Biology Inquiries: Standards-Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons (Jossey-Bass Teacher) [Paperback]

Martin Shields (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787976520 | ISBN-13: 978-0787976521 | Publication Date: October 7, 2005 | Edition: 1

Biology Inquiries offers educators a handbook for teaching middle and high school students engaging lessons in the life sciences. Inspired by the National Science Education Standards, the book bridges the gap between theory and practice. With exciting twists on standard biology instruction the author emphasizes active inquiry instead of rote memorization. Biology Inquiries contains many innovative ideas developed by biology teacher Martin Shields. This dynamic resource helps teachers introduce standards-based inquiry and constructivist lessons into their classrooms. Some of the book's classroom-tested lessons are inquiry modifications of traditional "cookbook" labs that biology teachers will recognize. Biology Inquiries provides a pool of active learning lessons to choose from with valuable tips on how to implement them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Teaching biology through inquiry takes practice--it does not come easily. This book provides a diverse series of excellent labs and activities that will serve as stepping stones that lead to an inquiry based biology classroom--a place where all students can experience the joy of developing their understanding and appreciation for biology."
--Brad Williamson, biology teacher and former president of the National Association of Biology Teachers

"Ignite your creative energies as if you were just walking into your classroom for the first time. Martin Shields has created the source for sound strategies all in one text—he has just what you have been waiting for."
--Marion V. “Bunny” Jaskot, biology teacher and president of Biology Teachers Association of New Jersey

"This is exactly the book I have been waiting for. There aren’t any books quite like it out there that I know of  or I would have bought them. Any teacher who wants to increase their source material would welcome the lessons in this book. Equally important, the book  also shows teachers how to turn current activities into inquiry-based activities."
--Jeff Sandler, biology teacher

"Biology Inquiries is a practical and resourceful book that serves both aspiring and practicing inquiry-based biology teachers. It transcends the spirit of inquiry into forty-seven laboratory investigations; a must-have for those who want to elevate their teaching through inquiry."

--Douglas Llewellyn, professor of science education and author, St. John Fisher College

"This is an excellent resource for upper middle grades and high school teachers that supports any biology curriculum. It contains tested activities, developed by an experienced biology teacher, with valuable suggestions for implementing this inquiry-based approach."
--Sandra D. Adams, professor of biology pedagogy, Montclair State University

"This book perfectly bridges the gap between standards and practice.  I would not only recommend this book to my teaching colleagues but also to professional developers and science education professors. It is a clearly marked pathway through the jungle of science education reform and is an exemplar for pre-service as well as in-service teachers. Martin Shields not only provides labs, discussions and assessments that follow the standards, but he also provides strategies and implementation tips to help teachers apply the standards in their own classrooms. Science reform never seemed so do-able and fun!"
--Vivian Lee Ward, project director, Access Excellence

From the Back Cover

Biology Inquiries

Standards-Based Labs, Assessments,and Discussion Lessons

Martin Shields

Biology Inquiries offers educators a handbook for teaching middle and high school students engaging lessons in the life sciences. Inspired by the national science education standards, the book bridges the gap between theory and practice. With exciting twists on standard biology instruction the author emphasizes active inquiry instead of rote?memorization.

Biology Inquiries contains innovative ideas developed by biology teacher Martin Shields. This dynamic resource helps teachers introduce standards-based inquiry and constructivist lessons into their classrooms. Some of the book's classroom-tested lessons are inquiry modifications of traditional "cookbook" labs that?biology teachers will recognize. Biology Inquiries provides a pool of active learning lessons to choose from with valuable tips on how to implement them.

For quick access and easy use, the book is printed in a large 8.5" x 11" lay-flat format for easy photocopying. Biology Inquiries contains lessons that:

• Begin with mysteries, questions, and challenges
• Emphasize evidence, explanations, and justifications
• Focus on common biology misconceptions
• Foster questioning, exploration, scientific skepticism, and reflection
• Guide students to construct understandingfor themselves
• Bridge research-based theory with classroomrealities

"Teaching biology through inquiry takes practice—it does not come easily. This book provides a diverse series of excellent labs and activities that will serve as stepping stones that lead to an inquiry based biology classroom—a place where all students can experience the joy of developing their understanding and appreciation for biology."
—Brad Williamson, biology teacher and former president of the National Association of Biology Teachers

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (October 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787976520
• ISBN-13: 978-0787976521
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.6 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best $22 I ever spent!, April 28, 2007

By 

Monica Van-Y - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biology Inquiries: Standards-Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons (Jossey-Bass Teacher) (Paperback)

This is a real resource. I KNOW I should have been teaching like this over the past 17 years....never too late to learn new strategies. The exercises in this book really makes it easy to get your students thinking in different ways, namely by using their brains and not expecting you to simply provide them with answers. I highly recommend it!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!, August 15, 2007

By 

S. E. Farley "biology teacher" (Johnson City, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biology Inquiries: Standards-Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons (Jossey-Bass Teacher) (Paperback)

I borrowed this book from my university library last year and am about to buy a copy for myself. This book is amazing, the lessons are fun and relevant. These activities get students interested in Biology and give teachers an alternative to teaching centered around lecture and worksheets. Shields has done his homework on including topic connections, student worksheets and clear instructions on how to facilitate the activities. I would recommend this book to any science teacher who's interested in including inquiry based learning into their curriculum.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great lesson ideas, July 30, 2006

By 

Frances L. Rushing (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Biology Inquiries: Standards-Based Labs, Assessments, and Discussion Lessons (Jossey-Bass Teacher) (Paperback)

If you are searching for concrete examples of inquiry lessons, this book is one you will like. It is divided into content areas and each area has several lessons that can be done in sequence or individually as stand alone lessons. I just purchased it in June and can't wait to get back to my classroom to try these lessons!