Posted on September 16, 2020 in Uncategorized
OpenSciEd secured additional funding to develop four–one for each grade band–COVID-19 mini-units (3 weeks of instruction) that use the same storyline instructional model rooted in three-dimensional learning, but also reach beyond the NGSS to incorporate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and have a focus on building empathy and looking at things like the patterns of impact. The first two (3-5 and high school) mini-units were released today (Sep 15) and there’s more info about them below. If you want to share this with your state lists or via social media, here’s a pdf with info about the release and folder with images that can be used on social media. These mini-units are released for a public field test and will be revised based on feedback from educators across the nation.
These ready-to-use materials were developed in partnership with NextGen Science Storylines (at Northwestern University), Learning in Places (at Northwestern University and University of Washington), and current classroom teachers from across the country. These multidisciplinary units include integrated social-emotional learning and supports for teachers and families in addressing these emotional and essential topics.
High School Unit: “How can we slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus to protect our communities?”
This 3-week unit focuses on the science of COVID-19, its transmission, and strategies for controlling it. Students will learn how different factors are determining the ways COVID-19 is affecting different communities across the U.S. OpenSciEd developed these units in partnership with BSCS Science Learning and current classroom teachers from across the country. Epidemiologists, public health experts, educational equity experts, community groups, as well as social-emotional learning experts contributed to the material development.