Learning Opportunity

Summer New Curriculum Institute Science K-Grade 3

This session has been completed.
Registration Closed
Webinar will be recorded
Facilitators: Chris Zarski Nicole Lamoureux Ted Zarowny
Date:

This is a multi-day event.

Day 1Aug 21, 2023 (8:30 am to 10:00 am MDT)
Day 2Aug 22, 2023 (8:30 am to 10:00 am MDT)
Day 3Aug 23, 2023 (8:30 am to 10:00 am MDT)
Day 4Aug 24, 2023 (8:30 am to 10:00 am MDT)
Cost:
No Charge
Location: Virtual
Session Code: 24-NC-056
Focus: Curriculum Implementation and Pedagogy Science

Target Audience

K-3 teachers

About this Learning Opportunity

Day 1 August 21 (8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.): Curriculum Overview 

Presenter: Chris Zarski

Day 1 is an introductory session that will provide participants with an overview of the K-3 Science curricula including a brief background to the creation of new curricula and examination of its structure.  Participants will also become familiar with the organizing ideas and will learn how the Knowledge, Understandings, and Skills and Processes components work together.

Day 2 August 22 (8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.): Scientific Methods: From Madness to Methods

Presenter: Nicole Lamoureux  

Day 2 examines the Scientific Methods organizing idea. The science methods are used to help students use investigations to build an understanding of the science ideas they are learning. This session will provide an overview of the science methods for Grades 1-3. Participants will examine how the skills are built from year to year to deepen students' understanding of the methods.  Note: Kindergarten does not have learning outcomes for scientific methods

Day 3 August 23 (8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.): Wait! What? I'm teaching Computer Science? 

Presenter: Angela Dearing  

Day 3 provides an overview of Computer Science and provides answers to the following questions. What exactly IS Computer Science, when looked at through the curricular lens of “application of creativity, design, and computational thinking” to solve problems and help us engage in scientific inquiry? What does successful integration of Computer Science across the grades look like? How can we teach it and support each other integrating it into instructional practices effectively when we’ve never taken a computer science course ourselves? Leave this session not only with a better understanding of what the curriculum is asking us to do in the area of Computer Science, but also with the assurance that you already have the skills and procedures in place yourself, which can help you guide your students in their own Computer Science inquiries over their first few years in school.

Day 4 August 24 (8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.):  Putting it All Together

Presenter: Ted Zarowny

Day 4: Will bring together elements from the first three sessions by providing examples of how to turn the content of the new curriculum into meaningful learning and assessment activities.

This session addresses the LQS competencies

  • #2: Modeling Commitment to Professional Learning
  • #4: Leading a Learning Community

This session addresses the TQS competencies

  • #2: Engaging in Career-Long Learning
  • #3: Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge

This learning opportunity is being subsidized through funding from Alberta Education.

Facilitators

Chris Zarski

Chris Zarski has been an educator for over 40 years, and has served as a teacher, principal, supervisor and director and Examiner for Alberta Education. Currently is serving as a Curriculum Implementation Consultant with CARC on secondment from her role as the Director of Instruction and Staff Development for STAR Catholic Schools. Chris has led numerous district wide initiatives, provided... Read more »

Nicole Lamoureux

Ted Zarowny

Ted began his career in education as a Social Studies and English Language Arts teacher at the Junior High and High School levels. After teaching in a variety of communities in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Ted moved to Alberta where held the position of principal at a school focused on gifted education.

Ted’s educational journey has ignited his passion in the area of... Read more »