The ED-CIFS 333 Elementary Science Methods class taught by Julianne Wenner has partnered with Grace Jordan Elementary to provide teacher candidates opportunities to plan and teach elementary science using the Supported Collaborative Teaching Model (SCTM).
Working with elementary students three times throughout the semester (partnering with grades 3, 4, and 5), the teacher candidates plan and implement 15-minute hands-on science lessons. For example, when working with third graders on the topic of weather, the teacher candidates taught lessons related to air pressure, inversion in Boise, buildings that can withstand floods, and reading weather maps. Because students rotate through the centers in small groups, teacher candidates have eight opportunities to teach the same lesson, allowing them to modify and refine their teaching strategies and have multiple opportunities for success. Additionally, teacher candidates video record each other, providing the opportunity to reflect on their teaching later.
Teacher candidates have responded positively to the SCTM, sharing comments such as, “I love being able to go out to schools and test our teaching skills,” and “I love getting to learn about the content and then actually put it in action in a classroom and with create my own lessons.” With the support of the principal and teachers at Grace Jordan, Wenner hopes to expand to the collaboration to all grade levels next year.
To see more photos, visit the Boise State College of Education Facebook page.