CTSE 4100 Science Methods II: Methods Supporting Inquiry-Based Teaching

Spring 2008 Syllabus

 

Office Hours: By appointment

On Campus (lecture): Tuesday 7:00-8:50 p.m. – HC 2462

Field Placement (lab): Wednesday 11:00-3:30 p.m. (or flexed earlier in the day)

 

Jacque Middleton (lecture & lab) – Auburn Junior High School – jmiddleton@auburnschools.org – 887-1960

 

REQUIRED Saturday Morning February 23rd for Science Olympiad Outreach

 

Goals and Objectives – In this methods course we will learn and practice methods of teaching aligned with “inquiry” from the National Science Education Standards and applied within a Learning Cycle Model for teaching as outlined in the Alabama Course of Study: Science. While coteaching and learning new educational methods, you will begin to reflect on practice and make the necessary changes required of professional science educators to improve practice.

 

Students will …

  1. master beginning science teaching skills while also managing students through peripheral participation and coteaching with an experienced classroom science teacher. [See PEPE form].
  2. demonstrate their knowledge and abilities to use methods supporting inquiry including demonstration, laboratory, outreach projects, use of technology, questioning, discussion, and cooperative learning. [See weekly assignments].
  3. properly plan and use standards-based practices in the science classroom where they are most effective for student learning – i.e. use of a Learning Cycle Model. [See lesson plans].
  4. self-assess their ongoing teaching abilities and dispositions for professional growth in order to successfully meet the needs of diverse learners in the science classroom. [See dispositions form].
  5. request and give professional assistance in teaching and managing students through reflection.

 

Required Subscription – National Science Teachers Association – http://www.nsta.org/newandpreservice (obtain membership code) – Join online by credit card for quick membership processing ($31.00 per year)

 

Required AU Nametag – Wares Jewelers (approx. $12.00) to be ordered as a class through a student volunteer

 

Required Materials – High 8 mm digital videotape and a composition notebook

 

Required Texts –

 

Chiappetta, E. L. & Koballa, T. R. (2006) Science Instruction in the Middle and Secondary Schools, Sixth Edition. Pearson: Upper Saddle River, N. J. [SAME TEXT AS CTSE 4090].

 

Alabama Course of Study: Science (2005) Download and print all introductory pages and grades 6-8 science:

http://www.alsde.edu/html/sections/documents.asp?section=54&sort=7&footer=sections

 

Ancillary Text –

 

National Research Council (1996). National Science Education Standards. Download and preview as needed:

http://books.nap.edu/books/0309053269/html/index.html   

 

See Content Standards – A, B, C, D, E, F, G – for lesson plans.

 

LRC collection –

 

-         Cooperative Learning by Kagan – A ‘How to’ book with teacher-made handouts

-         2006 Alabama state adoption science textbooks and ancillary materials – new middle and high school texts

-         Invitations to Scientific Inquiry by Liem – Discrepant event demonstrations

-         Science Is – Book of activities for middle school science

-         Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS) Guides for grades 5-9

 

Academic Honesty.  Auburn University expects students to pursue their academic work with honesty and integrity. Violations of the Student Academic Honesty Code and potential sanctions are detailed under Title XII of the SGA Code of Laws, which can be found in the Tiger Cub.

 

Students with Disabilities.  Students who need special accommodations should make an appointment with the instructor early in the term and bring a copy of the Accommodation Memo and the Instructor Verification Form to this meeting. If the student doesn’t have these forms, an appointment with the Program for Students with Disabilities should be made, 1244 Haley Center, 844-2096.

 

Class Attendance.  Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes on campus AND scheduled field hours. You should give prior notice whenever possible of any extenuating circumstances that cause you to miss class or field commitment – notification does not mean that you are excused from class. Only documented excuses as listed in the AU Bulletin are permissible without penalty; and documentation must be submitted within seven days of missing class. Students will lose five points from their final course grade for each undocumented absence. Two tardies to class (more than 5 minutes late) will count as one unexcused absence and will result in a loss of five points from the final course grade. After three unexcused absences (or 6 tardies), students will be referred to the Office of Student Affairs to be withdrawn from the course.

 

Grading. Because this is a professional program, you will be evaluated using multiple means of authentic assessment: Pedagogical knowledge, reflective writing, teaching performance, and self-assessment. You will SAVE ALL WORK from this course for possible use in your internship professional portfolio that is designed to meet professional standards of practice (INTASC, NCATE, NSTA) for preservice science teachers.

 

Assignments and Points.

 

  1. Inquiry project [FINAL EXAM] – one that is integrated into classroom teaching; Can be guided or more open like Science Fair; See attached check form
  2. Midterm and End term Teachings –
    1. PEPE evaluation of performance in teaching – (count the end term one only towards a grade)
    2. Lesson plans (see format attached)
    3. Reflective PDP papers (see format attached)
  3. Weekly assignments – teach an activity, reading and writing assignments
  4. Inquiry management plan – precursor to the classroom management plan put together in CTSE 4200 during internship, but tailored for use of inquiry instruction for teacher and students
  5. Science Olympiad – participation, assignment, and commitment

 

 

CORE COMPETENCY MARKS

 

The Final PEPE Observation Evaluation is a core competency grade where students must score a 3.0 or higher on all indicators in order to get credit for this course. Mid-term scores of 2.0 or less must be addressed before end-term scoring occurs. The instructor reserves the right to change a cooperating teacher’s evaluation on any PEPE indicator.

 

The final updated NCATE Professional Dispositions Form is a core competency grade where students must attain “acceptable” ratings on all indicators in order to get credit for this course. Mid-term ratings of “unacceptable” must be addressed before end-term ratings are given. The instructor reserves the right, in consultation with the student, to change a student’s self-evaluation on any dispositions indicator, either higher or lower.

 

Students who do not meet the core competency marks on all indicators on these two instruments by end-term will receive an “incomplete” grade for this course until these competencies are demonstrated – unless their final course grade is a “D” or below. An incomplete course grade will prevent a student from beginning their internship next term.

 

The following grading scale will be used in this course for the course grade:

A=92-100,

B=80-91,

C=70-79,

D=60-69,

F=below 60

Students must retake the course if their final course grade is below a “C.”  Undergraduate students must meet Science Olympiad obligations or an incomplete grade will be assigned for this course.

 

Due Dates. Weekly assignments from class are due at the beginning of the period the following class meeting and will not be accepted late without prior arrangement. Teaching related work must be submitted on the due date given for my summative evaluation or lose a letter grade deduction for each day late unless prior arrangement has been made.