MVLA Science Now!

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Table of Contents

General

1.      Frameworks Update

2.      Message For the Field

3.      Unpacking NGSS for Teachers videos

4.      What Teachers Need to Know about IQ

Subject Specific

1.      NGSS Life Science

2.      Physics, Chemistry & Biology Simulations Activities

3.      Earth and Space Systems

Computer Tip

1.      Turn your Mac into a Seismograph

Humor

     1. This is SportsCenter- the Spread of Colds

1. Content Frameworks Update

A collaborative group of states, classroom educators, administrators, and others with in-depth knowledge of the NGSS began the work to draft Model Content Frameworks in mid-July. The models being developed show possibilities for how curriculum developers, administrators and teachers could structure units across a year that move students toward proficiency on the performance expectations (PEs) associated with each grade band/level by the end of instruction

By: www.nextgenscience.org

2. Key Message For the Field

The practice in the PE describes how students are asked to demonstrate understanding at the end of instruction. It does not limit what practices should be used in instruction. For example, if a PE calls for a student to construct an explanation, this merely indicates the assessment expectation for students. In the classroom, a teacher should have students engage in additional practices, such as asking questions and analyzing data. However, it is also important to note that the science and engineering practices in the NGSS are not teaching strategies, but rather, the processes students should be using to learn and apply their content knowledge.

By: www.nextgenscience.org

3. Video Introduction for Teachers

Site Name	Bozman Science
Site URL	http://www.bozemanscience.com/next-generation-science-standards/
Site Author	Paul Andersen
Description	Paul unpacks NGSS with a series of videos. He give examples, and depicts the standard, practice or cross cutting concept from K – 12. This is a great resource for teachers!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Reading

Site Name	What Teachers Need to Know about IQ
Site URL	http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/spring2013/Nisbett.pdf
Site Author	Richard Nisbett
Description	Nisbett is the author of Intelligence and How to Get It. The article has recommendations for discussing intelligence with your students This also bring up the concept “Stereotype Threat” and its influence on IQ.

Subject Specific

1. Life Science

Site Name	NGSS Life Science
Site URL	http://www.ngsslifescience.com/index.html
Description	CCSS *+& NGSS Life Science lesson plans. Free high school biology curriculum based on inquiry, the science practices & cross cutting concepts.

 2. Physics, Chemistry & Biology Simulations Activities

Site Name	Science of Atoms and Molecules
Site URL	http://concord.org/projects/science-atoms-and-molecules#about.subtab3 works better on Internet Explorer (versus Chrome)
Site Author	Concord Consortium
Description	The SAM activities is a package of short, connected lessons that include interactive simulations. The activities are usually 8-10 pages in length and designed to be used during the course of two class periods, however you can use a simulation as a demo or reinforcement. Each activity page contains one or two simulations for observation and experimentation, explanatory text and graphics, instructions for using the simulation and embedded questions for assessment.  Both formative and summative assessments are embedded in each activity.

 3. Earth and Space Sciences

Site Name	The Goldilocks Principle: Comparing the Atmospheres of Earth, Venus, and  Mars
Site URL	http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_1_2_1t.htm
Site Author	EPA
Description	This activity introduces students to the atmospheric differences between the three "sister" planets in a graphic and hands-on way. They should get an overall appreciation of the important similarities and differences. Students will use this understanding later as they begin to appreciate the scope and importance of the greenhouse effect on earth.

  

Computer Tip

Site Name	Turn  your MacBook into a Seismograph
Site URL	http://www.suitable.com/tools/seismac.html
Site Author	Daniel Griscom
Description	“SeisMac is a Mac OS X application that turns your MacBook or MacBook Pro into a seismograph. It accesses your laptop's Sudden Motion Sensor in order to display real-time, three-axis acceleration graphs.”

Humor

Site Name	This is SportsCenter- Robinson Cano and the Spread of Colds
Site URL	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUWMMM9eNxU
Site Author	ESPN
Description	“For some reason, germs seem to spread around the Bristol campus faster than other offices.”