ED 3345-001

Science Methods for Elementary Teachers

2005 Fall

Instructor: Barbara Curry, MAT

Office Hours: Monday 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Tuesday 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday 2:00pm – 4:00pm
All other times by appointment
Founders North 3.308B
Phone: 972-883-4008
E-mail: barbc@utdallas.edu

Required Text: Elementary Science Methods: A Constructivist Approach, Fourth Edition, David Jerner Martin
Required Related Materials: Abridged Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills by Scientific Principles,
Dana Center, UT Austin

Course Description:
The goal of this course is to give you, the prospective teacher, a good overview of the methodologies
used in the teaching of elementary science. You will also be introduced to basic science concepts through
the use of hands-on activities. Everything you do in this class will have relevance to your eventual classroom
experience.

The following TExES Domains and Competencies will be included in course content:

EC-4 Generalist: Domain IV and 4-8 Generalist: Domain IV

The science teacher manages classroom, field, and laboratory activities to ensure the safety of all students
and the ethical care and treatment of organisms and specimens.
The science teacher understands the correct use of tools, materials, equipment, and technologies.
The science teacher understands the process of scientific inquiry and its role in science instruction.
The science teacher has theoretical and practical knowledge about teaching science and about how students
learn science.
The science teacher knows the varied and appropriate assessments and assessment practices to monitor
science learning.
The science teacher understands the history and nature of science.
The science teacher understands how science affects the daily lives of students and how science interacts
with and influences personal and societal decisions.
The science teacher knows unifying concepts and processes that are common to all sciences.

Science content will be taught in the context of the standards listed above.

Assignments and Correspondance

Most assignments will be turned in through the digital dropbox in Blackboard. All communication will be done through
your UTD email account and Blackboard Announcements. Weekly updates will be posted. It is very important that you
check announcements on a regular basis.
Syllabus, ED 4343, Section 001, Fall 2005, Page 2

Schedule

Date Topic Assignment*

Aug. 24 Introduction/ Pretest Chapters 1 & 2, Chapter 11

Aug. 31 Technology/Power Point and Science Content Chapter 10, Appendix A
Sept. 7 Science Processes Chapter 3
Due: Elementary Textbook Review
Sept. 14 Consructivism/Inquiry Chapters 4 & 5
Due: Power Point
Sept. 21 Questioning Strategies/Blooms in Science, Chapters 4 & 5
Cognitive Development Stages and Science Due: Content Concept Map
Sept. 28 Mid-Term Exam
Oct. 5 Assessment Chapter 7/Handouts
Due: Video Observation
Oct. 12 Science in the Schools: The TEKS and Vertical Teaming Handouts

Oct. 19 Interdisciplinary Aspects of Science Chapter 9

Due: Life Science Written Lesson Plan
Oct. 26 Learner Differences/Lesson Adaptations Chapter 6
Due: Physical Science Written Lesson Plan
Nov. 2 Life Science Presentations Due: Earth Science Written Lesson Plan
Nov. 9 Physical Science Presentations
Nov. 16 Earth Science Presentations
Nov. 23 Pulling it all Together – The Elementary Science
Classroom Today
Nov. 30 Final Exam

*Additional readings may be suggested in class.

Requirements

Class Attendance Each Class Meeting*

Quizzes Each Class Meeting*
Journal Questions Each Class Meeting*
Science in the News Presentation Due: Assigned Date
Review of Elementary Science Textbook Due: Sept. 7
Power Point Due: Sept. 14
Content Concept Map Due: Sept. 21
Mid-Term Exam Given: Sept. 28
Conferences Individually Scheduled – Between Sept. 29 and October 8
Teacher Video Observation Due: Oct. 5
Lesson Development and Presentation Due: Assigned Date
Final Exam Given: Nov. 30

All of the items listed above must be completed in order to pass this class. Some assignments will be turned in
via Blackboard.

*Required as noted below.

Syllabus, ED 4343, Section 001, Fall 2005, Page 3

Daily Quiz - 5% 50 points

A quiz will be administered at each class meeting. It will consist of two questions in the TExES
format. The quiz will be given at the beginning of the class time and will cover material
from the previous class. Make-up quizzes for tardiness or absence will not be given.
Science in the News - 5% 50 points
There are important science events in the news everyday. This will be a "group" effort.
You will select a presentation date and a partner on the first day of class. Two
presentations will be given at the beginning of each designated class period. Guidelines
and grading rubric will be provided. Articles can be obtained through the newspaper,
science magazines and internet sites. One article must be from a printed source,
the other should be electronic. See guidelines for further information.
Content Concept Map - 5% 50 points
In order to teach science accurately, one must have a working knowledge of the content. This
exercise will help you understand the content behind the lesson you will develop and teach
to the class.
Journaling/Science Notebooking - 5% 50 points
Journaling is an important component of the science education process. You will
be given a question at the end of each class. Each response will be worth a maximum
of five points. Your journals will be turned in at the end of each class.
Always bring your journal to class.
Review of Elementary Science Text - 10% 100 points
You will have the opportunity to select an elementary science textbook from one of the
publishers who participated in the recent elementary science textbook adoption. A form will
be provided with a checklist. You will also write an essay about your opinion of the text. It will
be typed, double spaced, and a minimum of one page in length. Be sure to justify reasons for
your opinions. Grammar and spelling will be considered.
Power Point Presentation - 10% 100 points
You will create a Power Point presentation covering a topic different from your lesson
presentation and concept map. Present one concept only in an area of your choice. This is not
to be an entire unit and must be turned in electronically through Blackboard - no exceptions.
Guidelines and a grading rubric will be provided.
Teacher Video Assessments - 10% 100 points
A DVD of a first grade science lesson will be provided. You will record your observations
and write them up in essay format. Guidelines will be provided.
Lesson Development and Presentation - 15% 150 points
You will be assigned one of the three basic science areas from which to develop a lesson.
One third of the class will present lessons in physical science, one third in life
science, and one third in earth science. It will be important to coordinate with
others in the same group to insure non-duplication of content. All copies of your lessons
will be submitted electronically in Word format through the Blackboard Dropbox. All lessons,
upon completion, will be posted on Blackboard. You will be responsible for the content presented
by your peers. You will be videotaped during your presentation and required to complete a
self-evaluation, due a week after your presentation. You will receive lesson plan guidelines.
Your grade will be based on the following: written lesson (40%), instructor assessment of
presentation (35%), self assessment of presentation (15%), and peer assessment of
presentation (10%).
Mid-Term Exam - 15% 150 points
The mid-term will cover everything during the semester up to this point. The exam
will consist of three sections: a hands-on portion, an objective portion, and an essay
portion. The essay portion will consist of application-type questions and will be a
"take-home."
Final Exam - 20% 200 points
Content from the entire semester will be covered in the same format as the mid-term
exam. The essay portion will be handed out as a "take-home" during the class prior to the
final exam. Total 1000points
Syllabus, ED 4343, Section 001, Fall 2005, Page 4

Additional Information

Attendance: Regular attendance is critical to the collaborative learning environment and to your
comprehension of the material being presented. If you have an emergency and cannot
attend class, notify me prior to class. When you have three (3) absences, 10% of the total
possible points will be deducted. That is, if you have points that total the equivalent of
an "A", you will make a "B". If you have points that total to an equivalent of a "B", you will make
a "C". If you exceed three (3) absences, you will receive an F or an I, at the discretion of the
instructor. Two tardies (or leaving early) will be counted as one absence. Activities done
during class will be included in questions on your exams and quizzes. If you miss a class,
you will need to get any handouts and other pertinent information from your class "buddy".

Class time: Class will begin promptly at 9:00 am. If you are late, please enter quietly. We will take a
break at approximately 10:30 am. I may need to be reminded of this! Never expect to leave
earlier than 11:45 am.

Communication: I will be communicating through e-mail. Your UTD email address will be your primary
address. Please feel free to contact me by phone at the number listed at the top of the
syllabus.

Grading: You will accrue a maximum of 1000 points for the semester. Grades will be assigned as
follows:

970-1000: A+ 870-899: B+ 770-799: C+

930-969: A 830-869: B 730-769: C
900-929: A- 800-829: B- 700-729: C-

Grammar and spelling will be considered in the grading of all written work. One point will be
deducted for each spelling/grammar error. Be aware that Spell Check does not catch
everything. It is advisable to have someone proofread any papers before they are handed in.
I will accept assignments early. A 10% deduction in the grade will be taken for each day
an assignment is late. This begins at the time the class ends on the assignment due date.

This syllabus is a tentative document. The instructor of the course reserves the right to make changes to the calendar,
assignments, topics, and/or requirements if it is deemed appropriate and beneficial. All policies governing the U.T. System
and U.T. Dallas will be followed with regard to withdrawals, incompletes and academic honesty. All work in the course will
adhere to UTD policies pertaining to plagiarism, collusion, cheating and/or falsifying of records. UTD does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability in the recruitment and admission
of students: the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff: or the operation of any of its programs and activities, as
specified by federal laws and regulations. The student has the responsibility of informing the course instructor of any
disabling condition that will require modification to avoid discrimination.