Tuesday, October 10, 2023

All-Things Science

 

 All-Things Science! 

Interactive Slide-Deck 
A comprehensive slide deck has been created for teachers.  This slide deck provides amazing resources around ordering/ purchasing science materials, science integration, grading science, STEM field studies, research on Why Science, and more.  Consider bookmarking this resource for future reference.


Shopping list: this list is intended to guide OPs in making purchases that are requested by teachers. Your building should come up with an internal process and timeline for teachers to request purchases.  More information on science materials, please see pages 11-13 of the Elementary Science update slide deck linked below.  


Elementary Science Update - Link 

Shopping list- Link 

 

Friday, December 16, 2022

Watershed Explorers STEM Field Study

 


Watershed Explorers STEM Field Study: 

Each fall fifth graders in NTPS engage in the STEM Field Study, Watershed Explorers.  This STEM field study is designed to support teachers with lesson plans and activities as well as an outdoor STEM Field Study, which serves to reinforce skills  taught in the classroom and provides a rich and special learning opportunity for ALL students.  

The teacher guide contains the pre and post trip lessons, chaperone support pages, grading opportunities that align to the SEPs (Science and Engineering Practices, which are graded in NTPS), picture vocabulary cards and a tips and tricks page.  



Teacher Guide- Link 

Chaperone Video-Link (coming for use during the 2023-2024 SY) - need photos and teacher feedback for this video 

Student Field Journal- Link

STEM Alignment- Link 

Science Door "poster"- Link 

Using senses for observation K-5th grade- Link 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Integration of Subject Matter: Including Science is Key!

 

How does leading with Science build strong subject bases in other content areas? Check out STEM Teaching Tool #62; What does subject matter integration look like in elementary instruction? Including science is KEY!   Interesting information: "a typical elementary school class spends about 20 minutes a day on science instruction, compared to 60 minutes on mathematics and almost 90 minutes on language arts. Integration can ensure that all students have opportunities to learn science, as they are likely to experience regular learning in math or language arts." Consider this:  Is this equitable for ALL students?

If this is your first experience with the STEM teaching tools, there are a few things that you might want to know.

1) STEM teaching tools are developed by teachers and researchers and topics have been identified based on what is of interest to teachers.

2) Within each tool you will find links to additional resources, research materials, and current practices.

In addition, a link to additional STEM tools that pertain to the topic you selected is provided within each tool.   

Looking for more information on time for science and Social Studies?  Check out this video "Speaking up for Science and Social Studies" with Nell Duke. Professor at the University of Michigan.  This 29:08 min. video provides many key points for integrating ELA (and math) into Science and Social Studies.  Nell Duke: Nell K. Duke, Ed.D., is a professor in literacy, language, and culture and the combined program in education and psychology at the University of Michigan and a member of the International Literacy Association Literacy Research Panel.

STEM Teaching Tool #62- Link 

Speaking up for Science and Social Studies- Link 

Monday, October 25, 2021

Communicating in Scientific Ways

Looking for great sentences starters for encouraging students to engaging in argument from evidence (SEP7) AND obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information (SEP8)?   This two page document is a great resource for helping students communicate and ways to figure things out.  

Suggestions for use:

1) Print out a set for groups, while students are evaluating peers, encourage them to use the sentence starters in "How we communicate" as questions, notices, and wonders.

2) As students move through a scope or kit, encourage them to use the symbol as a note taking strategy.  Is there something they have a questions about, or do they need to remember to give evidence and do not want to forget?  

3) As the instructor, use the sentence starters as a way to model good questions, or wonders.  "Are you saying _________"  or "That idea makes sense to me because....."  

Do you have a suggestion for ways that this resource can be used, feel free to leave a comment below.  


Communication in Science- Link 

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

BBS Curriculum Assessment Points


NTPS SEP Grading Matrix 

Grading SEPs Matrix

With the move to the updated 3D version of Building Blocks of Science (BBS), the grading points have changed.  As I continue to update this document, I will add priority, additional and optional grading points.  At this time, all SEPs (even ones that are "not best fits") have been listed.  Watch for more updates to come.  


Please note: to view this document, use the link below.  If you "click" on the image it will not open the document, instead, it will enlarge the image, which is not the complete document.  





Monday, August 30, 2021

Scope and Sequence


The  link below contains the Scope and Sequence for  Building Blocks of Science (BBS) 5th grade kits.   This interactive scope and sequence has links to support documents, career connection, vocabulary cards, and phenomena that align with each unit.  Please note the quarter you will be instructing each unit (found under column "C").

Make sure you select the correct grade level (listed on the bottom of the excel book




  Inventory Page- Link                     

Scope and Sequence  - Link     

2021 and beyond Grading matrix


Fifth Grade Grading resources:


The Grading matrix is a quick, one page document that has all of your grading resources in one place. On this document you will find:

  • Fifth grade scope and sequence
  • Grading curriculum alignment
  • SEP rubric
  • Link to the data collection documents and the gradebook
  • Report card inserts