High School Science Newsletter
February 2019
Curriculum Updates
So what is making a difference in science around Pasco…..
As we visit different classrooms and schools around the district, we have the opportunity to see all levels of science instruction. We see teachers teaching to the standards and to the rigor that they require (Core Action 1) in most classrooms. A trend that we have noticed is a heavy reliance on book vocabulary definitions and direct instruction (lecture). Both are necessary, but we need to make sure that science instruction provides opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and apply. We are seeing the greatest success and authentic scientific inquiry and learning taking place, when the instruction has students..
spend time beyond traditional vocabulary & lecture.
We often have students start a unit or concept with defining a bunch of new vocabulary. Instead of having students open their books or look up words so that they can write the definitions, chunk the vocabulary, and introduce it when it is relevant in a discussion, lecture, or lab. Vocabulary is important and a necessary part of introducing new concepts and learning, but just writing definitions often doesn't result in the permanence we hope students will have with their meaning. In your next lesson, try using this visual vocabulary strategy.
Discovery Ed SOS Strategy - Puppet Picture
making thinking visible with opportunities to reflect/revise.
If we want our students to move beyond the surficial understanding of the content and truly be able to apply their learning, we need to afford them opportunities to explain their thinking, defend it, and use it outside of the context they learned it in. A great tool that is guaranteed to get your kids showing you their thought processes and explaining their thinking are the DE SOS Strategies. Resource light but student engagement and impact heavy, these strategies are research based and easy to incorporate into your instruction. And there are over 100 different ones to choose from that will accomplish most tasks we want our students to accomplish. They force students to do the talking and interact with each other and the teacher. Take the SOS challenge and use at least one a week, I promise you'll see a difference.
The DE strategies can be reached by clicking the DE icon in MyPascoConnect and then typing "SOS" in the search bar. The banner at the top of the page will allow you to search for strategies by skill. It's a game changer!
Here is a spreadsheet of all the SOS strategies by skill. Its called the SOS for SOS! (Make sure you've clicked the DE button in MyPascoConnect before using the links in the spreadsheet)
Science Fair
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Professional Development Opportunities
Quarter 4 Science Academies to be Added!
Join us as we engage in a model lesson designed from the curriculum maps. See total participation strategies in action, deepen your understanding of the 5E model, network and collaborate with fellow Pasco Science teachers. This PD opportunity includes a stipend for your time and PD points for the follow up activity.
5E Virtual Science Academy
Register for the course through MyPGS (Course 2414) HERE to sign up to participate. Registration will remain open. MyPGS will automatically enroll you in the Canvas course. The courses are listed for all bio, env, phy sci, as they are this year's identified grades, however it was built to support 9-12 Science Instruction. So all are welcome to join in our adventure. The course is 4 PD points if completed! See you Online!
Additional Information
Curriculum Map Feedback Form
The Science Curriculum Team will be meeting on the 14th to work on corrections corrections and tweaks to the curriculum maps and resources. Please use this Curriculum Map Feedback Form to provide the Science Curriculum Team with input on our Science Curriculum maps to allow us to continue to refine them. Please be as specific as possible so that the team may constructively review the information and make an informed decision on how to proceed. Your input is critical to continuing to move Pasco Science forward!
Q3 Biology Sci Academy Night
Q3 Physical Science Academy Night
Phy Sci teachers learned about a quick activity to connect energy to different wavelengths of light. Which wavelength will make the glow-in-the-dark glue glow the brightest and why? Ask students to use what they now about the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and energy to justify their prediction. Want to know more?
Q3 Physical Science Academy Night
Was your prediction correct? Want to know more?
#PascoDoingScience
Want to contact me?
Senior Instructional Specialist
Science 6-12 & Environmental Programs
Email: mwbutler@pasco.k12.fl.us
Website: http://eec.pasco.k12.fl.us
Phone: 813-794-2452
Twitter: @SciencePasco