Learning from Cases: Unraveling the Complexities of Elementary Science Teaching

A helpful resource for pre-service and in-service teachers to use as a problem-solving vehicle for science teaching and learning at the elementary school level. This book contextualizes the dilemmas and challenges of elementary science teaching through the narrative cases of prospective and practicing teachers, science teacher educators, informal science educators, and scientists. Eachchapter contains three or four cases that are organized around such topics as: assessment, language, inquiry-based instruction, diversity, conceptual understanding, and professional development. These case abstracts summarize the challenges that are featured in each scenario, and give the readers appropriate responses, as well as differing perspectives on the dilemma central to each case. Questions for reflection immediately follow each case, and provide questions to facilitate and engage groups of teachers in case discussions. Resources to consider at the end of each chapter lists and briefly describe helpful resources related to the chapter topic. The book is an excellent resource for pre-service and in-service teachers interested in improving their understanding of science teaching and learning.