"Inquiry Approaches to Math and Science"
A Professional Development Workshop for Teachers of Grades 3-8

at Sweet Briar College

schevSponsored by The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
through the Federal No Child Left Behind, title IIA, Improving Teacher Quality Initiative

INFORMATION FOR
EDUC 656
"Inquiry Methods in Math and Science"

EDUC 656 Course Information
Click here to download a copy of the
Course Syllabus
Click here to download a copy of the
Course Calendar

To Register for
EDUC 656
Contact Jill Granger
granger@sbc.edu

INFORMATION FOR
Summer 2007
Courses

 


Summer 2007 Program Schedule

June 18-21, "The Science of Small Stuff "

June 19-21, "Proportionally Speaking"

June 21-23, "Matter Matters"

June 25-27, "Plants"

June 26-28, "Numbers and Operations"

June 28-30, "Magnets and Circuits"

June 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, "Science/Math Cafeteria"

Aug 2-3, "Inquiry Methods in Math and Science" (pending funding)

SUMMER PROGRAM INFORMATION

To Register for Any of the Summer Workshops:
Contact Pam Simpson
psimpson@sbc.edu

To Download the Summer Program Brochure
( in PDF format)
Click Here!

 

Spring 2007 Workshop Schedule

January 27, 2007, “Simple Machines - Using Observation and Math to Explain Motion”

February 10, 2007  “Problem Solving Strategies”

February 24, 2007:  “Weather”

March 17, 2007: “Investigations involving Measurement”

March 24, 2007  “School Yard Science”

April 28, 2007: “How to Make Plant Science Fun”

 

 

SPRING PROGRAM INFORMATION

To Register for Any of the Spring Workshops:
Contact Pam Simpaon
psimpson@sbc.edu

To Download the Spring Brochure in Microsoft Word format, Click Here!

To Download the Spring as PDF
Click Here!

Spring 2007 Workshops for Teachers:
Most of our Spring Programs still have room! Contact Pam Simpson to register!

March 17, 2007:  “Investigations in Measurement”
Instructor: Jill Granger, Professor of Chemistry, SBC
This workshop will introduce teachers to hands-on investigations that teach and reinforce measurement skills in a variety of contexts (mass, length, volume, temperature, time, etc.) and which can be readily adapted to accommodate students’ readiness levels.  SOL Math: “Measurement” strand, grade 3-8; and SOL Science “Scientific Reasoning, Investigation, and Logic” strand, grade 3-PS

March 24, 2007  “School Yard Science”
Instructor:  Judy Strang, Education Specialist, R.E.Lee Soil & Water Conservation District www.releeswcd.com and Program Coordinator, Pedlar River Institute www.streamcritters.org
Opportunities abound in a typical schoolyard for students to practice scientific thinking, hone observation and estimation skills, predict, record and interpret data. This workshop showcases field-tested activities from Judy Strang's outdoor learning programs and offers tips on starting a schoolyard habitat.
SOL:  Math--measurement, estimation, probability/statistics, grades 3-5; Scientific Reasoning and Science 3.4, 4.5, 4.8, 5.5, 6.7. Language arts/technology applications as well.

April 28, 2007:  “Our Green Planet: How to Make Plant Science Fun”
Instructor:  Dr. Heather Griscom, Assistant Professor of Biology, James Madison University
We will explore techniques for teaching botany in the classroom as well as outside.  In the classroom, we will learn about plant classification, anatomy, reproduction, growth, and experimentation. Outside, we will discuss plant diversity, identification, habitats, and ecology.  The objective is to increase students’ botanical knowledge of plant characteristics and life processes, their observation powers, and their appreciation and curiosity about plants. SOL Science 3.1 a-c, 3.1 e-f, 3.5 a, 3.6 a-c, 4.4 a-d, 4.5, 5.5 b-c, 6.1 a-c, 6.1 h-i

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Summer 2007 Teacher Education Program
Contact Pam Simpson to Register!

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FREE! Your TUITION is paid by a grant from SCHEV.  There is no cost to the teacher or school in order to participate in any of our courses or workshops. In addition, most of our programs offer teachers a modest stipend ($60/day) to help defray travel, childcare, and other costs. See the Program Brochure for full details and restrictions. Teachers interested in on-campus housing should contact the project director, Jill Granger (granger@sbc.edu)

Monday, June 18 – Wednesday, June 20, "THE SCIENCE OF SMALL STUFF"
“Biology by Inquiry: Microscopy, Cells, and Chromosomes" - 1 credit 500-level course in Biology

microscopeTeachers will work on understanding fundamental concepts related to microscopy, cell models, mitosis and the cell cycle, and expression of genetic information as related to the Virginia SOLs for grades 3-8.  The three-day workshop will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these ggermrades.

 

 

 

Monday, June 25 – Wednesday, June 27, "PLANTS"
“Biology by Inquiry: Plants ”
- 1 credit 500-level course in Biology
bean sproutTeachers will work on understanding fundamental concepts related to many levels of plant biology as related to the Virginia SOLs for grades 3-8, including growth, reproduction, classification, and ecological relationships.  The three-day workshop will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these cactusgrades.

 

 

Tuesday, June 19 – Thursday, June 21, "PROPORTIONALLY SPEAKING "
“Math by Inquiry: Fractions, Ratios, and Proportions ” - 1 credit 500-level course in Mathematics

calculator danceTeachers will work on understanding of math concepts related to models for fractions, ratios, and proportions, as well as their application to arts and sciences. Inquiry-based methods of teaching math as related to the Virginia girl hand raisedSOLs for grades 3-8 will be applied.  The three-day workshop will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these grades.

 

 


Tuesday, June 26 – Thursday, June 28, "NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS "

“Math by Inquiry: Number Sense and Operations ” - 1 credit 500-level course in Mathematics

ice cream stackTeachers will work on understanding fundamental concepts in math related to strands in numbers and operations in Virginia’s SOLs for grades 3-8.  Instruction will cover numbers and number sense and computation and estimation through a coordinated program of activities that develop number concepts and skills.  Special attention will be given to interpreting and assessing worm on rulerstudents’ work and learning. The three-day workshop will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these grades.

 

 

Thursday, June 21 – Saturday, June 23, "MATTER MATTERS "
“Physical Science by Inquiry: Atoms, Bonding, and Reactions ” - 1 credit 500-level course in Chemistry

mercuryTeachers will work on understanding fundamental concepts related to atoms, the Periodic Table, molecular structure and properties, and chemical reactions as related to chemistthe Virginia SOLs for grades 3-8.  The three-day workshop will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these grades.

 

 

Thursday, June 28 – Saturday, June 30, "MAGNETS AND CIRCUITS "
“Physical Science by Inquiry: Circuits, Magnets, and Electromagnets ” - 1 credit 500-level course in Physics

magnetTeachers will work on understanding fundamental concepts related to circuits, electric current, magnets, and the use of electromagnets in devices as related to the circuitVirginia SOLs for grades 3-8.  The three-day workshop will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these grades.

 

 

Monday-Tuesday-Thursday, June 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28, "SCIENCE/MATH CAFETERIA "
A non-credit WORKSHOP OPTION - Teachers earn points from their school districts based on instructional hours completed.

way cool scienceTeachers will work on understanding introductory concepts related to a variety of math and science concepts as related to the Virginia SOLs for grades 3-8.  A new topic in science and math will be introduced each day and will include class discussions as well as hands-on and inquiry-based classroom activities appropriate for these grades.  Sessions available will include: Cells & Microscopes (6/18), Fractions & Ratios (6/19), Atoms and the Periodic Table (6/21), Plants (6/25), Numbers & Operations (6/26), Magnets & Circuits (6/27)

The Full Program is six-days: M, T, Th  June 18, 19, 21 and June 25, 26, 28.  Teachers may sign up for fewer than the full six days, and will be accommodated on a space available basis.  Credits and stipends will be pro-rated accordingly. Class will run from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day, with a one-hour break each day for lunch. (Lunch is provided.)

 

Thursday and Friday, August 2-3, "INQUIRY METHODS IN MATH AND SCIENCE "
EDUC 656 "Inquiry Methods in Math and Science" - a 3-credit graduate course

apple bookTeachers will work on understanding what an Inquiry Approach to teaching looks like and how it can be applied to lessons that support Virginia SOL content objectives in math and science.  The program will focus on fundamental aspects of investigation such as variables, measurement, and data analysis utilizing hands-on materials suitable for students in grades 3-8. 

You CHOOSE your option!  Teachers who participate in this two-day program will initially be enrolled in a 3-credit graduate level course in Education, EDUC 656 “Inquiry Methods in Math and Science”, a course that continues through the academic year and finishes up in Summer 2008.  Teachers who cannot complete the course will get Continuing Education credits – RECERTIFICATION POINTS - based on number of instructional hours completed.  Each day of the program will be 6 instructional hours.

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Science and Math clip art used in designing this website and brochure came from Discovery Education’s website http://school.discovery.com/clipart/ and was created by Mark A. Hicks.