Description
Book SynopsisTeachers at various stages of professional development in curriculum design will find these materials powerful examples that will guide their growth and development and sharpen their skills.
Mary L. Slade, Professor
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Supercharge your science curriculum to challenge all students
Based on the best-selling book The Parallel Curriculum, this professional development resource gives multifaceted examples of rigorous learning opportunities for science students in Grades 612. The four sample units revolve around genetics, the convergence of science and society, the integration of language arts and biology, and the periodic table. The editors and contributors provide user-friendly methods for creating more thoughtful lessons and show how to differentiate them for the benefit of all students. Included are field-tested and standards-based strategies that guide students through:
Trade Review
“The parallel curriculum model provides a useful framework for creating lessons that are appropriate for all students. Applying it to science, the authors challenge students to think critically in all they do, synthesizing material within the STEM disciplines as well as reaching out to connect to the humanities. The teacher reflections offer relevant tips to maximize the effect of each aspect of the lesson. Most of all, the authors respect their students and their right to interact with challenging curriculum. I highly endorse these units for secondary students and am so excited with the challenge these units provide.” -- Felicia A. Dixon, Professor Emerita of Psychology
"Dr. Leppien and her colleagues provide a user-friendly approach to motivating young people through meaningful scientific investigations. I am pleased to incorporate this text into my graduate courses in gifted education." -- Thomas P. Hébert, Professor
"Teachers at various stages of professional development in curriculum design will find these materials powerful examples that will guide their growth and development and sharpen their skills." -- Mary L. Slade, Professor
“President Obama stated that ′Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been′ (2009). This statement speaks to an urgent call for young people to acquire increased scientific knowledge. This book addresses that need by providing carefully designed, highly engaging, and intellectually stimulating lessons." -- Karen L. Westbert, Associate Professor
Table of Contents
About the Editors About the Contributors Introduction 1. Genetics: Our Past, Present, and Future: A Middle School Unit for Grades 6-8 - Lindsey Asbury Introduction to the Unit Background to the Unit Content Framework Unit Components and Rationale Unit Sequence, Description, and Teacher Reflection Lesson 1.1: Preassessment and Unit Introduction (Dominant and Recessive Genes) Lesson 1.2: Punnet Squares and Predicting Heredity Lesson 1.3: DNA Lesson 1.4: DNA Extraction Lab Lesson 1.5: DNA Fingerprinting and Crime Lab Investigation Lesson 1.6: Genetics and European History Lesson 1.7: Genetics in Practice Unit 1 Appendixes 2. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill: What′s at Stake? The Convergence of Science and Society, Grade 6 - Julie Martinek Introduction to the Unit Background to the Unit Content Framework Unit Assessments Unit Sequence, Description, and Teacher Reflection Lesson 2.1: Pretest: The Cause-and-Effect Relationship within a System Lesson 2.2: Introduction to the Exxon Valdez Problem Lesson 2.3: Setting Up the Stakeholders? Research Activities Lesson 2.4: Prioritizing the Sites and Constructing a Persuasive Argument/Essay Unit 2 Appendixes 3. Systems: An Integrated Approach to Science and English Instruction, Grades 9-10 - Kristina J. Doubet Introduction to the Unit Background to the Unit Content Framework Lesson/Unit Assessments Lesson Sequence and Teacher Reflection Lesson3.1: An Introduction to Systems Lesson 3.2 (English): The Pearl, Part 1 (Chapters 1-3) Lesson 3.3 (Science): Introducing Cell Structure Lesson 3.4 (English): The Pearl, Part 2 (Chapters 4-6) Lesson 3.5 (Science): Movement in Cells Unit 3 Appendixes 4. The Periodic Table: Getting to Know and Appreciate the Elements and Their Families, Grade 10 - Fie Budzinsky Background to the Unit Content Framework Overview of Key Lesson Ideas/Purposes Lesson 4.1: The Elements: Getting to Know You Lesson 4.2: The Elements: Up Close and Personal Lesson 4.3: We Are Family! Lesson 4.4: The Elements in Action Lesson 4.5: Breaking News Unit 4 Appendixes
