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I'd like to invite you to next Saturday's VIRTUAL professional development session for 8th grade physical science teachers!  We will be using OpenSciEd as our base, and we will walk through the Chemical Reactions and Matter Unit.  You can join me from the comfort of your home or classroom, and I encourage you to team up with fellow science teachers near you to work in a group as we learn!  Be ready to put on your student hat for a bit and learn how to use this curriculum to facilitate sense-making with your students!  Don't worry - there will be teacher time in there also - and I will show you how I modified the unit for my students.  I'll walk you through the investigations and if you like, you can do them with me - the easy supply list is at the end of this email!  There will be four PD sessions in this series - click HERE for all the details and to register!

Saturday, February 11 2023

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

*Zoom link is provided upon registration.  I will send a reminder email with the link a few days before the session to registered participants.

Please reach out if you have any questions!  I look forward to seeing you soon!

Already Registered?

Thanks for registering for the February 11 VIRTUAL PD for 8th grade physical science teachers!  Thank you so much for giving up a valuable Saturday morning on February 11 2023 to attend our first session in the 8th grade Physical Science Professional Development Series that is focused on the Chemical Reactions and Matter Unit by OpenSciEd!  I am really looking forward to working with you!  

Here is a supply list for the unit, should you want to try out some or all of the activities as we discuss them.  This is not required!  Please don't worry if you prefer to observe only!  

• One box of alka-seltzer tablets (they can be generic)
• A couple of ziplock sandwich bags
• water
• A teaspoon of citric acid (this can be found in the aisle with the canning supplies)
• A teaspoon of table salt (sodium chloride)
• A teaspoon of baking soda
• 2-3 crushed up aspirin tablets (white tablets, not the fancy capsules)
• 10 or so dixie size cups
• 5 spoons
• 2 clear plastic cups
• 9 volt battery
• 2 test tubes
• a bit of modeling clay

The last four items are for a demo (electrolysis of water) - I have have the students observe this.  The other items are used by students throughout the unit.

Before logging on to our session, please go to https://www.openscied.org/ and register for an account.  It is free and gives you access to all their materials.  We will be working from Unit 7.1 - here is the main page link: https://www.openscied.org/instructional-materials/7-1-chemical-reactions-matter/. Feel free to familiarize yourself with the site prior to our session.

Please download this document (it might be helpful to have a print copy): https://www.openscied.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/7.1-Chemical-Reactions-Storyline.pdf (I have attached a copy to this email as well).

Finally, if you can and feel comfortable doing so, I encourage you to gather with a few teacher friends and do this work together in person.  Science is collaborative and is best experienced with fellow sense-makers!  The Zoom link is provided upon registration.  I will send a reminder email with the link a few days before the session to registered participants.

Question? Contact Dana Smith