Part One        METHODS FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE
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Ch. 1:Â Â Inquiring Minds in the ClassroomÂ
           A National Focus on Inquiry
           The Nature of Science
           How Do Children and Society Benefit When Science Is Taught Properly?  Â
Ch. 2:Â Â Discovering Science Through Inquiry
           Inquiry and Its Role in Promoting Scientific Literacy
           Inquiry as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning
           Inquiry and Scientists
           Inquiry and Children
           Convergence of Ideas
           Constructivism and Science Teaching and Learning
           A Constructivist Approach to Teaching
           Preparing for Inquiry in Your Classroom
Ch. 3:Â Â Planning for InquiryÂ
           Planning Inquiry Experiences
           Development of a 6E Lesson
           National Standards and Planning
Ch. 4:  Inquiry and Assessment     Â
           Assessment Today
           NCLB
           Linking Assessment to Inquiry
           The 6E Model and Assessment
           Authentic Assessment
           Characteristics of Good Assessment
           Performance-Based Assessment
           Project-Based Assessment
           Peer or Individual Assessments
           Interviews
           Journals
           Portfolios
           Concept Maps
           Teacher Observations
           Open-Ended Questions
           Assessing Attitudes
Ch. 5:  Inquiry and Science as Practice      Â
           Inquiry and Scientific Skill Development
           The Goals of Science as Practice
           Four Strands of Science
           Scientific Skills in Support of Science as Practice
Observing
Classifying
Measuring
Communicating
Inferring
Predicting
Experimenting
Scientific Attitudes
Curiosity
Inventiveness
Critical Thinking
Persistence
Uncertainty
Developing Attitudes
Ch. 6:Â Â Inquiry Experiences for All Children
           Celebrating Diversity
           Cultural Diversity
           Linguistic Diversity
           Gender Equality
           Teaching Students with Special Needs
           Inclusive Classrooms
           Assisting Students with Disabilities
           Children with Disabilities
           Working with Gifted Students
Ch. 7:  Inquiry Learning Opportunities       Â
           Opportunity to Learn
           Historical Perspective
           Science Fairs
           Invention Conventions
           Science Learning Centers
           Science Projects
           Science Learning Resources
           Technology Education as a Science Learning Opportunity
Ch. 8:Â Â Professional Development in Support of Inquiry
           Lifelong Learning
           Establishing Inservice Programs
           A Personal View
           Mentoring Programs
           Teacher as Researcher
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Part Two        CONCEPTS AND INQUIRIES FOR TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SCIENCE
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Inquiry Unit 1:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Physical Science
           Light Energy and Color Benchmarks
           Pathways of Light Concepts
           Light Refraction Concepts
           Color Concepts
           Color Blindness
           Perception and the Eye Concepts
           Heat Energy Benchmarks
           Expansion and Contraction Concepts
           Changing States of Matter Concepts
           Temperature and Heat Energy Concepts
           The Calorie and the BTU
           Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Concepts
           Sound Energy Benchmarks
           Sound Vibration Concepts
           How Sounds Travel Concepts
           Reflected and Absorbed Sounds Concept
           How Pitch Changes Concepts
           Hearing and Locating Sounds Concepts
           Magnetic Interaction Benchmarks
           Magnets and What They Attract Concepts
           Making Magnets Concepts
           Fields of Force Concepts
           Magnetic Pole Concepts
           Magnetic Therapy and Care of Magnets Concepts
           Electrical Energy Benchmarks
           Closed and Open Circuit Concepts
           Series and Parallel Circuit Concepts
           Electrical Flow Concepts
           Electromagnet Concepts
           Generating Electricity Concepts
           Simple Machine Benchmarks
           Screws and Inclined Planes Concepts
           Lever Concepts
           Wheel and Axle Concepts
           Pulley Concepts
           Motion and Friction Concepts
           Simple Machine Print Resources
Inquiry Unit 2: Life Science
           Plant Life Benchmarks
           Seed-Related Concepts
           Vegetative Reproduction Concepts
           Environmental Conditions Concepts
           Plant Part and Function Concepts
           Adaptation and Survival Concepts
           Molds and Fungi Concepts
           Animal Life Benchmarks
           Classification of Animals Concepts
           Animals with Backbones Concepts
           Animals Without Backbones Concepts
           Ecological Concepts
           Human Body and Nutrition Benchmarks
           Skeletal and Muscle Systems Concepts
           Nervous System Concepts
           Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Concepts
           Digestive System Concepts
           Food and Nutrition Concepts
           Human Body and Nutrition Print Resources
Inquiry Unit 3: Earth and Space Science
           The Earth’s Changing Surface Benchmarks
           Weathering and Erosion Concepts
           Soil and its Makeup Concepts
           Building Up of the Land Concepts
           How Rocks Are Formed Concepts
           Water, Air, and Weather Benchmarks
           Water Concepts
           Air and Its Properties Concepts
           Weather Concepts
           Condensation
           The Earth in Space Benchmarks
           Time and the Seasons Concepts
           Moon, Earth, and Sun Orbits Concepts
           Solar System and Beyond Concepts
           Gravity and the Laws of Motion Concepts
           The Earth in Space Print Resources
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Appendix A: Professional Bibliography
Appendix B: Science Curriculum Projects
Appendix C: Commercial Science Suppliers
Appendix D: Environments and Nutrition for Classroom Animals         Â
Appendix E: Summary of Children’s Thinking
Appendix F: State Education AgenciesÂ
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References
Index
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