C'S'I' Creative Science Instruction

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C.S.I.Creative Science Instruction!

• Alternative Approaches to teaching Science in the
  Middle School Classroom
• Presenter C. Sue Gardiner
• St. Timothy School
• Columbus, OH 43220
• 614.451.0739
• sgardine_at_cdeducation.org

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My Background

• Recipient NCEA Miriam Joseph Farrell
  Distinguished Teaching Award 1990
• Recipient Presidential Award for Excellence in
  Elementary Science and Mathematics Education
• Science Teacher Grades 5 - 8 for 33 years
• 5th child from a family of 12

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My general guidelines for special projects
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Students must work on these projects at school.
2.I supply as many materials as possible for the
students. 3. I have a clear description of what
is expected, unless the unexpected is expected.
4. I have a clear rubric ready to give the
students at the beginning, and I go over it
several times during the project, especially if
it is one that takes several weeks.5. I keep
running records on a daily basis of who is and
isnt working, on task, etc. The students are
used to seeing me walking around with my
clipboard. 6. I ask questions, more questions,
and even more questions during their work time.
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Some of my methods

• Problem based learning
• Special Research Projects
• Alternative Assessments
• Cooperative Learning
• Writing in Science
• Collaborative Teaching

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Problem Based LearningPBL

• An Inquiry Approach
• To Science Education

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Basic steps in PBL

• 1. Know what your objectives are what is it
  you want to see in the end? What is it that you
  want to assess? Then work backwards.2. Present
  the problem to the class be ready for them to
  take it places beyond your imagination!3. What
  do we know, need to know, and how can we find
  out? Chart!4. Assign (or have students pick)
  tasks. Chart these too!5. Start solving the
  problem!

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Some Problems I have used1. A Tall Order
adapted from NCTM problems data base2. Electric
Houses adapted from College of William and Marys
Enrichment Programs for Educators (specifically,
Electricty City)
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A Tall Order from NCTM

• He (Hagrid) was almost twice as tall as a normal
  man and at least five times as wide ... he had
  hands the size of trash can lids, and his feet in
  their leather boots were like baby dolphins. (p.
  14)

(From Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone by
J.K. Rowling)
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Problem 2 Electric Houses

• Your group is to design and build a house to
  scale, and then wire the house for electricity.

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Daily Observations Chart includedStudents
nameOn TaskUsed time wellCooperated with
groupUsed Scientific VocabularyShared
research with teammatesFollowed Safety
guidelines given if exceeded expectationNo
mark given if satisfactoryN given if problem area
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Group AssessmentEach group member also assessed
their fellow teammates at the end, using the same
areas I used in my daily observations.
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Special Research ProjectsSpace MuseumTravel
PostersSports Physics Posters
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Space Museum
A look at the History and the Future of Space
Exploration!
The Art Teacher helped the students with the
placard stands.
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Travel Posters

• Take a Journey Through Time!
• These posters were designed keeping in mind the
  concept of Travel Posters found in Travel
  Agencies!

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Sports Physics Posters

• An in-depth look at the physics behind a sport of
  interest!

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The Assignment
Pick one of the sports on the attached list (or
if you have another sport in mind, see me). You
are to investigate it and determine how the laws
of motion, forces, and energy are applied to that
sport.
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Alternative Assessments You dont always have to
use an objective or essay test to test for
knowledge gained!
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Cell Brochures An Invitation to explore the cell
as an Amusement Park! Come Join the Fun!
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The Assignment
Create a Brochure inviting travelers to visit a
cell (either animal or plant). Think of this cell
as an amusement park or a roadside attraction.
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Animal Project A Conclusion to our Animal Unit
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The Assignment
Design a new animal using the characteristics of
2 different vertebrates. Other important parts
to be included Body systems Other living
things Ecosystems Weather and climate Non-living
things in the environment
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Cooperative Learning

• Students Teaching Students

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My Guidelines

• Each student is held accountable for their share
  of the work.
• All group work is shared with the class and the
  class has pre-written questions to answer when
  work is presented.
• I may require an oral presentation accompanied by
  a Power Point Presentation, or a poster that is
  passed around the room and is accompanied by a
  prepared question and answer handout.
• Each group is responsible for preparing some sort
  of handout (changes with each project).
• All students are responsible for completing the
  handouts.

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Three Examples
Living Things Bacteria, Protists, Fungi,
Plants The Animal WorldFrom Simple Cniderians
to Complex Mammals Fresh Water Ponds, Rivers,
Lakes, Geysers, Glaciers, etc.
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Writing in Science

• My main guideline
• Allow for creativity in presentation and ideas,
  but expect accuracy in scientific content.

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Some Writing ExamplesPrecipitation in Poetry!
Write and illustrate a poem about a form of
precipitation. Include the facts and the
feelings.
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An Elemental Autobiography!
Assume the role of an assigned element and write
about its properties, family, etc. as if it were
living.
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Collaborative Teaching

• Turn to your colleagues for ideas, help, and
  joint efforts!

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Examples

• Electric Houses Spanish Teacher helped the kids
  give their houses Spanish names such as La
  Blanca Casa. Math Teacher helps the kids with
  scale drawings.
• Space Museum Art Teacher helped the kids make
  the stands that held their placards.
• Animal Project Music Teacher taught the kids
  the Big Band Song Alexander The Swoose by Kay
  Kayser.
• Science Fair Communication Arts Teacher and
  Librarian help students with writing of research
  paper.

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A Collaborative unit we are working on for this
year

• Language Arts Students will read The Stowaway by
  Karen Hesse and write a journal as if they were
  world travelers
• Social Studies Students will be given a plot of
  earth within given Lat/Longitude corners.
  Students study cultures around the world and will
  discover the people in this land and describe
  their culture
• Science Students will describe the land, water
  and its motions, plants and animals of the land
  drawings will be part of the assignment
• This will take place in Spring details are not
  all worked out yet

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My contact info

• C. Sue Gardiner
• St. Timothy School
• Columbus, OH 43220
• 614.451.0739
• sgardine_at_cdeducation.org