531 Elementary Education - Science Methods

531 Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle Schools: Recent trends in methods, materials, and content in teaching elementary school science. Preq: Course in teaching elementary science or consent of instructor. (3 semester hours)

Welcome to the 531 Elementary Science Methods web site! As a virtual community, we have worked during Summer Term 1, 2004 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to explore the many facets of a constantly changing landscape in a "High Stakes" professional environment. In particular, we have stressed the "social constructivist" [Vygotsky] means of delivering a standards-based, Inquiry (NCISE and 5E's) model of classroom instruction. The objectives of the course were tied to specific outcomes measurable through scoring rubrics. We have collected a wide range of resources for use in our own classrooms beginning in the fall of 2004. The culmination of our work was a "Round Table" forum meant to explore and pull together the wide spectrum of our discussion. Click HERE for photos of our experience.

The following resources were located by class members and become part of our ongoing virtual collection of support materials.