Planning and Managing Inquiry Instruction Chapter 5 Planning and Managing Inquiry Instruction

Inquiry Lessons to Bookmark Pg 116 Electromagnets Pg 118 The Floating Coin Pg 119 The Raisin Elevator Pg 122 Floating and Sinking

Planning Science Lessons Select the science context to be taught and learned AZ State Standards

Planning Science Lessons Select the science context to be taught and learned Most Science Teachers feel their knowledge base is inadequate. Often, you really only understand science topics after you teach them. Remember this when planning activities for your students. In other words, don’t be afraid to allow them to teach each other.

Planning Science Lessons Write appropriate objectives The ABC’s of objectives A = audience (students). Through the experiences of the lesson, the students will be able to… B = behavior. What type of performance will be expected of students and what actions will they be expected to take. Some action verbs are compute, compare, identify, demonstrate, and predict. C = conditions. Specifies the “givens” or what the learner will have access to.

Planning Science Instruction Select and Design Lesson Activities Introduction to the lessons. (Engage students) Create a hook to draw the students in Relate abstract academic knowledge to familiar experiences Motivate students Assess prior knowledge Engage students in a question that can be investigated. Discrepant Events Some scientific phenomenon that is surprising or an unusual outcome

Planning Science Instruction Select and Design Lesson Activities Use a variety of lesson activities Activities are the core of the science lesson They can be used during the explore, explain, or elaborate phase of the 5-E lesson plan Use the sources available to you District Curriculum Other teachers at your grade level Cooperating teachers ECI 306 textbook The internet Lessons should include a variety of teaching and learning approaches. Not everything has to be hands-on. Explore = data gathering Explain = interpretation Elaborate = extension and transfer

Planning Science Instruction Select and Design Lesson Activities Open Inquiry Activities Pass out materials and give the students play time Collect materials then discuss what was learned Science Learning Centers Independent activities for students Field Trips Zoos, discovery centers, museums, aquariums, planetariums, natural areas, even you playground. Anything novel will get the students excited.

Planning Science Instruction Select and Design Lesson Activities Designing Assessment Experiences Assessments should be both formative and summative Formative – get information out of your students while teaching so you can monitor and adjust Summative – end of lesson/unit assessment. Did they learn it? Rubrics are an excellent tool here. 4 level rubrics are very common 3 = advanced, excellent, exceeds expectations 2 = proficient, satisfactory, meets expectations 1 = basic, below expectations 0 = unacceptable

Managing Inquiry Instruction and Learning Group Students for Learning Whole class Cooperative. Could be ability grouped. Pair structure. Individual structure Safety in the classroom. Always keep in mind you are responsible for the safety of all of the students in your classroom. Make your inquiry appropriate for the grade level you teach.

Managing Inquiry Instruction and Learning Managing Classroom Behavior Some groups might simply be too immature for certain lessons. Before planning your labs, consider your class. If it is one student or a small group of students, common sense teaching rules apply. Separate them, individual consequences, etc… Alternative activity if necessary

Implementing Learning Activities Teacher preparation Make sure you have everything you need. If possible, have materials sorted beforehand. PRACTICE try to identify and take steps to eliminate problems before they occur Pre-Activity Teacher/Student Activities Set up rules for all labs. Set up some sort of signal call when you want quiet. Bell, raise you hand, clap, etc… When breaking up into groups, if you can, four generally works the best.

Implementing Learning Activities Distribution and Collection of Science Materials Assign jobs before the lab ever begins. If you try to hand out or collect everything, good luck. Beginning the Activity Review what the procedures are as a class

Implementing Learning Activities During the Activity Grow some eyes in the back of your head Move around the room. Do not park yourself in one place. Proximity is huge. Assess behavior. Solve problems as early as you can. Set the precedent. Move individuals if necessary or stop entire groups. Make an example out of somebody. If it is the class, stop the lesson. Losing a lab makes an impact. Publically praise students that are doing a good job. If you need to speak, do not yell above the noise. Use your predetermined signal.

Implementing Learning Activities After the activity Have students collect everything and put away. Debrief findings and observations as a class. Utilize direct instruction to teach new terms and concepts Don’t be afraid to use your textbook.