Berkeley Teacher Resources

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Berkeley Teacher Resources

As part of our ongoing work supporting Berkeley elementary classroom teachers, science teacher leaders, and science release teachers, CRS has curated these resources for K-5 science in Berkeley schools.  In the past two years, some major areas of focus have included environmental education and engaging families in STEM.  Below are resources, including some developed by Berkeley teachers, to further science teaching and learning in these areas.

Use these links to jump down to sections below

Berkeley Creek Curriculum | Environmental Activism Curriculum | Lesson Plan Resources

Science Sketching Resources

Here are a handful of background resources, activity ideas and hand outs that will help you and your students do scientific sketching as part of your science units.

Berkeley Creek Curriculum, Grades K-3

Developed by BUSD teacher Mallorie Baron and Maya Carson, through Cycles of Change, with funding provided by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).  The curriculum set features lessons for grades K-3.

Environmental Activism Curriculum, Grades K-5

Developed by BUSD teacher Carrie Johnston for use in Berkeley schools.

Lesson Plan Resources

The K-12 EEI curriculum contains units by grade level, integrating environmental education and science. Teachers can download the units for free (registration required), and online training is available. Teachers who view an online webinar can receive 2 units of printed material for free.
Free online curriculum materials developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science, for elementary outdoor science explorations on schoolyards, nearby parks and creeks, and school gardens.  Units were developed prior to NGSS, so alignment is not articulated in the units, but they are phonemon-centric and engage students in observation of, and critical thinking about, the outdoor environment — these activities can be “gateways” into deeper scientific units. Easy to lead, requires little additional materials.
A range of low cost, easy to implement hands-on activities for family engagement events. Many of the activities can also be used as introductory lessons for deeper units of science investigation. Free pdf files contain activity description, brief scientific concept information, directions, and materials list.
A range lessons developed and presented by our STEM professionals through the CRS Bay Area Scientists in Schools Program.  Sorted by science discipline strand and grade level, free lesson plans are downloadable — teachers can do these in their own classrooms. (If a resource you are interested in says “coming soon” — contact us and we can send you the file. We are in the process of updating NGSS alignment information to our older lessons!)

Community Resources for Science
1611 San Pablo Avenue, Suite 10 B
Berkeley, CA 94702

 

Phone: (510) 527-5212
Fax: (510) 527-5216
Email: community@crscience.org
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The mission of CRS is to empower teachers and STEM professionals serving schools in historically marginalized communities to activate TK-8 students’ curiosity about the world, foster critical thinking, and inspire children to imagine future career pathways. We envision a community of educators, scientists, families and partners working together to build school cultures that equip all children to explore the world around them and build the skills needed to become innovators, problem solvers, environmental stewards, life-long learners and leaders. CRS leads a dynamic network, fostering relationships and collaborations that leverage expertise and resources to transform science teaching and learning toward greater equity, opportunity, and success for all students.

 

Our goal is simple: help teachers give students more opportunities to “do science” – to ask questions, test ideas, get their hands on real science activities. We need to inspire the next generation of thinkers, makers, problem solvers, and leaders!