Welcome to 2020/2021! We are in a pandemic. The new normal is social distancing, all students facing the same way, no sharing of materials. This is exactly the opposite of how you have been modifying your teaching style for the NGSS! Now what?
Think positive! This is an opportunity for you to help students learn differently. The trick is to figure out what worked in the regular classroom and modify it for the socially distanced classroom. We are here to help!
As science teachers we know that science is not just about memorizing some “science facts”. It is a way of thinking and problem solving. Helping students attain science processing skills and relating concepts to other areas is an on ramp for helping students better understand the world we now live in.
Importance of Learning Routines
It is important to set up a learning routine for your science classroom. As a science teacher you are teaching students to think. Design learning routines to make it easier for students focus on new information and skills. For example:
- questions or problems to set up lessons
- activities that build science understanding
- students reflect on their learning
The Learning Loop
In my classroom I do this by having students use a “Learning Loop” in their interactive science notebooks (see diagram). The learning loop works by identifying what students already know through a reflection question. Students build on their knowledge through activities or investigations. Close the loop by having students go back to their original ideas and correct them or build on them through additions.
Students understand that as soon as they enter the classroom there is an “I can…” statement posted letting them know the target for the day. Along with the “I can” statement I post a reflection question for students to answer immediately in their notebook. The questions are open ended and do not necessarily have a “correct” answer. The reflection questions are built on a hierarchy and designed as follows:
Learning Routines in the Socially Distanced Classroom
The need for learning routines is as necessary for the socially distanced classroom as it is in the regular classroom. Whichever learning platform your district has chosen make sure that students:
- have clear, visible learning targets
- understand the expectations for how lessons will flow
- understand the expectations for grading
Effective Teaching
The principals of effective teaching apply whether you are face to face with your students or reaching out through remote learning. Remember Harry Wong’s three characteristics of effective teachers:
- good classroom management skills
- positive expectations for student success
- teaching for mastery
Finally – Relax! Your classroom routine is still there – it just appears a bit different. The sooner you adapt and establish your the changes necessary for the new normal the sooner you and your students are going to feel more comfortable and really start learning in science!
Work Cited
Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (2018). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Mountain View, CA, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications.