Sol Monzón

LITTI II 2024
Content—based Instruction
Science Final Assessment

The questions below are an invitation to show your reflection on the proposed topics. You
can have access to the theory in many different ways, that’s why it is important you
present it from your experience, perspective and understanding. For completing this test,
you have to answer compulsorily questions number 1 and 2. After that, choose 3 more
questions to answer.

1) Why is ScienceTeaching important in School?

Science teaching in schools is essential because it equips students with critical skills and

attitudes necessary for understanding the world and solving problems. Teaching science develops

both process skills (like observing, hypothesizing, and experimenting) and manipulative skills (like

using equipment safely and accurately).

Incorporating measurement activities, for example, promotes precision, critical thinking, and

an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships. The lesson should also sustain and develop

the curiosity of young people about the world around them, and build up their confidence to start

inquiring and acquiring investigative skills that involve observing, finding patterns, identifying

problems and rising questions, hypothesising, planning, testing, collecting, and analysing or

evaluating. Students should acquire a broad, general understanding of the important ideas and

explanation frameworks of Science, as well as appreciate the underlying rationale for decisions,

respond critically to media reports, and feel empowered to obtain further knowledge when required

either for interest or vocational purposes.

2) What do we teach when we teach science? Which of these aspects, in your

opinion, has more impact on students, in the long term and in the short term?

Teaching science develops three essential elements: communication, relating science to

everyday life, and exploration. Teachers should promote scientific literacy by helping students
think critically and independently, recognise and weigh alternative explanations of events, and
deal sensibly with problems that involve evidence, numbers, logical patterns and uncertainties.
Children should have the chance to conduct full investigations where they ask questions,

make predictions or hypotheses, design and carry out fair tests, record and analyze their results,

draw conclusions, compare these to their original predictions, and, when relevant, assess the

reliability of the evidence supporting their findings. Effective teaching balances knowledge and

practical methods, ensures relevance, and provides equal opportunities for all learners. Principles

like breadth, progression, and links across the curriculum guide learning, while hands-on methods

and meaningful assessments keep students engaged.

In the long term, the development of these scientific attitudes and thinking skills has the

greatest impact, as they shape how students approach challenges throughout life. In the short

term, the relevance of hands-on, practical investigations engages their interest and builds

confidence, laying a strong foundation for future learning.

3) How is English acquired during a science class?

English can be acquired during a science class in many ways. One method is through direct
instruction, where teachers explicitly teach English vocabulary and grammar related to scientific
concepts such as terms like "hypothesis," "experiment," and "data." Another approach is
immersion, where students are exposed to English through science experiments and discussions.
This allows them to practice their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in a natural
context.
Task-based learning is another effective strategy, as it involves designing science activities
that require students to complete tasks in English or come up with sentences in English to express
ideas, questions and hypotheses. This encourages authentic language use and problem-solving
skills. Collaborative learning, which can be fostered through group works or whole-class
discussions in English, also promotes language development. Finally, incorporating authentic
materials like scientific articles, videos, and websites in English can expose students to real-world
language use and help them develop their reading and comprehension skills.

4) Why teach Science in a bilingual context?

Teaching science in a bilingual context offers numerous advantages. First and foremost, it
can enhance cognitive skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, which are often
associated with bilingualism. Additionally, bilingual students tend to outperform monolingual
students in science and other subjects, as they gain a deeper understanding of different cultures
and perspectives by learning science in a bilingual context, which also fosters an education that
can prepare students for a globalised world and future careers. By being proficient in multiple
languages, students can better communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and have
greater opportunities for international collaboration.

5) Choose a skill. Express your views on different ways of working with it during a
Science class.

Observation is a crucial skill in Science that can be developed in several ways to engage
students and deepen their understanding. One effective approach is through direct, hands-on
experiences, where students observe scientific phenomena in real-time, such as watching a plant
grow or conducting chemical experiments, as this allows them to collect data and draw
conclusions. Using tools like microscopes or telescopes can also be an interesting opportunity to
enhance observational skills in students by giving students the chance to explore microcellular life.
In some cases, guided observation is helpful, where teachers provide students with specific tasks
or checklists to focus their attention on key details while they keep observational journals in order
to reflect on their findings and track changes over time. When physical observation isn't possible
due to time, safety, or practical constraints, virtual simulations and videos can also provide
valuable learning experiences.

6) What benefit may the children get from working with the scientific method in the
classroom?

Science sparks curiosity, creativity, and perseverance, encouraging students to explore the

world with an open and curious mindset. It teaches them how to respect evidence, think critically,

and work well with others, all of which are key skills for problem-solving and teamwork. As

students dive into science, they gain a better understanding of how life works, materials behave,

and the natural world around us. This knowledge helps them make smarter choices about their

health, technology, and the environment. Beyond personal growth, science empowers students to

contribute to society, helping tackle global challenges with fresh ideas and logical thinking.

7) Choose a skill different from the one you choose in #5. Explain the dimensions of
progression when working with it in class. Give examples to elaborate on your ideas.

Teaching young children to make inferences requires breaking the skill into manageable steps and
building their understanding gradually as it is a process that involves previous steps. First, they need to learn
how to recognize clues, such as words, phrases, or details in pictures. For example, showing an image of a
child with an umbrella under a cloudy sky and asking, “What do you think will happen next?” helps them
focus on relevant details. Next, children can connect these clues to their own experiences, like noticing a
character coming down with a cold and come to that conclusion according to their previous experiences. As
they grow more confident, they can practice drawing conclusions, such as inferring that two children are
playing hide-and-seek when one is counting and the other is hiding. A crucial step is teaching them to
explain their reasoning, a process that can be modeled through questions like: “Why do you think that?”.
Finally, they can apply these skills in different contexts, such as short stories or videos where students can
gradually work towards more open-ended scenarios where they come up with their own inferences.

8) What does fair testing imply? How do students benefit from fair testing?

Fair testing is about doing experiments in a way that makes sure the results are accurate
and reliable. It means changing just one variable at a time while keeping the other variables
constant and the same. This helps students understand how important it is to control the variables
to get valid results. Through fair testing, students learn to think critically, solve problems, and look
at data in a clear and objective way, as they also start to understand cause and effect. These skills
are not only important for science but also help in making smart decisions and solving everyday
problems.

9) What does the term Scientific Competence imply?

Scientific competence is about being able to use what you know in science to understand

and solve problems. It’s not just about memorizing facts, but about thinking critically, designing

experiments, and using evidence to make decisions. It means knowing how to gather and analyze

data, draw conclusions, and explain your findings clearly. Being scientifically competent also

means being open to new ideas and adjusting your thinking when you learn something new. This

skill is important not just in science, but in everyday life, because it helps us tackle the challenges

we face in the world.

In an ESL setting, scientific competence also means being able to explain and discuss

scientific ideas in English. This dual focus prepares students for academic and professional

settings where both science and English are essential.

10) Observation is a skill. Why do you think it is important to observe in Science?

Observation is a crucial skill in science because it not only helps us gather the information
we need to understand the world around us but it’s also one of the most natural tools for
investigating, since we don’t need to aim at acquiring any type of equipment but rather use our
own eyes and attention. By carefully observing, students can notice patterns, changes, and details
that might otherwise be missed. It allows them to ask better questions, form hypotheses, and test
ideas. In science, the ability to observe accurately and attentively is the first step in making
discoveries and drawing conclusions. Observing also encourages curiosity and helps students
connect theoretical knowledge to real-world situations, making learning more meaningful.

11) How would you include evaluation in a Science lesson?

One approach to evaluating students is through formative assessments during the lesson,
such as asking questions to check for understanding, having students explain concepts in their
own words, or encouraging group discussions. These methods not only provide immediate
feedback but also allow teachers to adjust their teaching if necessary. Another key method is
using practical activities or experiments, where students can apply what they’ve learned and
demonstrate their skills in real-world scenarios. Clear rubrics ensure students understand
expectations, and scaffolding supports language needs by providing sentence starters ("The
results show that...").
For more formal evaluation, I might use quizzes or written tests that assess students' grasp
of key concepts and scientific principles, making sure they understand the content in depth
throughout the course. Additionally, peer or self-assessment can be useful, as this helps them
become more independent, collaborative, and aware of their strengths and areas for improvement.
Finally, at the end of a unit, a summative assessment that combines a mix of practical tasks,
written work, and possibly a project would provide a comprehensive evaluation of the students'
overall understanding and skills. This dual approach assesses both scientific understanding and
language development.

12) How is safety considered when teaching Science in class?

Safety is a top priority when teaching Science in the classroom, especially because many
experiments and activities involve potentially hazardous materials or equipment. Before starting
any experiment, it's essential to establish clear safety guidelines with the students, emphasizing
the importance of following instructions carefully and wearing appropriate safety gear, like
goggles, gloves, and lab coats.
In addition to this, it is important to ensure that the classroom is equipped with first aid
supplies, and that students know the location of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and eyewash
stations in case of an accident. Supervision is also crucial. If there's an activity that could be
particularly risky, I might opt for a demonstration rather than having students perform the task
themselves; teachers could use virtual simulations for more dangerous experiments.

13) How would you incorporate the learning of attitude in your lessons?

To incorporate the learning of attitudes in science lessons, I would focus on fostering a

sense of curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for discovery by asking them open questions or
eliciting questions to encourage them to ask and express their doubts fearlessly too. I would
encourage students to challenge assumptions and think creatively. By providing opportunities for
hands-on experiments, field trips, and real-world problem-solving, I would inspire students to
become active learners and responsible citizens. Additionally, I would emphasize the importance
of collaboration in projects, respect for diverse perspectives, and ethical considerations in scientific
research in order to help them become lifelong learners and informed decision-makers.

14) What are the benefits of letting students conduct experiments when you teach
Science? Name advantages and disadvantages.

Letting students conduct experiments in Science brings a lot of benefits, but also some
challenges. One of the biggest advantages is that it allows students to engage with the material in
a hands-on way, which makes learning more interactive and memorable. When students carry out
experiments, they don’t just learn theoretical concepts, but apply them in real life, which
encourages critical thinking and engagement as students have to analyze results, make
observations, and draw conclusions. Additionally, conducting experiments can build problem-
solving skills because students often encounter unexpected results and must think creatively to
figure out why something didn’t go as planned. Moreover, an experiment can foster a sense of
curiosity and inquire, as well as promote teamwork while communicating, collaborating and
sharing responsibilities with others.
However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. One of the main challenges is
that experiments can be time-consuming, both in preparation and in execution, and this can take
away from other parts of the curriculum. Additionally, depending on the complexity of the
experiment, there may be a risk of safety concerns, especially with younger students or when
handling potentially hazardous materials. Finally, experiments often require resources and
equipment, and not all schools may have the budget or facilities to conduct more advanced
experiments. Despite these challenges, the disadvantages
can be managed effectively with careful planning and
attention to safety.

15) What is the benefit of using Formative and

Summative assessment when working in Science
lessons?

Formative and summative assessments are like a dynamic

duo in the world of science education. Formative
assessments, like quick quizzes or class discussions, are
like little checkpoints along the learning journey. They help
teachers gauge students' understanding and monitor them in real-time, so they can offer targeted
support and adjust their teaching strategies according to the students’ needs. It's like a coach
providing feedback to an athlete during practice. On the other hand, summative assessments,
such as tests or projects, are like the final exams. They measure students' overall mastery of the
subject at the end of a unit or course. By using both types of assessments, teachers can create a
comprehensive learning experience that not only helps students learn but also helps them grow
and be aware of their progress.