Developing a Culture of Inquiry
Developing a Culture of Inquiry
Embedded Files
How do we create a culture of inquiry where teachers and students are safe to "take chances, make mistakes and get messy?"
This is a quick reference resource provided by www.nextgenstorylines.org about creating a classroom culture that supports inquiry and "figuring out."
Project Based Learning allows students to explore real-world issues from those close and far to home. Students engage in the exploration of current events as well as solutions with the assistance of community partners.
A picture is worth a thousand words and a phenomenon is worth even more. Having the right engage or investigation can help students ease into the scientific inquiry process with questions (SEP 1) and interpretations (SEP 6).
How often do students get to ask questions? And be responsible for finding those answers for the class? Through the Driving Question Board, you can task students with being accountable for the answers as content is explored.
Rather than having the lab validate your results, could your lab help generate ideas? Through the Activity before Concept model, students get to experience the hands-on activities first and connect to learning and course concepts after.
Getting Students to "Do" Science Through the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP)
Getting Students to "Do" Science Through the Science and Engineering Practices (SEP)
One of the most significant shifts in the NGSS is moving students away from learning about science to figuring out the science via the Science and Engineering Practice Standards. Similar to the practices in mathematics, the Science and Engineering Practice Standards (SEPs), outline the processes students should engage in as they figure out the science. To put it succinctly, the SEPs answer the question "how will students learn?"
Click for More Resources on the Science and Engineering Practices
This grapic outlines the overlap of the SEPs, Math Practice Standards and ELA Anchor Standards. We can use this to spark conversation about how we can weave various disciplinary skills across content areas.
Engaging Students with Real World Issues and Phenomena
Engaging Students with Real World Issues and Phenomena
Phenomena in NGSS
Phenomena in NGSS
This video is part of my introductory session on NGSS. While short, I find it clearly explains one of the critical shifts of NGSS- students figuring out the science in relationship to phenomena.
Using Phenomena in NGSS-Designed Lessons and Units
Using Phenomena in NGSS-Designed Lessons and Units
Here's a quick-reference guide to the role and function of phenomena in NGSS storylines. Use this as a conversation starter in your next PLC as you start collecting and gathering phenomena to use with your students.
Evaluating Phenomena
Evaluating Phenomena
Use this as a guideline for analyzing phenomena. While all may spark wonder and curiosity in our students, there's an art and science to determining which phenomena will guide students to the concepts and outomes described in the performance expectations. A good phenomena will address not only the Disciplinary Core Idea (DCI), but also the aspect assessed in the performance outcomes.
Digital Resources and Interactives
Digital Resources and Interactives
Through PhET, you'll find a range of simulations across different content areas and levels. Simulations also come with lesson plans and prompts to help guide inquiry for the classroom.
oPhysics has a comprehensive list of different Physics simulations - largely for middle and high school. Pages also include a wide range of content information to help students visualize Physics concepts.
The Physics Aviary
The Physics Aviary
The Physics Aviary has a similar set of simulations to oPhysics, but also resources to support students at the AP level with content knowledge.
CK-12 has a range of activities across all science content areas and simulations for Chemistry and Physics in particular. Worksheets and other activities are included with most simulations.
The American Association of Chemistry Teachers has a range of chemistry-related resources across different grade levels. Simulations are largely for middle and high school.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse