Science, Math, Literacy, and Assessment

Two out of three fourth graders cannot read proficiently and seven out of ten inner-city and rural fourth graders cannot read at the most basic level (Paige, 2002). With increasing pressure on teachers to elevate reading proficiency because of NCLB, how do you envision a math/science education curriculum that supports literacy while still proving a rich environment for science inquiry and problem-based math learning? For example, how can you balance math practice problems, not drill, with your approach?

One of the further challenges of implementing a problem-based math and science curriculum is that assessment questions often require strong reading comprehension skill levels as well as science and math conceptual understanding. Visit the NAEP site explored in science methods and choose one science and one math question that you could use for your thematic unit as either a pre- or post assessment. What literacy skills would students also have to have to be successful on your selected question?

Please post these in your grade bands ~ Thank you!!!

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics)

In recent months the federal government has made moves to significantly increase funding opportunities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) research and development. What does this have to do with teachers? One, the federal government intends to maintain the economic viability of the US through continued innovations in the use and application of technology - this is a clear work-force development agenda. Educators will be expected to be a part of this agenda by modeling and integrating technology into classroom instruction.

To this end, we have explored Smartboards, Google Earth, calculators, hand-held computers, Vernier probes . . . in both math and science methods.

For your blog posting by GRADE LEVEL for this week:

1) Make arrangements to exchange emails of your google earth tour with another group or individual. Download Google Earth 4.2 on to your personal computer, view the emailed google earth tour and post your review of the tour to this blog.
2) Complete viewing of the placenames google earth tours (Salish and Flathead Reservation) using the student journal to guide your viewing and post one new understanding gained.
2) Think about the applications of Google Earth as it was demonstrated in the PlaceNames Curriculum? Would you use it? How? What other ways can you think of for applying the use of Google Earth in the classroom.
3) Find a calculator/computer lesson plan appropriate for YOUR field placement class. Discuss how you may modify this or teach it including challenges you may face.