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The University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education
EDUC 3601 PRINCIPLES OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION:
SCIENCE-1
COURSE OUTLINE
SPRING 2008
Instructor: Keith Roscoe
Email: keith.roscoe@uleth.ca
Phone: (403) 329-2446
Office: TH309
Secretary: Margaret Beintema, TH 321, 329-2732
Class Times: Tuesdays/Thursdays, 9:00-11:50
Room: B760 (Science Education Lab)
Required Textbooks
1. Scientific Literacy for Canadian Students (2005) by Roscoe & Mrazek
2. Science is... by Bosak, Bosak & Puppa (amazing book for all grade levels with 450+
science activities)
3. Invitations to Science Inquiry by Tik Liem (the classic demonstration handbook with
400+ tested demo’s)
Required Materials:
1. 2-3” three-ring binder with dividers 2. science notebook (provided) 3. stapler 4.
three-hole punch
Web Resources
• EDUC 3601 Science-1 Site (outline, assignments, web resources, templates, exemplars)
http://classes.uleth.ca/200701/educ3601e1/
• Alberta Science Program of Studies (Science Programs, related documents and information)
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/science/
• Learning Resources Centre (authorized resources for Alberta Science Program)
http://www.lrc.education.gov.ab.ca/pro/cat/cat_english.htm
• ICT Program of Studies
http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/ict/pofs.asp
• Telus Learning Connection (lots of tools and resources for science and other subjects)
http://www.2learn.ca/
• LearnAlberta.ca (resources by grade and subject)
http://www.learnalberta.ca/Main.aspx
• Alberta Assessment Consortium (see Assessment Materials link; username: uleth, password: assess2eval)
http://www.aac.ab.ca
• ATA Science Council (annual conference and science teaching resources-plans, assignments, etc)
http://sc.teachers.ab.ca/
• The Science Page (links to thousands of science sites with activities, information, resources)
http://sciencepage.org/
• Canada Schoolnet: Learning Resources/Curriculum Area (Canadian science resources)
http://www.schoolnet.ca/home/e/resources/index_cur.asp
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Course Description
The curriculum and instruction module in science methods consists of 39 hours of
instruction focused on effective medium-term (unit) planning. Topics that support
effective unit planning are also considered, including the use of the Alberta Science
Program of Studies, print and electronic resources for science education, lesson planning,
instructional and assessment strategies for science teaching, integration of ICT outcomes
into science, and classroom management and leadership for the science classroom.
Course emphases include (1) an understanding by design (backwards design) approach
to planning, assessment and instruction, (2) a broad-based approach to planning,
assessment and instruction, and (3) a preventive problem-solving approach to
classroom management.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
1. Create effective science lesson plans and unit plans that match the outcomes and
philosophy of the Alberta Science Program. (KSA: #2, #3, #4, & #6)
2. Identify and effectively use a wide range of educational resources for science lesson
and unit planning, including:
 student resources (textbooks) and teacher resource manuals
 other science print resources
 electronic resources

community resources. (KSA: #10, #13, 6)
3. Use a variety of instructional strategies appropriate to the Science Program of
Studies, the level taught, and students’ learning needs, including:
 direct instruction
 individual guided practice
 class discussion and questioning
 hands-on investigation
 science demonstrations

small group/cooperative learning activities. (KSA: #9 & #5)
4. Integrate information and communication technology (ICT) outcomes into science
planning and instruction. (KSA: #10)
5. Plan for effective classroom management and leadership in science classrooms,
including: (KSA: #7,8)
 creating a positive learning environment
 building positive relationships
 developing effective classroom routines and procedures (including safety procedures
for hands-on activities)
 establishing and reinforcing expectations
 responding effectively to inappropriate behaviour.
6. Develop and use a variety of assessment strategies and tools to assess and evaluate
the full range of STSE, knowledge, skills, and attitude outcomes in the Science Program
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of Studies. (KSA: #11)
7. Create multiple paths to learning by differentiating and adapting instruction for
various classroom situations. (KSA #5 & #6).
8. Develop and implement a Teacher Professional Growth Plan (KSA: #15 & #16).
Semantic Map: ED 3601 Science Methods
Alberta Science Program
of Studies:
Rationale & P hilosophy,
Foundations, SLO's
Resources f or Science
Education:
P rint, WWW, nonprint , media
Classroom
Management:
Expectations, Routines
& P rocedures, Safety,
Transitons,
ED 3601
UNIT PLANNING
Direct
Instruction
4-6 week science unit
grades 1-12
structure and content of a unit, scope &
sequencing, evaluation & assessment
Instructional
Strategies:
subject-specific &
generic
Hands-0n
Activ ities
Lesson Planning:
Objectives, Structure
(inroduction-bodyclosure), Assessment,
Management
Demonstrations
Evaluation &
Assessment:
formative and
summative
assessment strategies,
STSE
Decisionmaking
ICT Outcomes:
integration into
science instruction
Small-Group
Strategies
General Expectations/Professionalism:
The student will:
1. Follow professional standards of conduct in the course and practicum, including:
#4. showing enthusiasm and initiative
#5. maintaining positive relationships with peers and faculty personnel
#7. demonstrating a commitment to teaching and professional growth
#8. acting in responsible manner: punctual, dependable, and consistent
2. Attend every class, be punctual (i.e. ≥ 5 min early), and stay for the duration of the
class. Contact the instructor in advance of class in the case of an unavoidable absence.
3. Come to class very well prepared.
4. Submit assignments on the due date that closely adhere to the required standards and
criteria for that assignment.
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Assignments (See assignment package for more details)
1. WebQuest (25%) (KSAs #3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13) Due: Thursday January 24
You will choose a grade level and unit from the Alberta Science Program of Studies, and
create a WebQuest (web-based student activity) that matches unit SLOs and the
curriculum emphasis for that unit. An online tutorial is available for this assignment.
The WebQuest should include the following components:
• Introduction - orients students and captures their interest
• Task & Product - describes the activity's end product(s), including a graphic organizer;
• Process - explains procedures and resources students should use to complete the task
• Assessment/Evaluation - measures the results of the activity
• Conclusion - sums up the activity and encourages students to reflect on its process and
results.
• Credits & References - a list of the resources used and people who helped;
• Teacher Page – informs teacher-users of the WebQuest about the intended audience,
science program outcomes, processes, resources, assessment/evaluation methods, and
suggested introductory and follow-up activities. Webquests will be submitted to the
instructor by email or CD-ROM.
2. Minilesson (25%) (KSAs #3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16) Due: Thursday February 7.
You will prepare and deliver a 20-minute science lesson to a small group of peers, based
on your choice of subject/grade, unit and learning outcomes. The lesson will include
both knowledge and skill outcomes and at least 3 instructional strategies. Assignment
components include (a) a detailed lesson plan for the lesson, (b) your self-assessment of
the lesson plan and the lesson-as-taught (due Feb 9). Peers and a faculty member will
also provide feedback that will be addressed in your self-assessment.
3. Unit Plan (35%) (KSAs #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15) Due February 26 (last class).
You will develop a detailed unit plan for a science unit you are assigned by your teacher
associate. The unit plan will include Focusing Questions, Unit Summary, Graphic
Organizer, Rationale, General and Specific Learner Outcomes, Assessment Plan, Unit
Schedule, Materials List, Resources List.
4. Teacher Professional Growth Plan (15%) (KSAs #15, 16) Due: Thursday February
14 (PSII Goals/Preliminary Plan); Final Conference: (Completed Professional Growth
Plan).
You will develop and implement a professional growth plan that involves:
 setting professional goals for the practicum (on-campus)
 designing a plan to fulfill the goals (on-campus/during the practicum)
 implementing the plan (during the practicum)
 reflecting on your progress (during the practicum)
 setting goals for PSIII (during the practicum).
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The university consultant and teacher associate will collaborate with the ED 3601
instructor in the assessment of the professional growth plan during the practicum. The
professional growth plan is included in your PSII professional portfolio.
Assignment Summary
Assignment
WebQuest
Minilesson
Unit Plan
TPGP
Total
Weighting
25%
25%
35%
15%
100 %
Faculty of Education Grade Equivalencies
96 - 100
90 - 95
86 - 89
81 - 85
76 - 80
71 - 75
A+
A Excellent
AB+
B
Good
B-
67 - 70
63 - 66
60 - 62
57 - 59
53 - 56
50 - 52
<50
C+
C Satisfactory
CD+
D Poor
DF Unsatisfactory
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ED 3601 Science-1 Tentative Schedule: Spring 2008
Class #
1
Tues. Jan. 8
2
Thurs. Jan. 10
3
Tues. Jan. 15
4
Thurs. Jan. 17
5
Tues. Jan 22
6
Thurs. Jan. 24
7
Tues. Jan. 29
8
Thurs. Jan 31
9
Tues. Feb. 5
10
Thurs. Feb. 7
Friday Feb. 8
11
Tues. Feb. 12
12
Thurs. Feb. 14
February 18-22
13
Tues. Feb. 26
Mar. 3-4
Mar. 5 - Apr. 23
Apr. 21-23
Content, Activities, Assignments
• Orientation to ED 3601: introductions/course outline/ resources/ schedule/
assignments/ placements/ professional growth
• Introduction to Nature of Science § Science Inquiry Activity #1: “Water Drops”
• Learning science, the learning cycle and planning • Intro’ to Science Resources:
student resources (textbooks), teacher resources, other science print resources
• WebQuest & Web Authoring workshop (1 hour-Mac Lab)
• Scientific Literacy • STSE Science & the Alberta Science Program
• Nature of Science /Science Inquiry Emphasis
§ Science Inquiry Activity #2: “Drops Away”
• Science & Technology Emphasis § Science & Technology Resources
§ Technological Problem-Solving Activities: Tower Power, Golf Ball Bridge
• STSE/Societal Decision-Making Emphasis• STSE Issues & Perspectives
§ STS decision-making activity: A Test of Time • TPGP: Goals and Rationales
• Introduction to teaching strategies • Science Demonstrations, Science Inquiry Skills,
Questioning § Student Demonstrations
• Hands-on Investigation § Science Inquiry Activity: Oobleck - What do Scientists Do?
• Lab Safety: Principles/video [WebQuest Due]
• Direct Instruction • Objectives & Lesson Planning • Orientation to Minilessons
• Unit Planning: Units and the PSII Practicum, Unit Plan Components, the ‘Backwards
Design’ Process • Small Group Learning & Class Discussion
• Preparation for Practicum Orientation
[Minilessons Due: three groups of 5-6 students, 3 different rooms]
PRACTICUM ORIENTATION DAY
• Practicum orientation de-brief
• Classroom Management/Leadership & Science Teaching
• First day/first week classroom management • Classroom Management Plans
• Assessment Tools and Methods for Science Teaching and Learning
• Unit Assessment Plans
READING WEEK/SWATCA CONVENTION (no classes)
• Unit Planning Workshop: unit graphic organizers, unit schedules, assessment plan
(Curriculum Lab)
[Preliminary Teacher Professional Growth Plan Due]
• Differentiating science instruction: IPPs, learning styles, MI, centres, etc.
[Unit Plan due]
Planning/Transition Days
PSII PRACTICUM
Completed Professional Growth Plan Due (to University Consultant and TA)
Apr. 24
PSII CULMINATION DAY on campus: closure activities, course debrief
Apr. 25
PSIII Fall 2008 Orientation Meeting