Science Best Practices
Guiding questions: What must my student learn? What is the best instruction method to use? What tools can I use to to ensure my students the best opportunity to learn? How will I know if my student learned? Will my student see the applicable value of what they learned?
Digital Classroom such as Schoology, Moodle, or Edmodo
Students don't inherently see the connection of lessons and unit in the flow of the full curriculum. Having your lessons and material posted in an user-friendly site map allows students and parents ease of access.
Pro: students see the big picture; parents have access; absent students have access; organizes teacher planing; allows for teachers to collaborate on curriculum
Con: requires elaborate teacher forethought; teacher time requirement is front-loaded; dependent on Internet access
Students don't inherently see the connection of lessons and unit in the flow of the full curriculum. Having your lessons and material posted in an user-friendly site map allows students and parents ease of access.
Pro: students see the big picture; parents have access; absent students have access; organizes teacher planing; allows for teachers to collaborate on curriculum
Con: requires elaborate teacher forethought; teacher time requirement is front-loaded; dependent on Internet access
Bellringer, Hook, Anticipatory Set,or Do Now using Exit Ticket
When students have that idle few minutes when they enter the room the teacher looses valuable instructional time and students easily wonder into trouble. Traditional forms of bellringers adds more work to the teacher to grade and judge student mastery
Pro: grab student's attention quickly; don't allow for idle hands while the teacher takes attendance; quickly know and use results to teach; students can't hide on these formative assessments; pull in questions from other teachers
Con: teacher time requirement is front-loaded; dependent on Internet access, dependent on
When students have that idle few minutes when they enter the room the teacher looses valuable instructional time and students easily wonder into trouble. Traditional forms of bellringers adds more work to the teacher to grade and judge student mastery
Pro: grab student's attention quickly; don't allow for idle hands while the teacher takes attendance; quickly know and use results to teach; students can't hide on these formative assessments; pull in questions from other teachers
Con: teacher time requirement is front-loaded; dependent on Internet access, dependent on
Visual Simulations and Manipulatives such as Algebra Tiles on the iPad and Gizmos.
Students all learn differently. Some learn by watching you work out statements and equations on the board. Some need a visual tool to go along with those examples.
Pro: tandem tool to enhance lecture; reward game; learning aid
Con: not a direct instruction device; dependent on Internet access, requires iPad access
Students all learn differently. Some learn by watching you work out statements and equations on the board. Some need a visual tool to go along with those examples.
Pro: tandem tool to enhance lecture; reward game; learning aid
Con: not a direct instruction device; dependent on Internet access, requires iPad access
3rd Party tools such as Study Island, Khan Academy, PhET, Science Buddies, Algodoo, or Crashcourse
Students need to have tertiary learning resources available to complement direct instruction. Also, some situations call for classroom use. Plus, parents may need to see concepts worked out.
Pro: students experience a new voice; parents have access to content; absent students have access;
Con: dependent on Internet access; students loose interest in watching several lessons successively
Students need to have tertiary learning resources available to complement direct instruction. Also, some situations call for classroom use. Plus, parents may need to see concepts worked out.
Pro: students experience a new voice; parents have access to content; absent students have access;
Con: dependent on Internet access; students loose interest in watching several lessons successively
Lesson Archival using ShowMe or Explain Everything
Students commonly need to have lecture demonstrated again and again before the lesson is learned. Students with poor attendance need a way to stay know what was missed. Parents need a tool to help with homework
Pro: parents have access; absent students have access; integrates well with digital curriculum maps; allows for teachers to divide and conquer
Con: teacher time requirement is front-loaded; dependent on Internet access, requires tablet access
Students commonly need to have lecture demonstrated again and again before the lesson is learned. Students with poor attendance need a way to stay know what was missed. Parents need a tool to help with homework
Pro: parents have access; absent students have access; integrates well with digital curriculum maps; allows for teachers to divide and conquer
Con: teacher time requirement is front-loaded; dependent on Internet access, requires tablet access
Allow Creative Learning Products via iFake Text, WeVideo, Vocaroo, or PixiClip
Students need to feel like they have options and flexibility to pursue avenues they like. This creates the buy-in needed for student engagement.
Pro: students experience a new voice
Con: dependent on Internet access
Students need to feel like they have options and flexibility to pursue avenues they like. This creates the buy-in needed for student engagement.
Pro: students experience a new voice
Con: dependent on Internet access
Parent Communication Class Dojo, Remind, & Infinite Campus Messenger.
Teachers all agree they can't do it alone. One of the most underutilized tools in education is the parent. However, parents don't usually know what is being taught or how to help their student. Keep parents in the loop with regular communications.
Pro: parents respect inclusion; parents help hold students accountable; parents try to help with homework
Con: requires delicate teacher communication; opens the teacher up to overly involved parent requests; dependent on parent email
Teachers all agree they can't do it alone. One of the most underutilized tools in education is the parent. However, parents don't usually know what is being taught or how to help their student. Keep parents in the loop with regular communications.
Pro: parents respect inclusion; parents help hold students accountable; parents try to help with homework
Con: requires delicate teacher communication; opens the teacher up to overly involved parent requests; dependent on parent email
Think there should be another resources on this page? Send me a message to tell me about it.
Click here to see a full list of educational technologies.
Click here to see a full list of educational technologies.
