Uncovering Student Thinking in Science: Part 1

Instructor: Jennifer Sheffield

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches interested in science instructional practices

Grade Levels: K-8

Time: 1.5 Hours

Prerequisites: None

About this Course: How can we move our students from passively “learning about science” through readings and canned lab experiments to actively thinking, talking, and writing like scientists using phenomena-based instruction?

In Part I, participants will:

• Examine their mindset towards science instruction

• Discern the differences between knowing science vocabulary and actually understanding science concepts

• Re-vision the scientific method

• Gain practical knowledge of how to navigate the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) online.

We’ll look at what the NGSS 3-Dimensional Learning Framework means in a simple-to-understand way, including using Evidence Statements to design instruction and assessments and how to find existing NGSS storyline lesson plans.

Learning Intentions/Targets:

• Participants will examine their current mindset about science education and how science instruction is delivered in the classroom.

• Participants will be able to discern the difference between knowing about science content and actually understanding scientific concepts.

• Participants will gain knowledge of how to effectively use the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and ancillary documents available online, such as the Evidence Statements.

Materials Needed:

Laptop or Chromebook with internet connection

*Optional for use throughout the school year*

• Access to Allen Co. district copies of the “Uncovering Student Thinking” book series from NSTA Press (or online access) for reproducible standards-aligned formative assessment prompts across all NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas (life science, physical science, Earth science, etc.) for use in the classroom.

Science Formative Assessment: 75 Practical Strategies for Linking Assessment, Instruction, and Learning, Page Keeley, Corwin and NSTA Press, 2008.

ACS Reflection (required), Test Your Knowledge