Creative Ways to Teach Primary Science

✍ Scribed by Alan Cross; Jon Board

• Publisher: Open University Press
• Year: 2014
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 186
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book draws on the best ideas about teaching primary science, using an evidence-based approach. It recognizes that there are some proven and more effective methods for teaching primary science, whilst recognizing that teachers have an important role in interpreting these principles and ideas in tailoring approaches to the pupils in their class and the science being taught. The book is intended to encourage creativity and experimentation in teaching primary science, which are regularly recognised as features of outstanding teaching. Although creativity is one of the most powerful indicators of successful teachers, the key to creativity is willingness to take a risk and to accept uncertainty so this book provides a 'helping hand' for those who may be more risk averse in the classroom by presenting a range of teaching methods that are proven to work, whilst encouraging teachers to develop all ideas themselves. The authors explain why the methods presented are successful and encourage readers to apply these techniques creatively to new situations. The book will be a 'one stop shop' for ideas to take forward and for readers to trial themselves.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover page
Halftitle page
Title page
Copyright page
Praise
Contents
Acknowledgements
1 Creativity in primary science
Introduction
Creative teachers
Science and creativity
What can help me?
Making science a creative subject
Learner creativity in science
Teacher creativity in developing learner creativity
Forms of creativity
Conclusion
2 Children as real scientists
Pupils contribute directly to the work of professional scientists
Children as researchers
Children in control
Writing/thinking frames
Safety
Conclusion
3 A creative approach to working scientifically: putting children in the driving seat
Introduction
Why do children need to be in the driving seat?
Creative teaching that develops independent learning
Teaching the scientific process: it’s not just fair testing!
Creative planning to encourage curiosity
Challenging children’s misconceptions
Teachers as questioners
Making it manageable
Creative learning that develops autonomy
Conclusion
4 ICT and computing
Computing
Computers and learners’ science
Conclusion
5 Using children’s literature, stories, poetry and songs
Conclusion
6 Models and analogies
When are models and analogies useful?
Analogy or model?
It’s only a model!
Misconceptions
Using creative approaches to make models and analogies more effective
Assessment for learning
Some examples of models and analogies by topic
Conclusion
7 Images in science lessons
Conclusion
8 Demonstrations
Using demonstrations to stimulate creative discussion
Making demonstrations creative
Ideas for creative demonstrations
9 Dance and drama
Role play
Conclusion
10 Playground science
Collaborative learning and playground science
A creative playground science lesson
More examples of playground science activities
Conclusion
11 Thinking frames
Thinking together
Question matrix
Conclusion
12 Cross-curricular science
Background
Why teach cross-curricular science?
Cross- curricular learning and creativity
Making cross-curricular science effective
Planning for cross-curricular science
Science and the core skills
Examples of cross-curricular science
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index