80125 SCIENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Year	No.	Offer	Mode	Description			Cred. Pts
98	80125 	S2  	D 	SCIENCE IN EARLY CHILD ED 	1.00

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Recommended References
• Assessment Details
• Other Requirements

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Fleer  and  Hargreaves suggest that children's early experiences  with
science-related concepts and materials are vital for their development
of  values  and  attitudes  about science  and  technology.  They  are
receptive   to  learning  experiences  which  help  them  to   develop
scientific ideas through "hands on" learning enabling them to discover
science and technology as fun and enjoyment.

SYNOPSIS:

This  unit  will introduce different teaching/learning  approaches  to
science  such  as discovery learning, cultural transmission  learning,
interactive  learning  and  socially constructed  learning  by  taking
cognizance of the individual childs learning style and matching  these
with teaching styles.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able
to:

1. have knowledge of a number of approaches to teaching science.
   
2. understand the value of hands-on experiences for children in
   science activities.
   
3. know how to effectively respond to children questions.
   
4. select, organise and present suitable materials for science
   activities for young children.
   
5. be adept at essential questioning techniques to further extend
   children's knowledge of science and technology.
   
6. accept that both the natural as well as the physical
   environment should be studied.
   
7. demonstrate some knowledge of science content and an ability
   to effectively access such knowledge.
   
8. develop an enthusiastic scientific attitude.
   

TOPICS:

 Description                                                    Weighting(%)

Learning and Teaching Styles (overview)                               5.00

Responding to young childrens questions                               5.00

Overview of effective questioning techniques                          5.00

Introduction to approaches to teaching science in ECE                 20.00

Discovery Learning                                                    20.00

Cultural Transmission                                                 5.00

Interactive Learning                                                  5.00

Socially Constructed Learning                                         5.00

Developmental Bins                                                    15.00

Setting up a science museum in the classroom                          15.00

TEXT and MATERIALS to be PURCHASED:

Book of Readings

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Please note these are only a few suggestions. Please check the
library, EML and other electronic resources.

Althouse, R. 1988, Investigating Science with Young Children,
Teachers College Press, New York.

Amerongen, C. 1993, Fun Ideas for Reluctant Science Teachers,
(series).

Bittinger, G. 1993, 1.2.3 Science: Science activities for working
with young children Warren Publishing, Washington.

Bond, R. 1993, Kitchen Science, Ashton Scholastic, Sydney.

Cliatt, M. & Shaw, J. 1992, Helping children explore science: A
source book for teachers, Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.

Economos, C. 1992, Hands on Science Activities, Troll Associates,
USA.

Elliott, S. & Emmett, S. 1991, Snails live in houses too:
Environmental education for the early years, Horwitz Grahame Pty Ltd,
Cammeray.

Feely, J. 1994, Take home science: Independent activities for science
and technology, Eleanor Curtain Publishing, Armadale.

Harlan, J. 1984, Science Experiences for the Early Childhood Years,
3rd edn, Merrill Publishing, Columbus.

Holt, B. 1977, Science with Young Children, National Association for
the Education of Young Children, Washington.

Jakab, C. 1988, Exploring together: A primary science program,
(Books 1-7), Martin Educational.

Lind, K.K. 1991, Exploring science in early childhood - A
developmental approach, Delmar Publishers, New York.

Mackness, B., Lambert, J. & Phillips, G. 1994, Practical Science (1-
6), Publishing, Mount Waverley.

Rockwell, R., Williams, R. & Sherwood, E. 1992, Everybody has a body:
Science from head to toe, Gryphon House, Mt Rainer.

Rockwell, R., Sherwood, E. & Williams, R. 1986, Hug a tree: And other
things to do outdoors with young children, Gryphon House, Mt Rainer.

Taylor, B. 1993, Science everywhere: Opportunities for very young
children, Harcourt Brace Jovanich College Publishers, USA.

Simply Science: a complete science program (Level 1-7). Learning
Solutions.

Williams, R., Rockwell, R. & Sherwood, E. 1987, Mudpies to magnets: A
preschool science curriculum, Gryphon House, Mt Rainer.

Winnett, D., Williams, R., Sherwood, E. & Rockwell. R. 1996,
Discovery science: Explorations for the early years, Grade Pre-
Kindergarten, Innovative Learning Publications, California.

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

No  *F/S Marks     Due        Description                              Wtg(%)    LBL WWW
1   S              WK 7      ESSAY                                     50.00     Y   N
2   S              WK 12     DESIGN A RESOURCE KIT-FOCUS ON PHY SC F   50.00     Y   N

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1    80% attendance is compulsory at all workshops.
2    Late assignments will carry a penalty as determined by University
     regulations.
3    Students  are  to  use  APA  for referencing.  Style  sheets  are
     available from the library.
4    A  University cover sheets must be attached to the front  of  the
     assignment.