Enhancing primary science teaching: Interconnections of content, policy and practice in a New Zealand professional learning and development programme

This paper reports on an ongoing professional learning and development (PLD) initiative in New Zealand. The Academy is designed to provide primary and intermediate classroom teachers with the knowledge, materials and support needed for effective delivery of The New Zealand Curriculum 's science subject area. Specifically, this paper reports on the Academy's interconnections of government policy, professional learning and development, teachers' practice and students' learning. Results indicate how relevant, useful and meaningful education through science has influenced classroom teachers' practice. The implications support the critical importance of effective connections between content, policy and practice in the ongoing development of teaching practice.

Primary Science Teaching to Bicolano Students: In Bicol, English or Filipino?

<p>This study aimed to determine the effects of using the local and mother languages on primary students’ academic performance in science, which is officially taught in English. Using the official language, English, and the two local languages- Filipino, the national and official language, and Bicol, the mother language of the respondents- science lessons were developed and administered to three randomly grouped students. After each science lesson, the researcher administered tests in three languages to the three groups of students to determine their comprehension of science lessons in the three languages. The findings indicated that students who were taught using the Filipino language obtained better mean scores in the test compared to students who were taught using their mother language. On the other hand, students who were taught using the English language obtained the lowest mean scores. Furthermore, the results revealed that the Bicol speaking students prefer the Filipino language during class discussions, recitations, in following their teacher’s instructions during science related classroom activities, and in doing their homework.</p>