Introduction  is digestion for?

1. Introduction  is digestion for?

There are various research studies on digestion that There are some topics in biology that may seem to indicated the problems that pupils have in identifying

be more “authentic” due to their connection with real the functions of the different organs involved, the life, such as fieldwork or working with living beings change processes that food undergoes and finally the at terraria or aquariums. However, dealing with some difference between nutrition and diet [4-10]. These “real life” topics in the classroom such as the object of studies showed that despite being separated over time this work, digestion, is complex. It is difficult to and being from different countries, the problems that reproduce the physiological processes that relate pupils have in constructing a model of digestion organs with chemical changes. This obstacle can be

continue to be the same.

overcome to a large degree by using scale models [1] In this work we analyze the construction by primary or through drama [2, 3] as in the case of this work. school pupils of a model of the digestive system by Nevertheless, working with pupils about what happens means of a dramatization. This work constitutes part inside the body is neither easy nor “stimulating” for of a broader research project: Teaching Science and primary pupils as they are subjects that they do not Technology “by inquiry” in Primary school: a “see”. More attention is also usually paid to diagnostic study. A fundamental part of this project is descriptive aspects: the names of organs and the the collaborative work between university lecturers journey of the food than on interpretive aspects: what and primary school teachers that has been carried out

over the past four years [11, 12]. Corresponding author: Maria J. Gil Quílez, Ph.D.,

This is what we might call reflective practice [13, professor, research fields: science education, biology and

ecology education. E-mail: quilez@unizar.es. 14]. As university lecturers, we have become involved

92 Constructing a Model of Digestion in a Primary School Using a Theatrical Performance

in primary classrooms with pupils and working with to work using the so-called modeling-centered inquiry teachers in order to reflect on the difficulties that we

approach [16]. This describes as being an instructional experience in the primary classroom when working on

approach in which learners engage in scientific inquiry. We then use the results as part of teacher

inquiry with a focus on the creation, evaluation, and training in university classes. This reflective practice

revision of scientific models that can be applied to operates in two directions. The teacher as the expert in

understand and predict the natural world. Our proposal the class group and classroom situation supports and

lies within this framework as we also start with a is supported by the university lecturers, who act here

question requiring inquiry skills.

as experts in science and science education. Among these inquiry skills, the following should be Professionals who receive real-time coaching and are

emphasized in this case: the search for information, encouraged to think carefully (about what they do

the analysis of different information sources, the while they are doing it) learn in a more profound

organization and structuring of information in the way [13].

student’s own text and finally communication with There are many aspects to this work. On the one

different audiences, with peers, lecturers or teachers. hand, primary pupils have to construct a model of the

Communicating with different audiences requires the digestive system to answer the question: what happens

development of a strong and flexible model that is to the apple, the sandwich and the chewing gum when

easily understood by everyone [17] we eat them? On the other hand, the pupils have to

The role of language has been fully recognized and create a dramatization that answers the same question.

many researchers stress its importance both in the This requires inquiry skills such as finding and

learning and the teaching of science [18, 19]. Reading, selecting information, and reorganizing information so

writing and speaking are essential to build knowledge. that texts that serve as a guide to the performance can

Reading and writing help not only to communicate

be produced. Finally, the pupils have to design a set what has been learned in a convincing way, but they and wardrobe and stage the play. All these activities

also help students to construct knowledge, that is, to are carried out with the university lecturer who

elaborate more complex and potent models [20]. negotiates and manages them.

Children at school use several manners of discourse Our main research question is the following: in

influenced by the complex medium in which they live what way does the theatrical performance help to

(family, friends, the media, school etc.). In the build a model of the digestive system?

classroom both teacher and students use several discourses depending on the subject being worked on: