1. Dawn Dos Santos University of New England Instructional Leadership EDU 707 This power point presentation will be used to introduce the Curriculum Action Plan for the Implementation of a new Science Curriculum Unit to Faculty members of the Cayon High School Date: October 17, 2009

2. Implementing the new Science Curriculum Unit Elements and Compounds

3. The critical issue  Students are failing and dropping out of school  Graduation rates have decreased

4. Graph comparing the number of students entering high school to the number of students graduating for five specific years Demonstrating the issue

5. School-caused risk factors  Lack of relevant curriculum  Passive instructional strategies  Disregarding student learning styles  Lack of conducive learning environment and tools

6. Student needs A curriculum with content that is relevant to everyday life experiences Instructional methods that emphasise active engagement where students create meaning from their own experiences Assessment throughout the learning process that is aligned with national standards

7. How will a new curriculum help to reduce drop out rates?  Students will to be more actively engaged through a curriculum which allows experiential learning and still maintains the national standards for science education  Experiential learning is student centered, is fun and motivates students through increased interest

8. Actions to be taken  Professional development for teachers who will be implementing the new curriculum  Establishing an environment conducive to learning  Adequate time assigned to the teaching of science on the school’s timetable  Resources must be made available for the successful implementation of the curriculum. This includes access to computers and internet.

9. Dates for the implementation of unit Content elementsNo. of sessions Dates Distinguishing between elements compounds and mixtures 3 Nov. 3 – Nov. 5 Symbols of elements and chemical formulae of compounds 1 Nov. 6 Classifying elements as metals and non-metals 4 Nov. 10 – Nov. 13 Relating the properties of metals and non-metals to their uses 4 Nov. 17 – Nov. 20

10. Implementation group  The new unit will be implemented with all grade 9 students who are being prepared for the CCSLC* regional examination in Integrated Science i.e. 3A4 integrated science class Integrated science class Alternative 1 Integrated Science class Alternative 5 *CCSLC means Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence

11. Evaluation of the implementation process  There are four major content elements in this unit.  Assessment is to be done throughout the learning process.  Professional evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented unit will be done by analysis of students’ work and achievement, and peer review of teacher’s performance portfolio

12. Evaluation of implementation process by analysis of students’ work and achievement  This can be accomplished by using Innovation Configuration Maps.  These are assessment rubrics for authentic evaluation

13. Example of an IC Map for curriculum implementation evaluation ABCD Evidence of teacher giving students introductory instructions and allowing students to explore, create and perform activities and solve problems Evidence of teacher giving students introductory instructions and guidelines towards performing activities and solving problems Evidence of teacher giving students introductory instructions and guidelines towards performing activities and assisting students with solving problems Evidence of teacher giving students introductory instructions and assisting students with performing activities and solving problems

14. Evaluation of implemented curriculum by Teacher Performance portfolio Evaluation of teacher performance portfolio includes evaluation of  teacher’s lesson plan  Activities and assessment done  teacher’s evaluation of the lesson Details of these will be put on an evaluation tool to be used by the teachers who will participate in the evaluation process.

15. The resources required for implementation of science unit  A classroom with tables  A well equipped and safe laboratory  Bottles of elements compounds and mixtures  Bottles of metals and non metals in powdered and other forms  Computers with access to the internet

16. Specification for tables  Tables for classrooms and laboratory should be at least 5 ft. by 3 ft. to accommodate 4 students comfortably

17. Specifics for Laboratory  Charts – safety chart and periodic table  Spatulas - metal  Beakers- 250 ml  Glass funnels  Filter Paper – 6 cm radius  Measuring cylinders – 50 ml and 100 ml  Triple beam balances  Petri dishes  Circuits  Overhead projector and transparencies

18. Materials for laboratory These must include bottles containing  magnesium powder  Aluminium turnings  Charcoal  Sulphur powder  Copper turnings and powder  Zinc powder  Iron filings  Tin  Iodine flakes

19. Requirements for the implementation of the new curriculum unit  This unit will require twelve forty- minute sessions to be completed with students  This implementation requires the commitment and dedication of teachers  It also requires the support of the school’s administration and parents

20. Teacher Preparation for the implementation of the unit  Teachers implementing the unit will be attending professional development session from Oct. 12- Oct. 16, 2009  Teachers will use the week of October 19 to October 23, to prepare lessons and other needs for the smooth implementation of the new unit.  Teachers will meet in PLCs during the week of October 26 to October 30 to discuss and address issues which have surfaced.

21. Persons/Experts required for the implementation process  Facilitators for the implementation teachers’ workshops will be provided by the Ministry of Education  Tour guides for field trip will be provided by Lutron Liamigua. Tour guides will be informed of the objective of the tour.

22. Responsibility chart Who is responsible for: Persons responsible To be done by Professional development of teachers who will be implementing the new unit Training officer, from the curriculum development unit of the Ministry of Education October 16, 2009 Ensuring a safe environment is established The Head of the Science department of the School October 30, 2009 Ensuring timetable requirements are met The deputy principal of the School October 23, 2009 Ensuring the resources are available ( including computers with access to the internet) The principal of the SchoolOctober 23, 2009 Evaluation of the implemented program Other Science professionals within the school November 9, 16 and 21, 2009

23. Are all the steps in Place?  Curriculum implementation officer will have a prepared checklist to be checked as preparation tasks are completed.

24. Program implementation barriers  Teachers who are not accepting of change and implementation of the new curriculum  Parents who are not supportive  Inadequate number of Computers.  Poor internet service  Limited resources/materials

25. Overcoming barriers  Establishing of Professional Learning Communities. Teachers examine data from implementation teachers which should demonstrate improved student achievement.  Administration of school meets with parents to show the benefits of the new program  Seek sponsorship for additional resources, more computers and improved internet service from private sector.

26. Ready to go!  The implementation of the new curriculum unit can only be successful if the administration, all teachers and parents give support to the students who will benefit from the program.

27. Final outcomes.  Students will be more motivated since they will be fully engaged in activities and assessment.  They will be encouraged to stay in school and complete their program of education  The drop out rates will decrease  The graduation rates will increase  A sense of gratification and success for teachers

28. References  Focus Adolescent Services: Youth who drop out. Retrieved October 1, 2009 at http://www.focusas.com/Dropouts.htmlhttp://www.focusas.com/Dropouts.html  North Central Regional Educational Laboratory ( 1995). Critical Issue: Implementing Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Standards for Science Education. Retrieved October 9, 2009 at http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/science/sc300. htm  Teaching Strategies. Implementing the Curriculum. Retrieved October 9, 2009 at http://www.teachingstrategies.com/content/pageDocs/Using- CC4-http://www.teachingstrategies.com/content/pageDocs/Using- CC4- TEACHERS-Web.pdf