In chapter one I noticed that Science has changed significantly since I was in school. I remember reading my science text book to memorize facts in order to pass the multiple choice test. Science has changed from teacher centered to student centered. The new approach to teaching science is Inquiry instruction. I believe this new approach to teaching science is a great way to get students interested in science.
I believe it is important to start teaching science as early as kindergarten. Hands-on activities like the one in the book about observations of water phenomena help students understand what they are reading. Students are able to learn as they observe and are more likely to ask question when they are actually observing than just reading about it. Another teaching approach that I find very helpful in science is the cooperative learning groups. In cooperative learning groups student who have difficulty with an experiment learn with their peers and don’t fall behind.
In my classroom I would like to implement scientific inquiry and hands-on activities so that students have the opportunity to experience science not just reading about it. I personally think that I would have enjoyed science when I was in school if it would have been taught the way it is taught today. The greatest focus of Science today is more on understanding the concept.