Recent Events

December 12-13, 2007 Linking Science, Inquiry, and Language Literacy Statewide Conference - Practical Approaches and Strategies for Linking Science and Literacy for Grades K-6, South Portland.

This two-day event, attended by 50 K-6 teachers, focused on the powerful connections between inquiry science and language literacy in the elementary classroom. Participants learned about and experienced classroom strategies that incorporated reading, writing, and speaking in the context of inquiry-based science. At this conference, cohort 2 teachers from the L-SILL schools shared their first-hand experiences with these strategies.

December 11, 2007
Linking Science and Literacy: Practical Approaches and Strategies for Grades 7-12 Statewide Conference, South Portland

Seventy-five teachers of grades 7-12 attended the first L-SILL sponsored secondary statewide conference. At this one-day event, middle and high school science teachers explored how reading, writing, drawing, and speaking can be used authentically in the classrooms to construct understanding of science concepts.

November 8, 2007
Children's Trade Books and Literature in Science, Portsmouth, NH

Over 30 K-6 teachers from Maine and New Hampshire took part in a half-day workshop exploring the role of literature and trade books in supporting science inquiry. Participants examined how books can be used in earth and space, physical, and life sciences to support and guide inquiry and became aware of the cautions in using children's literature and trade books.

September 2007 through May 2008 Capitol Area Learning Lab, MMSA Augusta

A small but dedicated group of grade 1-4 teachers have been participating in this series after school "dine and discuss" workshops. Each Learning Lab is based on a particular topic and models an instructional activity designed as a ready-to-take-to-the-classroom inquiry-based lesson. On September 27 participants explored Life Cycles, on October 25 Objects in the Sky, Force and Motion on November 29, and Light and Shadows on January 24.

August 6, 2007
Solar System Science Companion Training, MMSA Augusta

During this one day workshop, grades 2-6 teachers were introduced to Science Companion. Participating teachers had the opportunity to learn about the program's design, experience a number the module's lessons, and become familiar with the literary connections incorporated through module including science notebooks, trade books, and children's literature.

June 27-29, 2007
Inquiry Institute, Helen Thompson School, West Gardiner

Twenty-seven teachers from ten different schools attended this three day institute. Over the course of the three day institute, teachers experienced a number of activities and approaches designed to help teachers deepen their understanding of inquiry-based science and further develop teachers' repertoire. The institute provided teachers with a number of inquiry-based teaching strategies that they could readily implement in their own classrooms. Coupled with these experiences was the scientists' notebook approach. Teachers used the notebook throughout an investigation as students would to recording questions, observations, data, and used the information to develop an evidence-based claim.

May 10, 2007
Interactive Graphic Organizers, MMSA Augusta

Thirteen K-8 teachers were introduced to techniques using simple paper materials to encourage and support the development of academic language and conceptual understanding in science. During this half-day workshop, teachers created and took home several three-dimensional educational science manipulatives, which support student learning.

April 12, 2007
Children's Literature and Trade Books in Science, Abromson Center, South Portland

K-6 teachers, librarians, and media specialists explored the role of literature and trade books in supporting science inquiry, the cautions when using children's literature and trade books, and examples of books that can be used in the areas of earth and space, physical, and life science during this 3 hour workshop.

April 7, 28 - May 5, 12 2007
Connecting Science and Literacy Project Pilot, MMSA Augusta

Fifteen teachers took part in an eight session workshop pilot of the Connecting Science and Literacy Project (CSLP). CSLP was developed by the Educational Development Center (EDC) in Newton, MA and is designed to support elementary teachers (K-8) in the development of their understanding and skills in teaching science, with a particular focus on understanding the critical role literacy plays in students' development of scientific reasoning in an inquiry-based program. Sessions on Inquiry, Questioning, Establishing a Culture for Scientific Discussions; Gathering Ideas Discussions, Making Meaning Discussions; Using Scientists' Notebooks, Special Topics in Scientists' Notebook Use, and Writing from the Scientists' Notebook were included.

March 26, 2007
Online Workshop Primary Science Taking the Plunge

During this online workshop grade 2-6 teachers discussed how to create conditions and foster an atmosphere conducive to inquiry. Teachers worked with the featured resource, Wynne Harlen's Primary Science Taking the Plunge and the additional workshop materials to examine the role of questioning in science, become more aware of the importance of uncovering student misconceptions, learn how to guide students through the investigative process, and help students develop their observation and communication skills in science.

March 26, 2007
Drawing in Science and Using Children's Books in Science, Madison Elementary School, Madison

Teachers from Madison and Athens utilized part of a workshop day to examine the role drawing plays in building and communicating understanding in science. Teachers experienced a variety of drawing "mini-lessons" that could be used in their own K-4 classrooms. In the afternoon, teachers were introduced to children's literature that can be used throughout inquiry-based science lessons.

March 22, 2007
Science Companion Physical Science Mini-Module and Kit Sampler, MMSA Augusta

A dozen teachers interested learning more about the mini-module and full module physical science offerings from the Science Companion (please connect words Science Companion to www.sciencecompanion.com ) program took part in a "sampler" workshop. During the one-day workshop, participants were introduced to and experienced a lesson from each of the physical science full and mini-modules, including Motion, Sound, Light, Solids-Liquids-Gases, Magnets, Energy, Electrical Circuits, and Matter.

February 8, 2007
Introduction to Science Notebooks, Madison Elementary School, Madison

Sixteen K-4 teachers from the Madison and Athens school took part in an introductory 3 hour workshop on science notebooks. Teachers were introduced to scientists' notebooks and their critical components. Teachers discussed notebook formats, how notebooks are incorporated into the inquiry process and discussed strategies for scaffolding the approach across grades K-4.

January 16, 2007
Science Companion Kit Training, Southport Central School

Six grades 1-2 teachers at the Southport Central School took part in a three hour training using the Science Companion Motion kit. Participants were introduced to the Science Companion Motion kit and had the opportunity to experience various lessons while discussing content and science-literacy connections.

January 15-February 16, 2007
Online Workshop Picture Perfect Science: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry

The NSTA publication Picture Perfect Science (PPS): Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry was the centerpiece of a 5 week online workshop that included discussion of: the essential elements of inquiry, examined how children's books can be used to guide scientific inquiry, used a modified Curriculum Topic Study process to examine the learning goals, contexts, and cognitive research around various topics featured in the PPS resource, and discussed the benefits and cautions in using children's books in science inquiry.

December 14-15, 2006
Science, Inquiry, and Language Literacy- Practical Approaches and Strategies for Linking Research in Science and Literacy to Practice Statewide Conference, Samoset Resort, Rockport

This two-day conference brought over 100 K-8 L-SILL and non-L-SILL teachers together to learn the rationale for and learn strategies that foster strong science-literacy connections. Sessions focusing on the unique features of scientific inquiry, the role that children's literature and trade books play in inquiry based science, and the importance of "science talk" for constructing meaning and developing academic language in the science classroom, were included. Participants were introduced to the scientist's notebook strategy and examined its potential for providing opportunities to read, write, and speak about science throughout the inquiry process.

November 29, 2006
Interactive Graphic Organizers Workshop, T.C. Hamlin School, Randolph

Twenty-five teachers from the SAD 11 schools took part in a 2 hour after school workshop on Interactive Graphic Organizers. Participants were introduced to and created a sampling of "interactive" graphic organizers and learned how interactive graphic organizers can be used to facilitate and communicate understanding in science, including the development of academic language.

November 16, 2006
Children's Literature in Science, St. George Elementary School

Fourteen teachers at the St. George School took part in a 2 hour workshop that introduced participants to children's literature with science content. Teachers became aware of the potential of using children's literature to support inquiry-based science. Participants examined books related to a grade level topic of study and reviewed additional resources in poetry, books related to the nature of science, and selected outstanding trade books.

November 13, 2006
Science Companion Electrical Circuits Mini-Module Science Companion Training, Jefferson Village School

Electrical Circuits "mini-module" training was held at the Jefferson Village for 12 teachers from the school, district, and L-SILL teachers from geographically close schools. The 3.5 hour training introduced participants to the module's lessons first-hand. Participants were able to experience the science inquiry and language literacy components and discuss the design and content aspects as they worked through the investigations. The Electrical Circuits Science Companion mini-module is currently being used with 4th graders at the Jefferson Village School.

November 9, 2006
Drawing in Science, Hebron Station School

An early release workshop was held at the Hebron Station School on Drawing in Science. Fifteen K-6 teachers, administration, and support staff were in attendance. Components of this workshop included the value and importance of drawing in science, examining and experiencing types of drawings, discussing

October 25, 2006
Science Companion Magnet Mini-Module Science Companion Training, Southport Central School

L-SILL Cohort 2 Southport Central School hosted an afternoon/early evening "mini" Science Companion module training on magnets. Nine teachers from the Southport Central School and surrounding district took part in the 3.5 hour training that introduced participants to the mini-module through experiencing the materials first-hand. Participants practiced keeping a scientists' notebook as they worked through the mini-module investigations.