BIOLOGY 435

METHODS OF TEACHING SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE

I.           Instructor: Beth Dunigan, Ph. D.

                Office H104

               Office phone 925-3972

               E-Mail dunigan@mc.edu

II.          Credit, 3 semester hours;

              Prerequisite Education 300

              Lecture Schedule: MWF 9:00

III.         Instructional Materials:

              A.          Text: Science Instruction in the Middle and Secondary School, 5^th edition, Chiappette, Koballa.

              B.          How to Be an Effective Teacher: The First Days of School by Wong and Wong, and

              C.          Resource book developed by Dr. Dunigan

IV.         Catalog Course Description: “Designed to familiarize teachers with current trends, methods and techniques of teaching science to secondary school students. This course may not be used to satisfy requirements for a major or minor in biology. Students certifying to teach biology will take this course.”

V.          Rationale for Course: A science teacher’s role is very important. A person planning to become a science teacher must have knowledge of science and must develop the skills needed to teach science. This course is designed to equip a person planning a future in science teaching with the skills needed such as planning a lesson, presenting a lesson, and evaluating a lesson. The future teacher also needs the skills to enforce discipline and provide a safe learning environment for his/her students. This course will also allow the future educator to research current topics in science education.

VI.         Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

VII.       Academic Integrity: Students are expected to be honest and to submit their own work on exams and projects. Adherence to the Mississippi College “Honesty Policy” (p. 49, 2000-20001 Bulletin) will be followed.

VIII.     Methods of Instruction: Presentations of illustrated lectures, class discussions, activities and demonstrations will be utilized.

IX.         If you need special accommodations due to learning, physical, psychological or other disabilities, please contact Dr. Buddy Wagner in the Counseling and Career Development Center. He may be reached by phone at (601) 925-3354 or by mail at P.O. Box 4063, Clinton, MS, 39058.

X.          Required Practices:                                      

Several short writing and reading assignments pertinent to topics discussed in cclass will be required. Written assignments must be legible and grammatically correct. Assignments include:

              A.          Read the following book: How to Be an Effective Teacher: The First Days of School by Wong and Wong. Be prepared to discuss this on the assigned days. I will give you these. You will have some questions from this book on the second You will be able to use your notes and the book on the exam.

              B.           You will write a 3 page paper on the theory of constructivism. Your paper should include an explanation of the theory, practical applications of the theory, and your opinion of the theory. 50 points

              C.          Complete research project, write a formal report and present to class. 100 points

              D.           Teach a concept of your choice. Develop the idea and reinforce it with an inquiry-based activity. Include lesson plans and an evaluation for this concept. 100 points

              E.          READ CAREFULLY!!!!! You are required to make two visits to a school and teacher of your choice. During one visit, you must help the teacher set up a lab and the second visit, you must help a teacher teach a lab. The two visits do not have to be with the same teacher and school. Each visit will require a written description of the visit. I will list the criteria that must be included in your discussion. 50 points each visit

              F.          Three Exams. The format of each exam will short answer/discussion. 100 points each

              G.          Exam on safety. 50 points

              H.          Complete portfolio 100 points

XI.         Evaluation Methods: Your grade will be determined from these activities:                                      

              A.          In order to get full credit, each assignment must be turned in on the assigned day during class period!                                    

              B.          Grading Scale:

              Final grades will be assigned based on this scale:

              C.          A= 90-100%

              D.          B= 80-89%

              E.          C= 70-79%

              F.           D= 60-69%

              G.          F= 0-59%

XII.       Attendance and Make-up Policy: Attendance in class is expected. The student is responsible for any instructions, assignments, or work missed during an absence. Tests missed during an excused absence must be made up as soon as possible. The Mississippi College attendance policy states that anyone who misses 25% or more of the scheduled classes will receive a grade of “F” in the course. (p. 46, The 2003-2004 Undergraduate Bulletin)

XIII.      Outline of topics to be covered:

              A.          

XIV.      Resources

              A.          National Research Council (1996) National Science Education Standards. Washington D. C: National Academy Press.

              B.          Trowbridge, L.W., and Bybee, Roger, W.(1990) Becoming A Secondary School Science Teacher (5^th ed.). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Publishers.

Course Schedule:

                        Final exam

Monday, December 12, 2005

8:00