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Thinking Strategies for Science, Grades 5-12

Second Edition
By: Sally Berman

A blueprint for science lessons that develop students' higher-level thinking skills!

This second edition of Catch Them Thinking in Science offers easy-to-use strategies for cooperative learning and provides sample units aligned with national science standards. The revised edition includes updated research, a new section on designing your own science activities, an expanded discussion of assessment methods, and an assortment of handy reproducibles. Teachers will be able to help students:

Make their thinking visible through graphic organizers such as webs, Venn diagrams, and matrices
Gather, process, analyze, and apply information throughout the science curriculum
Increase their comprehension by working in cooperative learning groups

Full description

Product Details

Grade Level: 5-12
ISBN: 9781412962896
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2008
Page Count: 144
Publication date: August 27, 2013

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Review Copies

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Description

"Berman provides helpful, guided, step-by-step procedures for new and seasoned teachers to review and reassess their methods for teaching students how to collect, organize, and analyze new ideas."
—Jean Eames, Chemistry and Biology Teacher
Benson Polytechnic High School, Portland, OR

"This book presents strategies to engage students in making meaning out of prior knowledge, texts, and specific content."
—Nancy T. Davis, Associate Professor of Middle and Secondary Education
Florida State University

A blueprint for science lessons that develop students' higher-level thinking skills!

This inspiring look at teaching science presents a specific and creative approach designed to cultivate and strengthen students' critical thinking skills. The author provides interactive techniques and a variety of activities that involve student reflection, brainstorming, and verbal, visual, and analytical skills.

This second edition of Catch Them Thinking in Science offers easy-to-use strategies for cooperative learning and provides sample units of study that align with national science standards. The revised edition includes updated research, a new section on designing your own science activities, an expanded discussion of assessment methods, and an assortment of handy reproducibles to use with lesson plans. With the research-based rationale behind each activity and strategy, teachers will be able to help students:

Make their thinking visible through graphic organizers such as webs, Venn diagrams, and matrices
Gather, process, analyze, and apply information throughout the science curriculum
Increase their comprehension by working in cooperative learning groups

Designed to promote the development of lifelong thinking and learning skills, this practical resource offers teachers powerful techniques for engaging students and advancing their achievements in science.

Key features

Quick reference format
Science activities that are aligned to national science standards
Assessment suggestions
Student reflection questions
Theory-based rationale for each activity and strategy
Guidelines for designing your own science lessons
Handy reproducible masters

Author(s)

Sally Berman

Sally Berman specializes in teaching educators how to use practical strategies that expand student teamwork, cognition, metacognition, and self-evaluation skills. She developed and tested many of her ideas during her 30 years of teaching science in a large Chicago-area high school. Berman regularly presents at workshops and conferences and has taught graduate courses for SkyLight Professional Development in conjunction with St. Xavier University and Cumberland University.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

Part I. Gathering Information

1. The People Search: Getting to Know You

2. KNL: What Do We Know? What Do We Need to Know? What Have We Learned?

3. Asking Questions: What I Really Do Not Understand Is...

4. The Prediction Guide: Becoming More Focused Readers

5. The Importance of Using Precise Labels: Latch Onto a Label

6. Think-Pair-Share: And the Answer Is. . .

7. Making Observations: It Makes Cents to Me

8. Accurate Observations: Hide in Plain Sight

Part II. Processing Information

9. Mental Modeling: What Is Behind Door Number Two?

10. Becoming Better Listeners: What a Bright Idea

11. The Venn Diagram: Frogs and Salamanders

12. Using a Fishbone: The Planets Organized

13. One Way to Use a Matrix: That Is My Pet Matrix

14. Looking for Attributes: Scavenger Hunt

Part III. Analyzing and Applying Information

15. Lateral Thinking: Cook's Choice

16. An Individual Writing Activity: Dear Uncle Chester

17. A Jigsaw: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

18. Follow-Up for Guided Practice: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures

19. Using a Storyboard: Home on the Range Just Is Not the Same

20. Mapping: Making Sense of What We Know

21. Right-Angle Thinking: Molecules in Motion

Part IV. Designing Your Own Activities

22. Designing Your Own Activities: Your Turn!

Reproducibles

References and Recommended Readings

Index

Reviews

"Provides helpful, guided, step-by-step procedures for new and seasoned teachers to review and reassess their methods for teaching students how to collect, organize, and analyze new ideas."

Jean Eames, Chemistry and Biology Teacher
Benson Polytechnic High School, Portland, OR

"The ideas will be valuable to teachers seeking ways to engage students in learning. Presents strategies to engage students in making meaning out of prior knowledge, texts, and specific content."

Nancy T. Davis, Associate Professor of Middle and Secondary Education
Florida State University

Other Titles in: Science | High School Teaching Methods | Critical Thinking Skills

Select Format:

Review Copies

This book is not available as a review copy.