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Teacher Services

Professional Development

WORKSHOPS & WORKSHOP SERIES
2007-2008

CRS workshops are designed to help build knowledge, skills and confidence in science teaching.     Our workshops are fast-paced sessions that provide teachers with techniques, resource connections, tools, and planning time.   Workshops are offered to both teacher groups of ten or more and whole faculties.  Whole-school workshops are offered on-site to let faculties work together as a school community to accomplish their science goals and understand student learning.    We support the development of teachers who are able to plan, teach, and refine strong, subject-integrated science lessons using an inquiry-based approach to their teaching and their own professional development.

Standards-based Science Lesson Planning (three 90-minute sessions)
This series provides tools and resources for planning science lessons integrated across the elementary curriculum.  Each of the sessions reviews one of the three K-5 content strands in the State Science Standards and the series moves sequentially through the following skills:

1. setting unit goals that reinforce learning in all curriculum areas and organizing science resource information
2. planning effective, hands-on, learning experiences using available curriculum and the rich resources in our community
3. identifying opportunities to reflect on student learning at all lesson stages

During the workshops, teachers develop individual planning binders, standards-based lesson and unit plans, and request support for further background, enrichment arrangements, and needed classroom materials.  

Articulated Lesson Demonstration (three 120-minute sessions)
The series uses lesson demonstration to look at science strand articulation between grades.   Specific lessons are chosen to reveal how the teaching of related science topics at different grades progress and change.   Working within teams of grade levels teaching successive concepts, teachers see examples of student work and participate in different activities.    An additional fee of $500 is added for the activity materials, set-up, and extended workshop time.  

Each teacher receives all activity instructions and useful materials and resource references.

Using Internet Resources for Science
(one to three 90-minute sessions)
The Internet contains rich resources to support science instruction, including: printable classroom activities, background information designed for both teachers and students, and virtual activities for students that can enrich lesson plans and build technology skills.  This workshop introduces teachers to the range of internet science resources and how to use and find them.  By focusing each session on life, earth, or physical science, CRS is able to use links drawn from our database of websites to reinforce the specific science topic focus of each grade level.   The workshop is conducted in a computer lab to help teachers use web-based resources for science lesson planning and teaching.   

During the workshop teachers identify specific activities and enrichments to integrate into their lessons.   Teachers receive Internet use training, reports summarizing website resources related to their grade level science standards, and tools for lesson planning and streamlining future searches.

Using Inquiry to Teach Science (three 90-minute sessions)
Based on the materials and training in the Inquiry Institute offered by the Exploratorium, this on-site training series introduces techniques and tools for teaching through inquiry and experimentation.  The three sessions involve teachers in different inquiry-based experiences to demonstrate specific teaching practices that can engage students in active learning and teach the skills required by the Investigation and Experimentation Strand of the California Science Standards. 
Teachers receive information on the inquiry process, techniques for different stages of inquiry, resources and references for further training, and practice in adapting more traditional, teacher-led lessons to build inquiry skills over time.

Retaining Science Knowledge (two 90-minute sessions)
This short series focuses on teaching techniques that help students build, retain, and communicate knowledge from science activities and experiences.  The workshops review the key elements of 4th and 5th grade science standards, including vocabulary, ability to use specific tools, and recognition of critical graphics.   Teachers work on designing lesson plans that will bridge the gap between individual activities and usable knowledge and skills, while reinforcing the language arts and mathematical skills used in communicating science results.   This series can be particularly helpful for 4th and 5th grade classroom teachers who want to work more effectively with a science release teacher.  
Each teacher receives a packet of information about techniques that help students build knowledge, background on the State science test, critical elements of the 4th and 5th grade science standards, and opportunities for curriculum connections and extensions from basic hands-on experiences.

Understanding Student Learning (three 90-minute sessions)
The three workshops in this series explore how to learn from teaching and help each lesson support professional growth.  The sessions move from choosing formative assessment opportunities and open, performance assessment techniques, to designing tools to collect meaningful information and, in the last workshop, how to analyze and use this data to guide lesson revision and professional development.   The workshops allow teachers to choose their own lesson focus, share and analyze the students’ work, and revise lessons in grade level teams.  
Teachers work together on lesson design and revision and receive tools and information on a range of assessment strategies, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.   

On-Site Science Enrichment (as requested)
These workshops orient planning around science teaching opportunities provided by specific on-site resources or events.   The support can be tailored as a single session or a series based on the specific needs of the teacher group.   Whole schools have used this support to:

1. build understanding and use of existing outdoor learning opportunites
2. facilitate collective planning of science fairs
3. develop a shared vision and plan for new on-site gardens or creeks.

Whole School Workshop Fees:
One Session (2 hours) -- $80/teacher
Two Sessions (4 hours) -- $140/teacher
Workshop Serives (3 sessions) -- $200/teacher
Fees include one year School Membership of $30/educator.
Minimum group size: 10.

Review a Sample CRS Workshop (PDF)

Participate in CRS Workshops!

Contact CRS to inquire about a workshop for your school or group.