Middle School Science Education

Book excerpt: No one would dream of teaching math as a helter-skelter of computational skills and concepts. Yet, this is what typically occurs in teaching science at the K-8 level. Look for a difference in the Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding series. Nebel constructs and organizes lessons so that scientific skills are developed and integrated in a systematic, logical way while still allowing flexibility to accommodate the individuality of children. Additionally: ?Çó Skills of inquiry and rational thought become habits of mind as each lesson draws students, hands-on, to examine, reflect, question, discuss, test, and reason their way toward rational conclusions. ?Çó Lessons become meaningful and retention is enhanced by constantly relating lessons to real-world experience. ?Çó Standards are achieved, not by teaching to the test, but by being natural outcomes of integrated learning. ?Çó Math, reading, writing, and other subjects are easily integrated. Lists of additional readings are provided with each lesson. ?Çó Special training for teachers is not required. Teachers will learn along with their students and be excellent role models in doing so. Costs are kept minimal by utilizing commonly available items and materials.