Literacy through the Learning Cycle

The "learning cycle" is not a teaching method but rather a teaching procedure that allows for many methods of teaching. If teacher preparation courses are organized and delivered as learning cycles, then preservice teachers will discover that the learning cycle is an instructional model that: (1) allows science to be taught as it is structured; (2) implements the recommendations of the National Science Education Standards; and (3) reflects current constructivist learning theories. This paper describes four science education courses for preservice teachers, two for elementary education majors and two for secondary education majors. (Contains 13 references.) (WRM)