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The Charlotte Jewish News - March 2010 - Page 9 Teaching Science at CJDS Incorporating Science Standards for All Ages By Suzanne Isola On November 11,1 traveled to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to attend the National Regional Science Teachers’ Conference. 1 was on a mission for Charlotte Jewish Day School. How could we incorporate the North Carolina Science Standards with the new and excit ing practice of using science as a vehicle to teach thinking skills? The Standards focus on the subject matter What is the life cycle of a frog? The new strategies focus on the thinking, analysis and organi zational skills that can be taught in the process of studying the frog’s life cycle. At the conference 1 learned the NSTA (National Science Teachers’ Association) is working to publish a new set of national standards sometime after the first of the year. All but three states are participating in the adoption of these standards. North Carolina is one of the three opting out. Where does that leave a small independ ent school that is preparing its stu dents to enter another school sys tem at the end of fifth grade? Will our students be prepared for sci ence in another academic setting? Will all of the new challenges be met with success? What are the expectations of these schools? The dilemma is one that defi nitely deserves our attention. After teaching science in the Charlotte area for over fifteen years, 1 have a few thoughts on how this can be approached. My name is Suzanne Isola and 1 am enjoying my second year at CJDS. Last year 1 had the great fortune to be a part of the fabulous yet short lived middle school. It provided me with the opportunity to observe the science skills and thinking strategies that had been developed in the previ ous years. Teaching grades five through eight allowed for observa tion over time. Were the skills a result of teaching or of maturing brain function? Addressing this question requires a two prong approach. First, it must be determined exact ly what subject matter is being taught at what grade level. Is there a natural progression from one year to the next? Secondly, what skills and strategies are being practiced and learned in each of those years? A data collecting quest revealed a wide variety of topics, activities and lessons. Our seven grade levels offer biology, geology, astronomy, ecol ogy and a small dose of chemistry. This piques an overall interest in science. The goal is to hook the students at a young age in order to generate a lifelong desire to explore and leam about the world around them. If science topics are the focus, then CJDS is right on track. But what about skills, strate gies and thinking processes? All of our science lessons are taught through year-long inquiries. The students leam through the use of previously taught skills and the development of new ones. Throughout each sci entific inquiry students leam how to ask questions, observe and experiment. The students begin to leam different methods of data collection and analysis. There are also opportunities to master the use and methodology of the tools of science. Measuring devices such as graduated beakers, scales, thermometers and ralers are infro- duced and mastered as the stu dents pass through the different grade levels. These concrete skills are well represented and practiced in our science discovery. Strategies and thinking process es are an ongoing challenge that must not be taught in isolation. Science is an excellent “tool” for introducing organization, problem solving and the questioning of thoughts, ideas and theories. Remember, most great ideas, dis coveries and inventions are bom out of challenging observations and theories. New perspectives and approaches lead to solutions and free form discussions. Both provide an excellent leaming envi ronment. But these strategies and processes need to be applied to every topic and lesson, not just science. Wrong answers should be praised for being an interesting observation or idea. Being told that you are incorrect is perfectly acceptable. How else can a student proceed to a solution or new per spective? This provides opportuni ties for leaming. Charlotte Jewish Day School is on the cutting edge of incorporat ing this new approach to leaming Camps Airy and Louise Updates Now on Twitter Campers and their families can now receive up-to-the-minute updates about their summer homes through Twitter. Shira Kahan, special projects director at Camps Airy and Louise, says the Twitter applica tion enables camp to keep campers and their families updated on con- straction projects, reunion activi ties, registration deadlines, and reminders. Campers also enjoy receiving birthday wishes from camp through Twitter. Updates are provided daily. Interested campers are encour aged to register with Twitter through the camp Web site at www.airylouise.org by entering JEWELRY ■ WALL AkJ • STUDIO & FUNCnON/\L • FURNITURE City*Art*WorksI Charlotte's Finest raft & Gifj Galle Yossi Berendt dissects a cow’s eye. in science. Skills, strategies and thinking processes can always be improved and tweaked by apply ing these methods in math, read ing, writing and history. CJDS is producing students who observe, question and problem solve. We are building the foundations for our future leaders. We will be in competent and caring hands. ^ from Jewelry to Judaica \ ^ ~ HAPPY PASSOVER ~ ' @ Parktowne Village (corner of Park Rd. & Woodlawn) 1630 East Woodlawn Rd,, Suite 267 • Charlotte. NC 28209 ■ 704.527.1300 UNIQUE LISHTINS • SIFTS • STEMWARE * AND MUCH MORE the individual camp sites or at www.twittercom. Those wanting instant contact may register for updates through Camp Louise or Camp Airy. The messages will be delivered to their cell phones immediately upon their posting. Users may “tweet” back to camp to comment on a posting. Those desiring to provide information about an event to share with fel low campers should send informa tion to twitter@airylouise.org. Publication is up to the discretion of the Airy/Louise Twitter editor Camps Airy & Louise provide ovemight camping experiences for children entering 2nd through 12th grade. ^ The Perfect Balance of Softness and Support PureRelax Mattress by Relax The Back Tempur-Cloud" flMPtlR-PEC^C VISIT M OURSTOP^i & COMPAP^ RELAX THE BACK feel better, work better^ live better PARK TOWNE VILLAGE 4435 PARK ROAD Between Montford & Woodlawn Near Starbucks 704-523-3377 relaxtheback.com Medicare Supplement Insurance I can Help You!!! ► • Compare the different Medicare Plans. • Determine which plan is best for you. • Find which company offers the most competitive rates for the plan you want. If you are confused about what Medicare Supplement Plan you should have, then contact me for FREE CONSULTATION Milton Goldstein, CLTC Certified Long Term Care Specialist Charlotte, NC: (704) 442-5618 Birmingham, AL: (205) 907-0670 E-mail: miltgold@bellsouth.net Visit my Web Site www.goldsteinltc.com Licensed in 12 States ELEGANT TABLET0P5 * FURNISHINGS SMILING FACES • ART
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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March 1, 2010, edition 1
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