Science Materials Recommendation Grades K5 Implementation, Fall, 2006

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Science Materials RecommendationGrades
K-5Implementation, Fall, 2006
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Sub-Committee of the 2005-2006 Science Focus
Group for Grades K-5 Debbie Armendariz Kristi
Bingham Jeanine Buob Julie Dawson Gigi
Ehrlich Nancy Haarstad Cathy Haas Teresa
Hill Mike Jones Sandy Lewis Terri Matlock Joy
Mucci Michelle Nauman Josh Oberts Karen
Ritacco Colleen Rowsey Carolynne Scott Ed
Storrs Pam Toelle Sally Tucker
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Why new science materials are needed?

• Current materials adopted before the Illinois
  Learning Standards were approved by the ISBE.
• New materials are more closely aligned with the
  Illinois Learning Standards.

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What process has been used in making tonights
science materials recommendation?

• 1) A Science Focus Group was organized this year.
• All science teachers were encouraged to apply.
• ELL student needs were represented by Debbie
  Armendariz to assure that well-developed Spanish
  materials were available and that useful
  suggestions were made for ESL instruction.
• Representation came from all grade
  levels/schools, K-5, and from BJHS for vertical
  articulation purposes.

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2) A Science Text Review Checklist was developed
for use by all members of the Science Focus
Group by Josh Oberts, Michelle Nauman, and
Debbie Armendariz. 3) October 19, 2005, the
K-5 Science Focus Group Sub-Committee met with 3
vendors in a day long meeting. The vendors
were Harcourt Houghton-Mifflin
Scott Foresman 4) At the end of the October 19
Meeting, a decision was made to submit the
Harcourt and Scott Foresman Programs to all K-5
teachers for review.
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7) K-5 teachers completed the Science Text
Review Checklist online, December 11-22. 8)
Checklist results were tabulated, printed, and
reviewed by the sub-committee on January
9. 9) On January 18, the sub-committee met to
answer questions, report on research, and after
discussion decided to recommend the Scott
Foresman Science Program to the Board of
Education.
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Why is the sub-committee recommending Scott
Foresman Science?

• -Content engages students in science learning.
• -Program incorporates key aspects of science
  learning including science inquiry, careers in
  science and biographies of important contributors
  to science.
• -Emphasis on reading in the content area.
• -Program supplemented by online
  student/teachers editions and leveled readers.
• -Technology supports including links to the
  internet and assessment tools.
• -Outstanding support for hands-on activities and
  lab experiments.
• -Support is superior to other programs in math
  instruction as it applies to science.
• -Special education, ESL, bilingual support that
  includes guided reading materials and alternate
  assessment.

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Publisher will provide

• Teachers Edition Package (Illinois Specific,
  Grades 1- 5)
• Teachers Resource Package
• Online Resources including Student Edition and
  Teachers Edition
• Audio Text CD
• Exam View
• Vocabulary Cards
• Illinois Test Prep Supports (Grades 3-5)
• Online Access Package for Leveled Readers
• Leveled Reader Super Kit (Buy 1, Get 1 Free)
• Grade Level Equipment Kit (Buy 2, Get 1 Free)
• Approximately 300,000 in Publisher Provided
  Materials

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District 87 costs
Big Book Flip Charts, K-1 (n45) (English and
Spanish) Student Books for All Students, 2-5
(n1650 ) (English and Spanish) Equipment
Kits (Buy 2, Get 1 Free) (n87) Leveled Readers
(Buy 1, Get 1 Free) (n51) (English and
Spanish) Total Cost to the District 209,914
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Professional Development

• April 14
• Two hour workshop at grade levels
• Teachers will receive their Teachers Editions
  and Online Access.
• District Curriculum Guides will be distributed.
• August Institute
• Two hour workshops at grade levels.
• Practical Information for Getting the School Year
  Started.

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Professional Development

• September
• Survey of Staff Needs for Future Professional
  Development
• October Institute will be developed using survey
  results.

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THE SCIENCE FOCUS GROUP SUB-COMMITTEE FOR GRADES
K-5 RECOMMENDS ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THE SCOTT FORESMAN SCIENCE PROGRAM FOR USE
BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF 2006. The materials
will be on public display in the Community Room
for the next 30 days.