Tentative Course Calendar (last revised 3/30/11)

Date	Topics/Activities on that Date	Assignments and Due Date
T 1/18	Large-Group Block Overview/Introduction in Price Auditorium (@8 a.m.) Following Large-Group session in Ulmer 303 (@≈9:15 a.m.): Introductions, Course Overview, NSTA Teacher Preparation Standards, LT Overview, Clearance Check	Due 1/20: Write a reaction Paper in your Portfolio based on readings in Chapter 7 in the course text on the Nature of Science.
R 1/20	NOS readings/discussions, Overview of Google Docs	Due 1/25: Prepare questions for panel Due 1/25: Read Keys to Teaching NoS article and add assigned 3 slides to collective ppt in Google Docs
T 1/25	Roundtable discussion with LHUP science professors, presentations on core concepts of NoS (NOTE: this session will run from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – please plan accordingly)	Due 1/27: Write a reaction Paper in LT based on the DeBoer Battleground article (add a new “tab” to your portfolio).
R 1/27	Finish presentations on core concepts of NoS	Due 2/1: Add two new sections under the Nature of Science tab in your portfolio. In one, upload the NoS powerpoint we made together and write a reflection describing what you feel you learned from the exercise. In the other, write a response to the prompt… “I believe science is…”
T 2/1	No class due to Inclement weather
R 2/3	Discuss Public Education in US, the history and characteristics of middle and high schools
T 2/8	History of science education in the US and the Standards Movement, Benchmarks for Science Literacy and National Science Standards, Discussion of International Comparisons, NCLB, PSSAs, State Standards (NOTE: this session will run from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – please plan accordingly)	Due 2/15: Create a new “Standards” tab in your portfolio and complete the Standards Assignment. Due 2/11: Create a new “Science Learning” tab in your portfolio and write a reaction Paper in LT based on the excerpt from Learning Science and the Science of Learning
R 2/10	PDE Standards Aligned System, Students’ alternative conceptions; Conceptual Change, Preparation for Field Experience (NOTE: this session will run from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – please plan accordingly)	Due 2/15: SAS Scavenger Hunt Due ASAP: CONTACT YOUR FIELD EXPERIENCE COOP Due 3/15: Write a reaction Paper in LT based on the two Inquiry readings (from the book-brochure and Inquiry and the NSES)
T 2/15	Judging a Science Fair at McCall M.S.
R 2/17	Observation/Participation in Schools	Due: 3/15: Field Experience journal
T 2/22	Observation/Participation in Schools
R 2/24	Observation/Participation in Schools
T 3/1	Observation/Participation in Schools
R 3/3	Observation/Participation in Schools
T 3/8	SPRING BREAK
R 3/10	SPRING BREAK
T 3/15	F.E. Debriefing, Inquiry in Science Education, Intro. to Galapagos Finches software and project, work session on finch presentations	Due 3/22: Galapagos Finches project presentation
R 3/17	Continue examining science learning and student misconceptions in science, Conceptual Change	Due 3/24: Misconceptions Project
T 3/22	Finch Presentations (NOTE: this session will run from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. – please plan accordingly),
R 3/24	Scientific Inquiry cont’d, Overview of Developing Portfolio	Due 3/29: Write a reaction Paper in LT based on your experiences as a learner doing the finch “inquiry” (add this under the inquiry tab in your class portfolio)
T 3/29	Elements of Effective Instruction, Writing Objectives	Due 3/31: Write one objective for each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy
R 3/31	Writing Lesson Plans, LPs in LiveText, Doing Demonstrations	Due 4/5: Draft of LP in LT and preparation for Microteach on 4/7
T 4/5	Work/Prep session for Microteaches	Due 4/7: Draft of LP in LT and preparation for Microteach on 4/7
R 4/7	Microteaches 1-6 (NOTE: this session will run from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. – please plan accordingly)	Due 4/12: Watch video of microteach and add reflection to LP
T 4/12	Overview of Safety & Welfare Unit, Principles of Liability, Responsibility, and Negligence	Due 4/14: Revise Microteach lesson plan based on feedback in LT
R 4/14	General Safety, Chemical Safety, Electrical Safety, Safety Contracts	Due 4/28: Create Safety Contract Due 4/19: Write a reaction Paper in LT based on Chapter 9 in the course text, pages 144 – 151 (add a new “tab” to your portfolio called “Classroom Diversity”).
T 4/19	Classroom Diversity in all its forms, preparation for the Harrisburg FT
W 4/20	Meeting (location TBA) from 10:30 – 11:15 am with Dr. William McComas (keynote speaker). His address is at 1:00 p.m.
R 4/21	Field Trip to the Harrisburg School District (this date is approximate),	Due 4/26: Complete a Diversity Essay in LT based on the Harrisburg Trip
T 4/26	Supervising an Earthworm Dissection
R 4/28	Safety & Living Organisms, Ethical Treatment of Animals	Due at Final Exam Meeting: Ethical Treatment Summary Reminder: “Developing” Developing Portfolio is also due at Final Exam Meeting
Finals Week 5/2 - 5/6	LaFinal Exam Meetingb Safety Exam Date/Time TBA – Final Exam Meeting	Safety Exam