M.Y. Science Methods
Course Overview
While the content of the middle years science curriculum will be discussed, the emphasis of this methods course deals with:
1) Why science is included in the M.Y school curriculum (i.e. the goals or philosophy of the science program),
2) Strategies as to how best to achieve those goals (i.e. how science should be taught), and
3) Assessment methods that are appropriate to the Manitoba grades 5-8 science curriculum.
Much of content of this methods course will be covered through in-class activities, group work, and the sharing of ideas. For these portions of the course, your attendance is required as you will not be able to “get the notes” and expect to have the same degree of learning.
In additional to the experiential portion of the course, there are two major assignments: 1) a cluster portfolio, and 2) a professional science teacher’s standards e‑portfolio. In order to “Pass” this portion of the course, you must not only demonstrate mastery of individual skill sets, but inculcate them as part of your teaching repertoire as exhibited via two major course assignments.
My expectation is that individuals in this course will strive to hone both their teaching skills and to develop their pedagogical knowledge. Moreover, in that each person has unique teaching strengths and weakness, the emphasis each individual places on the various components of this course may vary. However, while the course path take may vary for different individuals, the destination will be the same for all – competent science teachers!
Mastery Grade Scale
The final grade for this course will be based on a mastery scale, either Pass or Fail.
References
Grades 5-8 Science: A Foundation for Implementation
Manitoba Education and Training, 2000
Free via the web or $37 at BU Bookstore
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ks4/cur/science/found/5to8/index.html
Scientific Literacy for Canadian Students
Roscoe & Mrazek; Detselig Enterprises Ltd
Required Capstone Assignment
- Middle-Years Science Cluster Portfolio
- Middle-Years Science Teacher’s ePortfolio: Putting it all together
Course Topics in support of the above
- Assessment Plan #1 – The Cluster
- Assessment Plan #2 – The Final Grade
- Bulletin Board Display
- Clustered Outcomes
- Cluster Portfolio
- Discrepant Events #1
- Discrepant Events #2
- Essential Questions
- Field Survey
- Group Work
- In-Class Science Fair Project
- Inquiry Based Learning
- Local School Science Fair Judging
- Observation Blog
- PD (Middle Years Science)
- Science Fair Handbook
- Student Portfolio
- WebQuests