EDUC 4300

Week 10, 11/5, 11/7

Review : Chapter 6:  Learner Differences

Basic Goals:

1. To investigate some learner differences that affect children’s success in science
2. To investigate ways of fostering scientific literacy on the part of all children regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, cultural background, disabilities, native language, or giftedness
3. To acquire multicultural facility in teaching elementary science

Discuss assignments:

1. Learning styles:  look it up by going to the Center for the Study of Learning and Teaching Styles at St. John’s University or access through the companion websites.
2. Take one of the activities you used from the previous chapters and develop accommodation for one of the following:
   1. Science Education for Students with Disabilities
   2. Science Education for Students with Language-minority Children
   3. Science Education for Gifted and Talented Children
   4. Multicultural Curriculum

Chapter 7:  Assessment

Basic Goals: 

1.      To explore authentic methods of assessment

2.      To develop an assessment system that will enable the student to measure and report children’s success in science meaningfully

Lesson:

1.      Use guided inquiry activity as an example – ask students to suggest ways of assessing each other’s performance on the activity. 

a.       Before deciding how to assess, one must decide what to assess

b.      What should be assessed?  (see 7.1 constructing your ideas):  make a list of things you believe should be assessed in elementary science

c.       Using the list and name ways of assessing that item. 

2.      Some Indicators of Proficiency in the Processes - handouts

Hands-on Activities:  Keri (PM)

Assignments for next week: 

1.      Please answer the following questions (on p. 337):

1.      Contrast traditional assessment methods with authentic assessment methods relative to advantages and disadvantages.

2.      How can a teacher justify giving class grades when using authentic assessment and constructivist teaching and learning methodologies?

3.      How can a teacher use discovery, inquiry-based constructivist teaching strategies while concurrently meeting the requirements of high-stakes testing?

2.       Construct a rubric for one of your science activities (ex. Rockets, pitch of sound, etc.)