Science

Using methods of inquiry as a means of teaching science is a focus of the East Middle School science team. This page is intended for teachers (from EMS as well as other schools) to share methods of using the prompt analysis tools and discuss how we can maintain the integrity of the unique content we teach while reinforcing the writing skills important to student development within the writing we already incorporate into our classrooms.

Here is a research article about the use of reflective journal writing as part of the inquiry processes. I know that Mike does this in his classroom...this may be something that we can discuss at some point.
 * Using writing to facilitate inquiry practice**

Article: Promoting Inquiry Through Science Reflective Journal Writing

I included a prompt that I am planning to use with my challenge class related to Plate tectonics:

Prompt:

In the early 20th century Alfred Wegener proposed the theory that the continents are not locked into their current positions, but were once all connected and actually move slowly over time. This theory was not widely accepted despite evidence that Wegener collected supporting his idea. Since Wegener's death, science has made a number of discoveries which support his idea of continental drift, among these is the theory of plate tectonics.

Write a letter to Alfred Wegener describing to him the theory of plate tectonics. Include a recap of his theory of continental drift and the 3 peices of evidence he provided to support this theory, a description of sea floor spreading and 2 pieces of evidence supporting it. Finally describe how both of these ideas together support the theory of plate tectonics.

FATPS


 * F**: Letter
 * A**: A Dead Scientist
 * T**: Plate Tectonics
 * P**: To inform Alfred Wegener of new discoveries relevent to his not-so-well recieved theory
 * S**: Continental drift and evidence supporting it, Sea Floor Spreading and Evidence Supporting it

Possible rubric adaptation