Syllabus helpers chart

Chapter 7: Designing Science Units and Courses of Study

Syllabus Helpers

Pedagogical Tool Highlights/Content Notes

Invitations to Inquiry

Focus questions for Chapter 7, pp. 259-260

The focus questions outline the key ideas that teachers need to incorporate into the development of teaching strategies and lessons plans.

Inquiry Activities

Inquiry Activity 7.1: Developing Science PCK

Inquiry Activity 7.2: Designing a Science Miniunit

Inquiry Activity 7.3: Designing a Course of Study: The Course Syllabus

Apply PCK to various domains of science teaching and content from the Standards

A constructivist process used to develop a unit of science teaching

Learn how to use key course elements to design a syllabus in an area of science

Teaching Units Design Steps

Part of Inquiry 7.2 outlining the steps for developing teaching plans

A detailed process that enables students to develop teaching plans constructively

Sample Lessons

Sample Lesson 7.1: Biological Attraction

Sample Lesson 7.2: Drugs, Alchohol, and Tobacco

Sample Lesson 7.3: Electricity--Make It Light!

Sample Lesson 7.4: Direct Intruction--Natural and Processed Foods

Sample Lesson 7.5: Cooperative Learning--Mystery at the Ringgold Roadcut

Sample Lesson 7.6: Inquiry--Investigating Mass, Volume, and Density

Sample Lesson 7.7: Constructivism--Electromagnetism

Examples of three different templates (Sample lessons 7.1 - 7.3) that students can use as they construct lesson plans, including a constructivist plan, an outline, and a chart form, respectively. Sample Lessons 7.4 - 7.7 include examples of plans for direct instruction, cooperative learning, inquiry, and constructivism respectively.

Think Pieces

Sample think piece: What are the advantages and disadvantages of stating objectives in behavioral orf performance terms?

This and other think pieces provide opportunities for reflection on the planning process.

Science Teachers Talk

Teachers discuss: What tips would you give beginning teachers in planning and preparing lessons?

Hear from Virginia Cheek, Ben Boza, Rachel Zgonc (a first year teacher when she responed to this question), Jerry Pelletier, John Ricciardi, and Ginny Almeder.

Planning Activities

Planning Activity 7.1: Earth Science--Shake, Rattle and Quake: Earthquake Waves

Planning Activity 7.2: Earth Science--Don't Take It for Granite: Rock Classification

Planning Activity 7.3: Life Science--Light On: Responses of Earthworms

Planning Activity 7.4: Physical Science--Chemistry in the Bag

Planning Activity 7.5: Physical Science--An Eggzact Experiment

These five activities are not only science activities that can be used in the K-12 environment, but provide the university professor with applications to science teaching useful in a pedagogical course.

Problems and Extensions

Sample P & E: Prepare concepts maps for one of the following: a. a chapter from a high school biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics text. b. a potential miniunit on electric circuits, physical and chemical changes, reproduction, erosion, ground water pollution.

You will find other P and E's that will involve your students in thinking about their miniunit, and how to evaluate it.

Readings

p. 298

You will find a collection of science activity books, and resources on teaching strategies.

On the Web

p. 298

A collection of websites that will bring your students in contact with biology, chemistry, earth science, and physical science resources.

Pedagogical Tool	Highlights/Content	Notes
Invitations to Inquiry	Focus questions for Chapter 7, pp. 259-260	The focus questions outline the key ideas that teachers need to incorporate into the development of teaching strategies and lessons plans.
Inquiry Activities	Inquiry Activity 7.1: Developing Science PCK Inquiry Activity 7.2: Designing a Science Miniunit Inquiry Activity 7.3: Designing a Course of Study: The Course Syllabus	Apply PCK to various domains of science teaching and content from the Standards A constructivist process used to develop a unit of science teaching Learn how to use key course elements to design a syllabus in an area of science
Teaching Units Design Steps	Part of Inquiry 7.2 outlining the steps for developing teaching plans	A detailed process that enables students to develop teaching plans constructively
Sample Lessons	Sample Lesson 7.1: Biological Attraction Sample Lesson 7.2: Drugs, Alchohol, and Tobacco Sample Lesson 7.3: Electricity--Make It Light! Sample Lesson 7.4: Direct Intruction--Natural and Processed Foods Sample Lesson 7.5: Cooperative Learning--Mystery at the Ringgold Roadcut Sample Lesson 7.6: Inquiry--Investigating Mass, Volume, and Density Sample Lesson 7.7: Constructivism--Electromagnetism	Examples of three different templates (Sample lessons 7.1 - 7.3) that students can use as they construct lesson plans, including a constructivist plan, an outline, and a chart form, respectively. Sample Lessons 7.4 - 7.7 include examples of plans for direct instruction, cooperative learning, inquiry, and constructivism respectively.
Think Pieces	Sample think piece: What are the advantages and disadvantages of stating objectives in behavioral orf performance terms?	This and other think pieces provide opportunities for reflection on the planning process.
Science Teachers Talk	Teachers discuss: What tips would you give beginning teachers in planning and preparing lessons?	Hear from Virginia Cheek, Ben Boza, Rachel Zgonc (a first year teacher when she responed to this question), Jerry Pelletier, John Ricciardi, and Ginny Almeder.
Planning Activities	Planning Activity 7.1: Earth Science--Shake, Rattle and Quake: Earthquake Waves Planning Activity 7.2: Earth Science--Don't Take It for Granite: Rock Classification Planning Activity 7.3: Life Science--Light On: Responses of Earthworms Planning Activity 7.4: Physical Science--Chemistry in the Bag Planning Activity 7.5: Physical Science--An Eggzact Experiment	These five activities are not only science activities that can be used in the K-12 environment, but provide the university professor with applications to science teaching useful in a pedagogical course.
Problems and Extensions	Sample P & E: Prepare concepts maps for one of the following: a. a chapter from a high school biology, chemistry, earth science, or physics text. b. a potential miniunit on electric circuits, physical and chemical changes, reproduction, erosion, ground water pollution.	You will find other P and E's that will involve your students in thinking about their miniunit, and how to evaluate it.
Readings	p. 298	You will find a collection of science activity books, and resources on teaching strategies.
On the Web	p. 298	A collection of websites that will bring your students in contact with biology, chemistry, earth science, and physical science resources.