TEACHING SCIENCE AS PRACTICE EVERYDAY FEELS IMPOSSIBLE ONLY BECAUSE WE WEREN'T TAUGHT THAT WAY ...
We've got no experience receiving this type of instruction and, though we've been told that we should adopt active learning to support the Next Generation Science Standards, no one's modeled it for us.
We don't know what it should look like.
Some things you just can't wrap your head around might include:
how inquiry and active learning can be achieved without extensive setup and cleanup before and after each teaching period, not to mention HIGH COST.
how students will demonstrate mastery on assessments without telling them everything you think they need to know.
how you could modify activities to accommodate various individual student learning requirements.
how you could incorporate literacy skills to satisfy the Common Core standards when students are doing activities everyday.
how you could make such a big change to your approach without a strong support system or mentor.
how you could make such a big change ot your instructional approach in a single school year.
MAYBE SEEING IS BELIEVING?!
Learning From Every Lesson
a go-anywhere science teaching and learning mastermind membership that also promotes routine reflection
THE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:
MONTHLY LESSON FEATURE
Each month, a different lesson will be studied deeply, and the PowerPoint file will be shared for particpants to use in class or as a template for writing their own lessons in the future.
WEEKLY LIVE DEEP-DIVE STUDY & STRATEGY SESSIONS
Learn how to do it all in the context of a single lesson!
Deconstruct a a lesson, differentiate it, identify literacy elements, and examine complementary technology.
PROMPTS FOR GUIDED REFLECTION & DISCUSSION
Create a habit of considering intentional instructional design, what works and what doesn't in the context of the Lab In Every Lesson Planning Framework.
PLUS . . .
LIVE CHAT AND A PRIVATE, INTEGRATED COMMUNITY to get help when you need it or want it from a group of like-minded teachers seeking the same student-centered instructional solutions.
IT'S OKAY TO . . .
feel unsatisfied by the status-quo.
seek personal fulfillment by this career you've chosen.
serve students with confidence and pride in your strategies.
lead with your strengths and strive for continual improvement.
invest in our future and the legacy you'll leave it.
I pep-talked myself through all my own doubt, concern, and uncertainty.
Now, I'm prepared to do the same for you.
IMAGINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO . . .
observe strategies you're familiar with but are used differently.
learn new instructional strategies and classroom management techniques to try immediately in your own classroom.
experience the student perspective of lessons.
identify what doesn't work and learn from someone else's mistakes.
I taught secondary science in a distance learning model at a cyber charter school serving at-risk students for 9 years before I heard anything about the NGSS, but I felt a calling to do more with my knowledge and training. I wanted to capture students' attention in a way that produced deep understanding and facilitated their long-term problem-solving success in life.
Much like what the NGSS suggests, I realized that student attention needed to be on the content itself, not on me teaching the content.
But accepting that it was actually possible to teach core ideas using scientific practice skills was exceedingly difficult with no one else in my circle who was interested or willing to embark upon the journey with me.
I designed the Learning From Every Lesson membership to (1) teach instructional strategy through example, (2) nurture a reflective mindset among science teachers focused on continual improvement, and (3) provide an environment of supportive mentorship, encouraging teachers to go it alone in their own organizations and do it afraid!
author and creator of Lab In Every Lesson
WHAT YOU'LL GET AND DO AS A PARTICIPANT
IN THIS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY
FIRST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH:
Take a deep-dive into intentional instructional design, the how’s and why’s of each element in the lesson plan.
SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH:
Consider how the active learning experience can be differentiated to produce 2-4 alternate versions.
THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH:
Common Core standards and the disciplinary literacy strengthened by activities throughout the lesson plan will be highlighted.
FOURTH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH:
Web-based programs used to design, deliver, or assess the planned lesson will be demonstrated.
IN ADDITION TO ALL THE LIVE LEARNING THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE MEMBERSHIP . . .
I’ll post the video recording of a live lesson where I taught the very lesson plan we’ve picked apart!.
I’ll give you a copy of the original PowerPoint lesson plan for your own use or as a template in future planning.
I’ll prompt you to reflect and respond on various aspects of the pedagogy, the purpose, and the plans in a fully-functioning, non-Facebook, private community.
I’ll always make live learning accessible via recording, so you can still enjoy your personal time and learn on your own schedule.
Interactive science lessons designed using this
5-element framework foster
student-centered learning by . . .
integrating and activating prior knowledge
emphasizing scientific literacy
employing computer-simulated visual models
providing opportunities for guided, independent and cooperative discovery through exploration
analyzing data sets from the collective group
formatively assessing through skill practice
Use technology to create interactive learning experiences that compliment student-centered learning principles and transform your students from active listeners to active learners.
In addition to assessment data, unsolicited feedback from administration, students, and parents provides proof that interactive science lessons built with my signature 5-element framework for student-centered learning works to engage students and encourage scientific method mastery.
* names have been omitted to preserve privacy
Interactive science lessons are interesting and fun!
". . . you always make chemistry a fun and exciting class that I look forward to everyday . . ."
"This is why I love this class! You find a way to make almost everything interactive and fun."
"You make the class fun so it's easy to learn."
". . . I love chem because ... she makes it interesting, and makes me want
to come to class every day to learn more. She has a great teaching style . . ."
"Mrs. Karosas is an incredible teacher, she is fantastic at helping people understand difficult concepts, she is incredibly fast at responding to students questions, and she genuinely makes science fun."
"I really like how you have simulations and little activities for us to do on our own everyday. "
Interactive science lessons nurture growth mindset!
"You’ve really challenged my mind in ways I didn’t think I could understand. Also, I am not a very vocal/social person but being in your classes made it easy for me to be comfortable in myself. "
"Thank you for a great year of chemistry. The assignments were sometimes challenging, but for the most part it was easy grasping the subject matter and I feel I'm improved greatly over the course of the year."
Interactive science lessons support academic success!
"The way you teach has helped me remember more of what I learn."
"You have given me so much help this year and made things make sense to me.
I never thought I would do well in chemistry, but you made it possible that I have."
"Mrs. Karosas has somehow made chemistry seem easy. She explains it so well.
I could not have made it through a year of chemistry without her special way of teaching it."
"Thank so much for being an amazing teacher! Science has never been a favorite subject of mine, because I am never able to fully grasp it. This year though, you made it my favorite
class of the year and I was finally able to understand it. "
Interactive science lessons are designed for every student!
"I love how you take the time to check our work everyday in class and give us feedback."
"I appreciate that you understand my abilities in class and let me work how I want to
with things like moving to my own breakout room during class to work on my own problems.
I love how flexible you teach your class and how you don't just assume everyone
in class is at the same level of understanding. "
Thank you for allowing me to visit. This lesson was an exemplar for differentiation and individual mastery! You are so adept at making lessons that allow for students to work immediately on their own if able, while still providing guidance to those in need. Allowing them to choose how they are going to work gives them a sense of choice and control over their learning. Sooo refreshing to see the individual work and mastery in the breakout rooms and your encouragement!
Interactive science lessons support the whole student!
Your class is my favorite class that I have to take this year.
[It] is very challenging, but very challenging in a good way. Your class gets me thinking and actually pushes me to do well in science. It's a great mix of challenging subjects to get my brain thinking, fun activities to help further my understanding and a great way for me to participate in class and collaborate with my fellow students. Class participation has always been something that I have struggled with in school but your class is helping me get better at it. Your class gets me out of my learning comfort zone and pushes me to work harder than I have in my past classes.
HOW MIGHT YOUR CHANGES IMPACT YOUR STUDENTS?
Read my students' comments and consider them your crystal ball . . .
You're the perfect fit!
You're a science teacher leading middle or high school students.
You're a DIY at heart and want to create your own student-centered, active learning science curriculum of lessons.
You like to consider multiple perspectives. I'll share my expertise and the community will improve upon it. We'll all benefit.
You don't want to make such profound changes alone. It can feel so isolating to be the only one charting a new course, forging a new path.
You're all about value. In this membership, you'll learn my 5-Element Framework deeply because you'll experience its end-product at work.
You're cautious. While there is a significant incentive for opting into an annual membership, a monthly is also available that can be cancelled at any time. The first 30 days of either option are completely free.