One of the goals of NGSS is that topics should not be taught in a striated series of unrelated levels, but rather learning should be articulated vertically through the grade bands. In this workshop, we are going to address three different examples from the Physical Science topics: Sound (from Waves), Kinetic and Potential Energy (from Energy), and Particles of Matter (from Matter). Participants will engage in several activities for each topic to demonstrat how inquiry activities can be differentiated in the grade band levels for the developmental level of the students and their content knowledge and understanding. Participants will gain an understanding of vertical topic development, i.e. bridging what comes before and/or after their own grade band. The activities have also been selected for the high level of engagement and enjoyment they bring to the participants.
TAKEAWAYS:
1. Elementary students are naturally curious and we can capitalize on their curiosity with engaging science activities; 2. Using the NGSS 3-D approach leads to effective science teaching and learning; and 3. The goal of science teaching is to help students become scientifically literate.
SPEAKERS:
Wayne Snyder (Cal Poly Pomona: Pomona, CA), Karen Ostlund (The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, TX)