posted by:
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Joni Falk
on August 10, 1999
at 9:49AM
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subject:
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Welcome to the Forum: Science Instructional Materials for Middle School
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For the next two weeks I will be soliciting your feedback and thoughts on middle school curriculum. A summary paper will be written that will be shared with NSF as they are in the midst of formulating an instructional materials initiative. This is an example of how the LSC-net site can serve to pool the rich resources that are present within the "virtual" community. It is also a good example of how practice can help to inform policy. This forum will only last for two weeks. WE REQUEST THAT EVERY PARTICIPANT POSTS AT LEAST ONCE so that we can obtain broad, representative, feedback. Please address your comments to any (or all) of the following four topics. It may be helpful to post the topic you are addressing (ie. "Your Reviews," "Identifying Needs," "Subject, format design," "barriers" in your subject header. "The time is short, the work is great" so lets begin. Thanks for your participation!!
1. YOUR REVIEWS: What instructional materials have you used for middle school science? What is your take on their strengths and weaknesses?
2. IDENTIFYING NEEDS: In considering a new initiative for curriculum development, what do you think teachers and administrators want/need in instructional materials to provide high-quality science education to their students?
3. SUBJECT, FORMAT, AND DESIGN PERSPECTIVE: Should new curriculum materials for middle school be in earth, life, and physical science, or multidisciplinary, or interdisciplinary? Should they be all modular or year long? Should they be integrated across subject domains? Should they have texts that go along with the activities, as the high school programs have? Would you recommend a social/societal context, a historical context, or a traditional one?
4. BARRIERS: What are the primary barriers to implementing such a curriculum (teacher certification/training, facilities, materials)?
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