Shaping Scientific Literacy in Every Elementary Classroom

This textbook guides teachers in enacting science instruction that results in the cultivation of scientifically literate students in elementary school. Prompting discussions in the pre-service environment around what it means to be scientifically literate, this book helps teachers introduce children to their world through science and its impact on their daily lives. Chapters show teachers how to design, implement, and assess inquiry-based science instruction through lessons that authentically model real science, investigating questions with multiple solutions, and discussing how these lessons build students’ scientific literacy. Sample lessons are modeled on research and tested practice while also recognizing the need to accommodate a diverse range of students and classroom contexts. Ideal for pre-service science teachers, as well as in-service professional development, this book can be used in any elementary science methods course or wherever state or national standards require developing scientific literacy. In helping teachers produce scientifically literate students, it is a resource that enables students to have the content knowledge, attitudes, and abilities to see the role science plays in issues from the personal to the global.

Judith S. Lederman is an Emeritus Professor and was Director of Teacher Education in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education at Illinois Institute of Technology, USA. She is internationally known for her work on teaching, learning, and assessing scientific inquiry, nature of science knowledge, and scientific literacy.

Selina L. Bartels is an Associate Professor of Education at Valparaiso University, USA. She chairs the Education Department and coordinates the elementary education program. She has taught science and other content areas in various K-9 grades in Chicago Public Schools.

Valarie Akerson is a Professor of Science Education at Indiana University, USA. She coordinates the elementary science methods courses at her university and is a former elementary teacher. She coordinates the online EdD program and residential PhD programs in science education, focusing on science teacher education.