ERIC Number: EJ1252200
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Apr
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0269-2465
EISSN: N/A
Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks
Moller, Tracy; Beech, Nicola
Primary Science, n157 p5-7 Apr 2019
Changes to the National Curriculum in England in 2014 placed a stronger emphasis on children working scientifically while developing a range of science enquiry skills. As science subject leaders, the authors noticed that colleagues in their schools were only confident when teaching enquiry as a fair test, which the authors now know is not always possible or appropriate for every investigation. From observing and talking to many teacher colleagues it became clear that the vast majority lacked adequate subject knowledge. Their teaching, and the children's learning, had been heavily focused on National Curriculum knowledge-based objectives because teachers were simply not aware of the many ways in which children can enquire or investigate. Enquiry types did not feature explicitly in planning and, when asked, teachers were unable to name them. Pupil voice interviews indicated the same gaps in knowledge, so they soon understood the challenge they had on their hands. One way to help fill in the gaps are "Discovery Dog" puppets have been used in infant school classrooms for many years and have been used to support young children when following a traditional scientific method of enquiry. The authors decided to extend the use of this resource for modern learning, and adapt it to suit the needs of their individual schools which is detailed in the article.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Science Instruction, National Curriculum, Inquiry, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Knowledge Level, Puppetry, Preschool Education, Science Activities, Learning Activities, Teaching Methods, Animals, Elementary Education
Association for Science Education. College Lane Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AA, UK. Tel: +44-1-707-283000; Fax: +44-1-707-266532; e-mail: info@ase.org.uk; Web site: http://www.ase.org.uk
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A