November 2003 Young Scientists New EDC books bring inquiry science to preschool classrooms Based on the growing knowledge that even the youngest children are powerful thinkers and theory-makers, three new EDC books identify important science content and teaching strategies for use in preschool programs and kindergarten classrooms. Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools: Science in the Early Childhood Classroom, written by EDC developers Karen Worth and Sharon Grollman, represents a new way to think about science education for young children. It describes important science inquiry skills and concepts appropriate for the very young—and it makes a strong case for integrating science into the curriculum right from the start. "Traditionally, preschool teachers emphasize language development and social growth, so science hasn't played a big role in the curriculum," explains Worth, a senior scientist in EDC’s Center for Science Education (CSE) . Worth, who helped write the National Science Education Standards, believes that both language and social development advance more quickly when children are intellectually engaged with the world around them. "Children have a natural spontaneous curiosity that drives them to investigate," she says. "They need to explore—and that need must be supported in preschool settings." Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools draws upon what is known about the learning, effective teaching, and science education of young children. The book is filled with stories, photographs, and examples of children's work, drawn from the experiences of teachers and children in Head Start, kindergarten, day care, and preschool programs. The examples are accompanied by commentary highlighting particular teaching strategies and evidence of children’s learning. Discovering Nature with Young Children, written by Worth and Ingrid Chalufour of EDC’s Center for Children & Families along with Robin Moriarty and Jeff Winokur, is the first publication in the Young Scientist series. The inquiry-based curriculum is designed for teachers who want to do serious science in their preschool classrooms. Step-by-step lesson plans give teachers the knowledge they need to guide children through both open-ended and more focused explorations. Activities range from constructing terrariums, to outdoor animal searches, to habitat discussions. The accompanying trainer’s guide and video provides detailed instructions for supporting teachers as they learn to use this innovative curriculum. The Young Scientist Series is designed to help preschool teachers enhance their skills in the kind of careful observation, facilitation, and communication with children that effective inquiry-based science instruction requires. "Even accomplished preschool teachers can be nervous about teaching science because they don't come to the classroom with that kind of expertise," explains Chalufour. Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools is published by Heinemann. Learn more about the Young Scientist Series on the CSE Web site Learn more about Worms, Shadows, and Whirlpools on the CSE Web site http://main.edc.org/newsroom/features/preschoolsciencebooks.asp ©2003 Education Development Center, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
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