By Nicole Tillmann

Teaching Secondary Science Education

Teaching Secondary Science Education PDF File

school photo.
Nicole Tillmann
school photo.
Eric Bingham

Mount Logan Middle School: Home of the Mountaineers.

Abstract

Mount Logan Middle School, located in Logan Utah, strives to live up to its district motto: “Ensure all students leave our schools ready to create a positive future for themselves and their community.” I spent my internship living up to this motto by first observing science teaching by Mr. Bingham. I then helped out with student activities and learning by assisting students questions and concerns. I graded individual projects and essays. I also had the opportunity to independently teach students over a few class periods. I faced realistic challenges including guiding students to understand difficult concepts, supporting behavioral issues in the classroom, and pushing students with special challenges and individual education plans to work at a higher level. It was a great opportunity to help me learn if teaching is a career I wish to pursue by giving the actual experience of what happens in a classroom.

Middle school students in a science lesson.

Techniques

  • Thinking maps that allow students to organize their thinking
    • Circle map for brainstorming
    • Tree map for sorting
    • Bubble map for describing
    • Double bubble map for comparing
    • Flow map for sequencing
    • Multi-flow map for cause and effect
    • Brace map to learn parts
    • Bridge map for analogies
  • The Three Dimensions of Science as described in A Framework for K-12 Science Education
    • Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs): This refers to sharing practices that scientists and engineers actually do
    • Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs): The lens through which you are looking at the objective
    • Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI's): This consists of the CORE lessons each grade is needed to be taught. 

Science and Engineering Practices. Crosscutting Concepts. Disciplinary Core Ideas.

Different Maps. Circle Map (for defining): a circle with a smaller circle inside it. Tree map (for classifying): one top line breaks into three different sections that have multiple points. Bubble map (for describing): one bubble breaks off into multiple different bubbles. Double Bubble Map (for comparing): two main bubbles break off into multiple little bubbles, some little ones connecting the main ones. Flow Map (for sequencing): one square with two little break off squares leads to another square with two little break off squares, etc. Multi-Flow Map (for cause and effect): one square breaks off into six little squares. Brace map (whole to parts): one line branches off in a brace to multiple lines. Bridge MAp (for analogies): a line with a peak in it; peak says "as"; underneath peak is a relating factor.

Internship Activities

  • Copy-cat teaching
    • Observing one period and teaching the next
  • Grading students' projects and essays
  • Lesson planning
  • Independent teaching
  • Tutoring individual students
  • Answering questions and concerns
  • Observing teaching techniques
  • Classroom preparation

Acknowledgements

I would first and foremost like to thank Mr. Bingham at Mount Logan Middle School. He taught me what it is to be a great teacher not only in an education sense, but also in actually helping touch the lives of students. I would also like to thank the administration at Mount Logan Middle School for being supportive and accommodating to my presence in the school, especially Principal Paul Wagner. Also, a thank you to the students at Mount Logan for being willing to let me participate in your classes.