Science Methods

Spring 1999

Expectations for Accountibility

(web site: http://bcbrown.simplenet.com/elementary)

Objectives - The following objectives are based upon the guidelines and recommendations of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Project 2061 (AAAS) and the Tennessee Science Framework. Participants will provide evidence of being able to:
Design and implement classroom activities that are inductive and inquiry based.
Design and implement classroom activities that stress critical thinking/problem-solving skills.
Design and implement classroom activities that teach responsibility of students relating to science lab safety.
Design and implement classwork that features basic science concepts.
Design and implement classwork that is firmly based on current reform in science and mathematics.
Develop evaluation/assessment techniques for the purpose of determining appropriateness of classroom learning environment - rubrics.
Design and implement classwork that will develop students' ability to think and solve problems both in school situations and in a variety of situations similar to what he/she will encounter in life.
Design and implement classroom activities that stress awareness of the relationship of the "tools of science (math) to basic activities that may be used to reinforce math concepts (science activities).
Design and implement classwork that will develop students' ability to connect and integrate experiences and new knowledge from all subject matter fields with what he/she already has learned (life-long learning skills)
Design and implement classwork that features science activities that matter to students - things they want to know.
Design and implement classwork that develops responsibility and ownership of science activities and respect of materials.
Design and implement classwork that incorporates diverse cultures.
Design and implement classroom activities that will lead to long-term projects that may be used for science and/or math competitions.
Design and implement classwork that may incorporate current technology - especially as it relates to the 21st Century Classroom.
 
Evidence of addressing the objectives of the course will be collected in a PORTFOLIO (collection of accountibility documents) and will include materials not limited to the following:
- science activities A COLLECTION (may be photocopies or typewritten) of 2 of each of the following types of science activities: 1) inductive 2) deductive 3) long-term projects 4) discrepant events 5) dilemmas 6) demonstrations
- 2 science lesson plans (TIM model - goals, objectives, activities, materials, etc)
- integrated thematic unit (dinosaurs, rocks, spooky swamp, etc) - a simple 3-day unit plan using a science activity as a "spring-board" for one activity in 3 (three) other subject areas
- a 15 minute (max) inquiry activity to be presented in class
- photographs of activities
- any other representative work
 
Students will have option of setting their own due dates for the above assignments. The collection (portfolio) will be produced over the course of the semester. A scoring rubric will be produced in class for assessing your progress during the semester. Grades will be linked to the scoring rubric.
 
(NOTE: for specific information on expectations of the above, please check out the assessment rubric)

| RETURN to Dr. Brown's Elementary Science Page |