http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sun, 19 May 2013 00:01:01 PDT Sun, 19 May 2013 00:01:01 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=78477 This is a great site where users will examine major evolutionary concepts, explore teaching methodologies, and address obstacles to teaching evolution.  There are many modules for this site, including topics such as the nature of science, Darwin's theory, human evolution, misconceptions about evolution, and teaching evolution. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=80710 To address the critical teacher shortage in math and science, the Teaching and Learning Interchange grant produced three products: two series of online video case studies of accomplished teaching and a resource guide explaining the techniques, ideas for engaging students, assessing learning progress, creating and maintaining a classroom conducive to learning, along with strategies for working with English Learners and Special needs students. Originally conceived for use with pre-service and intern teachers, the cases and resources have been recommended by field reviewers for use at all stages of the teacher professional continuum.The Pedagogy in Practice: Science video case studies document lessons from general science, biology and chemistry; the Pedagogy in Practice: Math video cases cover 8th grade algebra, high school algebra and geometry. Each case is supported by relevant artifacts that develop real contexts for the learning and includes teaching cues and transcripts of classroom dialog. National Board certified and Exploratorium Master teachers deconstruct their own teaching practices and share how they break subject matter standards into mind-sized learning units, then demonstrate those same learning units in action. Teacher reflections on assessment, along with links to resouces found in the Strategies in Practice Resource Guide, provide support for classroom management, lesson planning and essential strategies that describe how to adapt the instructional pedagogy modeled in the videos. All lessons are aligned simultaneously to the California standards for teaching and science subject matter content. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=79890 A lesson on whale evolution based on DNA, geological, paleontological, physiological and morphological evidence. Students will experience the historical discovery of fossils which increasingly link whales to earlier land-dwelling mammals. This experience reveals how scientists can make predictions about past events, based on the theory and evidence that whales evolved. Such predictions suggest the age and location of sediments where fossils of early whales would most likely be found, and even their traits. This lesson also provides confirmation, with multiple independent lines of evidence, that there IS a series of intermediate forms, showing gradual accumulation of changes, linking certain terrestrial mammal groups with modern whales. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=79860 This national clearinghouse was designed and developed by the Special Education Department at the University of South Florida, as part of a federal OSEP Special Projects grant.The clearinghouse contains 54 problem-based teaching cases on a variety of topics that are matched to CEC's standards of practice. The cases are true stories told by practicing teachers representing different regions of the US and numerous educational settings. Instructors may search for cases by title, topic, or CEC Accomplished Practices. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=80426 In an inquiry-oriented classroom, the teacher is a co-explorer and guide who cultivates curiosity and challenges students to think and act like scientists as they explore intriguing questions. It takes time, practice, and sometimes, a shift in teaching strategies, to create a classroom where inquiry can flourish. This web site is part of a larger Online community of classrooms from 11,000 schools, representing more than 490,000 students track wildlife such as monarch butterflies across North America during the spring migration. The instructional approach integrates various disciplines in science, math, social studies, development of personal ethics, and language arts. Explicit strategies should help both novice and experienced teachers create a climate for inquiry, support productve discussions, generate questions, plan investigations and gather data, guide consideration of evidence, and critically review research reports. Established in 1991 with a grant from the Annenberg Foundation to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Project uses media and communications to improve math and science education. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=76941 WISE is a simple yet powerful learning environment where students examine real-world evidence and analyze current scientific controversies. The curriculum projects are designed to meet standards and complement existing science curriculum, and grade 5-12 students will find the resources exciting and engaging. A web browser is all they need to take notes, discuss theories, and organize their arguments... they can even work from home! A Teacher Area lets you explore new projects and grade your students' work on the Web. Best of all, everything in WISE is completely free. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=80436 Puzzled about a topic in biology? Need a biologist to answer your question? Anyone is welcome to use Ask A Biologist. It is intended primarily to serve grades K-12, and to be available as a resource to illustrate the processes of inquiry for teachers. Resources include descriptions of research projects being conducted by biologists at Arizona State University. The articles are written by graduate students in the life sciences departments but they are written about content and at a level that would be appropriate for K6 teachers. Articles include a glossary and images to illustrate key biological principles. Also included are profiles about some people who actually conduct the biological research. This site is designed and maintained by Arizona State University's Life Sciences Visualization Group as an educational resource for K-12 students and their teachers. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=79928 A total of 364 mathematics and science lessons were observed using a structured observation protocol. Each lesson was rated on four components: the lesson design, implementation, math/science content addressed, and classroom culture. Observers rated several indicators within each component and then provided an overall "capsule" rating of the lesson along with a detailed rationale for the rating. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=403029 Carl Hoagland. Professor of Education (University of Missouri St. Louis), discusses his experience of implementing Virtual Classroom Visits in teacher preparation courses. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=86146 As you work through this guide, you and your students will use the skills of historians to peel away the layers of myth and misconception surrounding The First Thanksgiving and discover what might really have happened during the fall of 1621. Along the way, you and your students will explore the differences between history and the past, and challenge your own ideas about history. Be prepared; what you discover may surprise you!