For courses in Elementary and Middle School Science Methods. This exciting new text for science methods has its foundation in the National Science Standards and constructivist teaching. Chapters are built around the learning cycle of exploration, invention, and expansion, and the role of thinking skills in students' meaningful construction of science knowledge. Every chapter begins with Exploring Your Ideas, in which readers bring out their prior knowledge as they consider a problem. Then, the reader is guided through an explanation involving concrete examples and practice opportunities that develop knowledge and skills. Finally, discussion and examples of the topic help readers apply new ideas to classroom situations.