Week+2

= Week 2 = We will be exploring the following:
 * 1) 1. Constructivism/ the importance of determining prior knowledge
 * 2) 2. The Primary Connections program

= Part One: = Potential examination question (based on Week 2 readings) Discuss the importance of eliciting prior knowledge before commencing a new topic in science, describing at least two (2) strategies that could be used to probe the students’ understandings :

Discussion: Why is it important to elicit prior knowledge before beginning a new topic in science?

Using this link to answer garden please add in your thoughts about why it is important.

Other things to consider…
 * Misconceptions/ alternative understandings ** (when students do not possess a scientific understanding of a topic)- the aim of science education then is to challenge these ideas.
 * Partial understandings ** (when students might have a basic or less sophisticated understanding of a topic)- the aim of science education is to build this understanding

Group activity
Choose one of the following strategies: Explain how it can be used it find out prior knowledge. Add details onto the Prior Knowledge page linked here: Prior Knowledge strategies (this is a shared document) Explain the link between prior knowledge and constructivism- perhaps illustrate with some examples.
 * 1) Concept cartoons
 * 2) Diagnostic testing
 * 3) TWLH chart
 * 4) Wondering box

= Part Two: = Introduction to the Primary Connections program using the PPT from blackboard. See additional readings folder on Blackboard about Primary Connections program Principles of the PC program: PRINCIPLE 1- Linking science with literacy. PRINCIPLE 2- The 5E’s. PC uses an inquiry-based teaching program called the 5E’s. This will be the basis of your FPD. The essence of this is that engagement and exploration takes place before explanations are developed. This is then followed by an application of concepts using student-based investigations, followed by an evaluation of learning. Learning takes place through the use of hands-on activities. We will be exploring this more in Week 3. PRINCIPLE 3- Inquiry/ Investigative Approaches. Inquiry approaches tap into student’s natural curiosity and mimic what scientists do in their real work. It is authentic and meaningful and helps develop deep learning. Students devise questions (all the while scaffolded by their teacher), investigate, share findings and reflect on their learning. PC uses an inquiry approach and focuses on using measurement (link to Maths), and building evidence- based conclusions. We will explore this in Week 4. TASK: testing the elasticity of lolly snakes. Individually measure the length of the elastic band prior to stretching/ folded flat. Stretch to the length of a ruler, hold for 10 secs. Return to original state and measure again. Record measurements in a table. Repeat with each of the snakes (snakes need to be same size, so they can eat some). Compare and discuss. Record in a table like the following:
 * Material || Length prior to stretching (cm) || Length after stretching (cm) ||
 * Elastic Band ||  ||   ||
 * Snake 1 ||  ||   ||
 * Snake 2 ||  ||   ||

PRINCIPLE 4- Collaborative Learning. Science is enhanced when working in cooperative teams to carry out science investigations. It again mimics the work of real-life scientists. Up to Year 3, students work best in pairs (manager and speaker), older, in teams of 3’s (director, manager and speaker). In each unit, it explains how to set up collaborative groups and resources (see appendices). We will explore this more in Week 8. Activity- collaborative card sort PRINCIPLE 5- Assessment. Assessment techniques are embedded in the 5E’s model. It does not have to involve hours and hours of marking, but it is done frequently and with different purposes (diagnostic, formative and summative). We will explore this more in Week 7. Activity – see picture below of the soccer ball. Draw arrows to show pushes and pulls. Explain that this could be great, simple evidence for your assessment.

Exploring the Primary Connections Books
Students explore a curriculum unit that is linked to the Australian Curriculum using the curriculum unit checklist. Download checklist here:

Ready for next week:
- Remember sign up sheets for Scitech - Week 3 readings - Print off the relevant FPD format (perhaps PP use ECE, Year 1 up primary) - Bring ideas for presentation/ FPD [|click here for the FPD documents]