The teacher has an important role in making pupils skilled in inquiry, viz guiding them to carry out inquiry steps in science learning. However, there are obstacles to applying online learning at primary school level, especially inquiry-based science. The purpose of this research is to analyse the application of inquiry in science learning,…

This study presents the results of an analysis of Croatian Language and Natural Sciences textbooks used in the fourth and sixth grade of primary education in Croatia. Textbooks are therein seen as core educational materials, influencing teacher practices--specifically, the reading comprehension instruction. Five textbooks were coded for text type,…

This paper is a report of a study that examines the relationship between teacher participation in a multi-year, K-6 professional development effort and the "high stakes" science test scores of different student groups in 33 rural mid-west school districts in the USA. The professional development program involved 1,269 elementary school…

Constructivism is not a new concept. It has its roots in philosophy and has been applied to sociology and anthropology, as well as cognitive psychology and education. The aim of this research is to reveal if there is a significant difference between the means of achievement and retention learning scores of constructivist learning approach applied…

To acquaint students with principal taxonomic terms, local plants from natural surroundings of the school that exhibit attributes of each group are used in the steppe region of the Soviet Union. (Author/ND)

Inner-city fifth and sixth graders were divided as follows: 56 conducted 10-week garden projects; 57 did short, in-class projects; and 31 controls were taught by traditional methods. Both treatment groups improved pretest knowledge of food and fiber by 70-80%, compared to 11% increase among controls. (SK)

A program for sixth graders to participate in a study of outer space utilizing individualized learning experiences and small group experiences. (EB)

Description of a pilot study that replaced a geographic emphasis in sixth-grade biology with an ecological and evolutionary emphasis. (ND)

Presents a study which examined elementary science textbooks (grades four and six), noting (1) text organization and structure; and (2) the degree of problem solving required in chapter activities (according to Bloom's taxonomy). Reports a need for a more varied use of text structures and the inclusion of activities that utilize higher-level…

A study done based on the premise that classroom groups can help students develop their intellectual thinking and potential, especially their skills in critical thinking. Students were paired according to similar I.Q. scores. (EB)

This paper documents the dynamics of the social interactions within two small groups of sixth grade students as they solved problems and attempted to understand the concepts related to the nature of matter and molecular theory. Similarities and differences of social interactions between the two groups are compared, and interpretations presented…

This paper reports design experiments on two Japanese elementary science lesson units in a sixth-grade classroom supported by computer support for collaborative learning (CSCL) technology as a collaborative reflection tool. We took different approaches in the experiments depending on their instructional goals. In the unit 'air and how things…

An instructional program based on expert-novice differences in experimental problem-solving performance was taught to grade six students (N=265). Performance was assessed with multiple-choice and open-ended measures of specific transfer. Between-group comparisons using pretest scores as covariate showed treatment condition students consistently…

Investigates 5th and 6th grade students' learning when taught with the aid of dome and computer planetaria. Finds both planetaria equally effective with female pupils. Recommends the use of planetaria, which might enable females to catch up with males in areas that place heavy demands on spatial ability such as astronomy. (Contains 16 references.)…

Describes how sixth graders wrote and illustrated picture books to help make abstract and difficult concepts in science (in this case, the elements of chemistry) more understandable for themselves and for younger children. Describes the steps of research, modeling, developing a plan of action, drafting, final revision and editing, and publishing…