This lesson used the correspondence of Charles Darwin as an exploration of nature of science (NOS) in a historical context. Specifically, we used his original correspondence about his "provisional hypothesis" of pangenesis as a novel way to explore a scientist's social community. Darwin's community of friends and colleagues in the…

In this commentary, the authors bring insights from their work on science-literacy integration at the elementary level to bear on the ongoing conversation about disciplinary literacy at the middle and secondary levels. In particular, the authors discuss what they have learned about inquiry, disciplinary reading strategies, and the role of text in…

How many scientists throw out their notebooks at the end of each year and start over no matter how many empty pages remain? How many of them approach a new research question or experiment without using knowledge gained from the previous years? The answer to each of these questions is of course, few if any, yet we ask our students to do that every…

We focused on young, low-income, African American children in first- to third-grade classrooms where they experienced varied forms of interactive, participatory, and dialogic pedagogy in the context of yearlong, integrated science-literacy instruction. Using conversations that started around children's own science journals, which were an important…

This study explores young children's images of science and scientists, their sources for scientific knowledge, and the nature of their science-related experiences. A cross-sectional design was used to study how students' ideas differ over the first three years of elementary school. A modified version of the Draw-a-Scientist Test (DAST) and a…

This document lists science objectives for Boston elementary and middle school students. All objectives are presented in two columns. The left-hand column states each objective in general terms and gives an idea of its scope. The right-hand column, giving a specific example of what students should be able to do when the objective is achieved,…

Describes an idea that puts scientists to work alongside teachers in elementary school classrooms. (CCM)

Designed to develop creativity in young learners, this book contains interdisciplinary activities which focus on the theme of scientists. Activity pages are provided that can serve as front and back covers of a student booklet and the suggested activities can be duplicated for insertion between the covers resulting in a booklet for each student. A…

This essay is the third in a series on innovators in the teaching of elementary-school science. Palmer's ideas and work on nature study and their relevance to children's education are described. His resume and a list of his publications are also included. (HM)

Presents the 16th Annual Annotated Bibliography of Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children that were published in 1986. Includes entries in the categories of animals, earth science, biography, environment, life science, medical science, physics and chemistry, technology and engineering, and others. (ML)

Presents an opportunity for students to become better acquainted with inventors and their work, examine past discoveries, and pursue new ideas. (ASK)

Investigated was the effect of the Scientist in Residence Program to inspire elementary school children with their personal enthusiasm for science. Describes changes in the students' image of scientists using the Draw-a-Scientist Test before and after the program. Discusses the results of written responses and feedback from scientists. (YP)

Describes an interview-a-scientist assignment for preservice elementary teachers. Preservice teachers realized that scientists frequently repeat experimental work, that science is not neat and tidy, and that science requires patience and perseverance. (PR)

Describes the contributions of Anna Botsford Comstock to the development of elementary-school science. She played a major role as one of the developers of the nature-study program for children at Cornell University. Her biography and a list of her publications are also included. (HM)

Studies elementary and middle school students' understanding of scientists and doing science in school by using the Draw-A-Scientist Test (DAST). Recommends creating opportunities for students to see scientists in different settings and roles. (Contains 23 references.) (YDS)