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“Eeew! There’s Dew on My Toes”: Common Characteristics of Preservice Elementary Teacher Learning in Environmental Education and Instructional Strategies for Science Teacher Educators

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The Inclusion of Environmental Education in Science Teacher Education

Abstract

This chapter discusses the pedagogical journey of a science teacher educator in implementing environmental education in a preservice elementary science teaching methods course. Vignettes of interactions with students in teacher education classrooms illuminate five common characteristics exhibited by preservice elementary teachers: inadequate content knowledge, ecophobia, avoidance of minor physical discomfort, low confidence with physically manipulating mechanical devices, and a need for highly structured learning environments. Discussion of the author’s instructional strategies to address these characteristics provides teacher educators with the opportunity to reflect on their own experience engaging preservice elementary teachers in scientific inquiry, nature-study, ecology, and environmental education.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Excellence in Elementary Science & Math Education, California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA, 15419, USA

    J. William Hug (Director)

Authors
  1. J. William Hug
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Correspondence to J. William Hug .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , College of Education, Lehigh University, Research Drive, A113 Lacocca Hall 111, Bethlehem, 18015, Pennsylvania, USA

    Alec M. Bodzin

  2. SUNY Cortland, Cortland, 13045, New York, USA

    Beth Shiner Klein

  3. Seidel School of Education and Professio, Department of Education Specialties, Salisbury University, Camden Ave. 1101, Salisbury, 21801, Maryland, USA

    Starlin Weaver

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Hug, J.W. (2010). “Eeew! There’s Dew on My Toes”: Common Characteristics of Preservice Elementary Teacher Learning in Environmental Education and Instructional Strategies for Science Teacher Educators. In: Bodzin, A., Shiner Klein, B., Weaver, S. (eds) The Inclusion of Environmental Education in Science Teacher Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9222-9_9

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