• Home
  • Blog
  • Data
  • Elementary Science
    • 4K Science Suggestions
    • 5K Science
    • 1st Grade Science
    • 2nd Grade Science
    • 3rd Grade Science
    • 4th Grade Science
    • 5th Grade Science
  • Middle School Science
    • 6th Grade Science >
      • 6thSCREADYPrep
    • 7th Grade Science
    • 8th Grade Science
    • MS SCPASS Preparation
    • Workshop Model
    • Lab Reports
  • High School Science
    • Workshop Model
    • Biology >
      • Biology EOC Review >
        • Biodata2022
      • Bio NGSS
    • HS Science Resources
    • ACT Science Prep
    • ASVAB Prep
  • More
    • ScienceFair
    • ESOL
    • 2021 SC Science Standards - NEW!
    • Lab Safety
    • Science & Engineering Practices
    • Disciplinary Literacy
    • COVID-19
    • STEM
    • Remote Learning Resources
SCIENCE EDUCATION MATTERS
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Data
  • Elementary Science
    • 4K Science Suggestions
    • 5K Science
    • 1st Grade Science
    • 2nd Grade Science
    • 3rd Grade Science
    • 4th Grade Science
    • 5th Grade Science
  • Middle School Science
    • 6th Grade Science >
      • 6thSCREADYPrep
    • 7th Grade Science
    • 8th Grade Science
    • MS SCPASS Preparation
    • Workshop Model
    • Lab Reports
  • High School Science
    • Workshop Model
    • Biology >
      • Biology EOC Review >
        • Biodata2022
      • Bio NGSS
    • HS Science Resources
    • ACT Science Prep
    • ASVAB Prep
  • More
    • ScienceFair
    • ESOL
    • 2021 SC Science Standards - NEW!
    • Lab Safety
    • Science & Engineering Practices
    • Disciplinary Literacy
    • COVID-19
    • STEM
    • Remote Learning Resources

Workshop Model for Secondary Science

Read More
Printable Version
Sample Lesson

Blank Template
What is the Workshop Model for Science?
Like Readers' Workshop, Writers' Workshop, and  and Math Workshop, the Workshop Model for Secondary Science is intended to give teachers a framework in which to engage students with discussion, hands-on and minds-on time in a single class period.   
Picture
The Workshop Model helps teachers to incorporate the (SEPs)
Science & Engineering Practices
What teachers say about the Workshop Model for Science:
"It raises the level of student interest."
"It causes the closure of the class period to be intentional."
"It takes the boring out of class!"
"The chunks of time aid in their planning."

"It allows for more rigorous discussion and thought without becoming overwhelming to students."
Workshop Model for Secondary Science
Mini-Lesson

10-20 minutes
​Teacher introduces the day’s topic with a question. 
The question should be relevant, thought-provoking, and open-ended.   
​The question should be related to the student’s prior learning.

Teachers may require students to write the question and some of the responses.
Brief notes can be given during this time.

*Students may be required to write the questions and the of the responses in their science journal.
*Current news/issues related to course content help provide relevance and increase student interest. 
*Questions need to be so open-ended that no conclusion is reached.  The period of time should result in student learning. 
 
Possibilities include:
-Questions may evoke scientific argumentation. (SEP 7)
-Questions may require a calculation. (SEP 5)
-Questions may require a quick online search. (SEP 8)
-Questions may lead to further questions. (SEP 1)  
Independent Work

​MS:  10-20 minutes
HS:  20-30 minutes
Students are assigned a task to work on alone.  During this time the teacher moves about the room to assist students, as needed.
 
Possible tasks include:
-
Students complete a virtual lab. (SEPs 3, 4, 8)
-Read and answer questions from the Textbook or other source. (SEPs 1, 4, 7, 8)
-Draw and label a diagram of related content. (SEP 2)
-Study a given chart or graph, write a list of observations, conclusions, or questions. (SEP 4)
-Read a passage, write conclusions. (SEP 8)
-Read the summary of a scientific investigation, write conclusions. (SEP 3)
-Write the plans for a scientific investigation on a given topic. (SEP 3)
-Read about a phenomena.  Offer an explanation and support for the explanation. (SEP 6)
-Work on practice problems. (SEP 5)
-Watch a video, take notes, answer questions.  (SEPs 6, 7, 8)

For convenience and preference, Independent Work time and Small Group Work time may be interchanged.
Small Group Work

MS:  10-20 minutes
HS:  20-30 minutes
Students, in groups of no more than 4, are given actual materials to study a given topic.
 
Possible tasks include:
-Plan an investigation for the next day. (SEP 3)
-Conduct an investigation. (SEP 3)
​
-Measurement (direct or derived). (SEP 5)
-Construct a device to certain specs. (SEP 9)
-Perform a task, collect and arrange data. (SEPs 4, 5)
-Solve a real problem. (SEP 9)
Sharing

5-10 minutes
Teacher guides whole class to share what they learned based on mini-lesson discussion, independent work, and small group work.   Teacher clears up any misconceptions from the day.
 
Possible tasks include:
-Teacher calls on a 3-4 individuals to share out. (SEPs 1, 8)
-Teacher calls on 1-2 groups to share out. (SEPs 1, 8)
-Teacher asks guiding questions to help students shape final conclusions. (SEPs 1, 8)
References: 
-Reader's Workshop.org. (n.d.). Retrieved January 2, 2018, from http://www.readersworkshop.org/
-Says, M., Says, C. C., & Says, M. K. (2016, March 22). Launching Your Math Workshop. Retrieved January 2, 2018,   
 from https://www.thecurriculumcorner.com/thecurriculumcorner123/2015/08/launching-your-math-workshop/
This is a HS Biology 1 class learning about the amount of energy stored within the bonds of the different biological molecules.
Watch a Mini-Lesson

  • Was the Mini-Lesson question thought provoking?
  • What Individual Work might follow?
  • What Group Work might follow?
  • What misconceptions might students have on this topic?​
Please post your comments about the
​Workshop Model for Secondary Science below.  

Developed by Kimberly G. Massey, 2018
Picture


This website has been developed and maintained by
Kimberly G. Massey, K-12 Science Instructional Specialist
for Rock Hill Schools of York County, South Carolina.


Telephone

803.981.1886

Email

kmassey@rhmail.org
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Data
  • Elementary Science
    • 4K Science Suggestions
    • 5K Science
    • 1st Grade Science
    • 2nd Grade Science
    • 3rd Grade Science
    • 4th Grade Science
    • 5th Grade Science
  • Middle School Science
    • 6th Grade Science >
      • 6thSCREADYPrep
    • 7th Grade Science
    • 8th Grade Science
    • MS SCPASS Preparation
    • Workshop Model
    • Lab Reports
  • High School Science
    • Workshop Model
    • Biology >
      • Biology EOC Review >
        • Biodata2022
      • Bio NGSS
    • HS Science Resources
    • ACT Science Prep
    • ASVAB Prep
  • More
    • ScienceFair
    • ESOL
    • 2021 SC Science Standards - NEW!
    • Lab Safety
    • Science & Engineering Practices
    • Disciplinary Literacy
    • COVID-19
    • STEM
    • Remote Learning Resources