Transcript View curriculum project as a presentation.

EARTH SCIENCE IDEAS
Based on the California State Standards in Earth Science
Superdirt.org
A Jason K. Smith Project
San Marcos High School
UCSB RET 2
Earth Science
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The study of anything on or off the Earth
Superdirt.org
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It’s more than a web site
 It’s
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a way of life
What is it?
A fully integrated standards based experiential and crosscurricular learning portal which utilizes and employs a
wide variety of learning modalities to enhance the
educational experience
Superdirt.org
Innovative Thinking
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More than just the best web site on the net
Site provides a framework for students and teachers
Easy access to web based material without distractions*
– “One click” access to web sites of interest ( it is google-free)
– No more “Ok class everyone type in www.kladsfklsfkljs.com, now
click blah blah blah” and twenty hands go up
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Virtual Collaboration between seasoned and green teachers
– Allows new teachers access to ideas from their colleagues
– Allows seasoned teachers to continue innovating vs. hand-holding
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Teacher can modify site as needed
Grade Level Appropriate
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Earth Science is geared toward lower level freshmen (The
material presented is cutting edge, the choice of words
used to present it gives students “access” to the
curriculum)
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First science class into which IEP’s are “mainstreamed”
The Site That Keeps on Giving
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The site contains activities pertaining to
standards taught throughout the year
 Students will utilize the site on a continuing
basis
Student Assessment
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Students follow a Daily schedule of:
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a test on “last night’s reading” and yesterday’s concepts
New vocabulary and concept frontloading for activity
An activity with a reading and writing assignment ( a test)
A lecture/ discussion reviewing the activity and presenting new
concepts ( with demonstrations, demos. etc. .)
Multimedia to drive the point home
A test on the lecture, multimedia, vocabulary and concepts covered
( Activity and multimedia can be substituted with computer lab)
Bell rings
Measuring Achievement
– In short, students will produce a wide range of
assessable information running the gamet from formal
tests to kinesthetic activities demonstrating their
comprehension of the material and validating the
success of the teacher or lack thereof
Pilot Project Progress
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Is Superdirt.org doing its job
– How will I know
 Do labs flow more easily
 Is less time wasted during computer assignments
 Are students more focused and engaged
 Do I get less hands raised when giving directions on
assignments
 Has overall comprehension gone up on in-class tests
 Does the overall API go up year over year
Superdirt.org
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Is the framework for a utopian society
which will one day encompass all aspects of
Earth science and eventually lead to
complete and total world domination.
 This is a work in progress
Superdirt.org
Multimedia
Pulse Planet
Hot Towers
Upper Atmosphere
Earth Space Images
Special Thanks
for their dedication to enhancing the learning
experience
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Dr. Martina Michenfelder
 Frank Kinnaman
 Melanie Pearlman
 UCSB and the MRL staff
 NSF for making it all possible
The End is Near
Let’s take a tour Superdirt.org
 Superdirt.org hard copy
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The End