ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides practical ideas for teaching science which promote the value of scientific understanding. It explores learning theory, which provides insights into effective teaching practices. The book presents the scientific knowledge students need to teach the subject confidently and also provides ideas for practice based on a three-stage framework for science learning. It highlights some of the key health and safety issues. Childrens story-telling is a key part of learning science because it features the childrens voices as opposed to the authoritative voice of the teacher. In science classrooms, development is dependent on finding out, and addressing, the difference between a childs existing ideas and a more scientific point of view. Essentially, the purpose of formative assessment is to gather information about childrens ideas and to use it to help create new and appropriate learning opportunities.
