Http:// Elementary Principals Meeting August 25, 2010.

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Elementary Principals Meeting

August 25, 2010

Outcomes

• What is Science?• 5 E lessons• Science Kits• Curriculum Concerns• Other Opportunities

What is Science?

“Science is facts; just as houses are made of stone, so is science made of facts.

Jules Henri Poincaré

;but a pile of stones is not a house, and a collection of facts is not

necessarily science.”

“Facts are not science - as the dictionary is not literature.” 

Martin H. Fischer, German physician & author

“Science is fun!”

- Survey of elementary students’ attitudes toward science, 2007

a process people use to develop a deeper understanding of how the world works.

Science is…

The main tools of science are observation and experimentation.

What is Scientific Inquiry?• Inquiry recognizes that science is more than a collection of content-area facts.

• In scientific inquiry, students engage in the Skills and Processes of science as a means to construct an understanding of the content.

•The focus is on student-constructed learning as opposed to teacher-transmitted information

Do you know the 5 E’s?

The 5 E Lesson Plan Format

Engage• General Syntax: ◦ “I was just thinking about… ◦ And that leads to the question; …?”• Builds Relevance ◦ Personal connection (This is about you/your world.) ◦ Vividness (Cool! Let’s take a closer look at that!) ◦ Intrigue (Well, that gives us a puzzle to solve!) ◦ Novelty (We haven’t seen that before, let’s explore it)• Elicit student prior knowledge about the topic

Explore

• Uses “Science Process Skills”• Models the “Nature of Science” ◦ Reliance on evidence ◦ Physical causes for events ◦ Uniform change• Allows learner some control over ideas generated• May be structured (Guided Inquiry)• Students should do things like

• observe• infer• predict• communicate

Explain• Student evidence and new/forming ideas are elicited• Vocabulary is attached to concepts as they develop

ABC = Activity Before Content• Teacher helps organize ideas, and may provide structured questions to guide development• Teacher may contribute ideas and provide direct teaching

Elaborate

• May provide additional examples of theconcept• May provide non-examples of the concept• May provide additional experiences with theconcept• May be an activity, teacher demonstration,or media• Not intended to add new concepts

Evaluate

• NOT primarily about generating a grade• IS primarily about helping students recognize learning• Returns to the original question asked in engagement

Do you know the 5 E’s?

The 5 E Lesson Plan Format

Science Kits

Science Kit Procedures

1.Teachers e-mail me to request a kit by Unit/Topic name.

2.Kit is received in school within 1 week (usually 2 days).

3.Teachers use the kit items as described in curriculum guide.

4.BEFORE RETURNING THE KIT: Mark the inventory list.

5.Seal the kit using enclosed cable ties; return via Pony.

6.Kit is restocked and sent out to next requesting teacher.

Science Kit Utilization

  1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

School Total

Beaver Run 4 2      6Chipman 1 3      4Delmar 5 0 13 7 0 25East Sal.     5 1 3 9Fruitland Int.     3 3 2 8Fruitland Pri. 0 3      3Glen Ave.     4 2 2 8North Salis.     4 2 2 8Northwestern 0 0 1 1 1 3Pemberton 0 0 2 6 0 8Pinehurst 0 0 0 1 1 2Pittsville     3 1 0 4Prince St. 0 0 8 3 1 12West Salis. 3 3      6Westside Int   0 2 5 2 9Westside Pri. 5        5Willards 0 1      1Grade Totals 18 12 45 32 14 121

Lab/Chemical Safety

Several parties are potentially liable in the event of a charge of negligence in the science laboratory: the state, the school district, the school board, the school administration, and the teacher.

Among these, the classroom teacher is most likely to be placed in the position of being the accountable person.

The classroom teacher is ultimately responsible for the welfare of the student.

http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/safety/index.html

My Concerns

1. Incomplete kits2. No books3. Is the county curriculum aligned with the SC?4. Printing5. Lack of time to cover the entire curriculum

1. Lack of time to cover the entire curriculum2. Schools/Teachers doing their own thing3. Kits not being used / no ‘hands-on’ science process

skill development4. Kits not returned in a timely manner/never

returned/returned damaged or incomplete

Teachers’ Concerns

Your Concerns?

Science Opportunities

1. Science Field Trips – all schools had $ allocated.2. Pemberton Historical Park -- ‘free’ trips and in-

school programs.3. LEAF program at the Zoo4. “Earth Day” Environmental Education @ PHP5. PD Academies for Teachers

• 2008-09 Physics• 2009-10 Chemistry• 2010-11 Earth Science• 2011-12 Environmental/Life Science