2021 Los Angeles Area Conference - Sessions

Phenomenon-Based, Literacy-Rich Learning Using Digitized Museum Objects

Engage with Research Quest, free, online, NGSS-focused, phenomenon-based investigations using authentic museum objects and research to build students' literacy, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.

Takeaways: Teachers will: 1. experience an exemplar set of free resources that successfully integrate NGSS and ELA standards to provide students with meaningful, self-directed learning; 2. recognize that providing students with opportunities to research phenomenon-based problems professional scientists devote their careers to using the collections and data they build new knowledge from can empower students to better understand the enterprise of science, the natural world, and the natural history of our world—while building their literacy and critical-thinking skills; and 3. understand that creating opportunities to make critical thinking visible is an essential scaffold necessary to support student efficacy with problem finding and problem solving.

Speakers

Madlyn Larson (Natural History Museum of Utah: Salt Lake City, UT)

Bridging Science and Literacy in the Early Childhood Classroom Through the Crosscutting Concepts of Science

This session will demonstrate how the NGSS’s crosscutting concepts can be utilized in the preschool setting to enhance literacy skills using intentional language and play experiences.

Takeaways: Framed within the constructivist approach, this presentation will include the following: 1. digital documentation of preschool-age children (3 to 5-year-olds) using crosscutting concepts; 2. discussion of scaffolding in children’s scientific thinking and literacy behaviors; and 3. discussion of the crosscutting concepts through the lens of literacy and nature.

Speakers

Jennifer Hardison (St. Margaret's Episcopal School: San Juan Capistrano, CA), Kelly McGovern (St. Margaret's Episcopal School: San Juan Capistrano, CA)

Presenter Materials for this Session:
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