Strengthening Teaching and Learning of Interdependence - Classroom Materials

This is one of a suite of continuing professional development (CPD) units from the Department for Education covering the five ‘key ideas’ at Key Stage Three (cells, interdependence, particles, forces and energy). It links with the 2002 Framework for teaching science: Years Seven, Eight and Nine and builds on ideas within the Misconceptions in Key Stage Three science CPD unit.

Context

This CPD unit offers background information and practical suggestions to support classroom practice when teaching about interdependence. It addresses common misconceptions, energy transfer in ecosystems, human impact on the environment and scientific enquiry activities.

Development

This CPD unit is designed to be delivered to teachers wishing to improve their teaching of the interdependence ‘key idea’. It can be delivered as a single day's CPD or as four separate CPD sessions of 60 to 80 minutes. It is particularly useful for non-specialist teachers wishing to improve their subject knowledge and pedagogy. It is also useful for subject specialists to clarify their thinking about teaching interdependence.

Components

The materials consist of separate tutor notes, participants’ notes and PowerPoint hyperlinked to video files. Additional resources include habitat photographs and safety guidance for fieldwork activities.
The four sessions are entitled:
• Session 1: Identifying pupils’ misconceptions – classification and adaptation: Year 7
• Session 2: Following energy transfers in food chains and food webs: Year 8
• Session 3: Humans and their impact on the environment: Year 9
• Session 4: Scientific enquiry into local ecological relationships

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx784