Bringing Clarity to Science Instruction

Through teaching science, teachers have the pleasure of developing and implementing learning experiences that allow students to discover how the world works. Interweaving the laws, principles, and theories of the universe with scientific practices that have allowed scientists to discover these ideas is the focus of teaching and learning in the science classroom. The overall intention is that learners will walk away with the ability to engage with science-related issues, and with ideas and processes or practices of science beyond the walls of the classroom--the definition of scientific literacy. The purpose of this article is to close the gap between what teachers intend for their students to know, understand, and be able to do, and what they actually walk away with from science classrooms. In this article, the authors look at the foundation for effective science teaching and learning, the one thing teachers have complete control over every day (whether it is in biology, chemistry, Earth science, or physics): "clarity about learning."