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Integrating Science and Mathematics: Perceptions of Preservice and Practicing Elementary Teachers
Author(s) -
Lehman Jeffrey R.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
school science and mathematics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.135
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 1949-8594
pISSN - 0036-6803
DOI - 10.1111/j.1949-8594.1994.tb12293.x
Subject(s) - mathematics education , curriculum , perception , elementary mathematics , science education , primary education , connected mathematics , psychology , pedagogy , neuroscience
One hundred and sixty‐one undergraduate elementary education majors and sixty elementary teachers completed an eight‐item questionnaire designed to assess their perceptions toward integrating science and mathematics in the elementary grades. The two groups of subjects differed significantly on their responses to five of the eight items. Chi square analyses suggest that practicing elementary teachers felt they had more background in mathematics and science, were more aware of curriculum materials in this area, did not think that integration was currently a common practice, and were more likely to indicate that there was not sufficient time in the school day to integrate the subjects. Preservice teachers were more likely to indicate that integrating the disciplines was preferred to teaching them separately. In addition to the analyses of data, a list of recommendations are provided for teachers, curriculum developers, and policy makers interested in advancing the concept of integrating science and mathematics in instruction.