Communication Center  Conference  Projects Share  Reports from the Field Resources  Library  LSC Project Websites  NSF Program Notes
 How to Use this site    Contact us  LSC-Net: Local Systemic Change Network
Newsclippings and Press Releases

LSC Reference Materials

LSC Case Study Reports

Annual Report Overviews

Summer Workshop Plans

Summer Workshop Plans

  New!     

SEEDS Summer Workshop Agenda

submitter: Project SEEDS: Science Education Enhancing the Development of Skills, K-6
published: 06/29/1999
posted to site: 07/02/1999
SEEDS (Stark Co., Ohio) Project

How long do your workshops last?

All of our workshops are one week in length.

How many teachers do you involve in your workshops?

Most workshops involve 30 participants except for Road Trip Science Content Workshop which has about 140 participants over two weeks and the Technology workshops which are limited to 20 each.

What are your major goals for your workshops in terms of content and pedagogy? (Just one or two paragraphs)

(See below)

Are you offering professional development on specific curricula that you are hoping will be used in the classroom? If so, which curricula are you using?

We are nearing the end of our project and are no longer doing "immersion" training on the new programs. We did that the first three summers. Our training was on STC, Insights, and FOSS. Some districts that have high turnovers of teachers are doing their own training on the units. We have three districts doing that this summer. Most districts handle training for new teachers with a mentor.


Road Trip Science Content Workshop

Teachers will spend one week exploring science resources in Northeastern and Central Ohio. This exploration will take them to the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Zoo, The Wilds, the Stark Parks Canal Corridor and the study of the Environmental Geology of Stark County. During their exploration, they will be involved in science activities in three major disciplines, earth, life and physical science. Teachers will interact with personnel at each site while engaged in activities based on proficiency objectives for their grade levels.

Objectives:

  • Explore sites for possible inclusion in their local curriculum.
  • Gain content knowledge in the earth, physical and life sciences.
  • Practice inquiry based learning.
  • Develop expertise in using SCASS evaluation tools.
  • Practice GLOBE Protocols.
  • Interact with a remote site using telecommunity technology.
  • Experience integrated instruction.

Workshop participants will be actively involved in activities during the normal hours of the workshop. They will be participants in small group discussion and in reflection on workshop topics. There will be a number of whole class activities in which presentation will be made to the whole group. Teachers will interact with physical science exhibits at Great Lakes Science Center and complete a SCASS booklets reflecting on their activities. Teachers will practice inquiry by examining the role of zoos and the animal's relationship with the zoo. They will be engaged in a number of water quality activities at The Wilds and comparative activities along the Erie Canal. Workshop teachers will locate their position using the Global Positioning Satellite, they will study soil horizons and experience a nature walk with a professional naturalist. During a canal boat ride teachers will discuss project based learning and integration while examining the contents of a steamer trunk with articles from the canal era. Geology will be a major emphasis during the entire trip including the possible roles of reclaimed strip mines, the glaciation of northern Ohio, rock collecting in a sand and gravel pit and economic factors which enable Stark County to utilize its natural resources.

Assessment Criteria:

  • Attendance
  • Student will be evaluated daily
    • Monday - SCASS Notebooks - Physical Science Activities
    • Tuesday - SCASS Notebooks
      • ZOO Inquiry activities
      • Animals and Habitats in my Curriculum
    • Wednesday - Culmination of ZOO Activity
    • Thursday - Completion of GLOBE Activities
    • Friday - Concept map of Environmental Geology of Stark County


Road Trip Science Content Workshop
19 July - 23 July, 1999
26 July - 30 July, 1999

Monday
19 & 26 July

Coaches Leave At 8 AM
(Video Collect Egg - Alaska
Geology of Ohio - Dave M.)

Great Lakes Science Center
Arrive at 9:30
Introduction by Museum Staff
9:45-12:00

Phenomenal Physics 45 minutes

Physical Science Exhibit experiences
Assigned and on your own
SCAS Tool

Tuesday
20 & 27 July

Coaches Leave At 8 AM
(Video - Making of Rainforest / Zoos)
Cleveland Zoo
Arrive at 9:00

Trumpeter Swan Incubation Project - Zoo Staff

Inquiry Activity - Zoos
Black Rhino / Swans
Animals in my curriculum
Habitats in my curriculum
Rainforest Tour

Wednesday
21 & 28 July

Coaches Leave ASAP AM
(Video - The Wilds and Releasing Trumpeter Swans)
The Wilds
Arrive at 10:00

Orientation - 30 min discussin of trumpeter swans - remote audio - video 30 min.

11:00 Bus Tour 1 hr 15 min

Thursday
22 & 29 July

Coaches Leave At 8 AM
Canal Corridor - Stark Parks
Arrive 8:30

8:30-10:00
Mill and GPS

10:00-10:15
Bus to Lock 4

10:15-11:45
Hydrology
Soils
11:45 Bus to canal boat

Friday
23 & 30 July

Coaches Leave At 10 AM
Local Environmental Geology
Quarry

8:00-9:30 Orientation
Local Geology Etc.
Nancy
- Northern Ohio Glaciation
- Map of Ohio
- Rock in the Quarry - ID
- Environmental factors/Geology in County
10:00-12:00 - Quarry
Lunch 12:00
McDonald's & Byte
Lunch - Rainforest Restaurant / Food Stands on the grounds Lunch 12:15-12:45
Brown Bag On your own
Lunch 11:45-12:30
Brown Bag On your own
Lunch 12:15-12:45
Bring Sack Lunch
1:00-2:00
IMAX - Alaska
Focus Areas
Glaciation graphic
Gering Land Bridge

2:00-3:00

Physical Science
Exhibit experiences
Assigned and on your own
SCAS Tool

Inquiry Activity - Zoos
Animals in my curriculum
Habitats in my curriculum
Rainforest Tour

Water Quality Study 55 min.

Travel Time 10 Min

Rhino enclosure and hooved mammal facility 55 min.

1:00-2:00 Canal Boat Ride - Trunk Activities - Project Based Learning Integration

2:00-2:15
Bus Transport to Canal Boat

2:15-3:15 Nature walk with Lock Talk

1:00-2:00
Bog - Emliss Ricks

2:00-3:00

Nobel's Pond
Dave Miller

Return home 3:00
(Video - Zoos)
Arrive 4:00
Return home at 3:00
(Video - Wetlands / Bill Nye)
Arrive 4:00
Return Home at 3:00
Arrive ~ 5:00
(Video on the Canal 1 and Canal 2)
Return Home at 3:00
Arrive ~3:30
Return home 3:00


Technology I

The purpose of the Technology I workshop is to introduce elementary teachers to various forms of technology which are available for their use in the elementary classroom. Teacher will be trained in the use of the technology as well as participate in discussion pertaining to the theory and philosophy of using technology in the classroom. Actual examples of classroom use will be given and teacher generated ideas will be shared.

Objectives:

  • Explore ideas about appropriate use of technology in the elementary classroom.
  • Take photographs using the digital camera
  • Make multimedia programs using Hyperstudio
  • Write a short home page using basic HTML
  • Make a personal home page using Page Mill.

Students will participate in all aspects of the workshop. They will be expected to accomplish each of the workshop objectives, i.e.,

  • Explore ideas about appropriate use of technology in the elementary classroom.
  • Make multimedia presentations using Hyperstudio.
  • Take photographs using the digital camera.
  • Write a short home page using html. Make a personal home page using an editor.

Asessment:

  • Attendance in 30 hours of classroom activities
  • Participation in class discussion
  • Completion of a Hyperstudio presentation
  • Completing of a personal home page
Session I

July 5, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Introduction of Macintosh
  • Introduction to Digital Camera

Session II

July 6, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Introduction to Hyperstudio
  • Project creation (Animals) in Hyperstudio

Session III

July 7, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Storyboard personal presentation
  • Class Presentation

Session IV

July 8, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Introduction to the Internet
  • Introduction to HTML

Session V

July 9 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Introduction to Pagemill


Technology II

Internet Application - Teachers will be involved in developing interactive lessons for students to safely use the internet. This workshop will have instruction of basic HTML language and time to construct lessons using an editor such as Pagemill. Design strategies are an integral part of this course with the goal of publishing on the Internet. Teachers will be trained in the actual use of the internet as well as participate in discussion pertaining to the theory and philosophy of using the internet in the classroom.

  • Advance to the novice level of understanding of HTML
  • Use Netscape to browse the internet for appropriate web sites
  • Use HTML (or an editor to construct a homepage)
  • Design interactive lessons from a differentiated instruction view point and use authentic assessment.

Students will participate in all aspects of the workshop. They will be expected to accomplish each of the workshop objectives, i.e.,

  • Explore ideas about appropriate use of technology in the elementary classroom.
  • Discuss safety issues and blocking software
  • Explore the internet and identify resources
  • Develop a unit integrating the internet and a SEEDS Unit
  • Write a short home page using HTML
  • Write a home page using Page Mill for classroom use.

Assessment:

  • Attendance in 30 hours of classroom activities
  • Participation in class discussion
  • Completion of integrated unit to include a web page, student activities,
  • integration possibilities, kit correlation and authentic assessment tools
Session I

July 12, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Workshop Goals
  • Introduction to Internet
  • Search Engine Review
Session II

July 13, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • What is a Homepage
  • Introduction to HTML
Session III

July 14, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Introduction to HTML
  • Storyboard Individual Kit Home Pages
Session IV

July 15, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Lab Work
Session V

July 16, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Lab Work
  • Presentation of Units

AIMS

This workshop will focus on integrating mathematics, science, and other disciplines through the use of a hands-on/activity based approach.

Objectives:

  • Introduce/reintroduce participants to basic problem solving, life, earth, and physical science concepts using the integration of math and science.
  • Model teaching by a variety of activities using an experimental, science process approach to integrating math and science.
  • Allow participants to identify many activities to enrich their school science and math curriculum.
  • Identify AIMS activities to address the fourth and sixth grade proficiency test objectives.

Assessment:

  • Attend all sessions
  • Participate in all activities
  • Hand in all assignments
  • Evaluator observation
  • Successful participation in all activities
  • Meet requirements listed above under "clinical"
  • Completion of pre-post tests

Monday July 5, 1999

  • Goals of the Workshop
  • Pre-test evaluation.
  • AIMS program overview, philosophy, and goals.
  • Nature of Science: Measurement

Tuesday July 6, 1999

  • Higher Level Thinking Skills/Questioning
  • Multiple Intelligences
  • Integrating Math and Science with problem solving, processes, and data organization.
  • Earth Science: Water in our World

Wednesday July 7, 1999

  • Physical Science: Electromagnetism

Thursday July 8 1999

  • Physical Science: Simple Machines

Friday July 9, 1999

  • Physical Science: Force and Motion
  • Summative discussion on use of materials for integration.
  • Post-test evaluation.

GLOBE

This workshop provides extensive instruction in all aspects of the GLOBE Program. The training covers the GLOBE Scientific measurement protocols in the areas of atmosphere / climate, hydrology, land cover/biology and soils. It also included a broad introduction to environmental topics in these area and to GLOBE learning activities. All participants in the workshop will have an opportunity to have hands-on experience using the WWW on the internet to access the wide variety of GLOBE activities supported on the Web, including student data entry, viewing and studying global environmental images created with student data, and accessing and analyzing GLOBE data from all participating schools.

Objectives:

  • experience different GLOBE data gathering protocols including Atmosphere, Hydrology, Land Cover / Biology, and Soils
  • explore learning activities in each of the above protocols
  • interact with the internet to enter GLOBE data
  • explore and use data visualizations on the GLOBE web site
  • find teaching resources on the GLOBE website
  • strategies for integrating GLOBE into the curriculum
  • develop methods for establishing learning communities

Workshop participants will be actively involved in activities during the normal hours of the workshop. They will be participants in small group discussion and in reflection on workshop topics. There will be a number of whole class activities in which presentation will be made to the whole group. Much of the training will revolve around the GLOBE protocols. Teachers will spend time in the Land Lab learning to use these protocols.

Assessment:

  • Attendance
  • Student will be evaluated on their concept maps, daily closure
  • sessions and on their performance in executing the GLOBE protocols.
Session I

July 5, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00, Jackson MS

  • Goals for the Workshop
  • What is the GLOBE program
  • Introduction to the GLOBE protocols
  • Atmosphere/ Climate protocol

Session II

July 6, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Hydrology
  • Classroom and materials management

Session III

July 7, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Land Cover / Biology protocol
  • Data collections and reporting techniques

Session IV

July 8, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Soils protocol
  • GLOBE Home page activities

Session V

July 9, 1999, 8:00 - 3:00

  • Curriculum Integrations
  • Internet projects
  • How to get help


Assessment

Workshop Description/Purpose:

The purpose of the workshop is for teachers to identify essential understandings in science by grade level and develop essential questions and assessments to teach and assess students' understanding of essential proficiency outcomes.

Workshop Objectives:

  • to learn a process for identifying the overarching essential generalizations/principles for each grade level.
  • to engage teachers in activities to develop essential questions and assessments related to life, earth, physical and the nature of science objectives

Special Materials to be Required:

  • one science unit

Outline:

July 12, 1999 7:30 - 3:00

  • introduction Erickson model
  • experience activity with guided essential questions
  • self-assess experience using assessment tool.

July 13, 1999 7:30 - 3:00

  • determine grade level essential understanding
  • determine concepts that embody the understandings
  • write essential questions to develop the understandings

July 14, 1999 7:30 - 3:00

  • continue process of writing essential questions to develop understandings
  • assess sample responses of essential questions with rubrics

July 15, 1999 7:30 - 3:00

  • continue process of writing essential questions to develop essential understandings
  • design assessment tools to assess responses to essential questions

July 16, 1999 7:30 - 3:00

  • complete process of writing essential questions
  • complete assessment tools to assess responses in essential questions


Helping all learners succeed

Workshop description:

  • Participants will design learning activities and assessments based on learning styles to help all students master proficiency objectives

Workshop Objectives:

  • participants will identify their own learning style
  • participants will increase understanding of the nature of science concepts
  • participants will identify instructional activities and assessments that target various learning styles
  • participants will design a task rotation for one science unit
  • participants will be required to complete a task rotation for one science unit: this task rotation must include the tasks/activities as well as assessments which align with grade level benchmarks

Session I

July 6, 1999 7:30 - 1:00

  • Identification of own learning styles (Silver & Strong)
  • experience tasks in different style quadrants
  • introduce task rotation strategy

Session II

July 7, 1999 7:30 - 1:00

  • review STY & NT quadrants
  • experience nature of science activities in STY/NT
  • design nature of science activity for STY/NT

Session III

July 8, 1999 7:30 - 1:00

  • review SF & NO quadrants
  • Experience "nature of science" activities in SF & NO
  • design nature of science activity for SF & NO


SEEDS Integration Workshop

Workshop Description:

  • Language Arts / Science Integration: This workshop will be patterned after the integration methods of national integration expert, Dr. Roger Taylor. In this practical, hands-on session, special emphasis will be placed on the integration of language arts with science topics and the use of current resources and technology. Participants, in small groups, will develop and integrated science unit for their classroom and have access to all other units developed.

Workshop Objectives:

  • For teachers to understand the 7 intelligences and how they can be used in classroom planning and implementation.
  • for teachers to discuss and use the methods covered in areas of seven styles of learning and left brain / right brain.
  • For teachers to cooperatively develop a unit of study using the Taylor techniques of integration
  • For teachers to study phonics, whole language as it relates to science.

Special material:

  • participant workbook made up by group facilitators
  • hands-on activities and materials need for these
  • Resources on hand and brought in by participants.

Requirements for Participants:

  • Clinical

    • 7 intelligences, styles of learning, left/right brain, differential learning
    • Integration and assessment
    • Language and science - the relationship
    • Critical thinking skills
    • Productive thinking skills as they relate to units

  • Field

    • Some out of class work will be done, including
      • computer work
      • research
      • art work
      • Project Organization
      • Final Cover and project
    • The final project will have to include a specific number of items
    • The final project must address national and/or state standards

Agenda:

Monday AM

Week overview / Pretest / Resources for the week / SEEDS Bibliography / AMC - NERC/ Integrated lesson / The "Research" / 7 intelligences / Group Work / Topic Choice

Monday PM

Group Work / Subject / Title Think / Cover Ideas / AHA Overview / content, process / Product, goals

Tuesday AM

Integration & Assessment / Conventional vs. Authentic / Portfolios / Perform. based projects / Video/ Assessment / Integrated Lesson / Resources / Group work / Assignments / Research

Tuesday PM

Critical thinking skills / Individual unit groups / Group work

Wed AM

7 styles of learning / left brain / right brain / teaching techniques / differentiated teaching / teaching - learning styles / Integrated lesson / Moral - Ethical - Spiritual Reasoning / Discussion / Assignment

Wed PM

Dilemmas / Individual unit groups / group work

Thurs AM

language arts / Phonics / Whole lang / integration / suggestions / activities / integrated lesson / productive thinking skills / divergent - creative thinking

Thurs PM

divergent thinking / individual unit groups / group work

Fri AM

I Searches / Group Work / Integrated lesson / finalize unit / prepare / post test

Fri PM

Presentation of completed units / evaluations