Presenters

Karen Ansberry Emily Morgan

Authors, Picture-Perfect Science Lessons: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry

Pps logo

Using Children’s Books to Guide Inquiry

Karen Ansberry and Emily MorganNSTA Web SeminarJanuary 11, 2006

MYTH #1: All science subject matter should be taught through inquiry.

MYTH #2: True inquiry occurs onlywhen students generate andpursue theirown questions.

MYTH #3:

Student

engagement in

hands-on activities

guarantees that

inquiry teaching

and learning are

occurring.

Mystery Pellets

Lesson Objectives Connecting to the Standards

• Content Standard A: Science as Inquiry

• Content Standard C: Life Science

Suggested Grade Levels: 3-6

What do you

OBSERVE about the object?

(Don’t forget to

measure!)

What do you

WONDER about the object?

What did you

LEARN about the object?

OWL Chart

Wonderings

1.

2.

3.

Stamp Here When You Hear the Answer

Wonderings

0.

1.

2.

3.

Question Sort

Researchable vs. “Investigatable” Questions

5 Essential Features of Inquiry1. Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented

questions.

2. Learners give priority to evidence to develop explanations.

3. Learners formulate explanations from evidence.

4. Learners evaluate their explanations in light of other explanations.

5. Learners communicate and justify their explanations.

Which of the following scenarios illustrates inquiry?

(1) Ms. Florez asks her students to investigate thequestion “Do earthworms prefer light or dark areas?”She provides the materials, guides them in collectingthe data and summarizing it, reads them a book about worms written by a scientist, and establishes guidelines for a poster session.

(2) Mr. Young’s students became interested inearthworms in the schoolyard. They decide to

investigate whether earthworms prefer wet or dry soil. They design an experiment, collect and summarize the data, compare their conclusion to information on a website, and give presentations to each other about their results

Variations

Teacher Guided Learner Self-Directed

A table with this information can be found on page 21 of the Picture-Perfect Science Lessons book.

Inquiry is an approach to learning that involves exploringthe world and that leads to asking questions, testing ideas,and making discoveries in the search for understanding.

More Books to Read

Carolina Owl Resource Guide

http://www.carolina.com/owls/guide/owl_guide_intro.asp

Ordering Owl Pellets

Carolina www.carolina.com

Owl Pellet $3.45 Each 10+ Each $2.75

Small Owl Pellet   $1.00 Each

William K. Sheridan www.classroomgoodies.com

Owl Pellet $1.95 Each

Questions

Upcoming NSTA Web Seminars:

• NASA: Preparing for the Journey to Space II

January 19, 2006

• Investigating Safely

January 25, 2006

• Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! II

February 1, 2006

6:30 PM Eastern Time