science curriculum topic study bridging the gap between standards and practice

NCOSP Learning Community Forum February 27-28, 2007

Science Curriculum Topic Study Science Curriculum Topic Study Bridging the Gap Between Bridging the Gap Between

Standards and PracticeStandards and Practice

Hierarchy of Content Knowledge, Science

Who’s in the Room?

3 Goals for Today

• (Review) Review Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) as a tool you can use to connect standards and research on learning to classroom practice.

• (Explore) Examine a scaffold that helps “unpack” a concept.

• (Apply) Consider ways CTS can help inform the writing of essential questions.

(Re)Introduction to CTS

“I got you a bunch of stuff- this is just the tip of the iceberg!”

Elbow Partner Talk

What does it mean to unpack a concept? What’s the purpose?

Practice Unpacking

• Topic = properties of matter• Concept = characteristic properties of

matter• Building our common understanding:

“Characteristic properties”• Card sort: arrange in a hierarchy, using

colored strips as organizers. As you sort, discuss, justify how you are deciding which card goes where

Choose Your Own Topic

• Find a CTS guide related to your topic.• Pick one single concept (Scan CTS III to choose

a concept).• Using the Guiding Questions and Hierarchy

Scaffold, unpack the concept. (Use CTS Section III for specific ideas)

• Once the concept is unpacked to “Facts and Terminology”, build it up to a “Big Idea” and “Unifying Concept or Idea”.

• Prepare a chart to share with the group.

Reflections on Your Learning

• Write down one new insight and one question generated by this session.

• Share your thinking with your table group.

Any Burning Questions?

For Additional Information

• Visit the CTS web site at www.curriculumtopicstudy.org

• Contact:Page Keeley, CTS Principal Investigator and

Project Director pkeeley@mmsa.org

Cheryl Rose, CTS Co-Principal Investigator for Mathematics CTS crose@mmsa.org

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