Middle School Science Education

<b>How to Teach Science for Kids' Success<b><br><br>The Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding (BFSU) series provides lesson plans that will enable even a novice teacher with little science background to conduct a high-quality science curriculum. <br><br>Gone from this curriculum is the helter-skelter approach of a bit of this and a bit of that. Starting with BFSU [Volume I] for K-2 and continuing through Volume III for grades 6-8 lessons build in a logical systematic stepwise fashion embracing and integrating all the major areas of science. Through first-hand observation experimentation and exercising their own reasoning students will gain a broad knowledge and understanding concerning underlying principles and develop their cognitive skills in the process. <br><br>Additional assets include: <br><br>- Skills of inquiry and rational thought become habits of mind as each lesson draws students hands-on to examine reflect question discuss test and reason their way toward rational conclusions. <br><br>- Lessons become meaningful and retention is enhanced by constantly relating lessons to real-world experience. <br><br>- Standards are achieved not by teaching to the test but by being natural outcomes of integrated learning. <br><br>- Math reading writing and other subjects are easily integrated. Lists of additional readings are provided with each lesson. <br><br>- Special training for teachers is not required. Teachers will learn along with their students and be excellent role models in doing so. <br><br>- Costs are kept minimal by utilizing commonly available items and materials. <br><br>B. J. Nebel Ph.D. was an early initiator of environmental science education and authored a still widely used text Environmental Science (Prentice Hall 1981 and subsequent editions). Challenged by the need for and potential of early science education Nebel has now devoted himself to this K-8 series Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding which is being acclaimed by users as the best elementary science curriculum found anywhere (see reviews on Amazon.com).