ED 3510 & ED 3511 Communicating Science – Fall 2007

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week #1 – Tuesday, September 4 ~ 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Topic: Course Overview & Teaching the Scientific Method

Assignment: Read three National Science Teachers’ Association (NSTA) position papers on elementary science education, parent involvement, and informal science; write a one-page reflection comparing the NSTA position statements to your own elementary school experiences. Due: 7 PM, Tuesday, Sept. 12

Week #2 – Tuesday, Sept. 11 ~ 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Topic: Learning Styles & Michigan Content Standards; Developing Lesson Plans: introductions, attention-getters, safety, sample activities, questioning skills, fillers, and summaries

Assignment:

Find age-appropriate activities that you could present at a family science night to EACH of the following age groups: Grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. The three activities should come from three different sources (activity guides, internet, NSTA Science & Children journal, faculty, elementary teachers). For each age group: list the activity title, source (complete bibliography), and science and math content standard addressed. Also, attach a copy of the activity if it is not in a publication not at the Center. Due: Tues, Sept. 18 (email)

Week #3 – Tuesday, Sept. 18 ~ 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Topic: Developing Lesson Plans: introductions, attention-getters, safety, sample activities, questioning skills, fillers, and summaries

Assignment:

Develop draft lesson plan. Due: Tuesday Sept. 25 (email to jchadde@mtu.edu)

Week #4 – Tuesday, Sept. 25 ~ 5-9 PM (depart 4:45 pm; return to MTU at 9 pm)

(1) Family Science Night

ED 3510 students are presentation assistants.

Assignment:

(a) Draft lesson plan returned with comments by Friday, Sept. 29. Modify your draft lesson plan, as needed. FINAL Lesson Plan #1 due: Friday, Sept. 28. Prepare 30-minute presentation of your lesson plan to deliver in class on Oct. 3.

(c) Complete critique of the presenter observed on Sept. 26.

Week #5 – Tues., Oct. 2 ~ Practice Presentations (Sign up for 1.5 hr slot)

Conduct your presentation and observe another student’s presentation.

Assignment: Final Lesson Plan due 5 PM, Monday, Oct. 6

Practice your family science night presentation at home.

Week #5 – Wednesday, Oct. 3 ~ 5:00 – 8:30 PM (Depart 4:45 PM)

(2) Family Forest Night at Baraga School Forest

Optional date to observe, assist and/or present.

Week #5 – Sat./Sun., Oct. 6-7 ~ Family Outdoor Weekend in the Keweenaw

(Saturday & Sunday noon-4 pm) Optional date to present an activity at one of four Michigan Nature Association sanctuaries in the Keweenaw Peninsula: Redwyn Dunes, Estivant Pines, Keweenaw Shore/Esrey Park, Jim Rooks Memorial Sanctuary).

Week #6 – Tuesday, Oct. 9 ~ 4:30 – 8:30 PM (Depart 105 Dillman at 4:30 pm)

(3) Family Science Night:

Assignment: One-page self-critique. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Oct. 12

Week #7 – Tuesday, Oct. 16 ~ 4:30 – 8:30 PM (Depart 105 Dillman at 4:30 pm)

(4) Family Science Night at CLK Elementary School

Assignment:

(a) One-page self-critique. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Oct. 19

(b) Lesson Plan #2 due 5 PM, Tuesday, Oct. 23

Week #8 – Tuesday, Oct. 23 ~ 4:30 – 9 PM (Depart 105 Dillman at 4:15 pm)

(5) Family Science Night

Assignment: One-page self-critique. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Oct. 19

Week #9 – Tues. Oct. 30 Practice Presentations (Sign up for 1-1/2-hr slot 1-9PM)

Conduct your presentation and observe another student’s presentation.

Delivering An Effective Science Night Presentation & Classroom Management

Assignment:

(a) Final Lesson Plan due 9 am, Monday, Nov. 5

(b) Practice your family science night presentation at home.

Week #10 – Tuesday, Nov. 6 ~ 4:30 – 9 PM (Depart 4:45 PM)

(6) Family Science Night

Assignment: One-page self-critique. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Oct. 19

Week #12 – Tuesday, Nov. 13 ~ 4:30 – 9 PM (Depart 4:45 PM)

(7) Family Science Night

Assignment: One-page self-critique. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Oct. 19

Tuesday, Nov. 21 ~ Thanksgiving Break ~ NO CLASS

Week #13 – Tuesday, Nov. 27 ~ Family Science Night (Depart 4:45 PM)

(8) Family Science Night:

Assignment: Prepare 1-page self-critique of your presentation. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Dec. 1

Week #14 – Tuesday, Dec. 4 ~ Family Science Night (Depart 105 Dillman, 4:15 PM)

(9) Family Science Night:

Assignment:

(a) Prepare 1-page self-critique of your presentation. Due: 5 PM, Friday, Dec. 14

(b) Write final reflection paper and email to jchadde@mtu.edu . Due: Friday, Dec. 7

Finals Week – 7-9 pm, Tuesday, December 11 ~ LAST CLASS

Topic: Wrap-up and sharing. Final reflection paper due. Complete course evaluations.