The science action plan emphasizes enhancing student learning through various strategies. It promotes the use of metacognitive practices by encouraging students to reflect on their learning through logs and self-assessment rubrics.
Peer Feedback / Assessment
- For major projects have students peer assess each other with feedback
Group Work Test
- Allow students to see test and discuss and problem solve for 5-10 minutes prior to the test
- This will let students think about how they can approach the problem as well as what areas they still need to know as well as what they have done well
Pre-Assessment (Self-Assessment)
- Diagnostics
Exit Tickets or KWL charts
Instant Feedback (Wrappers)
- Have students fill out self-reflection questions on tests
- Shorten tests to big ideas to avoid challenges in time
Exemplar and Skills Rubrics
- Have students self-assess their readiness through rubrics/exemplars
Mastery Learning
- Routinely collect and check classwork
- Provide either 0 or 100% mark
- Give students an opportunity to improve their work
but improvement must be done in person so show
understanding
Learning Logs
- All students complete a short log at the end of each lesson
- Students may use their learning logs on assessments (similar to a memory aid)
Lab Safety
Lab safety posters and infographics
Introductory Labs for safety
Class size caps around 24 where possible
Safety Contract
WHMIS, HHPS, and other symbol
- Ensure all chemicals are label correctly to new standards
- PowerPoints to show this to students
- Lab manuals updated
- Student quizes
Equipment
Have students see that equipment is in working order
and have students do a walk through to note/record dates
of items (e.g. fire extinguisher)
Correct storage
- Physical barriers
- Containers
Familiarize students with basic equipment
- Classroom tour model
- Videos
- Quizes
Lab Safety Equipment (Goggles and coats)
- Order enough for all students
- Check stock
- Class lists and student fees accounted for
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Order assistive technology where applicable
Resources and virtual labs
- Ensure there is a forum for teacher resource collaboration
- Review which topics require alternate activities and assessment
Science Literacy
Hands-on / Inquiry Classroom
- Increase the amount of inquiry / hands-on activities
- Minimum 1 per unit
Promote to marginalized groups
- Low SES
- Females
- Ethnic
Technology and relevant fields in science
Case Studies
Debates
Interest and Activism
- Encourage students to research and find areas of science they are interested in and engage them in activities which they can display change / activism
Incorporate more data driven questions
Current Events
Show news clips or magazine articles and discuss them
Provide regular journal articles around the class
Mental Health
Converse and sit with students on a regular basis
Check-in
- Verbal check-ins
Discuss Stress Management and Mental Health
Building resiliency
- Mental Health Diagnostic/Inventory
Therapy Dogs
- Book
- Have targeted invitations
Discuss Various Support Services
Telephone hot lines
Child Youth Worker
Guidance
Create support networks
Support Staff
Teachers
Family
Friends
Global Citizenship
- Incorporate into all major culminating tasks for departments
- Create shared resources for teachers (including rubrics)
Run Clubs
- Swim Team
- Robotics
- Math Club
- Peer Tutors
- Baseball Team
- Asian Heritage
Safe Space
Therapy Dogs
Student Leaders
- Selection of student leaders
- Leadership camp
- Promotion of events
-Duties throughout the school
Positive Relationships for New Students (grade 9)
- Whole school workshops