Strengthening Science through Best Practices (6 hours for grades K-5 or 6-8)

Best practices for new and veteran teachers working towards TAKS success. The content used in this training can be Earth Science, Life Science, Chemistry or a combination. This training covers a variety of TEKS and includes:

 Organizational strategies

 Effectively processing hands-on activities

 Keeping TEKS reviewed for TAKS

 Science Notebooking/Journaling

 Planning student centered activities

Science Notebooking/Journaling (3 hours for grades K-HS)

 Rationale, how to start, effective uses, and assessment

 Training is enhanced by providing participants with either Using Science Notebooks in the Elementary Classroom by Klentschy or Science Notebooks: Writing About Inquiry by Campbell and Fulton

Super Science Assessments (3 hours for grades K-8)

 Practical strategies for linking assessment, instruction, and learning through formative assessments

 Training is enhanced by providing participants with Science Formative Assessment by Keeley

Questioning for Science Success (3 hours for grades K-8)

 Practical strategies for using and developing questioning skills that bring student thinking to higher levels

Cuttin’ Up in Science (1.5 to 6 hours for grades K-8)

Science Cut Ups are TEKS-correlated, colorful manipulatives that engage students while making them think at high levels. They can be used for learning, reviewing, tutoring, assessing or enrichment. This training can focus on Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, Process Skills or Learning Games, This training demonstrates:

 Ways to use Science Cut Ups to support the present curriculum and meet the needs of diversified learners

 Training is most effective when combined with the purchase of specific titles of Science Cut Ups for implementation

 Science Notebooking/Journaling can be included in the 6 hour training

Science Investigations & Process Skills (3 hours for grades K-5 or 6-8)

 How to simplify the inquiry process and use inquiry in the context of the topic you are teaching

 Many activities to use with students for formulating testable questions, understanding variables, and creating question wheels

 Science Notebooking/Journaling can be included as part of this training

Observations, Inferences and Conclusions (3 hours for grades K-5 or 6-8)

 Strategies for teaching observation skills, distinguishing observations from inferences and writing thorough conclusions

 Strategies for descriptive writing skills and summarization

 Science Notebooking/Journaling can be included as part of this training

Science Boot Camp (6 hours for grades 3, 4 or 5)

 TEKS-aligned, student-centered, hands-on lessons

 Assessment and questioning strategies

 Science Notebooking/Journaling is included in this training.

Using Games to Build Science Vocabulary (3 hours for grades K-2 or 3-5)

 Play and review free games, internet resources for making games and commercial games

 Evaluate and compare to grade level TEKS