Science Unit Plan: Instructional Strategies 

The second step in planning a unit plan is to prepare the instructional strategies that can make connections across multiple areas of science content.

Part 1: Instructional Strategies – Science Unit Plan

For this assignment, you will research instructional strategies and describe how they can connect multiple areas of science. Use these specific instructional strategies to support your grade/developmental level, standards, and learning objectives for the unit plan.

Continue developing the “Science Unit Plan” by completing the following components of the unit plan: 

• Instructional Strategy/Strategies Used: Each chosen strategy should provide opportunities for independent study, active inquiry, collaboration, and/or supportive interaction in the elementary classroom. Use a combination of instructional strategies that are best suited for each lesson and student.
• Summary of Instruction and Activities: Write a brief summary of instruction, activities, and learning content of each lesson to connect students’ prior knowledge to key science concepts through application of major standards-based concepts and modes of inquiry.

The details of the “Science Unit Plan” will continue to be fully developed and revised throughout the duration of the course, culminating in a complete unit plan due in Topic 5.

Part 2: Reflection

In 250-500 words, summarize and reflect on the process of continuing your unit plan and deciding on instructional strategies that best complement your standards, learning objectives, and lesson plan. How do your instructional strategies promote critical thinking and problem solving skills? Explain how you will use this process in your future professional practice.

Support your reflection with at least two scholarly resources.

Submit the “Science Unit Plan” and reflection as one deliverable.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Clinical Field Experience A: Observing Student Engagement in Science and Health 

Allocate at least 3 hours in the field to support this field experience.

Part 1: Observation

Observing a classroom environment can provide much needed detail and understanding of students’ learning needs and continued progress.

Observe a K-8 classroom during a science lesson. If possible, observe a lesson that integrates health, PE, or nutrition. During your observation of the lesson, complete the “Clinical Field Experience A: Science Observation” form.

With the help of your mentor teacher, identify 3-5 students above, at, or below standard achievement in the classroom environment that would benefit from additional learning support. Ask your mentor teacher for the unit and standards the class is currently learning, in order to develop the pre-assessment for Clinical Field Experience B and inquire about implementing a science pre-assessment during Clinical Field Experience B. 

Speak with your mentor teacher and, provided permission, use any remaining time to seek out opportunities to observe and/or assist your mentor teacher or another teacher and work with a small group of students on instruction in the classroom. Your mentor teacher must approve any hours spent observing another classroom environment.

Part 2: Reflection

Maintain your documentation to develop an instructional approach with students. As a follow up to your observation, reflect on your observation experience.

Following your observation, discuss the science lesson with your mentor teacher. In 250-500 words, summarize your observation and discussion with your mentor teacher, and describe how you will apply what you have learned to your future professional practice.

Your discussion should answer the following questions:

• How do you engage students in learning opportunities specific to science?
• How do the science lessons promote critical thinking and problem solving skills?
• How did the students respond and engage during instruction and independent work?
• How do you modify or adjust instruction based on response from students?
• How do you prepare to teach instruction in the content area (vocabulary, knowledge of material, content standards, resources)?

Submit the “Clinical Field Experience A: Science Observation” form and reflection as one deliverable.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.

Document the locations and hours you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.

Submit the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form to LoudCloud in the last topic. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.