The Sourcebook for Teaching
Science
Strategies, Activities, and Internet Resources for
Teaching the
Physical and Biological Sciences
Notes
1.
Whenever possible,
activities and examples are included from biology, chemistry, physics and the
earth & space sciences
2.
The companion website
includes additional resources for most activities
3. The estimated number of activities in each section is
indicated in red.
4. The total estimated number of activities is: 232
5. The total estimate length is 500 pages (same
format and length as Hands-On Chemistry and Hands-on Physics)
PROPOSED TABLE OF CONTENTS
Revised 1/8/2003
Completed 8
In progress 1 Total 38
Pages listed do not include graphics
Current length:
207 pages (not including graphics). Add 35 pages for graphics
(1)
Activities for building scientific literacy
Strategies, content-specific activities, and references to help
science students become effective readers and writers.
(1.1)
Mastering scientific terminology and the language of science (13)
Understanding the language of science
Activities for mastering biological terminology
Activities for mastering terminology in the physical sciences
Root word glossaries specific for biology, chemistry, physics, or earth science
(1.2)
Developing scientific writing skills (4)
Activities for mastering scientific writing conventions
Science journal writing activities
Essay writing strategies and activities
(1.3)
Activities for the English-language learners (8)
Life science activities for English-language learners
Physical science activities for English-language learners
(2)
Activities for developing scientific reasoning
Content-rich activities to stimulate higher level reasoning in
the learning of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science
(2.1) Activities for mastering the
scientific method (16) 39 pages
(2.2)
Activities for developing inductive and deductive reasoning (12) (inference/extrapolation, photos)
(2.3)
Developing higher levels of reasoning in science (12)
Biology activities to stimulate analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation
Physical sci. activities to stimulate analysis, application, synthesis & evaluation
Activities for developing transference skills
(3)
Activities to develop problem-solving skills in science
Activities to develop and employ problem solving techniques and
strategies in biology, chemistry, physics and earth & space science
(3.1) Translating word problems to
symbolic form (3) 10 pages
Terminology and mathematical relationships
Techniques for solving word problems in the life sciences
(3.2) Dimensional analysis (7) 39 pages
Fundamental
units: Òthe alphabet of scienceÓ
Determining
relationships in science with dimensional analysis
Solving problems
in biology with dimensional analysis
Solving
problems in the physical sciences with dimensional analysis
(3.3) Geometry in science (7) 24 pages
Methods
for deriving equations
Geometry,
Scaling, and principles of biology
Using
equations to conceptualize relationships in biology
Using
equations to conceptualize relationships in the physical sciences
(3.4) Stoichiometry and equation
balancing (3) 18 pages
Stoichiometry
activities in chemistry
Stoichiometry
activities in biology
(3.5) Charting and graphing (4)
(3.6) Spreadsheets in science (8)
Experimental design and graphing
Kinesthetic activities for understanding graphs
Graphing activities in the life sciences
Graphing activities in the physical sciences
(3.7)
Form and function (8)
Using form to
predict function in biology
Using function
to understand form in biology
Form and
function activities in the physical sciences
Spreadsheet activities to analyze data in biology
Spreadsheet activities to analyze data in the physical and
earth sciences
(3.8)
Modeling (3)
Modeling activities for solving physics problems
Modeling activities for solving of problems in earth and space science
(4) Activities for organizing and
remembering science content
Activities to help students organize the major concepts in the
physical and biological sciences, and develop transference skills so they can
apply understanding and reasoning from one domain to another.
(1) Organizational structures for learning science (4)
Organizational structures for the life sciences
Organizational structures for the physical sciences
Cognitive organization & knowledge schema
Developing advanced organizers
(2) Concept mapping (4)
Activities and examples in the biological sciences
Activities and examples in the physical sciences
(3) Scientific databases (16)
Processing and analyzing data in the biological sciences
Processing and analyzing data in the physical sciences
(4) Analogies for understanding scientific concepts (5) 27 pages
Scaffolding
and analogies
Analogy
bank for the life sciences
Analogy
bank for the physical sciences
(5) Mnemonic devices for remembering
science facts (4) 27 pages
Mnemonics for remembering life science concepts
Mnemonics for remembering physical science concepts
(6)
Science in context (4)
Integrating science with other fields of study
Science-Technology-Society:
Learning science through history
Making connections: The significance of scientific discoveries
(7)
Cognitive strategies for learning science (4)
Constructivist strategies
Metacognitive strategies
Activities in the life sciences
Activities in the physical sciences
(5) Activities for developing scientific
inquiry
Activities to develop inquiry strategies and build modern
research skills for the study of the physical and biological sciences.
(1)
Developing a Òneed to knowÓ (4)
Discrepant events in biology
Discrepant events in the physical sciences
(2)
Getting greater impact from laboratory activities (2)
The human laboratory: Making biology labs relevant
Rotating laboratories
(3)
Probeware and computer-interfaced experiments (4)
Calculator/computer-based labs in the biological sciences
Calculator/computer-based labs in the physical sciences
(5)
Digital imaging (4)
Videomicroscope-based activities in biology
Videomicroscope-based activities in chemistry and geology
Digital imaging activities for studying physics principles
(6)
Simulations (8)
Simulations of processes in the biological sciences
Simulations of processes in the physical and earth sciences
(7)
Internet-based research activities (16)
Internet-based research activities in the biological sciences
Internet-based research activities in physics
Internet-based research activities in chemistry
Internet-based research activities in earth & space science
(6) Enrichment activities for
learning science
Activities to enliven the science learning experience by
creating a positive learning environment, promoting cooperative work, and
stimulating further study.
(1) Science games (9) 23 pages
(2)
Science fairs and competitions (3)
Science fair guidelines, rules, and strategies
Ideas for science fair projects in the physical sciences
Ideas for science fair projects in the biological sciences
(3)
Science humor (4)
biology humor
chemistry humor
physics humor
earth/space science humor
(4)
Special activities (5)
Science warm-up activities
Skits for teaching science concepts
Field trips and guest speakers
Discussion & debate topics in biotechnology
Discussion & debate topics in the chemical and nuclear technology
(7)
Instructional strategies for teaching science
Application of principles from cognitive science to improve the
teaching and learning of science. Content-rich activities to stimulate the
acquisition and retention of facts and principles in biology, chemistry,
physics, and earth & space science.
(1)
Putting learning theory into practice (9)
Strategies for developing active learning environments
Strategies for employing multiple modalities in learning science
Socratic questioning in science
Examples of leading questions in biology
Examples of leading questions in the physical and earth/space sciences
Integrated questions in biology
Integrated questions in the physical and earth/space sciences
Other questioning techniques (Probing, divergent, affective, structuring, etc.)
Multiple intelligences
(2)
Organizing lessons and instruction
(4)
Developing science learning objectives
Standards-based science instruction
Science lesson planning
Semester planning
(3)
Classroom management (2)
(4) Problem based learning
Principles of classroom and laboratory management
Strategies for improving rapport & respect
(5)
Assessment (4)
Standards and standards-based assessment
Assessment strategies
Authentic assessment
Peer grading
(8)
Appendix
The reference information, charts, tables, and templates science
teachers and students need most
(1)
Professional development
Professional organizations
Interview techniques and questions
Reflective teaching and professional growth
(2)
Laboratories
equipping your laboratory
free & inexpensive ways to build a laboratory
safety contracts
chemical hazards
professional liability
(3)
Important data & forms
Units
Factors and equations
Graph paper templates (linear, log, semi-log, polar)
Other forms