As a teacher educator in an elementary program, I often contemplate the needs of our program, partnering school corporations and our future educators. At the start of each semester I like to update my materials and think about what would be the most practical and meaningful activities. The CKT packets have been a great resource for me that added value to my methods courses. The tasks in each packet allow for rich discussions encompassing instructional practice. My methods students quickly learn that there are several considerations a teacher must make when implementing activities to align with performance standards. For example, the Building a Tower activity helped my students pause, reflect, and assess the importance of being aware of prior content knowledge. The packets allow for the flexibility to be implemented in a single or a multi-day session. The curation of the tasks, readings and resources has been an asset.

Read Sumreen's Snapshot of Practice

The CKT packets have served me best in actually implementing some of the activities with elementary aged children in an informal setting. This informs me of how to help preservice teachers anticipate scenarios and responses that may arise in their classrooms and troubleshoot through various pathways. 

Read Heather's Snapshot of Practice

Looking at the intersections between content and the work of teaching science, I had to reflect on what I do to support preservice teachers in my course. Often, I was forced to confront the gaps in my teaching, and it’s challenged me to reconsider what I prioritize and supported me in making changes!

Read Amanda's Snapshot of Practice

The CKT packets were a huge support during my first year teaching preservice teachers. With the CKT packets, I didn’t have to search all over for quality resources for teaching my course, so I was able to devote more time to considering the needs of my preservice teachers. I also learned a lot about teaching science methods just from using the packets. The tips in the packets helped me anticipate preservice teacher responses and potential sticking points. Some of the ideas in the packets about the Work of Teaching Science and matter were new to me, too! 

Read Sarah's Snapshot of Practice

The CKT packets have been a great addition to the methods course. Looking across my scope and sequence, I was able to identify multiple points of entry to enhance or replace the lessons I was already teaching. Although I began implanting the packets with a focus on preservice teacher learning, I quickly recognized the impact the CKT packets had on my learning to be responsive to preservice teachers' content understanding.

Read Jeni's Snapshot of Practice

It can be challenging for teacher candidates to integrate what they learn in content courses and methods courses-- the CKT packets have provided me a tool to help bridge the gap between content and pedagogy . There are lots of entry points for using them in my courses by connecting to the Work of Teaching Science framework, linking to learning about the NGSS, and more!

Read Debi's Snapshot of Practice