We consider the ability to complete an investigative cycle as an indicator of the robustness of students' statistical knowledge. From this standpoint, we analyzed the written reports of primary education student teachers when they developed an investigative cycle in a Chilean and a Spanish university. In their development of the stages of the…

In this study, student teachers explored four data collection methods for data feedback to improve their teaching skills in Science and Technology [S&T]. The aim was to verify whether these methods were suitable for collecting data concerning their teaching skills during S&T activities in their internships. They analysed the collected data…

This study examines physical education (PE) curriculum development in an elementary school. Our goal was to understand the daily construction of a curriculum. We sought to analyse the theoretical and methodological framework and documents that a PE teacher uses each day while putting a curriculum into practice (lived curriculum). The data…

This study explored pre-service teachers' conceptual understanding and performance on science process skills. A sample comprised 91 elementary pre-service teachers at a university in the Midwest of the USA. Participants were enrolled in two science education courses; introductory science teaching methods course and advanced science methods course.…

This study examined the influence of research journals beyond their function as a data collection instrument. The researcher used a research journal to record field notes and write reflections and to develop a better understanding of the research role. The study that is the focus of the discussion was an examination of the development of…

Social studies instruction using a variety of data sources engages elementary school children in relatively autonomous collecting, organizing, and evaluating of data--processes necessary for exercising sound judgment and taking appropriate action. (RM)

Presents activities having to do with data generation, organization, interpretation, representation, drawing conclusions, and making predictions on the basis of data which students have collected. (ASK)

Presents activities using the theme of collecting and interpreting data from the students' own classroom. Stresses communication among students and between students and the teacher. Includes reproducible student worksheets. (MKR)

One aspect of children's daily lives--the school itself--is often ignored as a source of readily available data for student activities. School-based research activities that require students to collect, organize, and interpret data are described. For example, students conduct research on how students travel to and from school?

How museums have changed to accommodate young children is described, the importance of pre-visit preparations is discussed, and strategies and activities to enhance the concepts gained from museum experiences are presented. (RM)

Folktales as reflections of a culture provide many kinds of information for social studies that are unmatched in the elementary school. However, teachers must be alert to the potential of folktales to present unintended or erroneous information. (RM)

The Collaboration for the Improvement of Teacher Education (CITE) Project, now beginning its third year, consists of a blocked semester of three courses--curriculum and methods, social aspects of teaching, and measurement and evaluation--and the related field experience activities occurring at the pre-student teaching level. Approximately 120…

Presents four sets of activities to develop the concepts of data analysis and graphing. Students estimate sample populations using beans, examine graphs from newspapers and magazines, predict the most popular color of cars, and simulate quality control in a manufacturing process. (MDH)

Presents a series of activities using data collection and interpretation techniques designed for levels 1-8, 1-5, 3-6, and 4-8 that integrate mathematics and social studies through the common theme of television viewing. Includes an activity sheet for parents to use with their children, three class-activity sheets, and a data sheet. (MDH)

The goal of this mini-unit is to teach elementary students economic concepts related to consumerism and to develop problem-solving skills. Students test a product such as sugarless bubble gum and study how it is advertised. The students then make their own advertisement for the product. (RM)