M i d d l e L e v e l E d i t i o n
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 4
TOOLS FOR TEACHERSJust as a construction worker should never enter a work zone without a hard hat, you shouldn't start off a new school year without the proper tools for teaching. Although you have your own toolbox of teaching strategies to help you deal with the challenges that come your way, remember that tools need to be replaced now and again. They get rusty, worn out, or outdated. This issue is full of "tools" to grab your students' attention on the first day and beyond. Tools for Teachers in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (Visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for nationwide news for science educators). This month's news stories discuss how teachers participate in professional development programs, enter partnerships, and design their classroom to resemble the inside of a spaceship—all in a effort to teach and interest students about science. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-09/news_stories_middle.htm Tools for Teachers on the Net In this month's middle level journal, Science Scope, NSTA members read "First Day of School." The link to that article is: http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=49618 SciLinks® is a web-based service from NSTA that provides online content chosen for printed articles and books. It does so through keywords; the keyword from this issue is: Teaching Strategies: http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263565510991044 NSTA Articles on Tools for Teachers The following NSTA journal articles provide you with new teaching strategies. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-09/middle.htm Books, Books, Books Click here to view the NSTA Catalog books on teaching strategies: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-09/books_middle.htm NSTA has put together a catalog of the latest NSTA Press books for the middle level teacher. To view the catalog, click here: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-09/middlecatalog.pdf Professional Development This policy brief addresses both the benefits of and concerns raised by use of high-stakes testing. It offers specific recommendations for policymakers seeking to incorporate these tests in state accountability systems. Click here to read more: http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/rs/181 Global Science Teaching "Creationism is not taboo in classroom discussions in other Western countries. But generally the topic is fodder for religion classes. If teachers do discuss the idea in science class that God created all life on Earth, they stress that evolution is the theory almost universally accepted by scientists for explaining how humans came into being," writes Michelle Galley in Education Week. Read more on how other countries deal with the teaching of evolution: http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=20Evolution.h23 NSTA Opportunities Write for NSTA's Journals Science Scope (Grades 6–9) has issued a Call for Papers on selected topics. Click here to read more: Share Your Good Ideas—Present a Session at an NSTA Convention Make plans now to share your expertise at an upcoming NSTA convention (2005–2006). Click here to find out how: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-09/www.pdf Next Month's Theme: Body of Knowledge If your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. THE FINE PRINTThis
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