Compared are elementary teacher methods courses differing in the amount of field experience with specific teaching behaviors involving the ability to teach activity-oriented or experiential science. Results include the finding that field experience effects a major difference in the ability to model specific teaching behaviors. (CS)

This article describes the use of a lesson study approach to collaborative professional growth in an elementary science methods course. Preservice candidates designed and taught integrated science-mathematics lessons during the semester before their student teaching. Working in 8 teams of 3 student teachers, participants per team designed a common…

Described is a pilot program initiated at Purdue University and designed to provide experiences for prospective elementary teachers in which scientific knowledge was presented in an inquiry manner. A goal of the project is a three-year escalating, prospective elementary-teacher involvement with elementary children. (Authors/PEB)

TEACHER EDUCATION THROUGH APPLIED METHODS (TEAM), AN EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM FOR THE INTEGRATION OF ELEMENTARY METHODS COURSES, IS DISCUSSED. SPECIALISTS WHO MAY FORM A TEACHING TEAM ARE OFTEN FROM THE AREAS OF LANGUAGE ARTS, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, AND INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA. THE PURPOSES FOR DEVELOPING A TEAM APPROACH ARE TO REDUCE THE…

Presented is a description of a study done to assess an undergraduate science methods course. The subjects involved in the study were 82 elementary education majors at Louisiana State University. Students not in the course served as a comparison group. The treatment group participated in science activities selected from ESS, SCIS, and SAPA…

Examined are two controversial areas in science education related to elementary education majors: (1) use of science content courses, and (2) use of science methods courses. The author attempts to determine whether education majors who were taking a professional course in the teaching of science differ from non-education majors taking a comparable…

Achievement scores of student teachers in the areas of science, humanities, and social studies on tests of five process skills are compared. Fifty-four subjects were assigned to treatment (auto-tutorial) and control (lecture-discussion) groups. Subjects experiencing auto-tutorial instruction were found to achieve significantly higher than those in…

Discusses the need for preservice elementary teachers to experience inquiry first-hand, suggesting that they engage in problem-solving rather than just "talking about" it. A typical teacher education program is described with suggestions to incorporate inquiry-oriented experiences. An inquiry-oriented activity using sand and funnels is included.…

Describes the use of a teaching technique described as "miniature teaching episodes", in which elementary mathematics and science methods students teach a small group of children for approximately one hour. Reports the results of an evaluative study of the effectiveness of miniature teaching episodes. (JR)

Advocates that two methods courses should be developed for each subject area in elementary education so that prospective teachers can specialize in either the primary (K-3) or intermediate grades (4-6). In particular, suggested differences in science methods courses at these two levels are discussed. (JR)

Documented training and educational activities of preservice elementary education majors (N=20) to determine what (if any) aspects of their science training contribute to developing the apprehension elementary teachers have toward science, science education, and science instruction. Results, conclusions, and implications are reported from the…

A study determined that an interdisciplinary social studies and science methods course favorably influences the curriculum constructs of elementary teacher education students when it is designed for deep personal meaning rather than surface skill acquisition. (JN)

Discusses activities that occurred during an elementary science methods course, and the fact that the students' success in these activities was not correlated with measures of success in a classroom teaching exercise as determined by assisting teachers. (MLH)

Describes distance education in an elementary science methods course using newsgroups and electronic mail discussion groups via computer. Compares the newsgroup to the discussion group and points out the importance of interaction in cooperative learning. (YDS)

Despite the apparent lack of universally accepted goals or objectives for elementary science methods courses, teacher educators nationally are autonomously designing these classes to prepare prospective teachers to teach science. It is unclear, however, whether science methods courses are preparing teachers to teach science effectively or to…