SCE 3320 Science:  Teaching  Methods in Middle School Science
Corequisite:  SCE 3490
Spring Semester 2004
MWF:  3 – 4:10

Instructor:  Santine Cuccio, Ph.D. 
Office:  112, Building D 
Phone:   850 526-2761 Ext. 3497
E-mail:  cuccios@chipola.edu
Office Hours:  Posted   

Course Description:  This course covers contemporary thinking, practices, and research in the teaching of science (pedagogical content knowledge) as it relates to middle school children.  It is designed to introduce  middle school teachers to a knowledge-based approach to the teaching and learning of science.  In doing so, the course will focus on core concepts and principles in science which will serve as the context for course activities (e.g., in-class inquiry activities; assignments; assessment; lesson planning and concept mapping).  This course is required for certification.  Co-requisite: SAE 3940. 3 semester hours credit.  Prerequisite:  18 semester hours of science

The content knowledge, derived from the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council, 1996), is described by the Strands of the Sunshine State Standards (Florida Department of Education, 1996) as follows:

1. The Nature of Matter
2. Energy
3. Force and Motion
4. Processes that Shape the Earth
5. Earth and Space
6. Processes of Life
7. How Living Things Interact with Their Environments
8. The Nature of Science

In building upon your learning of core science concepts within select science domains, the course will consider instructional strategies and curriculum design features to enhance both the teaching and learning processes necessary for student achievement.  Various instructional approaches will be presented, discussed and modeled throughout the course.  Such approaches include:  the use of hands-on science activities; science demonstrations; integrating reading and language arts skills as part of science instruction;  the use of science textbooks and science nonfiction trade books problem-solving; critical thinking;  multi-cultural strategies; basic process skills (observation, classification, communication, metric measurement, prediction, inference) ; integrated process skills (identifying variables, constructing a table of data, constructing a graph, describing relationships between variables, acquiring and processing your own data, constructing hypotheses, defining variables operationally, designing investigations, experimenting); cooperative groups; and alternative forms of assessment.  Teachers will also become familiar with Professional Competencies:  Florida Educator Accomplished Practices; Florida Sunshine state Standards; Grade Level Expectations (GLE); Goal 3 Standards; use of the Internet for lesson Planning (CPT) along with developing alternate assessments to measure the Sunshine State Standards.  

Course Objectives:  At the completion of the course, students will be able to:

Objectives
Nat’l Science Educational Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards for Science-FL Content Standards (SSS/CS)
Florida Competencies and Skills  Science (SCI)/Professional Education (PE)
FEAP
Artifacts
Demonstrate an understanding of the middle school concept, the middle school student, middle school and curriculum .  This includes  Professional Competencies/  Accomplished Practices, current national and state standards in science: Florida Sunshine State Standards, Grade Level Expectations, Goal 3 Standards, and safety issues.
Teaching 
Standard
A;
Profession Develop. Standard
 D

SCI
1.14
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
PE
7.1
10.1
10.2
10.3
11.1
1.1
3.3
3.9 
1.1

3.3
3.12
3.3

6.1
 1.1
3.3
3.12
10.9
 
9.11
1.3
3.3


Interview a Student

Article Review
Science Lesson
   Observation


1st Impressions of 
   Classroom

Interview a Teacher


Sketch  Birds-View
    Classroom  

Lesson Plan (Safety)
Look for Active
    Listening
Demonstrate an understanding of core science concepts in chemistry, biology, and physical science as described by the Sunshine State Strands (e.g., universe, earth, water, weather and climate, air, matter, machines, force and motion, electricity, magnetism, light, sound, life processes, and interaction of living things with their environment, and the nature/ history of science) 
Content
Standards
B,C,D, G
SSS
A.1.3, 
A.2.3, 
B.1.3, 
B.2.3, 
C.1.3, 
C.2.3, 
D.1.3, 
D.2.3, 
E.1.3, 
E.2.3, 
F.1.3, 
F.2.3, 
G.1.3, 
G.2.3 
CS 
1.1,1.2
1.3,1.4
2.6,2.7
3.4,3.5
4.2
PE
11.1
13.1
13.2
1.7
10.1
 8.1
8.2
8.1
9.12
9.13
10.5
Lesson Plans

Concept Map

Teach Lessons
Objectives



Demonstrate an understanding of science and the process of learning science through: inquiry, knowledge construction, the basic process skills (observation, classification, communication, measurement, prediction, inference, experimentation, acquiring and processing your own data, constructing hypotheses, designing investigations); science literacy; science, technology, and society (STS); concept mapping; reading activities; writing activities; math activities application activities; accessing prior knowledge
Nat’l Science Educational Standards



Content 
Standard A, E, F
SSS/
CS

SSS
H.1.3

CS
1.3
1.4
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.1
3.3
4.1
4.3
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
SCI/
PE

SCI
1.4
1.5
1.7
1.9
1.10
1.11
1.12
1.13
PE
4.1
12.4
FEAP
  
  
 
 4.1
  4.3
  7.2
  4.2
  2.8
  4.1
  4.5
  4.7
  4.9
  4.1
  8.3
Artifacts                            
                                     


Plan, Teach Problem
   Based Lesson

Observe an Activity
Formulate an 
   Experiment



Classification Activity
Students will be able to identify theoretical models of cognitive development and translate to practice
Teaching Standard A


PE
7.4
8.2

  7.1
  10.6
  7.1
  7.3
  7.6
  10.13
  7.1
Plan Problem Based
    Lesson/Teach
Lesson Plan



Observe Special Needs
Students will be able to identify strategies of effective classroom management
Teaching Standard D


PE
9.2
9.3
  1.3
  9.1
  9.3
  10.10
Interview Teacher
Students will be able to use effective feedback strategies to improve student learning in science
Teaching Standard C


  1.5
  1.12
  2.2
  2.4
  2.9
  3.5
  9.9
  11.2
  3.3
  3.10
  3.13
  10.14
Design, Use Rubric







Reflections with 
   Students
   And Teachers
Objectives

Demonstrate how reading (FCAT Reading) and language arts skills (FCAT Writing) and mathematics (FCAT Math) can be effectively integrated in science teaching.

Nat’l Science Educational Standards

Teaching Standard A, Professional Development Standard D
CS
3.7
SCI/
PE 

PE
8.3 
FEAP


8.5
10.12
Artifacts

Incorporate Reading
  And Math Activities
  Into Curriculum  


	
Demonstrate the importance of conceptual understanding as the basis for explaining everyday events and phenomena (science literacy), problem solving, critical thinking, making better predictions and asking in depth questions with experimentation.
Teaching Standard A, Professional Development Standard B
CS
5.5
5.6

4.4
10.3
2.8
4.4
6.5
9.14
Plan Problem Based 
   Lesson
Plan an Experiment
   With Question

Lesson Plan/
    State Rationale  

Objectives

Demonstrate proficiency in designing/planning science lessons for discussion, and for accommodating diverse learners and limited English proficient students (LEP), and assessment .  
NES

Teaching Standard A
SSS/
CS
SCI/
PE
2.1
5.2



FEAP
1.2
1.4
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.7
5.10
7.5
7.6
9.4
10.1
10.2
1.4
2.2
2.3
2.5
2.6
3.3
3.13
4.3
4.6
4.8
5.13
7.1
7.7
9.5
9.7
9.10
9.8

1.1
1.9
5.3
5.4

Artifacts
Lesson Plans to
   Accommodate 
   Special Needs









Develop, Teach, Reflect
     Small Group, and 
     Large Group Lessons













Interview Special Needs
     Students
Look for Active Listening




Objectives

Demonstrate how to assess meaningful learning in science 
Nat’l Science Educational Standards

Teaching Standard C
SSS /
CS 

CS
5.5
5.6       
SCI/ 
PE

PE
1.1
FEAP

2.1
2.9
3.5
7.4
9.9
11.2
1.5
1.7
1.11
3.10
1.5
Artifacts

Design and Use
   A Rubric




Concept Map
Reflections on 
   Lessons

Lesson Plans with
   3 Alternate
   Assessments
Demonstrate how technology can be effectively used for planning, teaching and evaluating the effectiveness of science instruction 
Teaching Standard A
SSS
H.3.3
CS
12.1
12.2
12.3

4.10
10.2
10.3
12.1
12.6
12.6
12.9
4.10
10.8

10.7
10.15
11.8
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5
Lesson Plan using CPT




Concept Map using
    Inspiration
Lesson Plan with
   Technology in
   Materials Section
Analysis of Internet
   Lesson Plan










Objectives


Demonstrate a knowledge and interest in professional development  and lifelong learning through article reviews from science and science education journals; collaboration, and attendance and  membership in professional associations.
NES


Teaching Standard F; ProfessionDevelop
Standard C
SSS
SCI/
PE

PE
3.1
11.5

FEAP


3.9
12.2
12.8
3.14
8.5

3.11
8.4
3.4
3.9
10.14
Artifacts


Article Review  from 
   Refereed Journal

Reflect with Colleagues
   On Practicum 
   Experiences
Enrollment in FAST 
   And NSTA
Assemble Portfolio
Demonstrate an understanding of interaction among science, technology and society (STS) 
Content 
Standard E
SSS
H.3.3
CS
3.7
4.4
SCI
1.14
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

PE
12.2
12.3
12.2
7.2
7.4
8.1
8.3
10.8
4.2
4.3
4.4
6.3
6.4
10.12
10.16
11.4
Article Review
Lesson Plan/State
   Rationale/Relevance
Trade Book Evaluation


Lesson Plan to Include
   Discussion




Development of Community Resource File
Nat’l Science Educational Standards:  National Science Education Standards 5-8
SSS:  Sunshine State Standards 6-8
FEAP:  Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
SCI:  Florida Competencies and Skills
PE:  Professional Education
CS:  Content Standards

 

Course Evaluation Criteria:

*       3 Tests (10% each)
* Unit Concept Map (10%)
* Classification Project (10%)
* Article Review on a Middle School Concept (10%)  
* Experiment (10%)
* Article Review on a Science Technology Society Topic (10%)
* Lesson Plan Analysis (Internet) (10%)
* 1 Lesson Plans (10%) 


* Class participation is extremely important and will have an effect on your grade.  This means that YOU MUST ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS, ASK QUESTIONS AND FOCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON WHAT IS BEING LEARNED IN CLASS.

Chose from these topics for each class activity:
The Nature of Matter
Energy
Force and Motion
Processes that Shape the Earth
Earth and Space
Processes of Life
How Living Things Interact with Their Environments
The Nature of Science

Grading Scale:
A   93-100(4.00)
B   83 - 92(3.00)
C   70 - 82(2.00)
D   60 - 69(1.00)
F     0 - 59(0.00)

Textbooks and Instructional Materials for the Course

Chiappetta, E.L. and Koballa, T.R. 2002, Fifth Edition, Science Instruction in the Middle and Secondary Schools.  Upper Saddle River, NJ. Merrill Prentice Hall

Suggested Reading:  Victor, E. and Kellough, R.D.  2004, Tenth Edition, Science K-8 and Integrated Approach.  Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson, Merrill Prentice Hall

Portfolio (for assignments, reflections:  observations; did anything significant occur?; If so, what?; Was your teaching strategy effective?; Why or why not?; How well did the lesson relate to the students’ knowledge, experiences and interests?; Was activating prior knowledge important in the lesson?  What did you consider for ESOL students? What provisions for special needs students?)

Florida Sunshine State Standards and Grade Level Expectations (GLE’s) prepared by the Florida Department of Education (www.firn.edu).


Suggested Reading

NSTA Pathways to the Science Standards: Guidelines for Moving the Vision into Practice
Better Teaching and Learning in the Digital Classroom
Florida Water
Handy Science Answer Book:  Centennial Edition
Global Warming
Exemplary Middle School
Effective Grading:  A Tool for Learning and Assessment
Thinking about Biology
From Girls in Their Elements to Women in Science:  Rethinking Socialization 
Our Schools and Our Future:  Are We Still at Risk?
Transforming Middle School Science Education
Computers, Teachers, Peers:  Science Learning Partners
Designing Experiments and Analyzing Data:  A Model Comparison Perspective
Assessment in Science Education:  The Middle Years #308
Catch Them Thinking in Science:  A Handbook of Classroom Strategies
Definitive Middle School Guide:  A Handbook for Success
Middle School and Beyond
Intermediate Science Throug Children’s Literature:  Over Land and Sea
Natural Investigator:  A Constructivist Approach to Teaching Elem and Middle Sch Sci
Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing:  Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy
Developing and Using Classroom Assessments
Developing and Validating Multiple-Choice Items
Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher
Measurement and Assessment in Teaching
Science K-8:  An Integrated Approach
Education
On Science
Naturally Dangerous:  Surprising Facts About Food, Healthe and Environment
Nobel Prize Women in Science:  Their Lives, Struggles and Momentous Discoveries
Environmental Science Activities Kit
Language and Literacy in Science Education
Problems of Meaning in Science Curriculum
Science Teaching/Science Learning:  Constructivist Learning in Urban Classrooms
Science Teaching: The Role of History and Philosophy of Science
Explaining Science in the Classroom
Free-Choice Science Education:  How We Learn Science Outside of School
Nature of Science in Science Education:  Rationales and Strategies
Designing Project-Based Science:  Connecting Learners Through Guided Inquiry
Female-Friendly Science:  Applying Women’s Studies Methods and Theories to Attract
Science Education in the United States:  Issues, Crises, Priorities
History of Ideas in Science Education:  Implications for Practice
Continuous Improvement in the Science Classroom
Science of Every Things
Science in Dispute
Science at the Extreme:  Scientists on the Cutting Edge of Discovery
Designing Professional Development for Teachers of Science and Math
Secrets of 123 Classic Science Tricks and Experiments
Hands-On General Science Activities With Real-Life Applications
Achieving Scientific Literacy:  From Purposes to Practices
Genetically Modified Foods:  Debating Biotechnology
Test your Science IQ
Great Essays in Science
Five Biggest Unsolved Problems in Science
Career Opportunities in Science
100 Award-Winning Science Fair Projects
Linked:  How everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means for Science.
Secret Life of Dust:  From the Cosmos to the Kitchen Counter
Let’s Prepare for the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test
Information Sources in Science and Technology
Scientific Method in Practice
Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom:  How to Reach and Teach Al
Cognitive Strategy Instruction for Middle and High Schools
Art of Changing the Brain:  Enriching Teaching by Exploring the Biology of Learning
When Kids Can’t Read, What Teachers Can Do:  A Guide for Teachers, 6-12
Reclaiming Caring in Teaching And Teacher Education
Qualities of Effective Teachers
Du Bois on Education
At the Elbow of Another:  Learning to Teach by Co-teaching
Theory and Practice of Teaching
Mentoring Programs for New Teachers:  Models of Induction and Support
Oops:  What We Learn When Our Teaching Fails
Portfolios in the Classroom:  Tools for Learning and Instruction
Literacy Today:  Standards Across the Curriculum
High School Biology:  Today and Tomorrow
Becoming a Reflective Educator:  How to Build a Culture of Inquiry in the Schools
How to Succeed in School Without Really Learning:  The Credentials Race in Amer
Middle and Secondary School Instructional Methods
Nation’s Best Schools:  Blueprints for Excellence:  Middle and Secondary Schools
Stepping Inside the Classroom Through Personal Narratives
Improving Science Education:  The Contribution of Research
Content Area Reading:  Literacy and Learning Across the Curriculum
Learner-Centered Teaching:  Five Key Changes to Practice
Learning to Think:  Disciplinary Perspectives
Learner-Centered Classroom and School:  Strategies for Increasing Student Motiv
What’s the Use of Lectures
Art and Science of Classroom Assessment:  The Missing Part of Pedagogy
Best Test Preparation for the Ftce:  Fla Teacher Certification Exam
Show What you Know on the 7th Grade FCAT
Show What you Know on the 8th Grade FCAT
Mapping the Big Picture:  Integrating Curriculum and Assessment K-12
Teacher’s Learning:  Stories of Science Education
Doing Science:  Innovative Curriculum for the Life Sciences
Life Sciences:  Curriculum Resources and Activities for School Librarians and Teachers
Living With a Star:  From Sunscreen to Space Weather:  Teachers Guide for Grades 6-8
Middle Schools for a Diverse Society
Not Much Just Chillin:  The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers
Practicing What We Preach:  Preparing Middle Level Educators
Praxis II General Science Middle School
Middle School Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Middle School Teachers Guide to Free Curriculum Materials 2003-2004
New Science Literacy:  Using Language Skills to Help Students Learn Science
Teaching Science to Children:  An Inquiry Approach
Mind, Stress, and Emotions:  The New Science of Mood
Peanuts:  The Illustrious History of the Goober Pea
Designer Food:  Mutant Harvest or Breadbasket of the World
Science Educator’s Guide to Laboratory Assessment
Learning Science and the Science of Learning:  Science Educator’s Essay Collect
 National Science Education Standards:  Observe, Interact, Change. Learn
Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards:  A Guide for Teaching and Learn
Science Literacy for the Twenty-First Century
Practice of Constructivism in Science Education
Science K-8:  An Integrated Approach
Teaching Children Science:  Discovery Methods for the Elementary and Middle 
Nature of Science:  An A-Z Guide to the Laws and Principles Governing Our Univ
Science Education of American Girls:  A Historical Perspective
Silent Spring
Protecting the Ozone Layer:  Science and Strategy
Happiness and Education
501 Tips for Teachers
Designing for Science:  Implications from Everyday, Classroom, and Professional Setting
Tips for the Science Teacher:  Research-Based Strategies to Help Students Learn
Enhancing Thinking Skills in the Sciences and Mathematics
Science Education:  Policy, Professionalism and Change
Science Education for Citizenship:  Teaching Socio-Scientific Issues
Science Education in the 21st Century
Science Education Research in the Knowledge-Based Society
Integrating Mathematics, Science, and Technology:  A Sill Building Approach
Teaching Science for Understanding:  A Human Constructivist view
Teaching Science in Elementary and Middle School Class:  Project Approach
Teaching Science in the Block
Ready to Use Physical science Activities for Grades 5-12
Ready to Use Chemistry Activities for Grades 5-12
Ready to Use Human Biology and Health Activities:  For Grades 5-12
Ready to Use Life Science Activities for Grades 5-12
Science A.S.A.P.:  As Soon As Possible, As Simple as Possible
Cases in Middle and Secondary Science Education: The promise and the Dilemmas
40 Strategies for Integrating Science and Mathematics Instruction:  K-8
Teaching Science Through literature:  Grades 6-8
Resources for Teaching Middle School Science
Science Activities for Middle School Students
Guiding Curriculum Decisions for Middle-Grades:  Science
Performance Based Learning and Assessment in Middle School Science
25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid them
Facts on File Science Dictionaries
Encyclopedia of Ethics in Science and Technology
Facts on Files Science Handbooks
Notable Scientists
New Encyclopedia of Science 
Elsevier’s Dictionary of Biology
Encyclopedia of Education
A to Z Chemists:  Notable Scientists
Macmillan Encyclopedia of Chemistry
History of Modern Science and Mathematics















































Tentative Course Outline



CLASS			   TOPIC	                                     ASSIGNMENT	
MEETING

Jan. 7W 	Introduction to the National Standards,                       Chapter 2
                        Sunshine State and Goal 3 Standards
      Introduction to the Pre-professional
                        Accomplished Practices 

Jan. 9  		Student Portfolio

Jan. 12M   	What is the Middle School Concept                           Chapters 3, 11
                  	Rubric for Journal Review                              1st Impressions of classroom

Jan. 14      	The Middle School Curriculum (textbooks)

Jan. 16    	Organizing Middle School Classroom                  	Chapter 12
                 	Planning for Instruction                                        Interview a student

Jan. 19M	Holiday

Jan. 21   	Lesson Plan Format

Jan. 23 	The Art of Questioning (student & teacher)         Article Review Due
                   	Assessment (rubrics)                                        	Chapter 14
                                                                                Sketch bird’s eye view of science class

Jan. 26M          Nature of Science                                                 	Chapter 1
                         	                                                       Simple Lesson Observation

Jan. 28 	Ideas Model				                  	Chapter 1
      	                                              		      Science Lesson Observation   
		                                                                                 
Jan. 30                                                                                           	  Test 1
			
Feb. 2M           Learning:  Constructive				Chapter 4
                                                                                           Observe an activity in class

Feb. 4		Learning affective	                     Plan a problem based lesson/activity

Feb. 6		Concept mapping		  Reflection:  Teaching via problem solving 
		         

			
Feb. 9M	Inquiry:  Observation			                                    Chapter 5

Feb. 11	Inquiry:  Measurement					Chapter 5

Feb. 13	Inquiry:  Classification					Chapter 5
		              	

Feb. 16M 	Inquiry:  Inference and prediction		                        Chapter  5
								                  Observe a lecture

Feb. 18	Lecture		                                                  	Chapter 6
									        Plan a lecture

Feb. 20	Lecture				    Reflections:  Teaching via lectures
					
Feb. 23M	Demonstration                                                           		Chapter 6
                                                                                                       Observe a demonstration
								                 Classification due

Feb. 25            Demonstration                                                             Plan a demonstration

Feb. 27            Demonstration                                                         		Chapter 6		
			                                                    Reflections:  Teaching via lectures

Mar. 1M	Science, Technology, Society			         		Chapters 6, 7
                                                                                       		Observe a discussion

Mar. 3		Discussion						     Plan a discussion

Mar. 5		Discussion				                    		Chapter 6, 7
						          Reflections:  Teaching via discussions												
Mar. 8M	Lab and Experimenting					Chapter 8
                         Scientific Method                                                 2nd  Article Review Due
		
Mar. 10	Lab and Experimenting				 	Chapter 8

Mar. 12									Test 2
			
Mar. 15M	Safety								Chapter 9
                                                                       Observe safety features in science classroom

Mar. 17	Safety


Mar. 19	Computers and Electronic Technology		Chapter 10
                                                                                                        Experiment due

Mar. 22M         Spring Break	
							
Mar. 29	Computers and Electronic Technology		Chapter 10
                                                                                        Internet lesson plan analysis due

Mar. 31            Planning and Teaching Science Lessons		Chapter 12
                                                                                               Interview a science teacher on
                                                                                                  Planning a science lesson

Apr. 5M	Planning and Teaching Science Lessons		Chapter 12
                                                                                         	       Deliver a lesson

Apr. 7    	Planning science units 				Chapter 13
                                                                                                Reflect on lesson with teacher

Apr. 9		Planning science units					Chapter 13
                                                                                        Observe an alternate assessment  		
April 12M	Assessment Rubrics					Chapter 14	
                                                                                                     Design a rubric
						
April 14	Rubrics						Chapter 14
                                                                                        Incorporate a reading and science
                                                                                            activity into class curriculum

April 16	Integrating Reading and Science        	       Lesson plan due	
 			
April 19M	Integrating Reading and Science	  Incorporate a math and science
                                                                                           activity into class curriculum I

April 21	Integrating Math and Science

April 23	Integrating Math and Science
		
April 26M	Professional Development

April 28	Review
								
April 30F								Final Exam


