In this invaluable text for science teachers, Elizabeth Hammerman focuses on helping teachers to expand their understanding of the interconnected elements of high quality curriculum and instruction, and to build those qualities into their own teaching. Readers will be able to analyze their existing curriculum and instruction against indicators related to standards, concept development, materials, strategies, teaching models, all of the necessary elements to bring about in success on standardized measures.

The author identifies ten indicators of high quality science teaching, providing how-to's for applying each in your own classroom and a completed sample unit illustrating the incorporation of all ten essentials. Modelling the inquiry process, each chapter begins with an essential question, provides learning experiences, incorporates pauses in the text for thought and discussion, and closes with a return to the initial question. Throughout the process, the reader gains experience with all the needed components for delivering high quality instruction.