2021-22 Middle School Science
October - Science Newsletter
Science Teachers,
Science Support
Early Release Day 1 Science Follow Up
Thank you again for participating in the 1st Science Early Release Day Session. We shared how the sessions will work and dug into the Engage Phase of the 5E model. The engage activity we modeled came from the student facing canvas courses.
The session resources and a recording are housed on the Secondary Science ERD Canvas Course Page (enroll here: https://pasco.instructure.com/enroll/9HNCLK)
As a reminder, your follow-up activities include uploading a description of an Engage activity you used with your students and sharing a brief summary of your experience using it in your classroom. In addition, as a preview for ERD Session 2, you were asked to complete the TNTP Opportunity Myth Graphic Organizer based on available district science resources. Below is a quick video walk through of the assignment and how to submit it.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out! You can either respond to this email or contact Lesley Kirkley or Jessica Maxwell at lwade@pasco.k12.fl.us or jmaxwell@pasco.k12.fl.us. We look forward to a great learning session together and can’t wait to see you all.
ERD Session 2 Reminder
We are looking forward to our next Early Release professional learning day coming up on Wednesday October 6th.
Wave 1 Schools 12:30-1:30
CSRMS, PMS, RRMS
Wave 2 Schools 1:30-2:30
BPMS, CCMS, CENMS, CHMS, CLMS, GMS, HAC, HSEC, JLMS, PRSMS, PVMS, RBSMS, SRK8 (MS), SSMS, TEWMS
Zoom Session Link
- Wave 1 @ 12:30pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81441603407
- Wave 2 @ 1:30pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83097999217
Grade Pass Back
Grade Pass Back is a valuable, time saving tool for syncing your myLearning (Canvas) gradebook with your myStudent gradebook. This eliminates the work of having to enter information into two different systems. It requires some simple, careful setup initially. Here are several things that may cause errors when setting up Grade Pass Back:
- Gradebooks cannot be combined in myStudent
- Assignment categories must be identical in both myStudent and myLearning (including capitalization and spacing)
- Assignments must be in a category in myLearning that matches one in myStudent
- Assignments must have due dates in the current term. For Q1 that is between 8/10-10/15. Of note is that you may decide to give students until teacher planning day to turn in work. The due date in myLearning must still be no later than 10/15 because that is the end of the term in the system. Anything with due dates of 10/16, 17, or 18 will be not be recognized since Q2 does not begin until 10/19.
The following video is a walkthrough of setting up the Pass Back and how to sync your grades.
Grade Pass Back Walkthrough Video
If you experience issues, please email Matt Bruno at mbruno@pasco.k12.fl.us and include the following information:
- A link to the myLearning course(s) you are having issues with
- A brief description of your problem or error message, and the name/student number of any students you may be experiencing specific issues with
- Any other pertinent information
Pasco Science & Engineering Showcase 2022
We are seeing a decline in the number of middle school students participating in science fair. This decline represents a huge missed opportunity for many of our students. Last year we we awarded over 100 special awards and prizes at the showcase and our State delegates brought home 17 place awards and 7 special awards including one student who received a $14,000 scholarship.
Participation in science fair can be a game changer for many of our students and has positive impacts that manifest in your classroom. Check out the Gr8 FSSA data form last year when we compare schools that support science fair vs those that don't. Who doesn't want to increase their student's proficiency by 14% points?
Science fair can be incorporated into any science subject (and even math, social studies, and ELA) and there are some really amazing projects and research that can be done around the science concepts that are explored in your classes. Please help unleash the science superhero in your students and encourage them to design a project they can submit for competition. If you're not sure where to start, email us. We will be happy to help!
To counteract the stereotypes and ensure a more equitable future for STEM, we need more classrooms and resources that celebrate the incredible range of personalities, interests, backgrounds, and pursuits that drive discovery and progress. Every month, we will be sharing a new "I AM A SCIENTIST" spotlight highlighting an amazing real world scientist.
We encourage you to share this information and the scientist's story with your students each month. Because every student deserves a chance to see themselves in science.
You don’t need to fit a box.
"Don’t pay attention to what scientists are like on TV. You can be a scientist no matter what your personality is or what your other interests are. If you want to, and if you have a question about the world, then there’s a path for you." - DR. CASSANDRA EXTAVOUR
- Dr. Extavour is a Professor at Harvard University where she runs a lab filled with white boards, microscopes, petri dishes, and lots of cages and containers.
- She studies crickets, spiders, and other bugs to better understand how some of our most important cells behave.
- She also looks at animals’ reproductive systems for clues about how single cell organisms led to the evolution of complex organisms with countless different types of cells.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE CFA AND TIER 2 RESOURCES ADDITIONS
Check out the new grade specific CFA's for science as well as the new crosswalks for the Tier 2 APEX Resources. They can be accessed from any of the scope & sequence pages on the Secondary Learning Network or directly using the link below.
https://pasco.instructure.com/courses/362961/pages/cfa-banks-and-tier-2-resources
Additional Information
Dont Forget Science Office Hours!
Join us on Tuesdays https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84344456676
MIDDLE SCHOOL WATERSHED AMBASSADORS PROGRAM (@CROSSBAR & STARKEY PARK)
Here is the link to the Aspiring Leaders Flyer.
Here is the link for our coaching pool information.
Compassionate Schools
We’re excited to share a series of 5 essential classroom PBIS practices that are immediately applicable for teachers. This month we’re focusing on “Maximizing Structures” in our classrooms through a Trauma Informed-Care Lens. When students understand the structures and how things work, they’re more likely to be successful. Structures help make the classroom feel safe, consistent, and predictable. We’re also excited to share this video that helps give strategies for organizing your classroom space.
If you’d like to dive deeper feel free to explore this PBIS Classroom website that shares a variety of resources on how to strengthen your teaching practices!
Feel free to reach out to us if we can help you!
Susanna Haberle, PBIS Program Coordinator
Lesley Wilson, SEL Program Coordinator
St. Leo University
Pasco County Schools The opportunity is here to advance your career, enhance your skills and effectiveness with an advanced education degree from Saint Leo University. Online and face-to-face cohorts are forming now; offering a dynamic, collaborative, and supportive learning environment. Saint Leo University's graduate education programs prepare educators to become master teachers, instructional coaches, team leaders, principals, administrators, and more! We offer an extensive list of advanced degree options to help you grow both personally and professionally. Your career goal has never been more attainable - fewer courses, lower program costs, more accessible classes and many financial aid options to earn your degree at Saint Leo. EdD: School Leadership Med: Exceptional Student Education MS: Instructional Design BA: Elementary Education BA: Middle Grades Education BA: Educational Studies - Early Childhood Development The Virtual Information Session will include information about our graduate education degree programs, financial aid, class schedules, and the application process. Register now to get more information, and learn what Saint Leo has to offer you! Saint Leo University is a nationally recognized leader in higher education with graduate programs designed to meet the needs of working adults. Our small class sizes, high-quality curriculum, and dedicated faculty provide a superior learning environment.
Advanced Degrees in Education Information Session
Thursday, October 7, 7:00 - 08:30 PM ET
EdS: Educational Leadership
MEd: Educational Leadership
MEd: Instructional Leadership
MEd: Reading
For more information or special accommodations, please contact Traci Dougherty at traci.dougherty@saintleo.edu.
Saint Leo University
Center for Online Learning
800.707.8846
grad.col@saintleo.edu
www.saintleo.edu
Facilitator Training
Beginning in October, the Office for Leading and Learning will be hosting 2 PLC Facilitator sessions. Click here for additional information.
Your Pasco Science Team
Lesley Kirkley, SR. Specialist, K-8 Science
Email: lwade@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: pasco.k12.fl.us/pascoscienceshowcase
Phone: 813-794-2257
Twitter: @SciencePasco
Mark Butler, SR. Specialist, 6-12 Science & Env Programs
Email: mwbutler@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: pasco.k12.fl.us/pascoscienceshowcase
Phone: 813-794-2452
Twitter: @SciencePasco
Jessica Maxwell, Curriculum Specialist, Science
Email: jmaxwell@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: pasco.k12.fl.us/pascoscienceshowcase
Twitter: @SciencePasco
Lauren Whitaker, Curriculum Specialist, Science
Email: lwhitake@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: pasco.k12.fl.us/pascoscienceshowcase
Twitter: @SciencePasco