrate how teachers have applied constructivist learning sequences in their classrooms

  • Activity boxes throughout the chapters provide you with practical activities to try in the classroom

  • Numerous examples demonstrate teaching strategies that align with a constructivist perspective

  • Summaries of primary students’ alternative conceptions in the various science content areas help readers to appreciate the ideas that children may hold

  • Help your students to review, practise and extend their knowledge using the revision and extension resources in the CourseMate Express website

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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