   |
|||
| Science K-6: Investigating Classrooms is a library of nine videotapes and supporting print publications designed to illustrate effective examples of inquiry-based science teaching at the elementary school level. Produced by WGBH Educational Foundation with a grant from the National Science Foundation, Investigating Classrooms provides a resource for professional develoment, allowing teachers to examine a range of flexible models for inquiry-based teaching and the promotion of scientific discourse.
The library of nine videotapes includes three 60-minute classroom tapes featuring examples of inquiry-based teaching and learning, three discussion videos in which educators comment on the teaching seen in the classroom tapes, a taped professional development session modelling the use of the videos in a teacher workshop, a 30-minute video for parents and community memebers, and a 10-minute introduction to the library as a whole, described in more detail below. Companion print materials include an extensive guidebook for teachers and workshop facilitators, an annotated bibliography of related resources, and a reproducible handout for parents and community groups. Introduction This short video provides an overview of the library, previewing clips from the classroom videos, discussion videos, taped professional development workshop, and parent video. All Sorts of Leaves: Classroom Video This video shows a first grade class in Boynton Beach, Florida studying the diversity of leaves. Teacher Gale Gibson and her students collect, sort, and compare different kinds of leaves both in outside of the classroom. |
|||
 |
All Sorts of Leaves: A Conversation About Teaching In this video, groups of practicing teachers and science education professionals reflect on the teaching and learning in the "All Sorts of Leaves" video. Teachers talk about assessment, group work, and questioning, while science education professionals comment on the larger issues of goals and content, assessment, integrating subjects, and use of local environment. |
||
Completing the Circuit: Classroom Video In this video, a fourth grade class in Castro Valley, California investigates electric circuits. Through a process of questioning and experimentation, Ms. Linda Block and her students figure out the proper contact points on light bulbs and batteries and discover the workings of simple, parallel, and series circuits. |
|||
 |
Completing the Circuit: A Conversation About Teaching Teachers in this discussion video touch on the topics of questioning, teacher resources, teaching strategies, and assessment as seen in the "Completing the Circuit" video. Science education professionals talk about goals and strategies, assessment, integrating subjects, and questioning. |
||
|
Food for Thought: Classroom Video Food Chemistry is a subject of much exploration in Ms. Nanette Respess's fifth grade class in Huntsville, Alabama. In this unit, students test different liquids and foods for the presence of glucose, starch, protein, and fat. |
|||
 |
Food for Thought: A Conversation About Teaching In this video, practicing teachers reflect on the topics of process and investigation skills, inconsistent data, and assessment. Science education professionals discuss classroom culture, professional development, and assessment. |
||
 |
Parents' Open House video This video provides a summary of significant issues in science education for parents, community groups, and administrators, focusing on the nature and value of current reform efforts in the field. Parents see what their children are learning in school, teachers and principals reflect on the challenges and rewards of teaching science through inquiry and investigation, and experts in the field speak plainly and openly on the nature of science reform, offering suggestions for how parents can get involved in their children's education. |
||
Teachers' Workshop video This video shows 16 in-service teachers engaged in a professional development workshop, using the "Completing the Circuit" video as a catalyst to start thinking about their own teaching. In this example workshop, teachers watch the video, experiement with real materials, and enter into discussions with their colleagues and the workshop leader in order to examine the nature and practice of elementary science teaching. |
|||
 | | |
|
 |
|||
Completing the Circuit | Food for Thought | All Sorts of Leaves About the Videos | About Science Education Reform |
|||
|
home | site map | search | contact us | shop TV | Radio | Web | Learn | Members |
|||