Syllabus

College of Saint Mary

Education 353
Teaching Natural and Social Sciences,

Elementary and Middle

Fall 2007

Instructor: Dr. Dee Acklie

Office: ADM 264

Email: dacklie@csm.edu

Web Site: http://drmts.com

Phone: 399-2606

Credit Hours: 3 semester hours
Class Time: 3:00 - 4:15 Tuesday and Thursday

Lab Time: 4:30 - 6:00 Tuesday and Thursday
Place: ADM 256 or designated Computer Lab

Catalog Description:
Study combines content methodology and appropriate materials for effectively presenting social studies and science in elementary and middle school settings. Appropriate use of instructional technology is integrated into instruction of content and pedagogy. Implementation of content and methodologies presented in "hands on" activities is achieved in practicum experiences of 40 hours and in planning and directing units of study.

Methods
Technology
Pedagogy
Practicum

Learning must be

demanding, interesting and engaging.

Required Texts:

Readings provided and/or assigned by instructor.

You will receive the following when you participate in the related environmental training sessions:

PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide

Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide

Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide

A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There - by Aldo Leopold

Leopold Education Project Teacher's Guide

Supplemental Texts:
Teaching Science In Elementary And Middle School Classrooms: A Project-Based Approach, Second Edition. Joseph S. Krajcik, Charlene M. Czerniak, Carl F. Berger, McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Teaching Science as Inquiry, 9^th Edition. Arthur Carin & Joel Bass, Merrill Education, 2001.
Social Studies in Elementary Education, 11^th Edition. Walter C. Parker, Merrill/Prentice Hall, 2001.

Companion Web Sites: http://www.project2061.org/tools/sfaaol/sfaatoc.htm
You are encouraged to use the companion web site. Selected items and terms from the online text will be included on the course exam.
Science for All Americans Online Copyright © 1989, 1990 American Association for the Advancement of Science
OTHER MATERIALS
2-inch, 3-ring binder
flash drive

Laptop computer will be useful

CSM EDUCATION DEPARTMENT STUDENT OUTCOMES

Given research based readings and class discussions, students will

Number	Department Outcome	Measure
1.4 1.8	Explore current philosophical theories and definitions of natural science and social and cultural instruction.	Graphic organizers
1.3 1.5 1.6	Identify research based learning theories and current trends that provide for developmental instruction in natural science and social and cultural studies.	Graphic organizers Discussion Class activities Exams
1.5	Present rationale and instructional strategies for teaching content related to current affairs and multi-ethnic and global education with specific emphasis on gender equity.	Lesson Plans SMART Lab Surveys

Given classroom and laboratory experiences and reading, students will

1.3
1.4
2.1 - 2.6
3.11 - 3.192

Identify and develop lesson plans combining scientific content and processes and social and cultural learning activities for effective participation in integrated activities in the classroom.

Lesson Plans

Given assigned classroom or laboratory setting, students will

2.1 - 2.5
3.1 - 3.192
3.21 - 3.24

Demonstrate skills in planning, presenting, and implementing effective materials and activities for science and social studies.

Lesson Plans

Observations

Given teaching participation, students will

1.9
3.18
3.34

Contact parent/guardian of Girls, Incorporated Participants that student is responsible for in lab.

Phone Script

3.31

Chart participation of Girls Incorporated enrollees in lab activities.

Surveys

4.3
3.31 - 3.33

Assess and evaluate procedures used in presenting science and social studies activities.

Lesson Plans

Units

ATTENDANCE
This course will include many hands-on experiences and attendance is necessary for learning and meeting the objectives. Missing class can jeopardize your grade. Each tardy or leaving early for any reason will lower your grade by 1%. Each absence for any reason will lower your grade by 2%. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor. Only an emergency should keep you from meeting your responsibilities in Operation SMART.

Should weather conditions cause the cancellation of class, an announcement will be made on radio and by the instructor with e-mail. Telephone arrangements will be made for those who do not have access to e-mail in their homes.

QUALITY WORK
Assessment of the quality of your written and oral expression will be included in the evaluation of your work. All written work is to be typed, double spaced, and must include correct grammar, form, punctuation, and spelling. All sources must be cited with complete bibliographic references. (See MLA Style Guide). This includes email reflections and messages. You will use technology skills to explore resources and make lessons plans, and class presentations. I have been known to be flexible concerning due dates when circumstances warrant, but not in expectations of high quality work.

REQUIREMENTS

· Short Papers: Write short papers or create graphic organizers as assigned for readings.

· Webquest - Complete webquest on teaching science and present findings to class.

· Write a mini-grant proposal for a service learning project.

· Folio: Maintain a binder of labeled files of standards, course handouts, materials from the NSTA conference and organized science/social studies lesson ideas that are meaningful to you now and in you future career. Due December 14.

· Two Practicum Unit Plans: Complete lesson plans and materials for 2 integrated science/social studies units to be used during your practicum in the SMART Lab. Following teaching in the practicum, add reflections and any revisions to lesson plans and resubmit to the instructor. Included in the lesson plans will be a service-learning project.

· 1 Bulletin Board: Create an interactive bulletin board that contributes to instruction of one of the units you teach in Operation SMART. Points for the bulletin boards are included in unit evaluations.

· Practicum Teaching: You and a partner will teach the units you planned in the SMART Lab. Collecting data for the program (parent surveys) is an essential element.

· Midterm Exam will evaluate your knowledge and understanding of al topics and activities addressed to this point in the term, including: standards, lesson planning, PLT/WET and constructivist teaching of natural and social science.

· Attend NSTA Midwest Conference. We are privileged to have it Omaha this year.

· Participation in all class/lab activities and field trips is essential to your learning and that of your peers. Please come to class prepared for active engagement in hands-on activities, discussion, and presentation. Points will be deducted for lack of participation - double for missing field trips.

EVALUATION

EVALUATION	% of Grade	GRADING A 93 - 100 percent B 84 - 92 percent C 70 - 83 percent D 60 - 69 percent F < 60 percent
Participation	10%
Class assignments	10%
2 Teaching Units	20% each
Service Learning Proposal	10%
Assessment Project	10%
Practicum Teaching	10%
Midterm Exam	10%

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Instructor will make changes in the syllabus when needed to best meet the needs of students.

Laptop Use

Laptop use in classrooms creates new and exciting possibilities for teachers and students when used appropriately. Please use your laptop ethically and for educational purposes and activities permitted by the instructor. Unacceptable uses include: instant messaging, e-mailing, unassigned Internet browsing, game-playing and completing homework for other classes. Violations of this request will result in withdrawal of permission to use the laptop in this class and may affect your grade in the course.

Special Accommodations

If you have a certifiable learning or physical disability and require special accommodations, please call and make an appointment with the disabilities coordinator in the Achievement Center ADA office at 399-2366. Considerable lead-time is required for accommodations, so it is important that your request is received in the Achievement Center ADA office as early in the semester as possible. Please note: your request will be handled confidentially.

Policy for Academic Honesty

Plagiarism, defined as the use of another’s words and ideas as one’s own, does not benefit students. It creates dependencies that are non-productive. References must be cited and quotation marks used in direct quotes. Crediting authors with ideas in paraphrasing and rearranging is effective writing. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on exams or quizzes, representing someone else’s work as your own work or working jointly on a project that is expected to represent only one student’s original and individual work.

Evidence of plagiarism or academic dishonesty in all institutions carries serious consequences, such as loss of grade and standing. These are serious offenses and will not be tolerated. If a student is guilty of academic dishonesty, it is noted in the student information data base and becomes a part of her academic record and is available to advisors and faculty. The complete Academic Honesty Policy is available on the Teacher Education website and in the Teacher Education Handbook.

Declaration of Open Discourse

In the spirit of intellectual inquiry, College of Saint Mary is committed to the exchange of diverse ideas and viewpoints. In this environment, honest discourse is valued; demeaning remarks are not tolerated. Each member of the campus community is encouraged to:

Recognize the basis of her or his own assumptions and perspectives,
Acknowledge the assumptions and perspectives of others,
Promote understanding and respectful dissent.

Classroom Behavior

Please arrive on time and practice courteous behavior in the classroom. Please do not engage in conversations while someone else is talking or otherwise disrupt class lecture, discussions or activities. Cell phone ringers should be turned off to avoid disruptions and verbal or text communications should not occur during class.

Students should come to class ready to be actively engaged in learning. This includes bringing assigned books and articles, writing materials and notebooks . Class assignments MUST be submitted on the due date indicated on the course syllabus. Late assignments WILL NOT be graded. Exceptions to this policy will be rare and will be handled on an individual basis.

Courtesy, good time management and collaborative skills are important to success in the work world and should be practiced in the classroom as well. You will be expected to participate in small group activities and be an active team member when working with other students in class.

email Dr. Schulz