Layered Curriculum: Level A

Students should be working on level A assignments for the layered curriculum. In order to complete the online quizzes, students must log-in using their Edline account from the beginning of the school year. Parent accounts will say "read only." All students will take the unit test at the end of the layered curriculum.

Layered Curriculum Update

Assignments are available for download at the following website: http://home.comcast.net/~mrhaskins/resources.html#B 

Update
	Layered curriculum due May 2, 2011 (period H)
	Layered curriculum unit test May 3, 2011 (period H)
	Layered curriculum due May 4, 2011 (periods A through F)
	Layered curriculum unit test May 5, 2011 (periods A through F)

Assignments Available Online & Broken Links Fixed

A few "bugs" in the website have been fixed. Currently, all of the assignments are available for download if they have a worksheet or word document icon on the list of assignments. As the students have  been working on layered curriculum assignments, a few online problems have occurred:

1. Edline Accounts. Students must have their own account. I helped students setup accounts back in October. But some did not setup their accounts and must do so to complete C15, C16, C17, A6, A7, A8, A9 & A19. 
2. Broken Links. A few of the assignments did not have functioning links. At this time, I think most of the links are working on the website. If you have any issues, please leave a comment below or send me an email.
3. Time line. Students should be working toward the goal where they will be completing all Level C assignments by Friday. Currently, 20% of the students in the eighth grade have completed Level C.  
4. Cookie Errors on Edline. I have not determined what the issue is with Edline and Internet Explorer. It is suggested that students use another internet browser program due to a specific error message that the students have been getting through the IE program.

Labs Today:

Periods A through F	Period H
B.4 Simple Machine Safari	B.4 Simple Machine Safari
B.5 Pulley Lab	B.7 thermal Transfer Lab
B.6 Simple Machine Workstations	B.8 Electroscope Lab
	B.9 Simple Circuit Lab

Assignments are available for download at the following website: http://home.comcast.net/~mrhaskins/resources.html#B 

Update
	Layered curriculum due April 28, 2011 (period H)
	Layered curriculum unit test April 28, 2011 (period H)
	Layered curriculum due May 4, 2011 (periods A through F)
	Layered curriculum unit test May 5, 2011 (periods A through F)

Layered Curriculum assignments continue

The students in science class continue to work on their layered curriculum. Today's classes were offered activities exploring simple machines and electricity. Most of the "Level B" activities must be completed in class. Here is a list of labs currently being offered for students to complete:

Periods A through F	Period H
B.4 Simple Machine Safari	B.4 Simple Machine Safari
B.5 Pulley Lab	B.7 thermal Transfer Lab
B.6 Simple Machine Workstations	B.8 Electroscope Lab
	B.9 Simple Circuit Lab

Assignments are available for download at the following website: http://home.comcast.net/~mrhaskins/resources.html#B 

Update
	Layered curriculum due April 28, 2011 (period H)
	Layered curriculum unit test April 28, 2011 (period H)
	Layered curriculum due May 4, 2011 (periods A through F)
	Layered curriculum unit test May 5, 2011 (periods A through F)

Layered Curriculum Assignments Online

In an effort to increase student flexibility in completing in assignment completion, I have included as much online content as possible. The website, http://www.HaskinsSci8.info, has a mixture of video tutorials, Edline quizzes, and document files that the students can choose to complete.

Spring is here!

Streaming live video by Ustream

As spring is in the air and PSSA tests have been concluded, the science department here at school has become facinated with the raptor camera in Decorah, Iowa. After hearing a radio broadcast about the bald eagles and their two young hatch-lings, I couldn't wait to show the students the amazing live-stream videos from the nest.

Layered Curriculum Overview Podcast

Would you like to know more about the layered curriculum? Watch the quick overview video-podcast and download a copy of the assignment sheet from the website: http://home.comcast.net/~mrhaskins/resources.html.

Layered Curriculum

A layered curriculum is a way to allow choice and differentiation in the classroom.  Students can choose assignments from a menu of assignments called the assignment packet. A copy of the assignment packet can be found on the resources page on my website, http://www.HaskinsSci8.info.  Assignments can be modified to increase rigor or help a student struggling with the content. The daily “mini-lessons” teach specific topics and skills. The lessons last from ten to fifteen minutes leaving the students ample time in class to conduct experiments, complete worksheet activities, or plan a project. Students should choose assignments that interest them. They should also turn in activities on a regular basis. 

There are three layers in the curriculum. First, layer C, contains the introductory assignments meant to engage prior experience and help students learn the terms and basic concepts from the textbook. Students can earn up to 20 points in level C. The next layer, B, are application activities. Many of the projects are lab-based lessons that the student can do independently or in small groups working with the teacher. This is the application level and it is anticipated that the students will have acquired the essential vocabulary and concepts from the C level assignments.  The third layer, level A, contains all of the culminating and assessment activities for the unit. Students use what they have learned from the C and B activities and have several choices for unit assessment. 

Many of the layered curriculum assignments are available for download and completion on the internet. This is a new feature and more information will be available in a special blog post tomorrow. Parents and guardians, as well as, students are encouraged to ask questions about the layered curriculum