RENT TEXTBOOKS

by: Seefeldt, Carol; Galper, Alice; Jones, Ithel

ISBN: 9780132659550 | 0132659557

Part of a series of texts, Active Experiences for Active Children: Science, Third Edition,is unique to the market by providing a theoretical foundation for teaching science to preschoolers and primary-grade children alongside meaningful, standards-based, constructivist, hands-on learning "experiences" to guide teachers in their practice. Organized around the National Science Education Standards and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy, the textconsists of clear, concise, usable guides for planning meaningful learning experiences in science for c... MOREhildren in childcare settings, preschool programs, Head Start and other federally funded programs, and kindergarten. Primary-grade children should be engaged in active experiential learning as well, and each experience is extended to the early primary grades (grades 1-3). The experiences in this book are meaningful because they: are grounded in children's interests and needs in their here-and-now world. have integrity in terms of content key to science. involve children in group work, investigations, or projects based on inquiry learning. have continuity: One experience builds on another, forming a complete, coherent, integrated learning curriculum for young children as well as connecting the early childhood setting to children's homes and communities. provide time and opportunity for children to think and reflect on their experiences. provide the teacher with the opportunity to document and assess children's learning. Organized to address a variety of audiences, the text is formatted in two parts: Part One offers a foundation for young children and science; Part Two offers thematic based units full of resources for teachers, teacher strategies, and inquiry-based experiences for children. The content has been expanded in the third edition to include a new chapter on engaging children with the natural world (Chapter 14), references to the most recent reports on science education from the National Academies, updated and expanded lists of books and Web sites for children and adults, and new activities. This highly- readable, user-friendly series text is formatted with an engaging, conversational style that will connect and resonate with its varied readers.

PART ONE    THEORY OF ACTIVE EXPERIENCES

 

Chapter 1: Experiences and Science in Early Childhood: Theory Into Practice

 

Cognitive Theories: The Basis of Science Education for Young Children

 

How Concepts Build

 

Science Process Skills

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Teaching Strategies for Science Learning

 

Tools to Help Children Study Science Concepts

 

Observation and Assessment   

 

Summary

 

 

Chapter 2: Active Children–Active Indoor Environments

 

The Essentials: Health, Safety, Inclusion, and Beauty

            Health and Safety

            Planning for Inclusion

            Beauty

 

Indoor Spaces

            Integrating Spaces

            Science Areas

            Art Centers

            Woodworking Center

            Book and Library Centers

            Areas for Manipulatives

            Block Areas

            Water and Sand Areas

            Music Areas

            Computer Stations

            Quiet Spaces

 

The Teacher’s Role

 

Summary

 

 

Chapter 3: Active Children–Active Outdoor Environments

 

Why Plan for Outdoor Environments?

 

Space Planning

            Science and Nature Discovery Areas

            Art Activities

            Math Activities

            Physical Activities

            Other Considerations

            General Safety and Health Consideration for Active Outdoor Environments

 

The Teacher’s Role

 

Summary

 

 

Chapter 4: Bulding Connections to Home and Community Through Active Experiences

 

Out Into the School

            Inside the School Building

            Outside in the Natural Environment

 

Out Into the Neighborhood and Community

 

Basic Guidelines for Meaningful Field Experiences

 

Building Connections With the Neighborhood and Community

            Natural Resources

            Visitors

            Zoos

            Science Centers an Museums

 

The Home-School Connection

 

Summary

 

 

Chapter 5:Experiences and Science Content

 

Knowledge of Children

 

Knowledge of the Subject Matter

            Knowledge of the Subject Matter–Science

            An Emphasis on Inquiry

 

Organizing Children’s Experiences

 

Bringing Knowledge of Children and Content Together

 

Expanding and Extending First-Hand Expriences

 

Summary

 

 

PART TWO: GUIDES TO ACTIVE EXPERIENCES

 

Chapter 6: I Am a Scientist

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 7 : Living Things Grow and Change: Seeds and Plants

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

            Investigations of Growth and Change With Seeds and Plants

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 8: Living Things Grow and Change: Insects and Small Animals

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 9: How Toys Work

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 10: The Earth: Water, Weather, and Space

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

            Indoor and Outdoor Activities

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 11: The Earth: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

            Indoor and Outdoor Activities

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Grades

 

 

Chapter 12: The Human Body: The Senses

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 13: Healthy Bodies

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

            Indoor and Outdoor Activities

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

 

Chapter 14: Engaging Children With the Natural World: Environmental Education   

 

For the Teacher

            What You’ll Need to Know

            Key Concepts

            Goals and Objectives

            What You’ll Need

            Other Things You’ll Need

            The Home-School Connection

            Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

 

For the Children

 

Reflecting

 

Extending and Expanding to the Early Primary Grades

 

References

 

Resources

 

Index