Secondary Science Methods Online Resources & Assignments

Course Overview: Objectives, curriculum, materials, instructional strategies and assessment specific to teaching science to diverse students. Reflective practice based on the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and state curriculum framework. (Lecture 2 hours, laboratory 1 hour + TBA) Fieldwork requirement. “B” grade or better required to advance to student teaching. Letter grade only (A-F). May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units.

This webpage provides information on the on-line activities, information about the field work expectation for the class and information about the TPAs.

Science Methods Online Goals

• 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 Single Subject Science 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 FIVE assignments: ONE from Category I and FOUR from Category II. Make your selections based on your instructor's directions and directions noted below each Category header. In Category II you MUST choose to complete an assignment using Rubistar and another using Inspiration, but these two assignments will be explained during the development of your Unit Plan. The other two assignments from Category II may be selected from the remaining possibilities.

View secondary science methods assignments.

Field Work Expectations for Secondary Science Methods (EDSS 450C)

EDSS 450C students will do 15 hours of field work in middle or high school science classes. 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.

Please note, your instructor will give you guidance on how to use these 15 hours of observation. In most cases they will be used to complete your TPA requirement.

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. EDSS 450C students will submit a hard copy of their completed TPA to their instructor.