MakingConnections Stage 6 One-day Introduction to PrimaryConnections.

MakingConnections Stage 6 One-day Introduction to PrimaryConnections

Acknowledgement The PrimaryConnections: Linking science with literacy project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training through the Mathematics and Science Participation Program. Digital versions of most of the PrimaryConnections curriculum units are available free for educational, non-commercial use by Australian Educators through the National Digital Learning Resources Network ( or your local jurisdictional portal. Hard copies of all units can also be purchased. PrimaryConnections Presenters:

Workshop purpose Is this your bus? Will you get on it?
You are here to develop your knowledge and understanding of: the purpose and major features of PrimaryConnections the relationship to the Australian Curriculum:Science & NSW syllabus the curriculum units and resources that exemplify the approach in order to make informed decisions about its potential benefits and suitability in enhancing the teaching and learning of science and literacy in your school. Is this your bus? Will you get on it?

Outcomes On completion of the Introductory day you will be able to:
describe the approach, the five underpinning principles, the background and organisation of PrimaryConnections and apply the approach in implementing the Australian Curriculum:Science make informed decisions about the use of inquiry skills and the potential benefits and suitability of PrimaryConnections to enhance the teaching and learning of science and literacy in your school

Workshop outline (one-day)
INTRO: Purpose, outline, outcomes (15 mins) What do you want to know and be able to do ENGAGE: Elicit participants’ beliefs about primary science and discuss the (25 mins) challenges facing primary teachers The PrimaryConnections Bridge Scientific literacy EXPLORE: Explore the purpose and five underpinning principles of (200 mins) PrimaryConnections using ONE key concept EXPLAIN: The elements of the Australian Curriculum:Science and (25 mins) PrimaryConnections curriculum resource organisation ELABORATE: Analyse a unit in detail (70 mins) Research underpinning PrimaryConnections Other resources EVALUATE: The shift from activity-based science to “evidence/argument- (35 mins) based” science through inquiry skills Dos and don’ts: focus on learning Ask questions, reflect and evaluate

Affinity diagram p.5 Describe one thing you would most like to know by the end of the workshop. Describe one thing you would most like to be able to do by the end of the workshop. 6

ENGAGE 7

Consensogram Questions
What is the degree of importance of the teaching and learning of science in primary school? What is the effectiveness level of the teaching and learning of science in primary schools? What is the confidence level of primary teachers in delivering effective teaching and learning in science? 8

Challenges facing primary teachers in the delivery of quality science education
Low priority for science in the primary curriculum Overcrowding of the primary curriculum Un-achievable syllabus requirements in science Inadequate resourcing of science education Limited access to in-service professional learning for teachers Limited opportunities for teachers (and trainee teachers) to see quality teaching of science Limited time for science education units in pre-service teacher courses Limited understanding by decision makers of the issues in the teaching of primary science Limited understanding of science itself in the school context by teachers, principals and decision makers Change-weary teachers Low teacher confidence

…is building a bridge for the gaps!

The Bridge – single arch, two halves

Five underpinning principles provide sturdy foundations
What sort of bridge is it? Five underpinning principles provide sturdy foundations

How do you cross The Bridge?

More lanes!

Is there a toll to cross The Bridge? What support is available?
Involvement in any project requires some effort – the question is does the benefit outweigh the cost? PrimaryConnections has lots of support if you feel you need some help to cross The Bridge: colleagues curriculum leaders professional learning facilitators master facilitators education officers state coordinators Academy of Science website. You will need to put in some effort to effect change in your practice and your knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning in science… but with effort ALWAYS comes a REWARD. As teachers you’ll gain the ability to deliver effective science education and your students will demonstrate this through their levels of engagement with science.

What is PrimaryConnections
What is PrimaryConnections? – a complete approach to teaching and learning science Professional learning program linking science with literacy Supported by quality curriculum resources Based on research Funded by the Australian Government 2005 – $11.2 million Stage 6 has began in 2014 and will continue through This workshop is part of the Stage 6 program. 22

Purpose of PrimaryConnections
To improve learning outcomes for primary students in science and literacy by developing professional learning programs supported with curriculum resources that will improve teachers’ confidence and competence for teaching science through developing their science pedagogical content knowledge.

What makes the Sun shine?
Try to represent your understanding in some way.

Scientific literacy Scientific literacy is a high priority for all citizens, helping them: to be interested in, and understand the world around them to engage in the discourses of and about science to be sceptical and questioning of claims made by others about scientific matters to be able to identify questions, investigate and draw evidence-based conclusions to make informed decisions about the environment and their own health and well-being. Goodrum, D., Hackling, M. and Rennie, L. (2001). The status and quality of teaching and learning of science in Australian schools: A research report. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

Critical literacy Critical literacy activities in science develop students’ questioning skills and encourage them to be sceptical about scientific claims made by others. Image: Stock.xchng

Scientific literacy develops
___________________________________________________ None/very little informed adult ‘The notion of progress in scientific literacy is fundamental to the growth in students’ knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes and the ability to use that knowledge and understanding in everyday situations.’ Goodrum, D., Hackling, M. and Rennie, L. (2001). The status and quality of teaching and learning of science in Australian schools: A research report. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

EXPLORE 28

The five underpinning principles…
…let’s explore!

Principle 1: Collaborative learning

Collaborative learning strategy: Beliefs continuum
_________________________________________Disagree Agree

Collaborative learning teams in action p.10-11
Years K-2 (Pairs) Speaker Manager Years 3-6 (Teams of 3) Director Each role has specific responsibilities as the team of students works through the activities and investigations.

Principle 2: 5Es

The 5Es….what is it? An inquiry model of teaching and learning designed to facilitate conceptual change! p.11

PrimaryConnections 5Es teaching and learning model
Phase Focus Assessment focus ENGAGE Engage students and elicit prior knowledge Diagnostic assessment EXPLORE Provide hands-on experience of the phenomenon Formative assessment EXPLAIN Develop scientific explanations for observations and represent developing conceptual understanding Consider current scientific explanations ELABORATE Extend understanding to a new context or make connections to additional concepts through a student-planned investigation Summative assessment of the Science Inquiry Skills (SIS) EVALUATE Students re-represent their understanding and reflect on their learning journey and teachers collect evidence about the achievement of outcomes Summative assessment of the Science Understanding (SU)

ONE KEY CONCEPTUAL IDEA!
Overarching message ONE KEY CONCEPTUAL IDEA! this idea spans the entire 5Es sequence and should be emphasised and referenced often lessons build from one to the next contributing to the key idea actions must be consistent with the purpose of the phase to develop the key idea SKAMP says: ‘Every phase in the 5Es model is important for optimum learning. None are [sic] unnecessary and none should be omitted. The impact of omitting a phase needs to be pointed out.’ (p 210)

Images of activities from the 5Es phases
ENGAGE: Weather in my world EXPLORE: Plants in action EXPLAIN: Plants in action EVALUATE: It’s electrifying ELABORATE: Push-pull

EXPLORE BEFORE EXPLAIN!

Principle 3: Investigating

Types of investigating in PrimaryConnections
Exploratory investigations occur at the Engage and Explore phases are characterised by hands-on exploratory activities including: observing, measuring, testing, representing. Fair test, Survey, Design and Secondary data investigations occur at the Elaborate phase are characterised by a focus on student planning, following the investigating process, representing findings using ‘literacies of science’ and drawing conclusions based on evidence and communicating findings.

Planning a science investigation p.25
What is the question for investigation? What are the variables? What equipment do I need? VARIABLES GRID (M = Measure) Hotness of a spoon (M)

Remember:- Cows Moo Softly
Fair test acronym Remember:- Cows Moo Softly Change one thing Measure one thing (dependent on the change) Keep everything else the Same

Variables table for fair tests
What will I change? What will I keep the same? What will I measure? Independent variable Controlled variables Dependent variable

Conducting a science investigation p.20

Stages of investigating
Planning Communicating Conducting Interpreting and representing Evaluating Questioning and predicting come BEFORE planning

Australian Curriculum:Science SIS
Science Inquiry Skills content is described in two-year bands. There are five sub-strands: Questioning and predicting Planning and conducting Processing and analysing data and information Evaluating Communication Predict which of these teachers and students do effectively / ineffectively.

QCER p.32 Q: What question are you trying to answer? C: What is your claim at this point? E: What specific evidence do you have to support your claim? R: How does the evidence support the claim? Can this be linked to a science concept? Are there alternative explanations for the data collected? How accurate is the data? Students need encouragement to move from making claims only to citing evidence to support the claims. Older students can make full conclusions with claims, evidence and reasoning. The Question Starters can be used to model and practise this process.

Literacy focus - table

Draw a table OR The effect of distance from a torch on the shadow height of a glue stick Distance from torch to glue stick (cm) Height of shadow (cm) 5 19.3 10 16.1 15 14.7 20 13.9

Literacy of science - data tables
Table of the number and type of organisms found in a sample of leaf litter Organism type Number of organisms leaves 29 Woodlouse 10 Beetle larva 4 Spider 2 Each row should show a different treatment, organism, sampling site etc. What was changed (independent variable) What was measured/ observed (dependent variable)

Quality matrix p.32 Literacy of science: data table
Features Characteristics of a high-quality product Opportunity for improvement Title Clear and accurate Write in a straight line Check spelling Columns Straight line Clear label Regular size Units of measurement Changed variable on left Measured variable on right Write label clearly Measure the increment spaces 51

Claims claims claims! Whenever a student makes a representation about a science phenomenon whether verbal, written, gestured or drawn, they are making a claim about what they do or don’t understand at that point in time. These claims are like “gold” and provide teachers with insights into students’ thinking. Delving into these claims with questions is like digging for more gold.

The purposes of investigating are to:
actively engage students in learning provide an opportunity to learn the skills and processes of investigating provide students with an authentic experience of science help students develop an understanding of scientific evidence and of the nature of science provide a foundation for conceptual development through experience of science phenomena

PrimaryConnections 5Es teaching and learning model

Investigating images

Principle 4: Science and literacy

everyday literacies literacies of science scientific literacy
The confusion! P.36 Three different expressions are used. What do they mean? How are they similar? How are they different? everyday literacies literacies of science scientific literacy

Visual representation – an everyday literacy
Focus question How do we maintain a comfortable level of warmth in our home during winter? 4 individual visual representations each Form large groups and create a scientific representation of the group’s data

Defining ‘everyday literacies’
are the literacy skills students bring to the learning process are tools of learning are processes and practices that represent what learners know, do or demonstrate when they represent and communicate understanding involve multiple modes of representation

Defining ‘literacies of science’
are particular language practices, processes and products that students learn about and use to represent and communicate their understanding of science concepts and processes are multi-modal: factual text, data tables, labelled diagrams, symbols, graphs, models, drawings, computer-generated images, gestures, role-plays. Booklet p26 – record examples of LoS Graphs Labeled diagrams Tables Symbols Factual text

Literacy Focus – labelled diagram

Quality matrix Literacy of science: labelled diagram
Features Characteristics of a high-quality product Opportunity for improvement Title Clear and accurate identifying the organism Write in a straight line Check spelling Labels Scientific language Use scientific language Leader lines Straight line Same side of diagram Ensure lines do not cross each other Scale Units of measurement Accurate Measure size to calculate scale Include a scale Drawing Clear narrow pencil line Centred on paper Large enough to represent detail No shading Larger drawing 62

Modifying Literacy Focus – labelled diagram p.42
How can we modify this literacy focus for different ages / abilities / stages?

Literacy focus - graph

Literacy of science - graphs
Vertical (Y) axis What was measured/ observed (dependent variable) Horizontal (x) axis: What was changed (independent variable)

Quality matrix Literacy of science: graph
Features Characteristics of a high-quality product Opportunity for improvement Title Clear and accurate Write in a straight line Check spelling Horizontal axis Straight line Clear label Regular increments Units of measurement Write label clearly Measure the increment spaces 66

The story of graphs p.27

Graphs: Questioning for analysis
What is the “story” of your graph? Do the data in your graph reveal any patterns? Is this what you expected? Why? Can you explain the pattern? Why did this happen? What do you think the pattern would be if you continued the line of the graph? How certain are you of your results? 2007 TRIAL 68 68

The relationship between literacy and science
• Literacy skills do not develop in isolation from a context In PrimaryConnections: students use everyday literacies and learn literacies of science the science context provides a meaningful purpose for literacy development

So what is scientific literacy?
The use of everyday literacies to learn about science concepts and processes – including the development of the literacies of science – contributes to students’ developing scientific literacy as they learn about, communicate and represent science understanding.

Defining scientific literacy
Scientific literacy is a high priority for all citizens, helping them to: be interested in, and understand the world around them engage in the discourses of and about science be sceptical and questioning of claims made by others about scientific matters be able to identify questions, investigate and draw evidence-based conclusions to make informed decisions about the environment and their own health and well-being. Goodrum, D., Hackling, M. and Rennie, L. (2001). The status and quality of teaching and learning of science in Australian schools: A research report. Canberra: Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs.

Principle 5: Assessment

PrimaryConnections 5Es teaching/learning model

Types of assessment Diagnostic Formative Summative

Assessment ‘for’ learning
Gathering information about the gap between where the student is and needs to be. Students learn best when they: understand clearly what they are trying to learn and what is expected of them are given feedback about the quality of their work are given advice on how to make improvements are fully involved in deciding what needs to be done next and who can help if needed.

Assessment ‘of’ learning
Gathering and working with evidence to enable teachers and the wider assessment community to evaluate students’ progress. Judgements about the extent and quality of student learning need to be: based on sound criteria negotiated with and known to students reliable and accurate

Assessment ‘as’ learning
Reflecting on evidence of learning and the processes of learning. Reflecting on the learning process helps students focus on: what they have learned how they have learned what processes help them to learn

Assessment examples from Heating up
Diagnostic: How does heat move? Formative: Moving heat Summative: Where’s the heat?

Is a seed alive? Questioning
‘More effort has to be spent in framing questions that are worth asking: that is, questions which explore issues that are critical to the development of children’s understanding.’ Black, P. et al. (2003). Assessment for learning. UK, Open University Press. Is a seed alive?

Effective questioning
What are broad questions? What are narrow questions? What is the purpose of wait time?

Questioning and the 5Es model
ENGAGE: Broad questions that encourage students to discuss their ideas and experiences EXPLORE: Questions that encourage students to discuss their ideas and to express common experiences EXPLAIN: Focused questions that reinforce the explanations of the concepts ELABORATE: Questions that help students understand the concept in a new situation and that assess inquiry skills EVALUATE: Questions that assess students’ understanding

Student science journals and using
assessment rubrics

PrimaryConnections website
All teaching information and resources in the members section

PrimaryConnections links science with literacy
is based on the 5Es teaching and learning model uses an inquiry-based investigative approach uses collaborative learning strategies embeds the assessment processes in the teaching and learning model provides exemplary curriculum units and other support resources Together, all of these factors contribute to students’ developing scientific literacy.

EXPLAIN 85

Australian Curriculum:Science
Three interrelated strands: Science Understanding (SU) Science Inquiry Skills (SIS) Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE) Presented as “content” with “elaborations” for each year level An achievement Standard for each year is also presented

Science Understanding Strand divided into four sub-strands Biological sciences Chemical sciences Physical sciences Earth and space sciences

Science as a Human Endeavour Strand divided into two sub-strands Nature and development of science Use and influence of science

Science Inquiry Skills content is described in two-year bands. There are five sub-strands: Questioning and predicting Planning and conducting Processing and analysing data and information Evaluating Communicating

General Capabilities Literacy Numeracy Information and communication (ICT) capability Critical and creative thinking Ethical understanding Personal and social capability Intercultural understanding Cross-curriculum priorities Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia Sustainability

Major message The Australian Curriculum:Science outlines the
2007 TRIAL The Australian Curriculum:Science outlines the “what” of the curriculum….what should be taught and learnt. It does not outline how teachers deliver the curriculum. How do you actually do this at the most fundamental “coal face” level….the teacher and the students? 91

…..provides the “what” and the “how”!
PrimaryConnections… 2007 TRIAL …..provides the “what” and the “how”! 92

What is PrimaryConnections
What is PrimaryConnections? – a complete approach to teaching and learning science Professional learning program linking science with literacy Supported by quality curriculum resources Based on research Funded by the Australian Government 2005 – $11.2 million Stage 6 has began in 2014 and will continue through 93

Curriculum Units - aligned to Australian Curriculum:Science Curriculum Units
Year Biological sciences Chemical sciences Earth and space sciences Physical Sciences Curriculum focus: awareness of self and the local world F Staying alive or Growing well What’s it made of? Weather in my world On the move 1 Schoolyard safari Spot the difference Bend it! Stretch it! Up, down and all around Look! Listen! 2 Watch it grow All mixed up Water works Push pull Curriculum focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them 3 Feathers, fur or leaves Melting moments Night and day Heating up 4 Plants in Action Material world Beneath our feet Smooth moves Magnetic moves Friends or foes Package it better 5 Desert survivors What’s the matter? Earth’s place in space Light shows 6 Marvellous micro-organisms Change detectives Earthquake explorers Volcanoes (coming soon) It’s electrifying Essential energy

Units with Indigenous Perspectives
Year Biological sciences Chemical sciences Earth and space sciences Physical sciences Curriculum focus: awareness of self and the local world F Staying alive or Growing well What’s it made of? Weather in my world On the move 1 Schoolyard safari Spot the difference or Bend it! Stretch it! Up, down and all around Look! Listen! 2 Watch it grow All mixed up Water works Push pull Curriculum focus: recognising questions that can be investigated scientifically and investigating them 3 Feathers, fur or leaves Melting moments Night and Day (replaces Spinning in Space) Heating up 4 Plants in Action Material World Beneath our feet Smooth moves or Magnetic moves Friends or foes? Package it better 5 Desert Survivors What’s the matter? Earth’s place in space Light shows (replaces Light fantastic) 6 Marvellous micro-organisms Change detectives Earthquake explorers It’s electrifying Essential Energy 95

ELABORATE 96

Essence of a curriculum unit
Form groups of 6 to analyse ONE curriculum unit in detail Complete the curriculum unit checklist, page 45 Identify and summarise the “science understanding” at the front of the unit For one 5Es phase of the unit only, identify and summarise the following in the charts on pages 48-49 activities literacy focuses and practices collaborative learning activities assessment focus 4. Report back to the group your summary in the order of the 5Es 5. Each person summarises the entire unit on their chart

Teacher Flash Cards

Student Flash Cards

Wristbands – collaborative learning roles
Years 3-6 Years K-2

Feathers – Interactive Resource p 50-51

Resource kits

Costs and ordering All costs are available on the website
All ordering done via the website Online Online with printed fax order form All professional learning registered online

PrimaryConnections – a collaborative project
Australian Academy of Science project Steering Committee: AAS and DEEWR Reference Group: Australian Academy of Science Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Universities – Australian Council of Deans of Education Literacy, English and Science Educator Associations State Education Departments Catholic and Independent Schools Associations Australian Primary Principals Association Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering

Summary of research Original trial teachers: improvements for teachers, science status & quantity Factors for successful implementation: support, science coordinator, time Professional Learning Facilitators and Curriculum Leaders: excellent resources with effective programs Teachers: report significant benefits in confidence and competence Students: show significant differences in “processes of science” and “literacies of science” compared with other science programs

Teaching Primary Science – Trial teacher feedback on the implementation of PrimaryConnections and the 5E model (2012) Primary Connections has had a very real, positive influence on most (if not all) responding teachers’ thinking about the nature of inquiry-oriented and constructivist-based (as in, the 5E model) science learning at the primary level. It would appear that these perceptions have been realised, to varying degrees, in many classrooms. Furthermore, for some teachers, the influence of PrimaryConnections has produced teaching and learning environments that fulfill many criteria associated with high-quality science learning Keith Skamp (2012)

EVALUATE 107

Continuum for teaching science as argument p.43
Activity based Investigation based Evidence based Argument based Fun, hands-on activities designed to motivate students and keep them physically engaged Abilities to engage in inquiry; ask testable questions and design fair tests; focus on collecting data Need to support claims with evidence; evidence is not questioned in terms of quality, coherence etc Argument construction is central; coordinating evidence and claims is viewed as important; emerging attention to considering alternatives. Zembal-Saul, C. (2009). Learning to teach elementary school science as argument. Science Education, 93(4):

Making a difference… The PrimaryConnections program:
is based on research is well conceptualised uses extensive trialling is collaboratively developed has a national profile Is fully aligned to the Australian Curriculum:Science is involved in ongoing research is providing evidence of significant changes for teachers and students 109

Teach 4 units each year (1 from each colour)
DOS AND DON’TS DO Teach 4 units each year (1 from each colour) Teach the lessons in the sequence as written Modify the unit based on the literacy outcomes Base decision making on the “Disaster Scale” Check website for updates DON’T Cherry pick from units Try to cover multiple conceptual areas at once Avoid the Chemical and Physical sciences Leave out the literacy processes 2007 TRIAL 110

PrimaryConnections website

It gave me renewed skills as a teacher.
What teachers are saying about PrimaryConnections This has been the most invigorating and rewarding project I have been involved in. There is much excitement and enthusiasm around the school this term…it is all a buzz with science. I had children walking out saying that science was fun, interesting and even their ‘favourite subject’. I now feel I can actually teach science in a quality way…and enjoy doing it. Thanks to your resources I was able to help deliver science to primary age students in an engaging and meaningful way. It gave me renewed skills as a teacher.

MakingConnections Stage 6 One-day Introduction to PrimaryConnections.

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