Mid-Term for ECED 360

Classifying

Grouping objects or organisms according to one or more common attributes • Students must look for relationships among properties • Enhances understanding of the structure and function of things o Through searching for information about objects, using the library, internet, and direct observation

Measuring

Making comparisons using standard or nonstandard units • Standard - ruler, measuring cup, weight • Nonstandard - longer, heavier, more, less

What is inquiry instruction?

Method of teaching that replicates what scientists do - Ask questions - Find ways to investigate the questions through observation and experiments - Collect and organize data - Construct models, theories, and explanations based on the observational evidence, existing knowledge and clear arguments

What are science standards?

National Science Education Standards (NSES) Consist of three proficiencies o Standards related to conceptual knowledge and understanding in physical science, life science and earth/space science o Specific abilities of scientific inquiry o Understanding about the nature of scientific inquiry Stress the importance of doing science

Theories

Network of terms, assumptions, concepts, principles, and inferences that can be used to form tentative explanations of observations • Help children make meaning of world around them - An explanation of some aspect of the natural world that has undergone considerable testing and refinement Ex. Newton's theory of motion - Tentative explanations that serve to make observations of the world meaningful - Help children make meaning of the world around them Example: Surface tension - at the surface of water the particles bond forming a skin like effect

What are the statements called that tell what the students will do to demonstrate knowledge?

Objectives

When a student states that a leaf is green and has spikey edges, what part of the basic processing skills is he/she using?

Observing

What is a discrepant event?

Some sort of phenomenon that has a surprising or unusual outcome - Could be demonstrated by the teacher - Presented in video - Embedded in student activities

What are statements that give guidance as to what a student should know or be able to do called?

Standards

What are four indicators of a student understanding science?

Student can: - Interpret questions for investigation and express in own words - Interpret what they learn and express in own words - Relate concepts to real-world experiences - Plan and conduct investigations to answer investigation questions - Interpret data collected, relate it to real-world activities, find patterns in the data, - compare/contrast data to that of others - Apply knowledge and investigation findings in drawing inferences, making predictions, constructing explanations and solving novel problems

If the previously learned knowledge doesn't make sense with the newly acquired knowledge, what happens?

We are in a state of dis-equilibrium and need to accommodate.

What is the Zone of Proximal Development and who invented it?

When students are challenged but not frustrated. by Vygotsky

What is the role of prior knowledge in constructive learning?

Without adequate level of prior knowledge, new learning and its transfer to new situations cannot be expected.

What is the difference between a controlled, manipulated and responding variable?

Types of variables: - Manipulated (independent variable) A variable that the experimenter deliberately changes or manipulates in an investigation - Responding (dependent variable) A variable that changes in an investigation in response to changes in the manipulated variable - Controlled Variables that are deliberately kept constant or unchanged in an investigation in order to keep the testing fair

What do we call an idea that combines facts and observations as the building block?

Concepts

Hypothesizing

- A statement about a possible answer to a question that might be answered through investigation - Often involves an if...then format - Guide scientists in choosing what data to collect, what available data to pay attention to, what additional data to seek and possible ways to interpret the data in an investigation - Should suggest what observational evidence would support it and what evidence would refute it - Tested by conducting an experiment

Concepts

- Abstract ideas derived from experience around which new experiences may be organized - Classes of things or ideas that serve in the organization of experiences - Reflect the larger ideas of science - Developed gradually from many experiences and reflections - Enable us to interconnect past experiences - Understanding of concepts involves active learning with the teacher guiding their observations and extend their prior knowledge Example: Bonds exist between particles in liquids

Engage

- Ask a question about objects, organisms, or events in environment - Pique curiosity - Provide focus for the activities - Provide opportunity for teachers to identify prior conceptions about topic of study Most important - question for investigation is formulated

What are the various types of graphs and when should they be used?

- Bar graphs Visually show differences in data collected - Histograms Displays the number of times a number event occurs in a large set (frequency) X-axis represents a continuous variable - Line graphs Begin using in fourth grade Graphically show numerical data about variables that are continuous Visually displays the changes in a responding or dependent variable in an investigation corresponding to changes in the values of a manipulated or independent variable

Experimenting

- Controlled experiments - Deliberately changing one variable at a time - Observing the effect on another variable - Holding all other variables constant

Predicting

- Forecast of a future outcome based on knowledge of patterns and relationships in data - Look forward to what might happen - Greatly enhanced when data is organized so it can be easily compared in graph or table format Types of predictions: Interpolation - Prediction based on data between data points Extrapolation - Prediction based outside of the collected data points

Rehearsal

- Frequent review - Student does something again in similar but not identical ways to reinforce what they have learned while adding something new - Knowledge less bound to specific tasks and more likely to be transferable and useful in variety of ways

Inferring

- Interpretations of observations using experiences and knowledge to fill in gaps about observed events and information - Conclusions based on evidence

What are the key elements of a lesson plan?

- Link instruction to science standards - Know the content - Develop clear objectives - Select and design lesson activities - Assessment and evaluation - Anticipatory set - Objectives and purpose - Instructional input - Modeling - Independent and guided practice

What is the advantage of having live animals in the classroom? What responsibilities do you and your students have if you have animals in the classroom?

- Observing and working with animals can spark student interest in science - Helps to develop respect for life - Teachers and students must be responsible in caring and keeping the animal - Teachers must be aware of potential diseases and allergies from handling animals - Promote hand washing after interacting with any animal

Explore

- Plan and conduct simple investigations to collect relevant data Teachers - Guide students as they devise ways to gather evidence to answer their questions Students - use a variety of observational and experimental investigational procedures to gather data - Guided discovery by the students

Open Inquiry

- Requires least amount of teacher intervention - Students work in small groups and plan all phases of investigation - sometimes called student-initiated inquiry because students develop the question to be investigated

Guided Inquiry

- Students are given the opportunity to plan their own investigations, write their own procedures, and determine their own results. - Teachers supply the question or problem - Teacher acts as the active facilitator

Structured Inquiry (Directed Inquiry)

- Teacher gives the research question or problem, along with the procedures for the students to follow. - Students follow procedures but find the results themselves.

Characteristics of a Scientist

1. Curiosity 2. Desire for Knowledge 3. Placing a Priority on Evidence 4. Willingness to Modify Explanations 5. Cooperation in Investigating Questions and Solving Problems 6. Honesty

What are three reasons why children should learn science?

1. Lays a foundation for children to develop abilities to understand the world scientifically. 2. Helps to ensure that students can successfully engage in scientific, technological, and medical careers and participate in a scientific society. 3. Can support the learning of reading, writing and math skills.

What are the basic process skills?

1. Observing 2. Classifying 3. Inferring 4. Measuring 5. Communicating 6. Predicting 7. Hypothesizing 8. Experimenting

What are the three major areas of science?

1. Physical Science 2. Life Science 3. Earth/Space Science

What are the 2 main purposes of classroom management?

1. Provide a safe environment 2. Facilitate learning

What grade do we start introducing students to line graphs?

4th or 5th

Facts

Confirmed statements about observable objects or events. • Based on prior knowledge Example: Water heaps in cups

What is a variable?

A property of objects or events that can change, has variations or has differing amounts Types of variables: Manipulated (independent variable) Responding (dependent variable) Controlled

If the previously learned knowledge makes sense with the newly acquired knowledge, what do we call it?

Assimilate

What is an objective?

Audience - Who will achieve the objectives Behavior - Identifies the specific type of performance that will be expected of students - Should include action words Condition - What the learner will have access to - "the givens" Good resource - Bloom's Taxonomy

What is the most common type of graph used with young children?

Bar graph

What is discovery learning? Teacher's role? Student's role?

Begins with interesting questions and concrete materials Students - Work individually or in small groups to explore materials, make observations and discover answers to their questions about the natural world Teacher - Serves a facilitator and guide - Highly motivational - Introduce the problem, distribute materials , allow children to explore - Scaffold children's discoveries by asking questions or giving hints to help them solve problems - Allows students to find their own meanings and organize their ideas - Engage children in activities - Encourage them to explore concrete materials and reflect on what they find - Engage children in conversations, listen to their ideas, and provide guidance to help them build and test their own explanations of what happened.

What is science?

Both an evidence-based approach to better understanding the natural world and the resulting body of knowledge that is continually extended, refined, and revised.

What is another name for the Responding Variable?

Dependent Variable

Cognitive Stages of Development

Development of understanding occurs in four stages: Sensorimotor - Ages 0-2 years - Learns through senses Preoperational - Ages 2-7 years - Make judgments based on perceptions rather than conceptions - Not able to perform reversibility; focus on one main aspect - Not able to conserve (object is the same even when shape changes) Concrete operational - Grades 3-5 - Able to form new types of knowledge including series, classes, and relationships - Able to identify variables and measure them - Can organize perceptions more clearly - Can understand simple cause/effect relationships Formal operational - Ages 12+ - Able to conduct higher order thinking with concepts, variables, and principles - Forms hypotheses, carry out controlled experiments and relates evidence to theories - Constructs and understands complex explanations

Providing students with instruction on how to use a magnifying glass before letting them observe bugs is what kind of instruction?

Direct Instruction

What are the three phases of the learning cycle? Teacher's role? Student's role?

Discovery - Involves exploration of materials to discover new knowledge Concept invention - Concept development to help students make sense of the discoveries made Concept application - Students construct new understandings by applying their discovered and acquired knowledge to new situations

What is the method of teaching where the students are able to explore materials to learn a science concept on their own?

Discovery Learning

What do we call it when a surprise discovery is experienced during an investigation?

Discrepant Event

Practice

Do something over and over again the same way to improve performance

What is the 5-E Model of Instruction?

Engage Explore Explain Elaborate Evaluate

Which phase of the 5-E model is when the teacher would have the students explain concepts in their own words?

Explain

What stage of the 5-E model is when the students are exploring and learning on their own through investigation?

Explore

Which phase of the 5-E model is most like guided discovery?

Explore

Observing

Gathering information using the senses and instruments that extend the senses • Instruments such as magnifying glasses and microscopes Children must be encouraged to observe for details • Observing both similarities and differences

Principles

Generalizations about the relationships among concepts (ideas about relationships among concepts) • formed from investigations and observations • Generalized through inductive reasoning to other similar events • Well established principles are known as laws Example: The closer the water particles, the stronger the bond

What kind of graph shows the frequency of an event?

Histogram

What is it called when a student makes a statement about possible relations between things which is then tested through investigation?

Hypothesis

What is another name for the Manipulated Variable?

Independent Variable

What do we call a tentative conclusion based on prior knowledge?

Inferring

When a student states that the bread became moldy because it was wet, what part of the basic processing skills is he/she using?

Inferring

What is the differnce between inferrring and predicting?

Inferring - knowing that it is true based on observation and prior knowledge. Conclusion based on evidence. Predicting - guessing it to be true

What is the primary method of understanding science?

Inquiry Instruction

What do we call a method of teaching that mimics what scientists' do?

Inquiry based learning

Students use a combination of processing skills when they do what?

Investigate

What is the difference between knowing and understanding?

Knowledge - generally relates to facts, things that can be directly observed. - Too much emphasis on memory results in knowledge that is fragmented, incomplete and tied to specific situations Understanding - normally involves making sense of things or comprehending them. - Must be based in knowledge that is integrated rather than fragmented, growing in completeness and can be transferred to a wide range of contexts and situations

What is the goal of science?

Learning to think scientifically and to understand the scientific view of the physical and natural world. (scientific literacy) According to National Science Education Standards - Conceptual understandings in science - Ability to carry out scientific inquiries - Understandings about the nature of science and scientific inquiry

Doing something over and over again to improve their skills is called?

Practice

Students of primary grades k-2 are in what stage of cognitive development?

Preoperational - need concrete rather than abstract. - they need to be able to do it, not just read about it.

What do we call the generalizations through inductive reasoning to other similar events about the relationships among concepts formed from investigations and observations?

Principles

What do we call it when a student does something again in similar but not identical ways to reinforce what they have learned while adding something new?

Rehearsal

Models

Representation of objects and interactions in a physical system Include: - physical - an actual representation of something (i.e. solar system model) - mathematical - an equation to explain a principle - propositional - set of rules for how things interact (i.e. the attraction of magnets)

What do we call the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity?

Scientific Literacy

What is inquiry learning? Teacher's role? Student's role?

Students - Build conceptual understandings, investigation skills and understanding of the nature of science through inquiry procedures that mirror methods used by scientists - Assume major responsibility for constructing their own knowledge and understanding Teachers - Share in and facilitate the process - Guide children as they ask questions, conduct investigations and use observational evidence and scientific knowledge to develop explanations and answer their questions

Evaluate

Students - Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and ability to use inquiry strategies through formal and informal formative assessments.

Explain

Students - Use data and scientific knowledge to generate explanations - Describe what they noticed during the explore phase - Reflect on observation - Give own theories and explanations that makes sense of observational data Teacher - may use direct instruction, textbooks and other means to formally introduce scientific knowledge needed to make sense of the event Terms, facts, concepts, and principles - Should place emphasis on students' understanding the natural world rather than just acquiring terminology and facts - Assists students to use the new knowledge and evidence from investigations to examine their initial conceptions and build accurate scientific explanations that help answer the initial question - May provide an explanation to students if necessary

What is the constructivist model of learning?

Students must construct new knowledge for self - Knowledge cannot be passed intact from a teacher to learner New knowledge is based on prior/existing knowledge - Students connect information to prior knowledge and experiences, organize it and construct meaning for self

What are some safety concerns related to science instruction?

Teacher's responsibility - Room arrangement - Arrange the room to allow for movement - Avoid overcrowding - Easy access to materials - Develop rules outlining expectations for handling materials and interacting with others

Elaborate

Teachers - Extend strategies, concepts, principles, and explanations to new problems and questions It is through concept application that understanding is generated Students - Begin to view knowledge as procedures to be applied rather than just as information to be memorized and recalled - Are presented with new learning tasks and called on to use their developing knowledge to negotiate the new task

What is direct instruction? Teacher's role? Student's role?

Teachers - Present the primary information to be learned. Student - Response Teacher - Reinforcement of responses Student - Practice

Scaffolding

Teachers supply external support that helps learners to be successful with various learning tasks - Vygotsky - Zone of proximal development

Communicating

Telling others what they see, think, or wonder Compare their observations with others Forms of communication: Graphs Drawings Discussions Written reports Journal writing Data tables

Zone of Proximal Development

The ability of children to perform tasks with some guidance or assistance - Goal of instruction is to assist all children to reach their potential Scaffolding: - Teacher might provide suggestions, questions, prompts or hints - Guide students to clarify, elaborate or justify investigation procedures and findings - Gradually removed as students gain understanding - Provide necessary terms, concepts, and principles to students through formal, direct instruction - Textbooks, videos, and Internet used to help students develop knowledge needed to support understanding - Teachers gather information from students through questioning and listening to responses, observing children while they work, examining work products

What does it mean to be scientifically literate?

The knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity.

What do we call an explanation of the natural world that has undergone extensive research?

Theory

Why is being scientfically literate important?

This helps develop their critical thinking, reasoning and decision-making skills that will serve a learner for a lifetime.

What is it called when you use previously learned knowledge and apply it to a new situation?

Transfer