Middle School Science– Strategies to engage students in

a virtual classroom

Presenter:

Jessa Hershner

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

I can…

• Develop engaging and rigorous activities that are implemented via virtual classrooms or venues.

• Design engaging lessons for science that incorporate 21st century skills and common core standards.

Agenda:

1.Stimulate Virtual Entrance Room

2.Pass out Handouts

3.Review of teaching strategies and virtual adaptations

4.Review Handouts & Lesson Plans

5.Closing

Effective Teaching and Learning Strategies:

Traditional Setting Virtual Adaptation

Direct instruction Earth’s Cycles Presentation

Multiple Intelligence

Approach

Photosynthesis and Respiration Comics

Differentiation Moon Phases Lesson

Inquiry/ Discovery Learning –

Interactive experiment

Freddie the Fish

Cooperative learning

Web quest

Jigsaw

Biomes Using Inspiration

Ecological Footprint

Biomes Reading Passages

Story writing Rock Cycle Short Story/Poem

Graphic Organizer Tides Lesson

5E Learning Cycle Portfolio – Unit 4

Interactive reading passage The Grouchy Ladybug

Backwards Design Myth Busters for Earth and Space Science

Flipped Classroom Abiotic/Biotic Factors

Direct Instruction • Use a PowerPoint

• Monitor with questions

• Using poll questions and chat pods are great formative assessment tools

Earth's Cycles Presentation

Multiple Intelligences Photosynthesis & Respiration Comics

Inquiry/Discovery Learning Freddie the Fish

Jigsaw – Biomes Reading Passages

Reading Passage

Instructions for Students

Students Take Notes

Student Chat

Cooperative Learning – Biomes with Inspiration

Web Quest – Ecological Footprints

• Provide explicit directions

– Keep directions posted the entire duration of the activity

• Provide an exemplar – Show students a

creative sample

• Create one yourself or find a neat sample online – There is no need

to re-create the wheel!

Using Graphic Organizers

5E Learning Cycle

Engage with Demo

Student tries experiment independently

Student Explains the Data

Conclusions Elaborate on Experience

Student & Teacher Evaluate Work

Interactive Reading Passage The Grouchy Ladybug, by Eric Carl

Backwards Design – Myth Busters

Flipped Classroom Approach • Create a recording and

send to students through email

• Recordings are typically more direct instruction

• Use class time to complete webquest or other higher level activities – Debates

– Presentations

– Story writing

– Group Work

Integrating Other Skills

Common Core Standards • Writing stories/poems

• Reading passages

• Vocabulary review

• Reading Comprehension

• Math Applications

• Examples:

• Fast Fingers Vocab Review

• The Grouchy Lady Bug

• Rock Cycle Story/Poem

• Comic Strips

• Biomes Reading Passage

• Calculating Ecological Footprint

21st Century Skills • Cooperative learning

• Inquiry

• Critical thinking

• Communication skills

• Working in small groups

• Self-direction & responsibility

• Leadership

• Examples:

• All of them!

Questions? Comments?

• I can…

• Develop engaging and rigorous activities that are implemented via virtual classrooms or venues.

• Design engaging lessons for science that incorporate 21st century skills and common core standards.