LessonStudy

=Lesson Study project for STEM Connections group= Encouraging Scientific Talk and Argument

Goal:To develop in students the understanding that more than one explanation for a scientific event is possible and that alternative explanations should be examined.

Background information: Reference Source- Ready, Set, Science!, National Research Council

Some researchers have found that when students are permitted and encouraged to talk directly, arguing and defensive behavior occurs. Other researchers have found that teacher mediated whole group discussions are more productive. Most successful teachers use a combination of talk formats to encourage productive discussions between students. Teachers need to work actively to support classroom classroom discussions that emphasize responsibility, respect, and the construction of arguments based on theory and evidence.

Typically, K-8 science classrooms are not rich in opportunities for students to engage in talk and argument. The typical classroom practice is the teacher asks a question with a known answer and a student is called on and responds. The teacher evaluates the answer and responds (Initiation, Response, Evaluation, I-R-E). This type of questioning is helpful for reviewing prior knowledge and assessing what students know. It is not supportive of complex reasoning, to elicit claims with evidence, to get students to justify or debate point, or to offer a novel interpretation.