DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION OF THIS SYLLABUS

DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION OF THE COURSE CALENDAR

HTML CALENDAR LINKED TO ASSIGNMENTS

January February March April May

WEBSITES:

• Eves Course Page: http://www.suu.edu/faculty/eves/4900/4900syll.html
• Utah Science Homepage: http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science

THE LEGAL STUFF

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
"Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior."

ADA STATEMENT:
"Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Support Center in the Sharwan Smith Center Building , office 206 F, Phone (435) 865-8022. The Disability Support Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of these services and aids."

Students will evaluate their face-to-face courses online, using a program called WebCT. The previously used Scantron system, with the paper-and-pencil survey, will NO LONGER be used. During the last week of instruction, all students will have access to WebCT for the purpose of evaluating each of their courses. To access the system, students will (1) on the Internet, go to SUU's Homepage (suu.edu); (2) click Current Students; (3) click WebCT; (4) log in with Username and Password exactly as done in the campus computer labs-- If students don't know their Username or Password, they can click on the choices on this screen that will provide them; (5) once logged in, students will see a list of courses, with Course Evaluation in each title-they will then click on the course they wish to evaluate. Each instructor has a detailed list of instructions that may be handed out to students.

INSTRUCTOR: Robert L. Eves
PHONE: 586-1934 (email: eves@suu.edu)
OFFICE: SC 309B

OFFICE HOURS: Daily 11::00 AM - 12:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 8:00-9:00 Am Tuesday.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
PSCI 4900 Teaching Science in Secondary Schools 2 credit hours.
"Required of all perspective secondary science teachers."

We will meet at 4:00 PM, Monday and Wednesday of each week. This course is a methods course for physical scientists. Your classroom presentations should be developed around physical science topics (geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, etc.).

Late Work
Late work submitted within one week of the stated deadline will receive 66% of the earned credit. Work submitted later than one week (seven calendar days) after the deadline WILL NOT be accepted for credit. Copies of lesson plans are due at the time the lesson is given.

General Instructions for the Course

·Students are expected to maintain a portfolio.
·All assignments and lesson plans must be typed.
· Hand in all assignments on time.
· Use the course calendar to keep track of what is due.
· Attendance and class participation are important and must be considered in your final grade.

GRADING

The course grade is determined from the following weighted criteria:

·Activity Assignments (15%) - Must be submitted in a timely fashion. Late assignments will loose 1/3 of the possible credit. Assignments more than one week past the due date will NOT be accepted.

Assignment #1

Part 1 (MS Word File)

Assignment #2

Part 1 (pdf file) Read this chapter on the goals and directions of science teaching.

Part 2 (MS Word File)

Assingment #3

Part 1 (pdf file) Read this chapter on inquiry and discovery teaching.

Part 2 (MS Word File)

Assignment #4

Part 1 (pdf file) Read this chapter on demonstrations in science classes.

Part 2 (MS Word File) Complete this writing assignment.

Assignment #5

Part 1 (pdf file) Read this chapter on questioning and discussion techniques.

Part 2 (MS Word File) Complete these written assignment.

Assignment #6

Part 1 (pdf file) Read this chapter on technology in the classroom.

Part 2 (MS Word File) Complete this writing assignment.

Assignment #7

Part 1 (pdf file) Read this chapter excerpt on the use of cooperative learning strategies.

Part 2 (pdf file) Prepare a lesson plan according the attached instructions (the pdf file).

 

·Observation (15%) - Each student will complete at least 10 hours one-on-one-observation of an in service secondary science teacher. During the observation, a journal will be kept. Journal entrees will include such things as a time log, reactions to teaching methods employed, teaching strategies, effective use of principles taught in the class, copies of lesson plans (if they are made available), and more general observations. The observation journal is part of the portfolio and is due at the last class meeting of the semester (April 26th). (DOWNLOAD OBSERVATION TEACHER LIST)

·Student Lesson Presentations (30%) - This will be your chance to apply what we are learning. Be as varied and creative as you dare. Try to utilize the strategies we are learning this term and draw on your background. On the first teaching exercise we are looking for a clear lesson plan, and completion of the presentation. On the final lesson presentation we hope for clear improvement on areas mentioned during evaluation of previous lessons, use of varied teaching strategies, and the ability to integrate everything we have learned. (Sample evaluation form)

·Portfolio for Teaching (15%) - See portfolio outline handout. (Due April 26th)

·Attendance and Participation (20%) - Since we have so few class meetings your attendance and active participation at each meeting is essential to your success in the course.

·Final Exam (5%) - The final exam will be an in-class essay entitled - "My Personal Philosophy for Teaching Science"

Information contained in this syllabus other than grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

GRADING SCALE

Grading Summary

Grades will be calculated by comparing achieved points to possible points (obtaining a percentage). Final grades will be determined according to the following grading scale.