This course was
broken up into three main parts: Professional Development, Activities and
Strategies, and Activities and Professional Development
Professional
Development:
According to
Ermeling and Gallimore, “Making schools learning places for teachers as well as
students is a timeless and appealing vision (p.1). We will begin to implement
learning communities on a monthly basis. We will meet in order to have
collegial conversations that focus on science and student achievement. Coming
to the meetings prepared is vital, in order to maximize learning opportunities.
We will discuss past, present and future science objectives. Sharing ideas,
strategies and best teaching practices, will be the purpose for meeting on a
monthly basis.
Activities and
Strategies
This website can
be utilized to access various science activities. There are interactive games
for students to utilize that provide review for various objectives taught. There
are also online quizzes that students can take in small groups or as a class,
to provide repeated review. Videos are also an option, which will provide
differentiated instruction for visual learners.
Activities and
Professional Development:
This is a website
that is available for 3rd through 5th grade science
teachers. There are several activities that are engaging to students and
provide hands-on experiences (labs). For example, there is an option called
“Interactive Vocabulary” where there are illustrations and definitions, which
are first provided. The teachers utilize this area for reviewing vocabulary.
Second the teachers are able to review vocabulary word meaning by playing an
interactive game. The students can get in groups and take turns providing the
correct illustration or definition for each given terms. It can be implemented
in various ways; it is up to the teacher.
There are options that
provide professional development for science teachers. One area that is very
helpful is called “Background Knowledge”. For each TEK being taught in that
specific grade level it provides the specific information that a teacher need
to make sure the covering: past, present, and future. If a teacher is weak in
science or a particular learning objective, they can print and refer to back
ground information. There are also engaging labs planned for each learning
objective (TEK). The labs provide all materials, materials, learning outcomes,
and detailed instructions for the teacher. This site is a win; win for both
educators and students.
Activities and
Strategies
Study Jams website
provides interactive science practices for various learning objectives. It
provides several components, which will allow for interactive learning. One,
there is a step-by-step component which breaks down the skill narrated by a
cartoon character and incorporates video. Second, it has vocabulary
illustrations and karaoke review. Students are allowed to sing along with music
while reviewing skill being learned.
Bibliography:
Ermeling,
B.A., & Gallimore, R. (2013). Learning to Be a Community: Schools Need
Adaptable Models to Create Successful Programs. Journal of Staff Development,
34(2), 42-45.
Science Kids
(2013). Retrieved on December 4, 2013 from http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html
Study
Jams (2013). Retrieved on December 4, 2013 from http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/index.htm
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