Teaching Chemistry Through The Use of Authentic Contexts August 2, 2005

1. Teaching Chemistry Through The Use of Authentic Contexts August 2, 2005 Stephanie Copice & Gwendolyn Paisley EduChange, Inc.

2. Who Is EduChange, Inc? • EduChange® provides practical solutions and strategies to address real-world educational issues. • Our approach is a customized one, catering directly to each organization's complex needs.

3. What is Inquiry Based Learning? • The term inquiry has taken on many meanings over time. • The range includes occasionally allowing students to pose question all the way to total constructivism and student driven research.

4. Inquiry and the National Science Standards • Understanding of scientific concepts. • An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science. • Understanding of the nature of science. • Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world. • The dispositions to use the skills, abilities, and attitudes associated with science.

5. What Is An Authentic Context? • Authentic is defined by Webster’s as “that which can be believed or accepted”. • Authentic Contexts can be defined as meaningful frameworks on which concepts can be hung.

6. Inquiry and Authentic Contexts • What is the connection? • Authentic contexts spark curiosity • Students will be more likely to engage and make inquires if they are interested in the material. • Teachers will be more excited about meaningful contexts and this energy will be translated to the students.

7. Some Curriculum Jargon… • Scaffolding • Spiraling • Benchmarks • Standards: Concepts & Skills • “Backwards Design” (Wiggins & McTighe) • Rubrics • Formative assessment • Summative assessment

8. Curriculum Models Based In Authentic Contexts • Case study / problem-based • Thematic units • Project- or product-based • Topics • Skills-driven • Inquiry or student research • Chronology or sequence

9. What are some approaches to developing authentic contexts? • Hastings-On-Hudson • Topic Based • Science and Technology in the Military • Body Images • Shake, Rattle and Roll • Fireworks, Explosions in the Sky

10. What are some approaches to developing authentic contexts • Attleboro Public Schools, Attleboro, MA • Chronology based: Unified Science II • Big Bang  Rise of Technology • Events marked units • Life Cycle of a Star • Origin of Organic Molecules • Topic Based: Nature’s Reactions • Kitchen Chemistry • Energy and Society

11. What are approaches to developing authentic contexts? • Investigations in Biology and Chemistry • Implemented in multiple New York City Public Schools • Theme based: 5 themes (strands) • Each strand appears in Level I and II • Each strand is uses its theme as a vehicle for the concepts • Food Nutrition and Fitness • Level I – looks at the journey of food through the digestive system • Level II—looks at the nature of chemical reactions in the body

13. How can concepts be linked to contexts? • Topic Based • Brainstorm Topics • Refine ideas to a broad list addressing many different areas of interest • Brainstorm concepts that are appropriate to topic (both standards and non-standards) • Use backwards planning to clearly articulate goals of each unit

14. How can concepts be linked to contexts? • Chronology based • Establish the chronology to be followed • Brainstorm concepts that are appropriate to period in time or process (standards and non-standards) • Use backwards planning to clearly articulate goals of each unit

15. Backwards Planning:Concepts Concepts To Know Essential Helpful Nice

16. Backwards Planning: Final Assessment

17. Backwards Planning: Formative Assessments

19. Practically Speaking: Implementation • Most likely textbooks will not correlate to your chosen paths and goals • Be creative and collaborative • Search for alternative programs that match your needs • Search for materials that can be adapted to your needs • Search for organizations to collaborate in building your course

20. Contact EduChange: • Stephanie Copice: stephanie@educhange.com Gwendolyn Paisley: gwendolyn@educhange.com 646-613-8877 www.educhange.com