Curriculum 303: Science-Biology (Intermediate-Senior) 2010

Course Information

Instructor:Dr. Catherine ChristieOffice: A335A

Phone:533-6000 ext 74946e-mail:

web page:

"To teach is to touch lives forever" anonymous

AIMS

The five elements outlined in the “Standards of Practice for the Teaching Profession” (Ontario College of Teachers) will be used to provide teacher candidates with the necessary experience and background knowledge to become competent science teachers.

1. Commitment to students and learning;

Teacher candidates will

a. understand how students develop and learn in a caring environment

b. treat students equitably

c. recognize individual differences in their students and adjust their practice accordingly to support student learning

d. develop and project an awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of students and colleagues;

2. Professional Knowledge

Teacher candidates will

a. appreciate that science is a human endeavor that forms part of an intellectual, social and cultural tradition that is linked to other disciplines.

b. be familiar with the most recent science curriculum guidelines and science subject matter taught in the Intermediate and Senior divisions in Ontario schools;

3. Teaching Practice

Teacher candidates will

a. use a variety of strategies to provide meaningful and relevant learning activities for all students in order to create a learning community in their classrooms

b. develop an awareness of the centrality of the laboratory in teaching science and at the same time develop and practice safe laboratory skills;

c. help students develop strategies for increasing critical thinking and problem solving skills;

d. develop an appreciation and appropriate strategies for dealing with sensitive issues in the science classroom;

e. become familiar with the use of computers, associated software, variety of audio-visual materials and how to integrate them into the science program

4. Leadership and Community

Teacher candidates will

  1. collaborate with members of the class to create a positive learning community
  2. assume different roles in the classroom as required

5. Ongoing Professional Learning

Teacher candidates will

a. use education research and scholarship to improve their practice

b. CONTINUE TO DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN ORDER TO PROGRESS FROM A CONCERN ABOUT TEACHING TO ONE ABOUT SUPPORTING STUDENT LEARNING.

COURSE FORMAT AND PHILOSOPHY: The philosophy of this course is to progress from the skills and strategies of the act of teaching to a model of supporting student learning. Our class will meet for 5 hours/week during the on-campus sessions. All classes will meet in A333. Classes will consist of a mix of teacher-centred, teacher candidate-centred and working sessions.

ATTENDANCE: As a professional courtesy, please discuss any absences with the instructor, (preferably before they occur) so that you can find out what concepts we explored in class. Information for each class will be posted on the website (

IF YOU MISS A CLASS FOR ANY REASON YOU NEED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR TO DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU ARE USING OUR CLASSROOM TIME (AND ASSOCIATED PREPARATION TIME) TO DIRECT YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH CHOICE IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THIS CLASS. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO USE CLASS TIME TO COMPLETE A SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING PROJECT THAT WILL HELP YOU BECOME THE KIND OF TEACHER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE, PLEASE MAKE THE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS (INCLUDING TIMELINES AND PRODUCTS) WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU BEGIN WORKING ON YOUR PROJECT.

COURSE FEE: $10.00 will be collected by the Education Registrar’s Office in September.

ASSIGNMENTS: All teacher candidates will complete:

  1. Lesson Plan to help all students learn about one science concept or topic.
  2. Predict Observe Explain Activity.

Detailed instructions for these assignments will be posted at

Throughout the course there will be small homework and in-class assignments relating to specific aspects of the classes that must be completed. All assignments will be marked on a resubmit/satisfactory basis.

EVALUATION: The grading system to be used will be Pass or Fail. In order to receive a grade of PASS, the teacher candidates must:

a) attend and actively participate in classroom activities and discussions or make alternate arrangements for a self-directed learning project including timelines and products with the instructor.

b) practice safe laboratory procedures;

c) display a positive attitude towards the teaching of science that includes demonstrating (through class discussions and presentations) a repertoire of a variety of strategies to facilitate student learning;

f) demonstrate an acceptable degree of scientific and computer literacy and an awareness of the content of the current Ontario intermediate and senior curriculum guidelines and programs in biology and general science:

h) demonstrate a self-critical approach to one's teaching.

c) complete all assignments at an accepted level that demonstrates your professional competence.

TEXTBOOKS: There are two required texts for this course available at the Campus Bookstore

  1. What Expert Teachers Do-Enhancing Professional knowledge for Classroom Practice
  2. Stay Safe

Please take the additional $100 that you would have spent on a more expensive mandatory text and begin building your own resource collection that is tailored to your needs and interests. You will find a list of print and electronic resources that I have found useful at

1

Error! Main Document Only.