Elementary Science Methods Online Resources & Assignments

Course Overview: Objectives, strategies, materials and methods for teaching elementary school science. Development of sequenced lessons, integration across content areas; understanding of how children learn science; the development of inquiry-and experiential-based units which address the needs of all learners along with specially designed academic instruction in English. A minimum of ten hours of fieldwork assignments in classrooms where at least 25% of the students are classified as ELL/LEP. Traditional grading only. Course fee required.

This webpage provides information about how to access e-reserves, information about the field work expectation for the class, information on the on-line activities, information on the on-line activities, and information about the TPAs.

Field Work Expectations Elementary Science Methods (SCED475)

Students in science methods classes are expected to complete 10 hours of field work. SCED 475 students will do their field work in elementary classrooms while science instruction takes place. Students who are student teaching will be asked to teach science lessons at their student teaching placement in lieu of doing additional science observations. The following letters are from our department to your principal and master teacher indicating our need for you to teach science during your student teaching placement. Please refer to your instructor's directions as to how the time should be spent. Use the field work observation log to document the hours you spend in the classroom. You will submit this signed form at the end of the semester.

• Letter to Teacher (.pdf)
• Letter to Principal (.pdf)
• Letter to University Supervisor (.pdf)
• Observation Log (.doc)

e-reserve readings – SCED 475

There are selected articles on reserve for you to access during the class. These articles are accessed via the library's website at http://ereserves.library.csulb.edu/. Select your instructor's name and enter the password.

Science Methods Online Goals

• Offer opportunities for our elementary science methods students to meet some of level 1 and level 2 technology goals for the California Multiple Subject credential.
• Provide our students, future K-12 science teachers, experience with technology learning/teaching tools that may be otherwise hard to incorporate in regular class time.
• Expose our students to science education learning opportunities (field trips, workshops, speakers, conferences, etc.) outside the classroom walls.
• Broaden the perception our Multiple Subject students have of ways all students can learn science.
• Enlarge the professional perspective and knowledge base our future science teachers have about the teaching profession.

On-line Technology Supported Assignments

You must select and complete TWO assignments from Category I and TWO assignments from Category II. You may attend only one fieldtrip. Make your selections based on your instructor's directions and directions noted below each Category header.

View elementary science methods assignments.

Teaching Performance Assessments

The state has relatively new legislation which requires teacher candidates to demonstrate their teaching performance proficiency before being eligible to earn a credential. There are four tasks, called Teaching Performance Assessments (TPAs) which must be satisfactorily completed by each teacher candidate. These four tasks have been embedded into the various credential courses. The TPAs are linked to Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) in much the same way state tests are tied to state standards.

The TPE/TPA Guide will provide you with examples of completed TPAs and an electronic version of the assessment. SCED 475 students will submit their completed TPA Task 3 via Task Stream in addition to submitting a hard copy to their instructor. Your instructor will provide you with the TaskStream code for accessing this semester's page.