Integration of Subject Matter: Including Science is Key!

 How does leading with Science build strong subject bases in other content areas? Check out STEM Teaching Tool #62; What does subject matter integration look like in elementary instruction? Including science is KEY!   Interesting information: "a typical elementary school class spends about 20 minutes a day on science instruction, compared to 60 minutes on mathematics and almost 90 minutes on language arts. Integration can ensure that all students have opportunities to learn science, as they are likely to experience regular learning in math or language arts." Consider this:  Is this equitable for ALL students?

If this is your first experience with the STEM teaching tools, there are a few things that you might want to know.

1) STEM teaching tools are developed by teachers and researchers and topics have been identified based on what is of interest to teachers.

2) Within each tool you will find links to additional resources, research materials, and current practices.

In addition, a link to additional STEM tools that pertain to the topic you selected is provided within each tool.   

Looking for more information on time for science and Social Studies?  Check out this video "Speaking up for Science and Social Studies" with Nell Duke. Professor at the University of Michigan.  This 29:08 min. video provides many key points for integrating ELA (and math) into Science and Social Studies.  Nell Duke: Nell K. Duke, Ed.D., is a professor in literacy, language, and culture and the combined program in education and psychology at the University of Michigan and a member of the International Literacy Association Literacy Research Panel.

STEM Teaching Tool #62- Link 

Speaking up for Science and Social Studies- Link 

Communicating in Scientific Ways

 Looking for great sentences starters for encouraging students to engaging in argument from evidence (SEP7) AND obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information (SEP8)?   This two page document is a great resource for helping students communicate and ways to figure things out.  

Suggestions for use:

1) Print out a set for groups, while students are evaluating peers, encourage them to use the sentence starters in "How we communicate" as questions, notices, and wonders.

2) As students move through a scope or kit, encourage them to use the symbol as a note taking strategy.  Is there something they have a questions about, or do they need to remember to give evidence and do not want to forget?  

3) As the instructor, use the sentence starters as a way to model good questions, or wonders.  "Are you saying _________"  or "That idea makes sense to me because....."  

Do you have a suggestion for ways that this resource can be used, feel free to leave a comment below.  

Communication in Science- Link 

2021 and Beyond Grading Matrix

 First Grade Grading Resources:

The Grading Matrix is a quick, one page document that has all of your grading resources in one place.  On this document you will find:

•  First Grade scope and sequence
• Grading Curriculum alignment
• SEP Rubric
• Link to the data collection documents and the gradebook
• Report card inserts  

 Grading Matrix- Link

Scientific Discourse

 

What is Scientific Discourse?  How can you promote science discourse and why is it important?  

One of the main goals of science learning is to help students make sense of scientific phenomena and ideas.  Rich discourse offers students ways to express their ideas, reasoning and thinking, but what does that look like in an elementary classroom?   For more information on scientific discourse check out the:

STEMscopes Scientific Discourse poster- Link 
and the Building Blocks of Science white paper: Promoting Discourse in Science Class- Link 

SEP Data Collection Resource

 

Looking for a way to collect data for the SEPs?  

For each of the 3 data collection options described below, remember to make your own copy and save it in your Google Drive.  From there, you can download and/or print what you need. 

The Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) are used in NTPS for science grades.  For additional resources on grading, check out the Elementary Science Blog quick links (report card insert, grading, science and engineering practices, science practices grading rubric).    

Option A: Option A is divided into the individual Science and Engineering Practices. On each of the 8 SEP pages, a rubric and brief description of the practice is provided.  

Option B: This option can be downloaded and printed for the whole class or teams of students (4 students per group).  Option B shows all 8 SEPs,which are identified based on the color; Green = priority SEP, Yellow= additional SEP option.  This document is by lesson/scope.    

Option C: Option C lists the lesson/ scope and the SEPs listed for each lesson. A final report card page is available for this option.  

Data collection resource option A- Link 

Data collection resources option B- Link

Data collection resources option C- Link