Have you been intrigued by the idea of science modeling in your classroom? Would you like to transition into the new NGSS-based Michigan Science Standards? After 16 years in the classroom, I completed the three week summer workshop and began my transition this year with my middle school students. I'd like to share with you about my transition and experiences.
If you attended this session and had questions that I did not get a chance to address, PLEASE email me. I want to be a resource for you. Lbuchanan@rockfordschools.org
Monday I will post directions for how to make whiteboard holders, please let me know if there are other things I can post for you.
Deliberating Climate Choices: We will learn how to moderate a forum with students that fosters productive discussion on Climate issues. We will use Environmental Issues Forum (EIF) Climate Choices guide and where to access free materials and moderator guides for educators to integrate into their learning environments.
Objectives:
Support Michigan science teachers with a deeper understanding of 3-Dimensional instruction.
Provide teachers with the knowledge and practice to meet the expectations of the new standards.
Engage teachers with phenomena-based instruction with example model units, lessons and activities.
Provide teachers from all grade levels (K-8) with resources they can take back and use in their classrooms.
Amplify Connection:
Unit focus from Balancing Forces
Teachers will engage with hands-on use of magnets, use investigation notebook pages and digital tools.
Teachers will leave with print resources as well as digital demo accounts.
Background:
The new Michigan K-12 Science Standards, based upon the Next Generation Science Standards, replace the standards adopted in 2006, commonly known as the Grade Level Content Expectations and High School Content Expectations for Science.The new standards are really a set of student performance expectations. These performance expectations incorporate three main elements:
Disciplinary Core Ideas (science specific concepts in the life, earth, and physical sciences),
Science and Engineering Practices (the practices of engaging in scientific investigation to answer questions, and engineering design to solve problems),
Cross-Cutting Concepts (conceptual ideas common to all areas of science).
These expectations are also interwoven across disciplines, including connections to language arts and mathematics.
The adoption of new standards provides a tremendous opportunity in our state not only to improve science learning, but also to improve literacy and thinking skills of all children.