Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School

A Project-Based Learning Approach

Joseph S. Krajcik, Charlene M. Czerniak

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040400616
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education Curricula

This essential science methods resource integrates principles of learning and motivation with practical teaching ideas for the elementary and middle school science classroom. It employs project-based learning (PBL) to enable educators to engage their students in meaningful, real-world questioning about the world. It provides concrete strategies for meeting the Framework for K–12 Science Education. Chapters offer examples of project-based lessons to help teachers support children in varying modes of inquiry, such as asking critical questions, designing investigations, constructing models, and developing evidence-based explanations.

Features in the Sixth Edition include:

• Instruction on using PBL to make connections to Common Core Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts
• An increased attention to assessment for learning
• A focus on three-dimensional learning.

This book is ideal for pre-service and in-service elementary and middle school science and STEM teachers and is designed for use in related methods courses or professional learning opportunities.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• About the Authors
• 1 Teaching Science to Children
• 2 How Children Construct Understanding of Science
• 3 Establishing and Maintaining Relevance to Students’ Lives
• 4 Engaging Learners in the Doing of Science
• 5 Making Sense of Data and Sharing Findings
• 6 Collaboration in the Project-Based Learning Classroom
• 7 Instructional Strategies That Support Project-Based Learning
• 8 Assessing Student Understanding
• 9 Managing the Science Classroom
• 10 Planning a Project-Based Curriculum
• Index