1803 Vocabulary Terms

These terms are no particular order; however, all must be defined as a part of the set-exercises
assessment task.

Term Definition Pg #
2D Shape
3D Shape
5E Model
Classification (Science putting things from a larger group into smaller 449
process skill) logical groups; systematically distributing a group of
many items into smaller groups with similar
characteristics; also known as sorting.
Cognitive constructivism That focuses on individual, internal constructions of 9
knowledge.
communicating (Science recording ideas, directions, and descrip- tions orally 450
process skill) or in written form, such as pictures, maps, graphs, or
journals so others can understand what you mean;
one of the science process skills.
concept the building blocks of knowledge; they allow for 450
organizing and categorizing information.
conceptual subtilizing seeing number patterns within a group such as a 450
large number of dots (usually more than five).
conclusion (Scientific statements that tell whether the original pre- diction 450
method) or hypothesis was rejected.
Concrete operational stage the third period identified by Piaget, during which 450
children attain conservation.
concrete pictorial abstract
learning progression
conservation the ability to retain the original picture in the mind 450
when material has been changed in its arrange- ment
in space; also, the care and protection of natural
resources.
Constructivist method is based on the belief that learning occurs as learners 12
are actively involved in a process of meaning
and knowledge construction as opposed to passively
receiving information.
controlling variables (More
complex science process
skill)
data recording information collected during ob- 450
servations.
disequilibrium occurs when children realize that they do not 450
understand something they previously thought they
understood
equilibrium is established when children have enough in- 451
formation to satisfy their curiosity and to create a new
cognitive structure.
estimation making a sensible and reasonable guess regard- ing 451
how many or how much without counting or
measuring.
Formal Operations Stage Piagets final period, which extends from about age 451
11 through adulthood.
hypothesis (Scientific a statement, based on observations, that can be 451
 1803 Vocabulary Terms
method)
hypothesizing (More
complex science process
skill)
inferring (science process
skill)
informal experience
inquiry-based learning
(IBL)
learning cycle
logical grouping
measuring
measuring (science process
skill)
more knowledgeable other
naturalistic experience
observing (science process
skill)
one to one correspondence
perceptual subitizing
predicting (science process
skill)
pre-operational stage
Principles of School
Mathematics
process skill
rational counting
reversibility
rote counting
scaffolding
science process skill
tested by experiment; one of the science process
skills.
basing on observations, but suggests more mean- 451
ing about a situation than can be directly observed;
one of the science process skills.
learning experiences initiated by the adult as 451
children engage in their everyday natural activities.
the third stage in the learning cycle; as adapted to 451
early childhood education, learners compare their find-
ings; a major focus of science process skill.
phases of learning used for curriculum devel- 451
opment and as teaching strategies: exploration,
concept development, concept application.
groups whose members have a logical con- nection 452
(such as number, color, shape, or class).
assigning a number to things so they can be 452
compared in terms of the same attribute.
quantitative descriptions made by an ob- server 452
either directly through observation or indirectly with a
unit of measure; one of the science process skills.
learning that occurs as children go about their daily 452
activities.
the recognition that one group has as many 452
members as another.
being able to state how many are in a group, 452
without counting or grouping.
making reasonable guesses or estimations based on 453
observations and prior knowledge and experiences;
one of the science process skills.
the second Piagetian developmental period, which 453
extends from about age 2 to age 7.
basic rules that guide high-quality mathematics 453
education.
label for fundamental mathematics concepts such as 453
classifying, comparing, and measuring when applied
to science.
is a real number that can be written as a simple 76
fraction.
When the arrangement of material is changed, the 453
minds ability to reverse the process of change and
visualize the original arrangement.
reciting the names of the numerals in order from 453
memory.
assistance in learning from someone who is more 453
mature.
logical operation of thinking in investigation 50
 1803 Vocabulary Terms

scientific method a method of research in which a problem is identified, 11

relevant data are gathered,
a hypothesis is formulated from these data, and the
hypothesis is empirically tested.

Sensory motor stage first cognitive developmental period identified by 454

Piaget; extends from birth to about age 2.
seriation according to Piaget, ordering that results from 454
putting items in a logical sequence such as first to
last.
social constructivism
Sorting the process of separating a larger group into two or 454
more smaller groups; see classification.
spatial awareness
Standards for School units of measurement that are standardized (e.g., 454
Mathematics inches, centimeters, pounds, liters, miles) and that
everyone agrees on; children begin to understand the
need for standard units during the concrete
operational period.
structured experience Activities that are integrated into the curriculum 54
student- directed inquiry
teachable moment time when adults recognize that a child has chosen 454
an activity that provides a time to in- sert instruction.
teacher- directed inquiry are the major processes that underlie all instruction in
mathematics and science
testable question
volume in measurement, denotes how much. 455
zone of proximal the area between where the child is now operating 455
development independently and where the child might be able to
operate with the assistance of an adult or a more
mature peer.