Curriculum In Focus Group ­ 7th Grade Life Science Meeting ­ 3/22/01

Issues/Concerns:
· Not enough time to teach all the standards
· Depth vs. Breadth
· Use and incorporation of the textbooks

Unit One
Because of the amount of student movement between classes and schools during the first few weeks, we decided to focus on the following skills for the first six week unit of the year with the following topics and goals:
1. Science Inquiry Skills ­ observation vs. inference, data collection, questioning and hypothesizing, (Oakland Standard 1)
2. Communication Skills ­ work in groups, communicate to others.
3. Measurement ­ use of tools such as balances, rulers, (Oakland Standard 1)
4. Students as Scientists ­ involve all students in direct investigations (Oakland Standard 1)
5. Engage students in high interest and tangible activities
6. All activities should have a life science focus
7. Begin with demonstrations then move to group activities
8. Set the tone for the rest of the year
9. Low maintenance for teachers
10. Most of these activities should not only teach process skills, but also content material that meets the standards or prepares students to study content later during the year.

Suggestions so far include:
1. Parts of Caleb's beginning of the year unit on scientific inquiry skills
2. Mealworms
3. Seed Germination
4. Types of Science
5. Textbook reading and usage strategies

Please e-mail me with detailed suggestions with the curriculum unit guide in mind.  (standard, key questions, lesson resources, assessment, time line)  If applicable, e-mail ideas to the whole group so that everyone can comment and add to the conversation.  I will also try to put all suggestions on a webpage for everyone to look at and receive feedback.  Thanks for your help!

Caleb Cheung:
Carter Middle School

   

Curriculum In Focus Group ­ 7th Grade Life Science Meeting ­ 3/22/01

Issues/Concerns:
· Not enough time to teach all the standards
· Depth vs. Breadth
· Use and incorporation of the textbooks

Unit One
Because of the amount of student movement between classes and schools during the first few weeks, we decided to focus on the following skills for the first six week unit of the year with the following topics and goals:
1. Science Inquiry Skills ­ observation vs. inference, data collection, questioning and hypothesizing, (Oakland Standard 1)
2. Communication Skills ­ work in groups, communicate to others.
3. Measurement ­ use of tools such as balances, rulers, (Oakland Standard 1)
4. Students as Scientists ­ involve all students in direct investigations (Oakland Standard 1)
5. Engage students in high interest and tangible activities
6. All activities should have a life science focus
7. Begin with demonstrations then move to group activities
8. Set the tone for the rest of the year
9. Low maintenance for teachers
10. Most of these activities should not only teach process skills, but also content material that meets the standards or prepares students to study content later during the year.

Suggestions so far include:
1. Parts of Caleb's beginning of the year unit on scientific inquiry skills
2. Mealworms
3. Seed Germination
4. Types of Science
5. Textbook reading and usage strategies

Please e-mail me with detailed suggestions with the curriculum unit guide in mind.  (standard, key questions, lesson resources, assessment, time line)  If applicable, e-mail ideas to the whole group so that everyone can comment and add to the conversation.  I will also try to put all suggestions on a webpage for everyone to look at and receive feedback.  Thanks for your help!

Caleb Cheung:
Carter Middle School



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