Becoming a Better Science Teacher : 8 Steps to High Quality Instruction and Student Achievement

The Author Provides Teacher-friendly Tools, Insights, Sample Lessons, And Strategies For Delivering Quality, Standards-based Science Curriculum And Instruction That Ensures Student Achievement. Cover -- Contents -- Foreword -- Preface -- Professional Development For Learning And Change -- Uses For Becoming A Better Science Teacher -- Overview Of Chapters -- Using An I.d.e.a. Approach To Metacognition -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Changing Perspectives And New Approaches -- About The Author -- Part I - Creating A Vision For Successful Science -- Chapter 1 - On The Shoulders Of Giants -- Defining The Goal: Scientific Literacy -- Understanding Science And How Scientists Work -- Scientific Discoveries -- Scientists As Problem Solvers -- The Scientific Enterprise -- Chapter 2 - Defining High Quality Science Teaching -- Examining Beliefs And Practices -- Defining High Quality Curriculum And Instruction: What Research Says -- Indicators Of High Quality Teaching -- Pedagogical Content Knowledge For Success -- A Framework For Instructional Materials -- Action Plans -- Part Ii - Giant Steps To High Quality Teaching -- Chapter 3 - The Role Of Science Standards -- Understanding Standards -- Identifying And Unpacking Power Standards -- Concepts, Skills, And Dispositions In A Science Framework -- Concepts And Principles -- Standards Inform Instruction -- A Planning Guide For Instruction -- Interdisciplinary Units -- Designing An Interdisciplinary Unit -- Process Skills And Dispositions -- Chapter 4 - Creating A Context For Meaningful Learning -- An Introduction To Context -- Context As A Function Of Interest And Awareness Of Purpose -- Context And Intellectual Diversity -- Context Embracing Brain-based Learning -- Emotional Intelligence And Learning -- Context And Cultural Diversity -- Science In Multicultural Contexts -- Chapter 5 - Methods, Strategies, And Best Practices For High Quality Instruction -- The Role Of Methods In Unit Development -- Teacher's Role In Inquiry -- Direct Instruction Versus Inquiry-based Instruction. High Quality Lesson Planning -- Strategies For Student Engagement -- Strategies To Enhance Inquiry -- Creative Engagement, Involvement, And Assessment -- Varying Strategies For Diverse Learners -- Best Practices In Science Education -- Chapter 6 - Tools For Thinking And Meaning -- Questions -- Graphic Organizers -- Science, Technology, And Society -- Notebooks -- Chapter 7 - Assessments To Guide Instruction -- Assessments As Tools For Learning -- Designing Assessments -- Task And Performance Assessments -- Summative Performance Assessments -- Chapter 8 - Safe, Supportive, And Challenging Environments For Learning -- Considerations For Learning Environments -- Classroom Safety -- Resources -- Internet Resources -- Classroom Management -- Management In Informal Settings -- Creative Classrooms -- Chapter 9 - Eight Steps To High Quality Instruction And Student Achievement -- Example 1: Applying The Eight Steps To A Unit On Plants -- Example 2: Applying The Eight Steps To A Unit On Rocks And Minerals -- References -- Index.