Science Circuit
Because Science Matters: December 2015
Completing the Circuit
Things to Remember
Science Module Pick-Up and Delivery
- All science modules will be picked up the week of January 4th. We recommend teachers pack up modules BEFORE the Winter Break. For specifics check your Campus Module Rotation.
- New modules will be delivered no later than January 18th.
Science Assessments
Assessment Headlines
Third Grade: The assessment window opened December 2nd and closes January 8th.
Fourth and Fifth Grade: The assessment window opened December 14th and closes January 8th.
Use the data from the science assessments to focus instruction during the "tweener" time. Fifth grade may find the STAAR Connections a great resource for this time. This is a great time for students to engage in inquiry, PBL, and STEM investigations.
Critter Care for the Holidays
- All critters must be returned before the winter break. The last day to send critters back to the Science Materials Center is the morning of Wednesday, December 16th.
- Complete a Critter Return Request form at least one week before the end of instruction of the module.
- The link to the form can be found on the curriculum website for each grade level in the box for that unit of study. This form will notify the Science Materials Center to send out a return cooler and ice packs.
- Remember not to release any critters or send them home with students.
- Be sure to order new critters for the third nine weeks prior to leaving for the winter break.
What's New?
Curriculum Support
Child Nutrition Services
On November 30, we launched a new partnership between Child Nutrition Services and Elementary Science!
- Collaborate with cafeteria managers and team leaders to supply food materials for core module instruction. (For example: carrots for critters, snack items for mixtures, fruits and veggies for planet models.)
- View a complete list of items available from the cafeteria and details on implementation of this process here.
- Invite campus cafeteria managers or Kristin Andrews from Child Nutrition Services to classrooms to observe how these materials are supporting classroom instruction.
- Display student learning made possible through this partnership in the cafeteria. For example, models of the planets, mixtures, parts of the plant...
Professional Development Opportunities
Register for this training in Eduphoria.
Please let us know any additional campus needs.
Science Snippet
Take a moment to look at this snippet and ask yourself and your students some questions.
- What do you notice?
- What do you wonder?
- What is the cause?
- What is the effect?
These and other science snippets you can share with teachers and students can be found here.
Elementary Science Department
Laura Hunt
Julia McComas
Email: julia.mccomas@leanderisd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/leanderisd.org/leander-isd-elementary-science/
Location: 204 W South St, Leander, TX, United States
Phone: 512-570-0289
Twitter: @LISDElemscience