Grades 6-12

Secondary Science Coordinator

Email: jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: http://ccsoh.us/science
Location: 3700 South High Street, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 380-997-0466
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusCitySchools/

Our next training session for the new standards will be January 13th. We will then not train again until May. Once we have trained on the new standards and model curriculum, we will work out a system to assist you all with integrating the new standards. What we are learning is that it is essential to teach the standards by incorporating the Nature of Science and the Cognitive Demands.

The Guiding Principles for the new standards are:

-Definition of Science

-Scientific and Engineering Practices

-21st Century Skills

-Technology and Engineering

-Depth of Content

-Internationally Benchmarked

-Assessment

-Standards and Curriculum

To find out more about these, see page 4 of the new science standards.

Middle school science has the overarching theme of Order and Organization. This theme focuses on helping students use scientific inquiry to discover patterns, trends, structures and relationships that may be inferred from simple principles. These principles are related to the properties or interactions within and between systems. All your topics and cross-cutting concepts should be taught with this theme as the overarching idea.

Videos to assist you:

Update on revisions: http://bit.ly/SECOSept2019Webinar

The Nature of Science: http://bit.ly/SECOOct19

Have you checked out the new, revised standards and model curriculum yet? You can find them here:

http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Science/Ohios-Learning-Standards-and-MC/SciFinalStandardsMC060719.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US

Please note: These standards are for the 2020-2021 school year. They are NOT to be used this school year. There are changes that will be reflected on the 2020-2021 state testing, but those changes will not be addressed on this year's testing.

Articles Recommended by ODE about Student Talk:

How Can I Get My Students to Learn Science by Productively Talking to Each Other?http://stemteachingtools.org/brief/6

Talk Science Primer https://inquiryproject.terc.edu/shared/pd/TalkScience_Primer.pdf

Productive Talk Checklist https://inquiryproject.terc.edu/assessment/Goals_and_Moves.cfm.html

We will hold a joint meeting this month for Content Experts and Department Chairs. It will be Tuesday, January 14th from 4:00-6:00. As a district, we need to incorporate census training and correlations into our curriculum. Our teams will meet with a representative from the 2020 Census government agency and will then brainstorm by region about some ideas to incorporate and integrate census curriculum. Please check with your school's representative on what you will be doing. More information will be coming via email.

Have you heard all the buzz around these words lately? Do you think they are the same? Are you confused? Here are some explanations to help:

Differentiated Learning

Within the context of education, differentiation is a type of learning where instruction is tailored to meet the learning needs, preferences and goals of individual students. The overarching academic goals for groups of students are the same, yet the teacher has the latitude to use whatever resources and approaches he or she sees fit to connect with a student or use practices that have proved successful for similar students in the past.

Regardless of what a teacher decides to differentiate — whether it’s subject matter, the learning process or even the environment where learning occurs — differentiation is an awareness of and active response to students’ varied learning styles. It involves exercising flexibility in assessment, grouping and instruction to create the best learning experience possible.

Here’s how differentiation works: A teacher responds to a student’s unique learning needs through the learning process, the educational content, or the specific learning vehicle or product, based on a student’s interests, learning profile or readiness.

Teachers differentiate by providing different paths to learning that help students make sense of concepts and skills. They also provide appropriate levels of challenge for all students, no matter their competency. Conversely, teachers do not differentiate by developing a separate lesson plan for each student in a classroom or by merely “watering down” the curriculum for some students.

It’s about connecting the dots: linking the academic goals of the curriculum with students’ diverse interests and capacities. This takes really knowing the students in your classroom and adapting your curriculum where possible. This also requires the development of a comprehensive plan for how you will use resources and how much time it takes to facilitate differentiated learning and to assess results.

Individualized Learning

Instruction calibrated to meet the unique pace of various students is known as individualized learning. If differentiation is the “how” then individualization is the “when.” The academic goals, in this case, remain the same for a group of students, but individual students can progress through the curriculum at different speeds, based on their own particular learning needs. This approach serves students who may need to review previously covered material, students who don’t want to waste time covering information they’ve already mastered, or students who need to proceed through the curriculum more slowly or immerse themselves in a certain topic or principle to really “get” it.

The term individualized instruction was coined nearly 50 years ago. Initially, the approach included any teaching strategies that met an individual student’s needs, but — in practice — the term describes students working through set materials or curricula at their own rates. With individualized instruction, learning strategies are based on student readiness, interests and best practices. All of this is meant to help each student master the skills they will need as defined by established academic standards.

Personalized Learning

Perhaps the most confusing term of them all is personalized learning. Some misuse the term, thinking it refers to a student’s choice of how, what and where they learn according to their preferences. Others confuse it with individualization, taking it as a reference to lessons that are paced at different rates to accommodate different students.

Really, personalized learning — at least in our understanding of the term — refers to the whole enchilada: learning that is tailored to the preferences and interests of various learners, as well as instruction that is paced to a student’s unique needs. Academic goals, curriculum and content — as well as method and pace — can all conceivably vary in a personalized learning environment.

Unlike individualized instruction, personalized learning involves the student in the creation of learning activities and relies more heavily on a student’s personal interests and innate curiosity. Instead of education being something that happens to the learner, it is something that occurs as a result of what the student is doing, with the intent of creating engaged students who have truly learned how to learn.

This method is obviously a far cry from the way that most teachers are traditionally trained to interact with students. Personalization, in addition to responding to students’ needs and interests, teaches them to manage their own learning — to take control and ownership of it. It’s not something that is done to them but something that they participate in doing for themselves. For teachers, personalized learning is about facilitation more than dissemination.

Since the most effective (and unrealistic) application of true personalized learning would require one-on-one tutoring for every student based on their interests, preferences, needs and pace, personalized learning is often conceived of as an instructional method that incorporates adaptive technology to help all students achieve high levels of learning.

Putting It All Together

Technology — when employed properly and meaningfully — can help educators deliver differentiated, individualized and personalized instruction. It can help facilitate timely interventional responses, involve parents more in their children’s learning, empower school leaders with data to support teachers, and either break down problems or make those problems more complex, based on the individual needs of the student. It’s up to savvy teachers to connect the appropriate tools with the right students — and, in the case of personalized learning, allowing students to make suggestions and control their own academic experiences.

Modern learning is the ultimate collaboration between teacher and student. Much like a doctor, the teacher must assess each individual’s needs, then prescribe the right solution for that person by crafting an appropriate curriculum and delivering it in a way that is meaningful. At the same time, students know on some level what teaching-learning style works best for them, and they must contribute to the creation of their personalized curriculum. Today’s educators can better harness the tools required to address a vibrant spectrum of learner differences and create profoundly dynamic educational experiences in their classrooms.

Taken directly from: https://www.iste.org/explore/Education-leadership/Personalized-vs.-differentiated-vs.-individualized-learning

OSU Translational Data Analytics Summer Camp: The Translational Data Analytics Institute hosts a free summer camp that introduces 30 young women in grades 8-10 to data science and analytics–an exciting, fast-growing field centered on scientific methods and processes for extracting new knowledge from data. Students who learn these skills can combine them with an unimaginably wide range of interests, from business and biology to health care and education, to city planning and social services–and they are in high demand by employers. Check this website for registration information: https://tdai.osu.edu/summer-camp/?utm_campaign=umar_faculty-staff-newsletter_fy20_oncampus%20today%2020191209&utm_medium=email&utm_source=EOACLK

Do your students have an interest in going green? Do they care about our watersheds? Students for Zero Waste Week: During this campaign, students focus on reducing land-based waste in order to protect the health of local marine environments. These young leaders are raising awareness of how single-use plastic and other types of litter affect the health of local watersheds, national marine sanctuaries, and the ocean. In addition, some schools are looking at ways to reduce their energy use on campus with hopes of raising awareness of how the burning of fossil fuels also impacts the health of the ocean. https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/ocean_guardian/zero-waste-week/

International Field Studies, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Columbus operating a field station on Andros island in the Bahamas. They work with many other schools in neighboring school districts across Ohio and would like to reach out to us with a professional development opportunity. They are hosting a field-based Climate Change Course with Wright State University in July of 2020 and would love to extend this opportunity for professional development including graduate level college credits or CEU hours to the teachers in our district. See the attached flyer below with additional information. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions. You may also contact Professor William Slattery for details or application instructions: william.slattery@wright.edu.

There is still time to apply for Challenge 3: The Fairchild Challenge is a free, multidisciplinary, standards-based, STE(A)M-focused environmental education program for Middle School and High School classrooms and educational organizations. It provides educators with another tool to deliver core curriculum and gives students an opportunity to shine. See link below.

Are you incorporating food-related topics into your topic? Would you like to share your experiences? Please see the link below to sign up.

7th grade teachers: We have changed the way you get the energy bike. It is now delivered to you by delivery services. I HIGHLY this experience for your students as it is an excellent 'transfer of energy' example. If you are teaching the products from OEP, then this coordinates well. Go to the webpage for the energy bike resource, https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/2678, and on the right side you will find a pull-down menu with a tutorial, video, lessons, and reservation form. If you need to have someone come help you set it up, please contact Jenny Nord.

Are you an Edcite user and in a tested subject: https://www.edcite.com/collection-air-practice-assignments-2019-2020-ohio

Ditch that Textbook:

20 Sites for Students with Free Time on Their Hands: http://ditchthattextbook.com/10-sites-for-students-with-free-time-on-their-hands/

20 Video Project Ideas to Engage Students: http://ditchthattextbook.com/20-video-project-ideas-to-engage-students/

Wards:

Ewww Experiment (hand washing): https://tinyurl.com/rzj9kdc

Bullfrog Dissection in under 6 Minutes: https://tinyurl.com/rqmftkb

HHMI video: Coral Bleaching/Symbiosis: https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources/coral-bleaching

Free pH Scale Interactive Notebook Chart: https://tinyurl.com/rbr6mst

Free Body Systems Warmups: https://tinyurl.com/txryora

Free Model Particle Motion and Thermal Expansion Activity: https://tinyurl.com/vjkm3f8

Journey North: Tracking migrations and seasons https://journeynorth.org/

Want more citizen science and data? Don't forget our Padlet: https://padlet.com/jnord5257/science

Free Trophic Pyramid Color and Blackline: https://tinyurl.com/yx64zmap

Free Introduction to Plate Tectonics PowerPoint: https://tinyurl.com/ws2rmep

Free Atmosphere Model in a Bottle: https://tinyurl.com/s8gyq25

Free Word Wall Connection Cards: https://tinyurl.com/syrza5t

Pasco Quick Easy Demos in Chemistry Webinar: https://youtu.be/nyWKzzJ5oW8

We need to continue to be mindful about safety in our classrooms/labs. Please be sure to have a physical copy of the SDS for any chemicals in your storage and have a copy of that filed in the office listed for your room. Should the fire department ever have to come, they need to know with which chemicals they are dealing.

Make sure you are considering all safety precautions with your labs and activities. Please do NOT use any chemicals or equipment with which you are not familiar or do not have the lab facility to safely use. This would include proper storage and storage facilities.

For middle school, we are asking that you do not have any chemicals in your rooms that carry a safety warning higher than 0-1 for fire, health, and instability; even if you are only using this chemical for a demonstration. The issue is that middle schoolers can be unpredictable and many of our middle school rooms simply don't have the proper storage facilities that are necessary to maintain safety.

NewsELA: Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the articles as they will have 3 more articles on the topic that might interest you.

Osmosis and Diffusion: https://tinyurl.com/vwld27c

Feathered Dinosaur Part: https://tinyurl.com/t3tff4n

Rare Lemon Sharks: https://tinyurl.com/r7gwxr9

Electroreception and Sharks: https://tinyurl.com/uopntns

Squirrels, from Sap to Syrup: https://tinyurl.com/udamoh2

Where Do the Turtles Go?: https://tinyurl.com/t2c7aga

Humpback Whales: https://tinyurl.com/tobfnzu

Insect Sensory Organs: https://tinyurl.com/quq9p8q

How Do Dominant Genes Work?: https://tinyurl.com/yx2dcnap

How MRIs Work: https://tinyurl.com/vx9kpkd

Red Blood Cells Fight Malaria: https://tinyurl.com/qnjraxd

Science of Making Ice Cream: https://tinyurl.com/shktc48

Lava Lamps: https://tinyurl.com/rsx6d75

Drilling and Earthquakes: https://tinyurl.com/qsouews

Plate Tectonics and Faults: https://tinyurl.com/uq2b8ho

Igneous Rocks: https://tinyurl.com/se47vfj

How Natural Gems Form: https://tinyurl.com/tctaznt

Create an Electric Circuit: https://tinyurl.com/sshuqot

Electrical Engineer Job: https://tinyurl.com/uqv7zkz

Potential and Kinetic Energy: https://tinyurl.com/rq945b4

Morse Code, Primitive Internet: https://tinyurl.com/tvz3bga

States of Matter: https://tinyurl.com/qo7m3oc

Voyager Message Decoded: https://tinyurl.com/rsgwpuo

Rainbows and Visible Light: https://tinyurl.com/ro4cpvr

Antarctica Fossilized Forests: https://tinyurl.com/wy28yzo

Remains of Prehistoric Pup Found: https://tinyurl.com/t6ms3q4

Education Week: Personalized Learning

What Is Personalized Learning?: https://tinyurl.com/u5l68tj

Challenges Ahead; Mistakes to Avoid: https://tinyurl.com/ulf6bx3

Problems and Pitfalls of Personalized Learning: https://tinyurl.com/wjf6yhs

One Big Barrier: Time: https://tinyurl.com/ugba9wa

Personalized Learning Explained Video: https://tinyurl.com/t7npnte

Schoology: Beginner's Guide to Common Assessments: https://tinyurl.com/rd45v8u

Voices from the Middle: Word Wall: https://tinyurl.com/z7k9hsq

Forbes: Earth's Magnetic Pole Has Moved: https://tinyurl.com/rua42gt

Ecology News: Wind Turbines Create more Global Warming: https://tinyurl.com/vmgyqyl

Natural News: NASA: Sun Causes Climate Change: https://tinyurl.com/y2qwvvxb

Shape.com: Chocolate Fights a Cough: https://tinyurl.com/rn2atm5

Education Week:

Why a Growth Mindset Won't Work: https://tinyurl.com/udk9jqy

Boost Student Motivation: https://tinyurl.com/s9gquy8

LIteracy Skills for Work: https://tinyurl.com/sywbrro

Speaking Skills Top Employers Want: https://tinyurl.com/v72owj3

Bring Job Specific Texts into Class: https://tinyurl.com/vu78b6p

Learn by Doing; Bloom's Taxonomy: https://tinyurl.com/tynnuft

6 Mistakes to Undermine Personalized Learning: https://tinyurl.com/wdyshl6

Science Textbooks Don't Represent Process of Discovery: https://tinyurl.com/srlmnsy

How Much Should Teachers Talk and Strategies: https://tinyurl.com/sonba7f

Poor Materials on Lesson Sharing Sites: https://tinyurl.com/u744jxm

Teaching Profession in 2019 in Charts: https://tinyurl.com/tngnqt4

12 Critical Issues Facing Teaching in 2020 Blog: https://tinyurl.com/ujv263r

NSTA: Asking Questions: https://tinyurl.com/yycyof3y

ASCD:

Tips for Metacognitive Skills: https://tinyurl.com/shpnxpw

Making Deep Thinking the Norm: https://tinyurl.com/rly8r3v

The Power of Metacognition: https://tinyurl.com/uawa6ge

Wards: 8 Reasons to Use Owl Pellets (7th grade): https://tinyurl.com/tyhfrtw

Spruce Run Nature Center is an excellent resource for outdoor education. What a wonderful experience for your students this year! Contact Geri Granger if you are interested in having an experience with your class. Make sure to save your date early in the school year as fall and spring dates fill up quickly.

Spruce Run offers public programming 1 Saturday a month!Please visit this link to see all the opportunities:

https://www.smore.com/084ux-spruce-run-environmental-center

Camille Schrier graduated from VirginiaTech with dual bachelor of science degrees in biochemistry and systems biology. She currently is studying to obtain a doctor of pharmacy degree. And what did she do for her talent...she did chemistry demonstrations!

Remember...if you use any lab or activity that you find online, be sure to follow all safety guidelines. Make sure that it is safe and appropriate to our safety guidelines before you ever attempt it. Also, be certain that it aligns with the standards.

Embrace the Cold with Winter Experiments: https://www.steampoweredfamily.com/activities/winter-science-experiments/

Winter-Themed Classroom Resources grades 9-12 NEA: http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/winter-theme-grades9-12.html

Family Science...10 Science Experiments to Do in the Snow: https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/scientific-experiments/10-science-experiments-to-do-in-snow.htm

Office of Teaching and Learning (614-365-5727) is located at 3700 S. High St. Come down and visit us!

Sandee Donald, Executive Director, Teaching and Learning

Alyse Clark, Director of Secondary Curriculum

Heather Allen, K-5 Coordinator, hallen704@columbus.k12.oh.us

Jennifer Nord, 6-12 Science Coordinator, jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us

Geri Granger, K-12 Spruce Run Coordinator, ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us