Elementary Science Specialist PLC 2011-2012

Goal:

To work together to raise student achievement in elementary science by examining student learning and by looking at what we do as teachers; what works and what does not work and for which students.  We will focus specifically on the Nature of Science and Engineering strand of the standards this year because it is ongoing throughout the content we teach and is particularly important on the MCA III. 

2011-2012 PLC Hand-Outs.doc

2011-2012 2nd Cycle PLC Hand-Outs.doc

Sample Pre/Post Data:  3rd grade pre-test scores.pdf  3rd grade post-test scores.pdf

Assessments and Rubrics from 2011-2012 PLC

3rd grade plant structures and functions assessment.doc

3rd grade plant structures and functions rubric.xls

Scientific Investigation Assessment.doc

Scientific Investigation Rubric.doc

Rubric for making a Data Chart

3rd grade sound assessment.docx

Testable Question Rubric - DRAFT! (from 2010-2011)

Elementary Science Specialist PLC 2010-2011

This year our goal is to focus energy on the Nature of Science and Engineering (NOSE) strand of the state standards in order to raise student achievement and MCA-II test scores district-wide.

The NOSE strand was selected because this is where the district was weakest last year on the MCA-II. In 2009-2010 the PLC focused on developing the skills in this strand by focusing on the 5^th grade Variables Kit.  This year we will help to translate these skills to the content areas taught in grades 4 & 5. 

General PLC Information

The SPPS PLC structure is based largely on the work of Richard DuFour.  DuFour’s main premise is that formal education needs to shift from a focus on teaching to a focus on learning.  Work in PLCs is a key strategy he suggests using to make this shift. 

DuFour describes PLC work as an ongoing process where educators discuss three key questions:

• ·      What do we want each student to learn?
• ·      How will we know when each student has learned it?
• ·      How will we respond when a student experiences difficulty in learning?

The goal of a PLC is to give teachers the opportunity to collaboratively discuss their instruction and adjust their practice to make it more effective and efficient, ultimately improving student learning.  Student assessments are used as a springboard for discussions about student learning.  These discussions give teachers a chance to be reflective about what is working and what changes they could make in their teaching.