Secrets to Success for Science Teachers

Ellen Kottler, Ed.S., has been a teacher for over 30 years in public and private schools, alternative schools, adult education programs, and universities. She has worked in inner-city schools as well as in suburban and rural set-tings. She was a curriculum specialist in charge of secondary social studies and law-related education for one of the country's largest school districts. Ellen is the author or coauthor of several books for educators, including Secrets for Secondary School Teachers: How to Succeed in Your First Year, On Being a Teacher, Secrets for Beginning Elementary School Teachers, Counseling Skills for Teachers, English Language Learners in Your Classroom: Strategies That Work, Secrets to Success for Science Teachers, and Students Who Drive You Crazy: Succeeding with Resistant, Unmotivated, and Otherwise Difficult Young People. She teaches secondary education and supervises intern teachers at California State University, Fullerton. Victoria Costa has taught chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and education at the secondary, community college, and university levels. She is the director of science education at California State University, Fullerton. Her research focuses on recruitment, development, and support of secondary science teachers and the preparation of all teachers to support 21st-century learning in technology-rich environments. She has been the principal investigator for two million dollars of grants to support math and science education, including the Professional Development Resources Online for Mathematics (PD-ROM) and the Math and Science Teachers Project (MAST). She has published in highly respected journals, including Journal of Curriculum Studies, Journal of College Science Teaching, Science Education, International Journal of Science Education, and Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

History of Science Topics Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction 1. Design Your Classroom to Create Communities of Learners Explore Your School and Classroom Meet Your Department and Team Investigate Your School's and Community's History and Customs Access Textbooks and Equipment Plan for Exploration and Experimentation Collect Materials and Resources Investigate Laboratory Space and Equipment Safely Use and Store Supplies and Equipment Establish Your Policies and Procedures Create a Shared Learning Environment Ensure Equity and Fairness Use Appropriate and Neutral Language Involve Parents and Families Begin Each Day Anew Establish a Sense of Place... 2. Understand Standards to Develop Your Curriculum Consider the History of Science Education Understand the Nature of Science Accomplish Project 2061 Benchmarks for Scientific Literacy Address National Science Education Standards for Students Meet National Science Education Teaching Standards for Teachers Draw From the Academic Disciplines Teach Skills in Experimentation and Investigation Reference Your State Standards Incorporate Your District's Expectations Feature Your School's Organization and Mission Link References to Develop Curriculum Plan Your Year With a Curriculum Blueprint Connect Science With Your Students... 3. Emphasize Inquiry Science to Deepen Understanding Use the Inquiry Continuum Involve Students in Doing Science Engage in Hypothesis Testing Promote the Use of the Scientific Method Integrate Scientific Process Skills Into All Activities Weave Inquiry-Based Laboratory Investigations Into Every Lesson Head for the Outdoors Support Scientific Investigations With Resources Use Demonstrations to Promote Learning Teach Through Discrepant Events Teach Safety to Students Equip Your Students to Understand Their World... 4. Know Your Students to Support Science Achievement Begin From the Perspective of the Learners See Students as Individuals Understand Changes in Today's Students Consider the Contexts of Students' Families and Peers Showcase Powerful Teaching and Learning Feature Actions and Verbs From Bloom's Taxonomy Form Habits of Minds Capitalize Upon the Multiple Intelligences Differentiate Instruction Support All Students Incorporate Instruction That Works Let Your Students Teach One Another... 5. Design Assessments to Align With Objectives Set Goals, Objectives, and Expectations Start With the End in Mind Feature All Three Types of Assessment Determine the Functions and Purposes Vary the Structures and Formats Use Selected Responses Include Constructed Essays Highlight Demonstrated Performances and Laboratory Skills Remember Personal Communications Offer Authentic and Alternative Assessments Incorporate Portfolios Prepare Rubrics and Scoring Guides Understand the Results of Standardized Testing Develop an Assessment Blueprint Make Sure the Process Makes Sense for Everyone... 6. Connect the Learning to Reach Students' Lives Create Constructivist Classrooms Clarify Misconceptions Select Questions Effectively Consider Various Approaches to Asking Questions Analyze Current Events to Prepare Informed Citizens Address Controversial Issues Draw on the Essential Questions of Science Make Linkages Among Science, Technology, and Society Advance Your Classroom Discussions Conduct a Benefit/Risk Analysis Involve Students in Project-Based Learning Integrate Twenty-First-Century Learning Skills Look for More Ideas Reinforce How Science Impacts Society and Our Personal Lives... 7. Develop Literacy to Build Science Skills Introduce Literacy Processes and Outcomes Develop Vocabulary and Concepts Develop Characteristics of Expert Readers Use the Textbook as a Tool Start With Reading Anticipation Activities Assign Reading Facilitate Reading Response Strategies Include All Kinds of Text Support Struggling Readers and English Language Learners Integrate Various Types of Writing Grant Your Students Writing P.O.W.E.R. Try the DRAFT Writing Process Develop Observation Skills Reference Current and Historical Events Equip Your Students to Communicate Science... 8. Plan With Students in Mind to Prepare Your Teaching Select Your Units of Learning Highlight Concepts Emphasize Significant Themes of Science Teach Societal Issues Envision Your Planning Schema Follow a Consistent Lesson Plan Format Understand Attention Span Captivate Students as You Open Lessons Begin the Learning Experience Start With Some Direct Teaching Feature Indirect Teaching Reinforce Learning During Closure Assign Homework Use Block Scheduling Wisely Make the Most of Your Time.... 9. Incorporate Resources to Make Science Real Set the Stage Introduce Models and Specimens Bring in Plants and Animals Teach With Toys Feature Science Literature, Poetry, and Humor Draw From Science Fiction to Teach Science Facts Explore the Rich History of Science Incorporate Multimedia Selections Take Field Trips Follow Guidelines for Taking Field Trips Consider Virtual Field Trips Conduct Virtual Dissections and Experiments Become a Role Model of Resourcefulness... 10. Integrate Technology to Enrich Learning Take a Technology Inventory Plan for Computer Use Organize Your Resources Improve Administrativia Improve Teaching With Technology Tools Have Students Communicate Electronically Calculate and Probe Hands-On Science Position Your Students for Learning Investigate Critical Thinking Interactives Utilize Teacher Utilities Tap the Audience With a Response System Consider a Few More Web Resources Demonstrate the Cutting Edge of Science... 11. Seek Powerful Activities to Engage Learners Participate in Competitions and Programs Showcase Science Fair Projects Encourage Individual Competitions Team Up for Collaborative Competitions Connect to Careers Invite Guest Speakers Prepare Students to Be a Receptive Audience Develop Science Activities in Your School Celebrate Learning Through Science Offer Service-Learning Opportunities Sponsor a Club Check out Community Resources Start a School Resource Bank Have Fun With Science... 12. Collaborate With Colleagues to Expand Opportunities Contemplate the Collaborative Nature of Scientific Discovery Examine Collaborative Concepts and Practices Adopt the Secrets of Successful Collaborators Consider Various Teaming Configurations Weigh Pros and Cons of Team Teaching Carefully Understand School Organizational Patterns Make the Most of Departmentalization Integrate Science Across the Curriculum Talk to Technology Specialists Team Up With Instructional Aides to Support Students Contact Other Employees in the District See Science in Society and the World Integrate Science Naturally... 13. Reflect on Your Practice to Fortify Your Future Look Back to Look Ahead Reflect on Learning With Purpose Evaluate Your Curriculum Make a Difference at the School or District Level Join Professional Organizations Attend a Science Education Conference Find a Mentor Earn a Graduate Degree or Additional Credential Look at Science Literature Apply the Findings of Research in Science Education Engage in Scientific Research Consider National Board Certification Keep an Open and Active Mind Become the Teacher You Always Wanted to Be... Resources A. Science Safety Checklist B. Science Textbook Evaluation Tool C. Detailed Lesson Plan Guide D. Abbreviated Lesson Plan Guide E. Curriculum Evaluation Guide for Science Readings and References Index

"This book is a phenomenal text for a preservice teacher. It has so many ideas that, as one gains experience, there might be others to explore as time goes on." -- Sally Koczan, Science Specialist "This book is a valuable tool for the science teacher or administrator with the serious task of integrating all the forces required to provide solid science curriculum and teaching. The authors leave no stone unturned in the quest to provide a working map for science teachers of all levels." -- Darleen Horton, Science Lab Teacher "This book isn't just for new teachers! Even after years as a science teacher, this book gave me suggestions to use right away in my classroom and to keep on track with teaching and inspiring my students." -- Regina Brinker, Science Teacher