In this activity you identify and describe the major elements of a course of study for some area of middle or high school science. Your product will be course syllabus which you would give to your students on the first day of class.

Materials: Secondary science textbooks, Newsprint, Marking pens

Procedures

1. Select an area of science from the following list to develop a course of study for a one semester or quarter course:

• Introductory biology
• Survey physical science
• Advanced chemistry
• Introductory chemistry
• Geology
• Introductory Earth science
• Unified science (seventh grade)

2. Design a course of study by preparing a course syllabus which should contain the following elements:

• Rationale/Philosophy
• Learning Outcomes
• List of the Units of Study
• Instructional Strategies
• Evaluation

3. Work with a partner to brainstorm the content of the elements of the course of study. Use large sheets of newsprint to record your ideas from the brainstorming session. On your own use the results of the brainstorming session to create the course syllabus.

Minds On Strategies

1. Compare your product with those created by other students in your class. What problem areas were identified? How were they resolved?

2. How were the courses characterized? What philosophies guided the development of the courses?

2. Why are course syllabi important? Are they necessary?

3. What modifications in the plan presented here did you make?