Science Update
Improving Science Education in the 21st Century
Math & Science Connection
To often we find ourselves trying to balance the amount of time we spend teaching math and science. Both subjects are important and can lead to our Scholars becoming engineers, mathematicians, and even scientist. It is very important that we teach math and science effectively. So, how can you boost your Scholars math performance and scores while teaching science? Just think about it! According to Gurpanus (2014), curriculum standards for science and mathematics are closely related. Both content areas rely on a similar problem solving approach and tools such as observation, comparison, measurement, and communication. Even some big ideas are the same, change (function), systems, and classification. In grades K-5 activities, it is difficult to separate math like and science like enterprises because students are exploring and trying to make sense of their world. Students engaged in sorting, describing, building, and experimenting with objects are preparing for more formal mathematics and science activities in school. Teachers of young students should guide these activities so that language skills and concept development grow and expand beyond incidental learning, (Gurpanus, 2014). How can we improve both math and science scores? Integrate both math and science.
Grades K-2 Science Update
If you are interested in science training on 12/15/15, and 1/19/15 please register in School Net. Registration is open. Use the following codes (1000002735 or 1000002793). These trainings will help you better help our Scholars. How is it going in your classroom? As we approach the second semester - we want to elevate our instructional practices. How can we do that! Science inquiry! The inquiry models for K-2 classrooms include directed inquiry, guided inquiry, and independent inquiry. The simple definition for inquiry is the act of asking for information. In addition, inquiry is synonymous with investigation, examination, and exploration. Incorporating inquiry in our classrooms will help us reach our goal of 90/50. To help prepare for the next grade level our Scholars must participate in descriptive research opportunities. If you want additional information please invite me to your meeting. For the 4th semester kindergarten will cover K.7a,b,c, K.8a,b,c, which is found in unit 7 of your Science Fusion resource material. First grade will cover 1.7a,b,c which is found in unit 5 of your Science Fusion resource material. Second grade will cover 2.7a,b,c, and 2.8b which is found in units 5 and 6 in Science Fusion. This six weeks we want our kinder students to focus on observing and describing, first grade recording data, and second grade measuring, recording, and graphing. To ensure that our Scholars meet the standard K-2 must provide those hands-on experiences and inquiry based questions. Remember K-2 focuses on descriptive research which provides the Scholars with the opportunity to explore and describe what they see. Here's a note from the STEM department: 1) K-1 teachers facilitate classroom and outdoor investigations for at least 80% of instructional time and 2) grade 2 teachers facilitate classroom and outdoor investigations for at least 60% of instructional time. Have fun teaching science and look for few changes curriculum central.
Grades 3-5 Science Update
Changes are being made to curriculum central. Those changes should be complete by December 15, 2015. You will receive the TARP review. This document was provided by Science Fusion as a resource for you to teach the supporting standards for grades 3-5. Feel free to use TARP with your Scholars to review the TEKS that students often struggle with. Invite me to a meeting to review this document with you. As we move forward this year the science that you teach will help prepare the Scholars for the next grade level. The model that we use in grades 3-5 is the 5 E Model. This model is designed to help us create those teachable moments.
Science Club
Science Club will start back up this week. Encourage the Scholars to attend. We have some fun and exciting experiments planned for the Scholars. Come by and support our Scholars as they learn science.
Engaging
Science is engaging.
Fun
Science is fun.
Real World
Real world experiences are apart of science.
Success at the End of the Tunnel
The 5E Lesson Design Model will help us reach our goal of 90/50. Engagement help students make connections with what they know and can do. Exploration help students by providing a set of common experiences from which they can help each other make sense of the concept. Explanation help students describe what they experienced and to explain how this new information fits in with what they already know. Elaboration help students apply the concept to a different situation. Evaluation help students extend their understanding and to demonstrate knowledge of concepts and skills. For additional information check out enhancing.wgbn.org. Go Saldivar! Great job on ACP scores and let's continue to pursue the 90/50 campus goal.
Science Coach
Mr. McKenzie serves as the science coach at Julian T. Saldivar Elementary School.
Go Saldivar!
Email: johmckenzie@dallasisd.org
Website: dallasisd.org
Location: 9510 Brockbank Drive, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-794-2000