Cognitive tasks – a key component of the lesson plan for integrated Natural Science courses

Abstract

The content of the article reveals the methodology of applying cognitive
tasks in chemistry, biology and physics at the lessons of Integrated
Natural Science courses. The authors give examples of cognitive tasks
of the descriptive, explanatory, methodological and creative type; the
concept of the “lesson plan” is revealed. The article examines the issues
dealing with the implementation of Integrated Natural Science courses in
institutions of general secondary education. Special emphasis is put on
the methodological issues of conducting lessons in the classrooms that
are not adapted to the demonstration of physical and chemical
experiments, as well as biological specimens and dummies, mineral
collections, etc. Also, the authors cover the issue of training teachers
capable of full-time work with model curricula of integrated courses
developed for different Natural Science subjects, especially for Grades 5-
6. The described pedagogical experiment proved that cognitive tasks are
key components of the lesson plan for the integrated courses. The
solution of these tasks contributes to the increase of students’ knowledge
in chemistry, physics, and biology. The results of the experiment give
rise to discussions, statements of hypotheses and their confirmation or
refutation regarding the implementation of integrated courses based on
the concept of the New Ukrainian School.