CC111424 Teaching Method of Science for the Elementary School

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School School of Education

Lecture Code CC111424 Subject Classification Courses for Professional Teaching

Subject Name 初等理科教育法

Subject Name
（Katakana）ショトウリカキョウイクホウ

Subject Name in
English Teaching Method of Science for the Elementary School

Instructor UNZAI HIROSHI

Instructor
(Katakana) ウンザイ　ヒロシ

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 2nd-Year, Second Semester, Second Semester

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (2nd) Tues7-8：EDU L205

Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face, Online (on-demand)

Lecture-oriented, Some discussions

Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 2 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 3 : Undergraduate High-Intermediate

Course Area（Area） 24 : Social Sciences

Course Area（Discipline） 08 : Curriculum and Instruction Sciences

Eligible Students Students of Cluster1 School Education

Keywords SDG_4, Science for elementary schools, Teaching methods of subject-based education, Practical work experience

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) This lecture is located as the basic subject of the program and is aimed to develop the basic knowledge and attitude which will be needed to teach elementary school science as a teacher.
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students) Program in Elementary Education
（Knowledge and Understanding）
・Having acquired basic knowledge of theory and method on guidance in subjects and cross-curricular education in elementary schools

Program in Special Needs Education
（Knowledge and Understanding）
・Having basic knowledge and understanding on the significance of elementary education and the teaching profession, and theories and methodologies of subject teaching, which are required to obtain fundamental teaching certificates.

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This lecture explains the purposes, contents, methods, evaluation, and lesson structure of science education in elementary schools to cultivate basic knowledge and capabilities needed for designing and practicing science lessons in elementary schools.

Class Schedule Lesson 1: Guidance, Aims, and Objectives of Elementary Science
This lesson provides an overview of the course and its goals. It aims to stimulate students’ awareness of the challenges involved in acquiring the competencies necessary for designing and implementing science lessons.
Lesson 2: Methodology of Elementary Science (Focusing on Problem-Solving)
This lesson explains the instructional methods used in elementary science, with a central focus on the problem-solving approach.
Lesson 3: Content of Elementary Science (Focusing on the Nature of Science)
This lesson covers the content of elementary science, focusing on the four content domains and the Nature of Science (NOS).
Lesson 4: Assessment in Elementary Science (Focusing on Students’ Learning Status)
This lesson discusses assessment strategies in elementary science, with an emphasis on understanding children’s actual learning status and preconceptions.
Lesson 5: Lesson Analysis I (Energy Domain)
Students will analyze science lessons in the "Energy" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos.
Lesson 6: Lesson Analysis II (Matter/Particles Domain)
Students will analyze science lessons in the "Matter/Particles" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos.
Lesson 7: Lesson Analysis III (Life Domain)
Students will analyze science lessons in the "Life" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos.
Lesson 8: Lesson Analysis IV (Earth/Space Domain)
Students will analyze science lessons in the "Earth/Space" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos.
Lesson 9: Lesson Design I (Observations and Experiments Using ICT)
This lesson explains the methods and content for conducting observations and experiments integrated with Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Lesson 10: Lesson Design II (Conceptual Change and Constructivism)
This lesson covers instructional methods for promoting conceptual change, grounded in constructivist learning theories.
Lesson 11: Lesson Design III (Understanding the Nature of Science)
This lesson explains instructional methods designed to help students understand the Nature of Science (NOS).
Lesson 12: Lesson Design IV (Fostering Scientific Thinking)
This lesson explores teaching methods aimed at promoting and developing scientific thinking skills.
Lesson 13: Lesson Design V (Fostering Critical Thinking)
This lesson explores teaching methods aimed at promoting and developing critical thinking skills.
Lesson 14: Lesson Design VI (Cultivating Motivation for Learning)
This lesson explains instructional strategies to stimulate and cultivate students' motivation and interest in learning science.
Lesson 15: Lesson Design VII (Cultivating Intellectual Humility)
This lesson explains instructional methods designed to foster "Intellectual Humility" within the context of science education.

A report will be assigned. Final exam will be held.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. MEXT(2018) Commentary to the Curriculum Guidelines for Elementary Schools, Science

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, moodle

(More Details) Handouts

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Post-class Report

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Lesson 1 -- Understand and confirm the course overview and objectives.
Lessons 2–4 -- Confirm the lesson content and conduct reviews by reading related reference books and literature.
Lessons 5–8 -- Reflect on the lessons viewed through in-class discussions and provided materials.
Lessons 9–15 -- Confirm the lesson content and conduct reviews by reading related reference books and literature.

Requirements Special Subject for Teacher Education: Teaching methods of school subject (science)
The classes will be specified.

Grading Method Final Exam (60%) -- Evaluation based on the final examination.
Assignments and Reports (30%) -- Evaluation based on submitted assignments, reports, and other required materials.
Class Participation (10%) -- Evaluation based on the student’s attitude and active engagement during lessons.

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	School of Education
Lecture Code	CC111424	Subject Classification	Courses for Professional Teaching
Subject Name	初等理科教育法
Subject Name （Katakana）	ショトウリカキョウイクホウ
Subject Name in English	Teaching Method of Science for the Elementary School
Instructor	UNZAI HIROSHI
Instructor (Katakana)	ウンザイ　ヒロシ
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	2nd-Year, Second Semester, Second Semester
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(2nd) Tues7-8：EDU L205
Lesson Style	Lecture	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face, Online (on-demand)
Lecture-oriented, Some discussions
Credits	2.0	Class Hours/Week	2	Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	3 : Undergraduate High-Intermediate
Course Area（Area）	24 : Social Sciences
Course Area（Discipline）	08 : Curriculum and Instruction Sciences
Eligible Students	Students of Cluster1 School Education
Keywords	SDG_4, Science for elementary schools, Teaching methods of subject-based education, Practical work experience
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	This lecture is located as the basic subject of the program and is aimed to develop the basic knowledge and attitude which will be needed to teach elementary school science as a teacher.
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)	Program in Elementary Education （Knowledge and Understanding）・Having acquired basic knowledge of theory and method on guidance in subjects and cross-curricular education in elementary schools Program in Special Needs Education （Knowledge and Understanding）・Having basic knowledge and understanding on the significance of elementary education and the teaching profession, and theories and methodologies of subject teaching, which are required to obtain fundamental teaching certificates.
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This lecture explains the purposes, contents, methods, evaluation, and lesson structure of science education in elementary schools to cultivate basic knowledge and capabilities needed for designing and practicing science lessons in elementary schools.
Class Schedule	Lesson 1: Guidance, Aims, and Objectives of Elementary Science This lesson provides an overview of the course and its goals. It aims to stimulate students’ awareness of the challenges involved in acquiring the competencies necessary for designing and implementing science lessons. Lesson 2: Methodology of Elementary Science (Focusing on Problem-Solving) This lesson explains the instructional methods used in elementary science, with a central focus on the problem-solving approach. Lesson 3: Content of Elementary Science (Focusing on the Nature of Science) This lesson covers the content of elementary science, focusing on the four content domains and the Nature of Science (NOS). Lesson 4: Assessment in Elementary Science (Focusing on Students’ Learning Status) This lesson discusses assessment strategies in elementary science, with an emphasis on understanding children’s actual learning status and preconceptions. Lesson 5: Lesson Analysis I (Energy Domain) Students will analyze science lessons in the "Energy" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos. Lesson 6: Lesson Analysis II (Matter/Particles Domain) Students will analyze science lessons in the "Matter/Particles" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos. Lesson 7: Lesson Analysis III (Life Domain) Students will analyze science lessons in the "Life" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos. Lesson 8: Lesson Analysis IV (Earth/Space Domain) Students will analyze science lessons in the "Earth/Space" domain by viewing recorded classroom videos. Lesson 9: Lesson Design I (Observations and Experiments Using ICT) This lesson explains the methods and content for conducting observations and experiments integrated with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Lesson 10: Lesson Design II (Conceptual Change and Constructivism) This lesson covers instructional methods for promoting conceptual change, grounded in constructivist learning theories. Lesson 11: Lesson Design III (Understanding the Nature of Science) This lesson explains instructional methods designed to help students understand the Nature of Science (NOS). Lesson 12: Lesson Design IV (Fostering Scientific Thinking) This lesson explores teaching methods aimed at promoting and developing scientific thinking skills. Lesson 13: Lesson Design V (Fostering Critical Thinking) This lesson explores teaching methods aimed at promoting and developing critical thinking skills. Lesson 14: Lesson Design VI (Cultivating Motivation for Learning) This lesson explains instructional strategies to stimulate and cultivate students' motivation and interest in learning science. Lesson 15: Lesson Design VII (Cultivating Intellectual Humility) This lesson explains instructional methods designed to foster "Intellectual Humility" within the context of science education. A report will be assigned. Final exam will be held.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	MEXT(2018) Commentary to the Curriculum Guidelines for Elementary Schools, Science
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, Visual Materials, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Stream, Microsoft Forms, moodle
(More Details)	Handouts
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Post-class Report
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Lesson 1 -- Understand and confirm the course overview and objectives. Lessons 2–4 -- Confirm the lesson content and conduct reviews by reading related reference books and literature. Lessons 5–8 -- Reflect on the lessons viewed through in-class discussions and provided materials. Lessons 9–15 -- Confirm the lesson content and conduct reviews by reading related reference books and literature.
Requirements	Special Subject for Teacher Education: Teaching methods of school subject (science) The classes will be specified.
Grading Method	Final Exam (60%) -- Evaluation based on the final examination. Assignments and Reports (30%) -- Evaluation based on submitted assignments, reports, and other required materials. Class Participation (10%) -- Evaluation based on the student’s attitude and active engagement during lessons.
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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