An Introduction to Science Curriculum Topic Study

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An Introduction to Science Curriculum Topic Study
MSP Summer Institute August 13th WVC, Wenatchee
Presenter Jeff Bullock Regional Science
Coordinator North Central Educational
Service District
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3 Goals

• (Learn about) Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) as a
  tool for connecting standards and research on
  learning to the classroom.
• (Practice) using CTS.
• (Reflect, discuss) ways you might apply CTS to
  your work.

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What is CTS?

• An organized approach for studying, connecting,
  and applying, in the classroom
• ) current research on the learning process
• ) national standards
• ) state standards
• Bridging the gap
• Research on learning
• National Standards Classroom
• State Standards

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CTS Collective Resources- Experts at Your
Fingertips 24/7
?
?
?
?
?Indicates the resource is online ?Indicates
parts of the resource are online
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What CTS Is Not

• CTS IS NOT
• A remedy for weak content knowledge
• A collection of teaching activities
• A description of how tos
• A quick fix
• The end-all for professional development

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Components of a CTS Study Guide

• CTS Sections and Outcomes
• Selected Readings from CTS Resources
• Web Site- Supplementary Material
  www.curriculumtopicstudy.org
• See Chapter 2- The CTS Study Guide pp 19- 27

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The CTS Guide

• Each guide has 6 CTS sections (Left Column)
• Purposes of the sections
• I Identify Adult Content Knowledge
• II Consider Instructional Implications
• III Identify Concepts and Specific Ideas
• IV Examine Research on Student Learning
• V Examine Coherency and Articulation
• VI Clarify State Standards and District
  Curriculum
• Each section links to CTS sources and pre-vetted
  Readings (Right Column)
• Supplementary materials for each topic can be
  found at www.curriculumtopicstudy.org

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Parallel Resources in Mathematics CTS
Getting to Know the Resources
Science Pages 24-26 Science for All
Americans Science Matters Benchmarks for Science
Literacy The National Science Standards Making
Sense of Secondary Science Atlas of Science
Literacy
Mathematics Pages 27-30 Science for All
Americans Beyond Numeracy Benchmarks for Science
Literacy Principles and Standards for School
Mathematics Research Companion Atlas of Science
Literacy

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Getting to Know the CTS Resources
State Standards or Frameworks
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Getting to Know the CTS Resources

• Divide the resources among your table group.
  Choose one expert for each resource.
• Read the description of your resource from the
  CTS book, pp 24-26
• Examine the resource, looking for notable
  features
• Describe the resource to your table group,
  pointing out notable features and uses for CTS

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Quick Summary of CTS Steps for a Group

• STEP 1 Scan and select a CTS topic (ix-x).
• STEP 2 Turn to page in CTS of the topic you
  selected.
• STEP 3 Select a Selection and Outcome
  description (left-hand side).
• STEP 4 Select resources, readings, and grade
  span (right-hand side).
• STEP 5 Examine the reading for your topic and
  task.
• STEP 6 Record and discuss your findings.

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Example

• What should I provide my students when learning
  about the functions of cellular organelles?
• Category? (ix-x)
• Biological Structure and Function
• CTS Topic Guide?
• Cells
• Page Number of CTS Guide?
• Page 135

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Example (cont.)

• Section and Outcome.
• Section II
• Outcome.
• Consider Instructional Implications
• Selected Resources and Readings with page
  numbers.
• Benchmarks- Cells general essay p 110 grade
  span essays, pp 111-113.
• NSES- Standard C (if 9-12) essay pp 181, 184

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Lets Get Started!
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Eliciting Your Prior Knowledge

• As a group choose a topic that interests you.
• Individually
• What do you know about the topic? What other
  scientific concepts do you think are related to
  the understanding of the topic?
• What do you think your students know (or should
  know) about the topic and other concepts related
  to the topic coming into and leaving your grade
  level)?
• Summarize your responses to the questions, based
  only on your prior knowledge before using CTS.
• Save your response for later.
• As a group repeat what you did individually.
• Summarize your responses to the questions, based
  only on your prior knowledge before using CTS.
• Save your response for later.

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Reflection Wall

• Examine your responses to the questions before
  and after doing CTS.

• Do you think CTS could impact your teaching
  practices and/or your schools science program?

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For Additional Information

• Visit the CTS web site at www.curriculumtopicstudy
  .org
• Contact Jeff Bullock at jeffb_at_ncesd.org