Lecture: M, W 11-12:15   Labs M,W,F 2-4 pm
Text: "Conceptual Integrated Science" Hewitt,J;  Lyons,S; Suchoki,J and  Yeh,J. Pearson,2007

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION
ISCI 2001. Life and Earth ScienceScience. Prerequisite SCI 1101 and SCI 1102 This course will define science and how it is done. Unifying themes will be stressed fundamental concepts in Life and Earth Science This course will have a historical perspective. Laboratories will emphasize experimental design and data analysis. This course is designed for K-5 Education Majors.

Pedagogical Goals and Guiding Intentions:
In ISCI 2001, we seek to: 1) provide learning experiences that accurately portray the nature of scientific inquiry; 2) promote both the sense of wonder and the capacity to interpret phenomena on the basis of empirical evidence; 3) facilitate dialogue for development of science content knowledge for teaching science in grades K-5; 4) offer initial experiences in the design of meaningful science experiences to be used in their work as K-5 teachers.

This course was designed to help you achieve science literacy and begin applying this to your teaching work. The course will consist of lecture, group activities and discussion as well as labs. In ISCI 2001, approximately 60% of our instructional time will focus on concepts of life science and the remaining 40% will center on Earth Science concepts. Learning objectives are based on the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS), which are based on the AAAS Benchmarks for Science Literacy.

Purpose / Rationale:
This course was developed in collaboration by professors from the departments of Elementary and Early Childhood Education and Biological and Physical Sciences. It is designed to help the students develop their knowledge of science and its tools. It is also designed to facilitate the integration of science knowledge with the essential scientific dispositions and skills used in scientific and pedagogical inquiry. This course involves a commitment to group learning and provides experiences that will enhance the students' ability to facilitate science instruction in K-5 classrooms.

The content explores the nature of science, the evolution of science, and the value and limitations of science in solving everyday problems. A strong conceptual understanding of these aspects of science is critical for the development of effective science teachers. This course provides hands-on learning experiences through classroom activities and laboratory experiences. The science concepts addressed are sufficiently broad to ensure that the students are prepared to act as effective knowledge resources and guides to inquiry in the classroom Course Description:
Conceptual Framework:

The KSU teacher education faculty are strongly committed to the concept of teacher preparation as a developmental and collaborative process. All members of the KSU Professional Teacher Education Unit and Mentor Teachers at Partnership Schools must work together to successfully prepare teachers who are capable of developing successful learners in today's schools and who are committed to continuing their professional development.

Teacher development is generally recognized as a process that includes a continuum of preservice, induction, in-service, and renewal. At KSU we believe collaboration among many partners is necessary to support teacher development. We also believe that throughout the continuum of development, the concept of expertise is an important part of preparing effective classroom teachers and teacher leaders. We believe that expertise requires a process of continued development based on best practices, and that while advancing content knowledge and pedagogical competencies, teachers develop expertise both as professionals and as learners. By improving their own learning, teachers become more proficient in facilitating and evaluating student learning.

The teacher education faculty are committed to preparing effective teachers who facilitate learning in all students. Candidates in Initial Programs focus on developing expertise in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of effective instruction, and on developing a beginning structure for life-long professional development. They learn to employ standards of best practice to help today's diverse student population develop as learners and achieve learning outcomes consistent with local, state, and national standards. This course is designed to teach science in a manner that engages the student in the mastery of core concepts and the development of science activities to be utilized in the Early Childhood classroom.

Knowledge Base:

Course content is designed to provide an understanding of the nature of science, the evolution of science, how we use science, our perspective in the universe, the role of science in society, and the prospects for science in the future. Such comprehension is critical to the development of learning facilitators who will be asked to explain basic science and how it relates to students in a variety of settings from K-5. ISCI 2001 also provides hands-on learning via its required laboratory experience. The teacher, as a learning facilitator, must have a background of interesting science activities and field trips that will help students realize the relevance of science. Effective teachers should understand the basic mathematical language of science and the core concepts of life science and earth science at a level appropriate for K-5 students. To facilitate learning in science one should be well grounded in the subject matter to be able to serve as a reference and a guide for unexpected questions and investigations, as these are encouraged in science.

Pertinent professional organizations are the Georgia Academy of Science (GAS), and the Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). The KSU Science Advisory Board provided guidance in the selection of content for the course. Standards and objectives also used were: AAAS Project 2061 Benchmarks On-Line, Georgia Department of Education QCC's, and National Science Education StandardsISCI 2001. Concepts in Life and Earth Science. 2-2-3. Concepts in Life and Earth Science defines science, examines how science is done and develops fundamental concepts in life and earth science. Laboratories emphasize experimental design and data analysis and are designed for early grades education majors.

A FUTURE EDUCATOR WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
You will be expected to be computer literate
You will be expected to complete all the online assignments either from a campus or home computer
You will be expected to configure your home computer to enable you to take these online tests
I will NOT accept ANY excuses for failure to complete these tests in the assigned amount of time

These on-line tests are on MY website at science.kennesaw.edu/~jbrock
1. The first time you log on to the test site, you will need register by entering your KSU ID # and a password of your choosing
2. The password cannot exceed 10 characters of letters or letters and numbers. ( NO PUNCTUATION, SPACES OR SYMBOLS) .
3. A page will then come up giving you your ID # that you will use the entire semester for Exams ( in class) lab tests, group activity tests AND to ACCESS THE LECTURE NOTES FOR THIS CLASS. DO NOT share this information with anyone !!!
4. Activity points are earned only if the student participates in group activity and completes the on line test.
5. NO EXCEPTIONS and No Make-Up of Activities !!! I will endeavor to inform you in advance when these activities will take place
6. As soon as you submit your online test, you will be given a SCORE PAGE.
7. IF YOU DO NOT GET A SCORE PAGE, YOU HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED YOUR TEST AND YOU WILL NOT EARN POINTS
8. You may check to see if you have submitted correctly by logging back on to the test site. If the test comes up, retake it.
9. If you are given a page that indicates there are no tests at this time, you are not allowed back into the site and have submitted correctly
10.The best way to ensure success on the online tests is to log on, print the page  and then CLICK Cancel. Determine your answers, log back on, take the test and click SUBMIT

You will be responsible for keeping up with the SCORE PAGE This page will be YOUR PROOF that you did submit  the test correctly

DATES FOR ONLINE ACTIVITIES TESTS
ACTIVITY 1 ORIGINS START 8/25/08 close 08/27/08
ACTIVITY 2 HOT PLANET START 09/15/08 close 09/17/08
ACTIVITY 3 TOPOGRAPHIC MAP START 10/6/08 CLOSE 10/8/08
ACTIVITY 4 GENETICS START 10/13/08 close 10/15/08
ACTIVITY 5 EVOLUTION START 11/03/08 CLOSE 11/05/08
ACTIVITY 6 Extinction START 12/1/08 CLOSE 12/03/08

1. 3 lecture exams
IN CLASS 11:00 - 12:15 Exams MULTIPLE Guess
2. Each exam will cover material covered in lecture, any related textbook information and any information learned in demonstrations class activities and labs You will be given a review sheet (from which the exams are made) before the exam.
4. Make up exams will be allowed (1 per semester) and must be taken at the same time as the final exam
5. You must have a valid excuse for missing exam
6. The final ( non comprehensive) exam must be taken at assigned time

I will NOT (under any circumstances) discuss your grade with you in the classroom or laboratory. Discussion ONLY IN PERSON

If you have a request, you must email me. Do not expect me to remember WHEN AND WHAT you tell me before or after class time.

FIELD TRIP (1) ON YOUR OWN TIME A list of field trip site selections are posted under Field trips on my website. A 1 PAGE (MAXIMUM) PAPER DETAILING YOUR EXPERIENCE (AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT) IS REQUIRED AND PROOF OF ENTRY STAPLED TO TOP LEFT HAND CORNER OF PAPER ( if you exceed ONE page, you will receive a zero )

Laboratory attendance is Required. If you are ill or have to miss a laboratory, contact me before the laboratory whenever possible. You are allowed 1 laboratory absence only in extreme circumstances (must consult me) and you are responsible for work missed unless it is an activity that cannot be duplicated (topographic map activity) Laboratory worksheets are found on the index page of my website under ISCI 2001 Practices and Problems. You will be assigned to a group of four (4) with whom you will work the entire course. This group will also be the group you will work with for any or all group activities

LATE LABS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN CLASS EXAMS 3 (100 PTS EA) 300 PTS

ONLINE (MY WEBSITE) ACTIVITY Tests (6 at 30 pts ea) 180 PTS

WEB ACTIVITY (Virtual earthquake - DUE 09/29/2008) 30 PTS

FIELD TRIPS (Your choice - Paper Due 10/27/2008) 30 PTS

LAB REPORTS 9 ( 10 PTS EACH) 90 PTS

Microteaching LAB 30 PTS

TOTAL 660 PTS

MINIMUM # POINTS FOR EACH LETTER GRADE

A = 590
B =510
C = 440
D= 375
F= Less than 375

NO EXTRA CREDIT AVAILABLE ***