Elementary Science Adoption Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2010
Present: Patricia Moore, Linda Middlebrook, Darryl Elves, Karen Trudeau, Shirley
Parrott, Peggy Bullock, Averil Story, Maria Smith, Nicky Seaberg, Mel Gallup, Ellen
Andersen, Debora Foreman.
+ / ∆ “We are hybrid – which usually outperforms the standard model.”
Clarify Standards and Vertical Articulation
 Professional development – we need to explain how to read the state standards for
North Kitsap document.
 For the “big” picture we need to provide teachers with a standards overview
document, the grade level specific standards and the state standards in a
packet/notebook.
 After much discussion, the decision was made not to move any standards between
grade levels.
 Forces and Motion – in second grade, where this standard is also addressed in
math, it will be introduced, and a kit will support this standard in third grade. The
measurement of forces and motion is taught in the fourth grade.
Comments
 There really aren’t that many domains. These are the essentials that kids need to
know.
 “Power standards” for science have not been developed. By using areas of
emphasis it assures each domain will be taught in depth at a particular level.
 The methods of scientific process should be consistent throughout the grade levels,
the topics are just gravy if kids have investigative skills.
 Have the terms “introduction” and “emphasis.”
 Professional development – need to teach teachers how to teach the “scientific
method.”
 Getting all teachers on the same page on the “scientific method” would really help
make all teachers comfortable teaching all the domains and teaching them
effectively.
 Development, development, development.
 Teaching teachers how to observe and record, and then question their observations
further.
 The texts in 4th/5th address all the standards and more.
 For the little intro stuff, a binder with simple lessons could be enough.
 Professional development – how to review the concepts previously taught.
 Maybe a poster/visual for scientific process and vocabulary (age level appropriate).
Elementary Science Adoption Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 2
Instructional Materials
Definitions:
Kits: Self contained - all supplies included: lessons, experiment, teacher and student
supplies. (STC / Foss/ District)
Supplemental Materials Box: A box that contains lessons and consumable and nonconsumable experiment supplies for kindergarten standards and 4th/5th grade textbook
experiments.
Textbooks: For 4th and 5th grades only.
Binders: We would like to supply a binder for each grade level that will include the
standards documents and any lessons not addressed by kits.
Comments:
 The group went through a lengthy discussion and reviewed feedback to decide if kits
and textbooks would be recommended for both 4th and 5th grades. The decision was:
2 kits per grade levels 1st through 5th. Kindergarten – 0 kits.
 The committee wants the district to COMMIT to all supplies and maintain the
supplies
 Mini science fairs constantly within the class (multiple attempts with the “SP”). An
inquiry kit won’t teach you how to teach it but provides the resources. It provides the
support after the professional development.
 Darrell commented that “it’s not rocket science.” Inquiry “kits” could easily be
constructed by the district. Even split between the two grades in the grade level
bands.
 Peggy will ask Laurie Dundi about Bainbridge Island’s insights with Foss.
 Sharing – do we need teacher input regarding sharing a kit? We may be able to buy
more kits.
 It is very likely that we will choose different companies for different kits.
Instructional Materials by Grade Level
K – Binder (Properties and Change)
Inquiry book (for teachers)
Supplementary materials box for Push/Pull and Plants
1-
Binder (Properties and Change / Observing the Sun and Moon)
Inquiry book
Kit – Liquids and Solids
Plants and Animals
2-
Binder (Forces and Motion / Earth in Space)
Kit - Matter
Life Cycles / Biological Evolution
3-
Binder (Energy / Earth Systems)
Kit - Forces and Motion
Ecosystems / Biological Evolution
Elementary Science Adoption Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 3
4-
Binder
Textbook
Supplemental materials box
Kit -
5-
Binder
Textbook
Supplemental materials box
Kit - Variables
Landforms
Estimated Prices:
 Darryl posed the following questions:
-What can we afford?
-Should we start with one kit at each level so that teachers have something by
September?
-We need to move forward as a committee!
 Patricia reviewed that this year $100,000 is budgeted for elementary science
adoption. If this committee’s recommendation exceeds that amount, we can make a
proposal to Dr. Jones for additional funding.
 Patricia provided a very rough 1st draft price estimate.
 The committee spent the afternoon coming up with a more specific budget estimate
(see attached).
We ran out of time to discuss professional development and district-wide expectations.
The next meeting will be held the last week of May after the MSP testing is completed.
Elementary Science Adoption Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 4
Budget Draft
(2 kits per school)
Fifth grade:
500 Textbooks
23 Teacher Edition
23 Teacher Test Generator CD
Foss kit – Variables
Landforms
$36,356.64
$5,840
$46,720.00
Fourth Grade:
Same as above – 2 kits
Third Grade:
2 kits
Supplementary Materials
$46,720.00
$12,800
$2,500
$15,300.00
Second Grade:
2 kits
Supplementary Materials
$14,260
$2,500
$17,180.00
First Grade:
Inquiry book
2 kits
Supplementary Materials
$1,440
$12,800
$1,200
$15,440.00
Kindergarten:
Inquiry book
Supplementary Materials
$1,000
$1,500
$2,500.00
Cost to replenish kit materials:
To be shared
$3,200.00
$145,013.28
Questions
 The second column does not add up correctly (adds to $183,416.64)
 Some of the first column figures do not add up to the second column extension
($14,260 and $2,500 add to $16,760)
 Are the first column figures for both kits times 7 elementary schools? PAL not
included?
 Supplementary materials and Inquiry book – does cost = 1 per school? Or accounts
for all 7 schools?
 Is the $5,840 for the Foss kits for both kits x 7 schools? (Approximate cost per kit?)