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Series

Elementary Education

2000

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Education

A Study Of Changes In Students' Science Attitudes, Awareness And Achievement Across Three Years As A Function Of The Level Of Implementation Of Interactive-Constructivist Teaching Strategies Promoted In A Local Systemic Reform Effort., James Shymansky, Larry Yore, John Anderson Apr 2000

A Study Of Changes In Students' Science Attitudes, Awareness And Achievement Across Three Years As A Function Of The Level Of Implementation Of Interactive-Constructivist Teaching Strategies Promoted In A Local Systemic Reform Effort., James Shymansky, Larry Yore, John Anderson

Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works

This study explored the cumulative effect of three years of exposure to teaching strategies being promoted in a local school district's systemic reform on elementary students' attitudes towards school science, awareness of science careers, and science achievement. The reform effort, referred to as the "Science: Parents, Activities, and Literature" (Science PALs) program focused on incorporating children's literature and parent partners using an interactive-constructivist epistemology as its base. Individual teachers were rated by the school district's science coordinator on their use of specific Science PALs strategies. Student attitudes and awareness were assessed with a paper and pencil survey developed for this …


Science, Parents, Activities, And Literature: Overview, Results, And Reflections., James Shymansky, Larry Yore, John Dunkhase, Brian Hand Jan 2000

Science, Parents, Activities, And Literature: Overview, Results, And Reflections., James Shymansky, Larry Yore, John Dunkhase, Brian Hand

Educator Preparation & Leadership Faculty Works

This study examined elementary school students', parents', and teachers' reactions to instruction implemented by teachers participating in a special professional development program called Science: Parents, Activities and Literature (Science PALs). Specifically, this paper focuses on students' perceptions of their science instruction and attitudes toward science learning, and parents' and teachers' perceptions about science instruction as a function of their experience with an interactive-constructivist teaching approach designed to focus on student ideas, utilization of literature connections, and incorporation of parents as partners. Findings indicate that the Science PALs project successfully improved teachers' content-pedagogical knowledge in specific science units, pedagogical skills and …