First, my district uses the five E’s and has a scope and sequence for every subject set in place. This is due to the large amounts of migrant students in our district. What I mean is, the students move schools several times within one school year, so a plan was implemented several years ago to keep all classes on the same calendar and topic. Lessons, labs, and activities that are known to work best for our students were placed in the district scope and sequences.
Second, to insure that I have a high-quality of science instruction, I try to use the Inquiry process during lab investigations. Banchi (2008) says open inquiry is the highest level of inquiry in which students have the purest opportunities to act like scientist. I try to reach this level through some practice with guided inquiry which is inquiry level just before open inquiry.
Third, Emhoff (Laureate Education, ___) says STEM cultivates 21st century cooperative group team. During lab investigations, reading passages, and activities in the classroom, students work cooperatively to accomplish tasks in the classroom. Students use a variety of technology to accomplish their tasks. Students use the Promethean board to share their information with students during classroom discussions. Also, they use GLX explorer probes to gather information during lab, and scientific calculators.
One challenge I have faced this year, in working with colleagues, is having a new teacher teach Integrated Physics and Chemistry. Early on, there were difficulties teaching students, and I had them moved into my classroom. Therefore, I have been teaching through a lot of behavior problems and attendance problems, but I am the veteran teacher and can manage this for a year. Next, during collaboration we were asked to get our students motivated in reading by bringing something to share, and I have not received any examples of reading from my colleague. I did receive some assistance from my Teacher Coach. They gave me a wonderful idea that required a lot of planning, but it was more work than my students or the Coach could accomplish in a 45 minute period. It took the Coach two days to perform Guided Inquiry lab, and in both cases they did not have good pacing. I am all for having someone come in and helping me becomes a better teacher, but I expressed my concerns, and these concerns have not been met. It seems the main word used is focusing in on the learning.
As a professional I have to take these efforts with a grain of salt and move on. My last Walden class has helped me somewhat with the discipline issues I have encountered in the classroom. I am going to send out letters when I get back from Spring break. I am going to take what few ideas I have received from the district Coach and try to make use of them in my classroom. Also, I will supply the district Coach with all of the data, questions and information requested on my students.
To improve the science program at my school, I have placed information from professional development courses I have taken online at my Moodle site. I share this information with my colleagues during collaboration and any district employee that needs information on my classroom or technology used in my classroom. Also, during collaboration period and coaching collaboration, I share information with my colleagues to help gain a second perspective on how to create a better lesson. I try to make everyone aware of my site and that they can use this site to gain information that they may need to help them in the classroom. I have yet to gain a frequent collaborator and in many cases I get the usual, I am very busy, or stop saying it is on your Moodle site. But I just keep on trying to make the information available to all of my colleagues.
In conclusion, my district has set up a lot of assistance for teachers to follow on the district scope and sequence. The Inquiry process helps to raise the level of my students thinking processes and technological levels in the classroom. Also, group work has improved students thinking and scientific skills for the 21st century.
References
Banchi, H., & Bell, R. (2008). The many levels of inquiry. Science and Children, 46(2), 26–29.
Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the Education Research Complete database.
Retrieved from the Walden University Library using the Education Research Complete database.
Laureate Education, Inc. (___). (____). SCIE-6664S-1: Looking into the Future of Science and Education. Promoting STEM Education in the Classroom. Emhoff, T. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6493252&Survey=1&47=7479174&ClientNodeID=403157&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.
