There
are several good books on best practices, but one of the most "researched
based" is Best Practice: New Standards for Teaching and Learning in
America's Schools, by Steven Zemelman, Harvey Daniels, and Arthur Hyde
(1998). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. They list the following Best Practices
in Science:
1. Students need opportunities to explore the
significance of science in their lives.
2. Science study should involve doing science,
that is, questioning and discovering, not just covering material.
3. Effective hands-on inquiry involves a series
of steps that builds students' investigative skills.
4. Meaningful science study will aim to develop
thinking, problem solving, and attitudes of curiosity, healthy skepticism,
and openness to modifying explanations.
5. Science education can build a knowledge base
focused on essential concepts, rather than disconnected topics or bits of
information.
6. Students should explore fewer topics in depth,
not skim many superficially.
7. Students grow out of misconceptions an naive
theories only by actively engaging investigation.
8. Learning science means integrating reading,
writing, speaking, and math.
9. Students need to consider issues of application
of science and technology.
10. Good science teaching involves facilitation,
collaborative group work, and a limited, judicious use of information giving.
11. Meaningful assessment of students' learning
in science must promote the objectives of a good science curriculum, not undermine
them.