For several years now our county has supported science teachers by participating in a program called TASC (Teachers and Scientists Collaborating). Science teachers have been trained to use inquiry based, hands on science kits purchased or leased from TASC. The kits are prepared to accompany the instruction of North Carolina's Standard Course of Study and to supplement the teacher's use of commonly used Science textbooks.
Likewise, new technology tools are being introduced into the classrooms around our county. SMARTboard interactive whiteboards, projectors, United Streaming videos, computers, and an increasing amount of professional development in using Web 2.0 technology tools are all becoming more and more available. And not unlike the Science kits, many teachers are not comfortable integrating these new tools into their daily lessons.
My purpose for creating this Teacher Resource Book, which will be housed online for other teachers to access, is to provide science lessons which incorporate some of the TASC science kit modules, other labs/activities, as well as the technology tools. In addition to wanting to create a functional unit that a sixth grade teacher could easily use, I also tried to include activities that would be engaging for the students. Each lesson is designed to include elements of technology, math, reading, and writing.
Executive Summary
Population Dynamics
For several years now our county has supported science teachers by participating in a program called TASC (Teachers and Scientists Collaborating). Science teachers have been trained to use inquiry based, hands on science kits purchased or leased from TASC. The kits are prepared to accompany the instruction of North Carolina's Standard Course of Study and to supplement the teacher's use of commonly used Science textbooks.
Likewise, new technology tools are being introduced into the classrooms around our county. SMARTboard interactive whiteboards, projectors, United Streaming videos, computers, and an increasing amount of professional development in using Web 2.0 technology tools are all becoming more and more available. And not unlike the Science kits, many teachers are not comfortable integrating these new tools into their daily lessons.
My purpose for creating this Teacher Resource Book, which will be housed online for other teachers to access, is to provide science lessons which incorporate some of the TASC science kit modules, other labs/activities, as well as the technology tools. In addition to wanting to create a functional unit that a sixth grade teacher could easily use, I also tried to include activities that would be engaging for the students. Each lesson is designed to include elements of technology, math, reading, and writing.