A collection of activities designed to teach such critical science skills as observing, predicting, ordering, exploring, sorting, and creative thinking.

A valuable resource for helping students develop and demonstrate an understanding of science content.

This book moves beyond the traditional constructivist and social-constructivist view of learning and development in science. It draws upon cultural-historical theory in order to theorise early childhood science education in relation to our currently globalised education contexts. The book argues that concept development in science for young children can be better theorised by using Vygotsky’s concept of Imagination and creativity, Vygotsky’s theory of play, and his work on higher mental functions, particularly the concept of inter and intrapsychological functioning. Key concepts are extracted from the theoretical section of the book and used as categories for analysis in presenting evidence and new ideas in the second section of the book. In this second part of the book, the authors examine how science knowledge has been constructed within particular countries around the globe, where empirical research in early childhood science education has occurred. The third part of the book examines the nature of the encounter between the teacher and the child during science learning and teaching. In the final part of the book the authors look closely at the range of models and approaches to the teaching of early childhood science that have been made available to early childhood teachers to guide their planning and teaching. They conclude the book with a theoretical discussion of the cultural-historical foundation for early childhood science education, followed by a model of teaching scientific concepts to young children in play-based settings, including homes and community contexts.

This resource teaches children about sustainability and environmentalism with green-oriented lesson plans, art activities, literature connections, and classroom projects.

Supporting Teaching and Learning brings together theoretical perspectives, practical educational ideas and current academic debates to help students develop their knowledge and understanding of core educational issues. It explores the professional relationships necessary for quality learning and encourages the reader to reflect critically on their values, beliefs and assumptions about learning and teaching. Written by an author team from a range of educational backgrounds, the book focuses on the key issues that teaching teams face as they work together to support children and young people in their learning. Covering a broad range of topics, themes and age ranges, each chapter contains a statement of the author’s values and beliefs and concludes with discussion starters, ideas for reflecting on practice and a list of useful resources. Chapters include: The core subjects in the curriculum; Information and Communications Technology, Linguistic and cultural diversity; Special educational needs; Out-of-school learning; Assessment; Reflective practice and action research. Accessible, discursive and thought provoking, this book is essential reading for students on a range of education courses including Foundation Degrees, Education Studies and those undertaking initial teacher training.

A complete planning model with goals, themes and activities for theme-based teaching.