Science Second
5 Things You Need to Know And Can Share with Others
October 3, 2019
1. PhD Science: Assessments
Throughout each module, four types of authentic assessment both formative and summative that give students opportunities to make sense of phenomena and express their knowledge. All can be found in the teacher edition.
- Checks for Understanding offer teachers suggestions to modify instruction (at least one Check for Understanding per lesson; includes evaluation guidance).
Conceptual Checkpoints assess mastery of knowledge identified in each concept’s standard(s) (one checkpoint per concept; includes evaluation guidance).
End-of-Module Assessment gives students the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the module in the context of one or more new phenomena (one summative assessment per module; includes rubric).
Engineering Challenges and Science Challenges allow students to apply their conceptual knowledge to solve a real-world problem (one challenge per module; includes rubric).
Source: Implementation Guide
2. October 11th K-5 Professional Development Opportunities
1. K-2 Making Science Lit: Exploring Science through Phenomena and Literacy
Learn about some great books and writing approaches to help kids make sense of phenomena and learn essential science concepts. All sessions will take place at University.
- K-2 Session 2 (Afternoon #2)
*Teachers must sign up via KickUp to attend.
2. 3-5 Grade- Focus on Instructional Techniques
The Focus on Instructional Techniques for Grades 3, 4, and 5 will be grade level specific and will include a Module Map walkthrough, an assessment dive, a look into what's inside the teacher's edition, a planning and preparation portion and deliberate practice with facilitating a driving question board. This session is all day. Note: Only one teacher/leader per grade level per school can attend. Teachers MUST attend all day.
- 3rd Grade Session at Shreve Island
- 4th Grade Session at University
- 5th Grade Session at A.C. Steere
*Teachers must sign up via KickUp to attend.
3. Learning Walk Tool for Great Minds
Our goal for the first year of the Great Minds PhD Science curriculum is to unpack the curriculum and use it as is. Caddo teachers and leaders developed lists of 'look fors'. Based on these lists, I created a tool to assist leaders and the Caddo Science Department as we conduct learning walks.
This tool documents the indicators of effectiveness that should be evident during high-quality science instruction. In Louisiana, we want our students to 1) apply content knowledge; 2) investigate, evaluate, and reason scientifically; and 3) connect ideas across disciplines.
Indicator 1: Students are using instructional materials and resources from the curriculum.
Indicator 2: Students work collaboratively to build science knowledge and solve complex problems.
Indicator 3: The learning goals and expectations from the curriculum are communicated.
4. Fund for Teachers
Individuals may apply for up to $5,000 and teams may apply for up to $10,000 (while team members may be from different schools, districts or states, all members must meet the eligibility criteria). Upon award, Fellows will receive 90 percent of their grant, the remaining 10 percent to be reimbursed upon completion of post-fellowship requirements.
5. Skype a Scientist
Do you want your class to chat with a meteorologist, geologist, or chemist? Then have your students Skype a Scientists!
Skype a Scientist wants to give students the opportunity to get to know a “real scientist”.
This program allows us to reach students from all over the world without having to leave the classroom!
Learn More: https://www.skypeascientist.com/sign-up-to-be-matched-with-a-scientist.html
6. Achievement Descriptors
LDOE recently released science achievement level descriptors for 3rd, 4th, 5th, middle, and high grades. See image below for a sample.
"Achievement-level definitions briefly describe the expectations for student performance at each of Louisiana’s five achievement levels. The achievement levels are part of Louisiana’s cohesive assessment system and indicate a student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency on the Louisiana student standards defined for a specific course."
Learn More: https://www.louisianabelieves.com/resources/library/assessment
Please contact MMAINIERO@caddoschools.org with state assessment questions.
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People Who Automatically Receive Science Second:
- Instructional Coordinators and Assistant Principals
- Caddo Science Task Force
- Master/Mentor Teachers
- District Leaders
- Caddo Educators Who Signed Up for the Science Second
Google Classroom for Caddo Elementary Science
Google Classrooms have been created for K-2 and 3-5 science teachers to facilitate paperless communication among the elementary science specialists, teachers, and leaders. Teachers and administrators are highly encouraged to join so they can access their essential resources, materials, and important updates.
Link to Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com
Grades K-2 Class Code: fpmree
Grades 3-5 Class Code: r335y7z
Check Out the Caddo Science Newsletter Archives!
Check out the archive of the Caddo Science Newsletters.
Important Elementary Science Dates
August 22: QSM Workshop via Zoom
September 4: Claims, Evidence, Reasoning for K-2
September 5: Unit 3 Non-Life Science Collaboration for High School
September 15: Deadline for QSM
November 4-6: LATM/LSTA Joint Math Conference in Baton Rouge
K. Renae Pullen
Email: krpullen@caddoschools.org
Website: http://www.caddoscience.com/
Phone: 3186036370
Twitter: @krenaep