Science
Experience with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
In 2014, I volunteered for NGSS training with a three year commitment to UCI, OC Department of Education, and science teachers across Orange County. I implemented the new NGSS approach with my fourth grade class during those three years intermixed with the FOSS lessons PYLUSD have long adopted. During the summer of 2017, I attended 3 days of instruction at the NGSS rollout for California science teachers at UC Riverside. Knowing that my fourth graders would be the first group to take the California Science Test with NGSS as fifth graders, I changed all my lessons to fit these new standards. I did this with guidance from PYLUSD changes to our FOSS kits, but also pulling resources on my own when no lessons existed.
Coming to Brookhaven three years ago, I did the same for our fifth graders, changing all the lessons to the expectations for NGSS. PYLUSD has been very supportive of the transition from the old standards to the new, offering classes and NGSS resources. I attended the 5th grade NGSS class to make sure I was doing everything I could to support our students.
PYLUSD adopted the new NGSS program (TWIG Science), which I am now mentoring as a "Science Fellow" for all fifth grade teachers in the district..
California Department of Education has this to say:
Transitioning to a new science education and assessment system requires patience and determination.
Getting it right takes time. Educators and students are still in the process of adjusting teaching and learning through the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). Together, we are making real progress in developing a system that will educate the future workforce in this fast-changing environment of science and technology.
Science assessment results will be included in the California School Dashboard when the appropriate time is determined by the California Department of Education and the California State Board of Education.
As we implement the CA NGSS and the California Science Test (CAST), California is providing a wide range of tools to help educators, students, and parents/guardians understand the CA NGSS and the CAST.
If you would like to know more, visit the California Department of Education website: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca
We have coding with Sphero!
Mrs. Ricotta was awarded a grant through PYLUSD and the makers of Sphero for fifteen programmable robots to use in conjunction with science. Classes have already enjoyed driving Sphero with the use of our chromebook keyboards.
Recently, teams of three programmed Sphero to move in the shape of a square and noticed a faster pace on the linoleum floor compare to the carpet. We also learned that Sphero needs his degree of turn based on his starting point, not his current location.
Life Science focuses on answering:
What matter do plants need to grow?
How does matter move within an ecosystem?
How does energy move within an ecosystem?
Earth Systems focuses on answering:
How can we represent systems as complicated as the entire planet?
Where does tap water come from? Where does it go?
How much water do we need to live, to irrigate plants? How much do we have?
What can we do to protect Earth's resources?
Review Earth Systems lab notes, especially highlighted items like diagrams, results, and conclusion
Use Quizlet Earth Systems Vocabulary to study important terms needed for the test questions