The University of Lethbridge Faculty of Education
EDUC 3601 Principles of Curriculum and Instruction
Science – 2
Course Outline
Spring 2007
Instructor: Paul Stevenson
Email: paul.stevenson@shaw.ca
Phone: 403 – 327 – 4103
Office: A842
Secretary: Barb Krushel, B858
Class Times: Mon./Wed. 1:00 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Room: B760 (Science Education Lab)
Required Textbook:
Scientific Literacy for Canadian Students by Roscoe and Mrazek (CLR)
Science is… by Bosak, Bosak & Puppa (Scholastic Canada)
Invitations to Inquiry by Tak Liem
Web Resources:
• Alberta Science Program of Studies
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
http://www.2learn.ca/
• LearnAlberta.ca
http://www.learnalberta.ca/Main.aspx
• Alberta Teachers' Association Science Council
http://www.atasc.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
Course Description:
The curriculum and Instruction module consists of 39 hours of instruction
focussed on effective medium term (unit) planning. The intent of the course is to
foster the student’s development as a teacher of science. The course will
explore:
 Effective planning both short and long term in science
 The outcomes as described in the Programs of Study
 Science resources including print and electronic
 Instructional strategies for science
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Integration of computer technology in the science classroom
Student assessment and evaluation
Classroom management and leadership
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
1. Create effective science lesson plans and unit plans that correlate with the
outcomes and philosophy of the Alberta Programs of Study (KSA #2, #3,
#4 and #6)
2. Identify and effectively use a wide range of educational resources for
science lesson and unit planning. (KSA #10, #13, #6)
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Student basic resources including textbooks and teacher resource
manuals
Other resources approved by Alberta Education
Electronic resources such as multimedia CD-ROMs and web sites
Community Resources
3. Use a variety of instructional strategies appropriate to the Alberta Program
of Studies in science, the level taught, and student’s learning needs
including: (KSA #9, #5)
 Direct instruction
 Individual guided practice
 Class discussion and questioning
 Hands-on science activity (including partial and full inquiries)
 Demonstrations
 Small group/ cooperative learning strategies
4. Integrate information and communications technology (ICT) outcomes into
science instruction (KSA #10)
5. Plan for effective classroom management and leadership in science
classrooms including: (KSA #8)
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Creating a positive learning environment
Establishing and reinforcing expectations
Building positive relationships
Developing effective classroom routines and procedures
Safety procedures
Responding effectively when expectations are not met
6. Develop and use a variety of science assessment techniques and
instruments to assess and evaluate the full range of science outcomes.
(KSA #11)
7. Create multiple paths to learning differentiation instruction and adapting
instruction for multi-grade or multipurpose classrooms (KSA #5, #6)
8. Develop and implement a Professional Growth Plan (TPGP). (KSA #15,
#16)
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 on time (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 prepared.
4. Submit assignments on the due date that closely adhere to the required standards
and criteria for that assignment.
Assignments
1. Webquest (25%) (KSAs #3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13) Due: Wednesday 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. 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.
Webquests will be submitted to the instructor by email or CD-ROM.
Note: It is suggested that students consult http://webquest.org/ and follow the
links to examine sample science WebQuests.
2. Minilesson (20%) (KSAs #3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 16) Due 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 selfassessment 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 selfassessment.
3. Unit Plan (35%) (KSAs #3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15) Due March 6
You will develop a detailed unit plan for the unit you are assigned by your teacher
associate. This unit plan will include Focusing Questions, Unit Summary, Concept
Map(s), Semantic Web, a Rationale, the General and Specific Learner Outcomes, Unit
Schedule, Materials List, Resources List and a minimum of three lesson plans.
The Unit plan will include as appendices:
 A Classroom Management and Leadership Plan
 An Assessment Plan
4. Professional Growth (10%) (KSAs #15, 16)
A. Teacher Professional Growth Plan (TPGP) Including PSII Goals Due Feb. 26
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).
The university consultant and teacher associate will collaborate with the ED 3601
instructor in the assessment and evaluation of the professional growth plan during the
practicum. It is suggested that the professional growth plan be included in your PSII
professional portfolio.
Assignment Summary
Assignment
Resource Creation
Minilesson
Preliminary Unit Plan
Professional Growth
In class assignments
Total
Weighting
25%
20%
35%
10%
10%
100 %
Faculty of Education Grade Equivalencies
96 - 100
90 - 95
86 - 89
81 - 85
76 - 80
71 - 75
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
Excellent
Good
67 - 70
63 - 66
60 - 62
57 - 59
53 - 56
50 - 52
<50
C+
C Satisfactory
CD+
D Poor
DF
Unsatisfactory
ED 3601 Tentative Schedule - Winter 2007
Class #
1
M Jan. 8
2
W Jan. 10
3
M Jan. 15
4
W Jan. 17
5
M Jan. 22
6
W Jan. 24
7
M Jan 29
8
W Jan 31
9
M Feb 5
10
W Feb. 7
Th Feb 8
11
M Feb. 12
Content, Activities, Assignments
Orientation to ED 3601: introductions/science teaching inventory/great
science teachers/course outline/resources/schedule/assignments/
placements/professional growth
• Introduction to Nature of Science § Science Activity #1
Learning science •Nature of science cont’d./ teaching strategies &
unit planning
• Print resources for science ed. • Orientation to Science Resources
(1.5 hour: Curriculum Lab) • WebQuests • Concept Maps
Scientific Literacy • The learning cycle/ STS Science & the Alberta
Science Program •Nature of Science /Science Inquiry Emphasis
§ Science Activity #2
• Science & Technology Emphasis § Science & Technology
Resources & Activities
• STSE/Societal Decision-Making Emphasis• STSE Issues &
Perspectives
• STSE decision-making activities • Growth Plan: goal-setting• Mini
lesson prep
• Science Demonstrations, Science Inquiry Skills, Questioning &
Class Discussion • Objectives & Lesson Planning • Resource
Assignment Due
• Hands-on Investigation &Oobleck: What do scientists do? • Lab
Safety Principles/video
• Direct Instruction & guided practice/seatwork • Small Group
Learning
• Preparation for Practicum Orientation • Science & the Internet •
Integrating ICT into the Science Program (Guest Speaker)
• Minilessons Day
Integration Day: p.m. only
PRACTICUM ORIENTATION DAY: Friday Feb. 9
• Practicum orientation de-brief
12
W Feb. 14
• Unit Planning: Preliminary Unit Plan (Curriculum Lab) • Creation of
concept map
READING WEEK/ ATA CONVENTION February 19-23 (no classes)
13
M Feb 26
14
W Feb. 28
• Classroom Management/Leadership & Science Teaching • First
day/first week classroom management • Management/Leadership Plan
• TPGP(PSII Goals) Due
• Differentiating science instruction: IPPs, learning styles, MI, centres,
etc.
15.
T Mar 6
Mar.8-Apr.25
Integration Day
• Unit Plan due
PSII PRACTICUM
Apr. 6-13
Easter Break
TRANSITION DAY on campus: closure activities; course debrief
• Reflections on Progress & PSIII Goals Due (to University
Consultant and TA)
April 26