Talking Their Way Into Science: Hearing Children's Questions and Theories, Responding with Curriculum

Language and Literacy

by Karen Gallas

Karen Gallas provides us with a window into children’s thinking about the world, enabling us to see how students build complex theories, identify important questions, and begin to enter the world of science, all within the naturalistic setting of the classroom. As the title suggests, this book treats classroom science as a particular type of discourse, with its own set of language and thinking practices. Gallas describes the content, structure, and practice of her child-centered approach, explains how the teacher’s role in Science Talks develops and changes over time, and discusses how the use of Science Talks could transform science instruction as a whole. The full transcripts of two such talks included in the appendix, in addition to many smaller quoted interchanges throughout the text, will fascinate readers.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Science

Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Phoebe]

(3.5) really love the idea of child-directed classroom discourse and learning (about science and beyond)... AND this felt like it could've been a paper instead of a book

[Doni]

I've tried to read this book twice now, but it is so very boring that I haven't gotten much out of it. It is possible that it has helpful information further on, but I don't have the patience to unearth it.

[Becca]

Eh. It's all right. Kind of repetitive, though.