Elementary Science Methods: A Constructivist Approach (with InfoTrac) - Softcover

Martin, David Jerner

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0534556493 ISBN 13: 9780534556495

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

This popular text is the first science methods book to truly practice what it preaches, using a constructivist approach to guide students in learning how to teach in a constructivist manner. The text includes a wealth of open-ended inquiry activities, such as "Constructing Your Ideas," for students to complete in class. These activities help students to construct their own personal conceptualizations about teaching science in the elementary school. This text also features over 170 process-oriented activities for children, including "Constructing Science in the Classroom" and "In the Schools," each keyed to grade levels, and each open-ended, so teachers can encourage children to develop and perform their own investigations. All activities are linked to National Science Education Standards for appropriate content, professional development, assessment, and teaching, and the activities contain suggestions of appropriate accompanying children's literature. Martin's text takes the approach that it is more important for children to learn how to do science than it is for them to learn about science. Children learn how to do science by mastering the scientific processes and applying them in inquiries into scientific questions. Employing the constructivist approach, teachers help children form personally-constructed meanings from their own experience and thought. The text is predicated on the reality that teachers of elementary science do not need to know a great deal of science to be good science teachers, but need to be co-inquirers with their students.

About this title

About the Author

David Jerner Martin (Ph.D.) is Professor Emeritus of Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State University. A gifted teacher and an outspoken advocate of constructivist-based teaching, he is best known as the author of the pioneering text, ELEMENTARY SCIENCE METHODS: A CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH, now in its Sixth Edition. Dr. Martin has consulted on constructivist teaching at home and abroad, and was technical consultant with The Weather Channel for The Weather Classroom. He has received several university awards for distinguished teaching and publications.

Review

"This is a great text. It is straightforward and easy to read. Each chapter has many great activities for students to think about and try in their classrooms and good lesson plans to follow. It is not intimidating for students who feel unprepared to teach science."

"I find the approach and basic premise of the book appealing. I am pleased to see an emphasis on national standards, especially from the NSES, NSTA, and NAEIC."

"The Martin text is one of the leaders in contemporary elementary science methods texts based upon what's in between the covers. Congratulations to the author!"

"The content, organization and format are impressive, but what stays with me is David Martin's personable approach in his writings."

"The writing style is excellent, especially as a beginning methods text. My students should find it quite easy to read and comprehend."

Edition details

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0534556493
• ISBN 13: 9780534556495
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 526