Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School: A Project-Based Learning Approach

This essential science methods resource integrates principles of learning and motivation with practical teaching ideas for the elementary and middle school science classroom. It employs project-based learning (PBL) to enable educators to engage their students in meaningful, real-world questioning about the world. It provides concrete strategies for meeting the Framework for K-12 Science Education. Chapters offer examples of project-based lessons to help teachers support children in varying modes of inquiry, such as asking critical questions, designing investigations, constructing models, and developing evidence-based explanations.

Features in the Sixth Edition include:

• Instruction on using PBL to make connections to Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts
• An increased attention to assessment for learning
• A focus on three-dimensional learning.

This book is ideal for pre-service and in-service elementary and middle school science and STEM teachers and is designed for use in related methods courses or professional learning opportunities.

Joseph S. Krajcik is the Lappan-Phillips Professor of Science Education, Distinguished University Professor, and Director of the Institute for Collaborative Research in Education, Assessment and Teaching Environments for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CREATE for STEM) at Michigan State University, USA.

Charlene M. Czerniak is a Distinguished University Professor of Science Education at the University of Toledo, USA.