Making Students' Thinking Visible
Workshop participants will engage in a set of immersive learning experiences designed to provide targeted skills and support for best implementation of instructional strategies in alignment with the Next Generation Science Framework. We will share, discuss, and practice multiple instructional strategies to embed in existing curriculum to improve student engagement and learning. Together, we will explore and practice various scenarios to learn how to make these instructional shifts to transform lessons and gain concrete scientific strategies to better support student learning and deepen understandings of the shifts toward student-centered, three-dimensional learning in the Next Generation Science Standards.
Making Students' Thinking Visible
Workshop Modules
Part 1: Making Thinking Visible Through Talk (Roughly 3-3.5 hrs)
- Review and develop a common understanding of the Next Generation Science Standards as a foundation for our shared learning in this series.
- Engage in an immersive activity designed to experience productive talk in a three-dimensional science lesson
- Deepen familiarity with the science & engineering practices that require students to engage in discourse
- Plan to engage students in productive talk in upcoming science lessons
Part 2: Using Models and Talk (Roughly 3-3.5 hrs)
Recommended at least 2-3 months following Part 1
- Experience a three-dimensional science lesson designed to support developing and using models to deepen discourse and learning
- Identify specific ways the NGSS incorporates scientific modeling and what students are expected to be able to do regarding talk in each grade band
- Use existing tools and resources to purposefully plan for deeper integration of modeling and productive discourse in an upcoming science lesson
Details
Biodiversity Explorers
Through hands-on activities, your students will see how ecosystems respond to change — both positive and negative. From rolling dice to simulating real-world disturbances to counting plant species in their environment, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of ecosystem health.
Gene-ius of Taste
Unlock the secrets of DNA! Your students will dive into the fascinating world of molecular biology and bioinformatics in this hands-on experience. They will extract their own DNA from cheek cells and take it home as a necklace.