'Pluto Has Been a Planet My Whole Life!' Emotions, Attitudes, and Conceptual Change in Elementary Students' Learning about Pluto's Reclassification

Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com

Y

22

Pretests Posttests; Comparative Analysis; Student Attitudes; Concept Formation; Psychological Patterns; Attitude Change; Discussion Groups; Elementary School Students; Grade 6; Negative Attitudes; Positive Attitudes; Emotional Response; Grade 5; Science Instruction; Astronomy; Controversial Issues (Course Content); Independent Reading; Reading Assignments

10.1007/s11165-011-9274-x

0157-244X

Learning about certain scientific topics has potential to spark strong emotions among students. We investigated whether emotions predicted students' attitudes after engaging in independent rereading and/or rereading plus discussion about Pluto's reclassification. Fifth and sixth grade students read a refutation text on Pluto's reclassification. Participants were randomly assigned to either the reread independently or the reread plus discussion group. Results showed that students in both groups experienced attitude change and that change was sustained over time. Students reported experiencing more negative than positive emotions at pretest. Emotions, which became more positive after intervention, were predictive of students' attitudes and attitude change. Implications for the role of emotions when learning about controversial topics are discussed.

As Provided

72

2013

EJ1000598