Jeffrey Bennett - On Teaching Science: Principles and Strategies That Every Educator Should Know

Praise for On Teaching Science

On Teaching Science provides a masterful back to basics review of true nuts and bolts of learning and teaching science. Author Jeffrey Bennett skillfully blends a modern view of the nature of science with insights into student learning, forming a how-to manual that would be of good use to any teacher of science, kindergarten through university level. Dr. Bennett takes on the American cultural rise of multitasking, inadequate study habits, and emphasis on unconnected knowledge tidbits. He builds a case for focused study and conceptual learning orchestrated by teachers who model enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity, and hard work. Science teachers at all levels of experience should read this book and rethink how they operate in the classroom and how they set expectations for students.

Dr. Alan McCormack, Professor of Science Education, San Diego State University, and President of the National Science Teachers Association (201011)

Success = more (and more efficient) study time. With this simple yet powerful formula, On Teaching Science is poised to change the national conversation about educational reform. Bennett compellingly argues that educational reforms should be evaluated by whether they increase student effort and study time (and not of the check-the-box kind but the type that requires applying ones mind). This approach would not only improve students academic outcomes but have long-term consequences for the future of our democracy in which citizens need to contend with issues of increasing complexity.

Dr. Josipa Roksa, Associate Professor of Sociology and Education, University of Virginia, and co-author of Academically Adrift (U. Chicago Press, 2011)

Far and away the best book about teaching Ive ever read. Beyond just the teaching of science, this book is a must read for every teacher, parent, administrator, and even student. On Teaching Science will be the gold standard to which all other teaching books will be compared in the future.

Brad A. Shonk, 4th Grade Teacher, 2010 Mississippi Teacher of the Year

On Teaching Science is GREAT. It should be required reading for parents and administrators as well as teachers.

Dr. Laura L. Duncan, Science Teacher, Boulder High School

A wonderful book, full of useful lessons not just about teaching science, but about teaching and learning in general.

Dr. Scott Hildreth, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Chabot College

Dr. Bennett provides both experienced and novice teachers with reflective tools and specific strategies that will help us all improve our instruction and ensure student success. On Teaching Science should be required reading for teachers of all subjects at all levels, not just teachers of science.

Mark Levy, Adjunct Associate Professor of Education, St. Johns University

Bennett directs our attention to the importance of teaching in context and offers rich examples of how that might be accomplished. Even after 35 years in the classroom, I still found new ideas that I can use every day, as well as numerous ideas that will help educators seeking to implement the Next Generation Science Standards.

Bob Feurer, High School Science Teacher, 2011 Nebraska Teacher of the Year

Filled with insights into how to teach effectively with a truly positive undertone, On Teaching Science also shows how to open students minds so that they will want to learn and will understand the true lifelong impacts of education. A must-read for new and seasoned teachers and professors alike, and a book I wish Id been able to read before I started teaching.

Dr. Susan Lederer, Professor of Physics, California State University, San Bernardino, and NASA Johnson Space Center

Antoine de Saint-Exupry proclaimed If you want to build a ship, dont drum up people to collect wood and dont assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. On Teaching Science shows how to kindle in students that longing to learn about their universe and how to keep them engaged all the way along their journey to science.

Alvin Drew, NASA Astronaut (STS-118, STS-133)

On Teaching Science is packed with insights on education and how students learn that will make anyone a better teacher. Bennett provides practical steps that can be brought into the classroom at any level to improve student learning.

Dr. Josh Colwell, Professor of Astrophysics, University of Central Florida

On Teaching Science is a valuable resource for anyone teaching or planning to teach science on the K12 and college levels. It is a practical, concise guide to teaching in general, and to teaching science in particular, that will also ultimately lead to a greater understanding of science for students of all ages.

John DiElsi, Dean of Online Learning, Mercy College

Bennett does a great job of distilling what it means to be a great science teacher into a manageable number of big ideas, teaching suggestions, and strategies, applied to both K12 and higher education. I recommend On Teaching Science to all science teachers it will support the good things you are already doing and provide ideas for how to do better.

Lauren Monowar-Jones, Ohio Department of Education, Performance Assessment

Most of us recall our science classes as low-grade theater, in which an earnest teacher would spend an hour each day trying to ladle facts and ideas into our marginally absorbent brains. In On Teaching Science, Jeffrey Bennett steps back and sees whats really going on in education. His insights can fine tune this process, and turn a lumbering old Chevy into a Maserati. Time spent with his book can as they say change the world.

Dr. Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute

On Teaching Science provides such a great refresher of key teaching principles that Id recommend every teacher reread it at least once every five years. It will always help you refocus your efforts as you teach todays children.

Debbie Biggs, STEM Teacher Leader, Clarke County Public Schools

Every education college/department should make On Teaching Science a required reading for teachers. It is fantastic!

Patricia Tribe, CEO, Story Time From Space, and former Director of Education for Space Center Houston

Additional reviews posted at OnTeachingScience.com

Also by Jeffrey Bennett

For Children

Max Goes to the Moon

Max Goes to Mars

Max Goes to Jupiter

Max Goes to the Space Station

The Wizard Who Saved the World

For Grownups

Beyond UFOs: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Its Astonishing Implications for Our Future

Math for Life: Crucial Ideas You Didnt Learn in School

What Is Relativity? An Intuitive Introduction to Einsteins Ideas, and Why They Matter

High School/College Textbooks

Using and Understanding Mathematics: A Quantitative Reasoning Approach

Statistical Reasoning for Everyday Life

Life in the Universe

The Cosmic Perspective

The Essential Cosmic Perspective

The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals

Published by

Big Kid Science

Boulder, CO

www.BigKidScience.com

Education, Perspective, and Inspiration for People of All Ages

Book web site: www.OnTeachingScience.com

Distributed by IPG