Investigating FOSS for K-6

What is FOSS?

FOSS is an active learning science program for teaching science in interesting and engaging ways.

FOSS is researched and developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley, with funding and support by the National Science Foundation.

What is Active Learning?Doing science through hands on experiences with objects, organisms, and systems.

FOSS studentsinvestigateexperimentgather dataorganize resultsdraw conclusions

Goals of FOSS

Scientific Literacy To provide all students with science experiences that are appropriate for their cognitive development, serve as a foundation for more advanced study in science, and prepare them for life in an increasingly complex scientific and technological world.

Goals of FOSS

Instructional Efficiency

To provide all teachers with a flexible science program that reflects current research on learning and uses

effective teaching and assessment methodologies.

Scientific Thinking Processes

1-2

Grade Level

Observing

Inferring

Relating

Organizing

Comparing

Communicating

Applying

K

3-4

5-6

7-8

9-12

Using knowledge to solve complex problems; inventing

Predicting patterns based on data; formulating models; theorizing

Cause and effect relationships; space/time relationships; controlled experimentation

Categorizing, grouping, classifyingOrdering: seriating and sequencing

Sensory comparisons, relative position comparisons; measurement (linear, volume, mass, quantity, temp.)

Silent, oral, written, pictorial

Seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling

FOSS Program Components

Teacher GuideOne per kit

FOSS Science Stories32 student books

Equipment and Materials

Enough for 32 students

Teacher Preparation VideoDVD included in kit; also online

Equipment Kit

Teacher Guide

One Teacher Guide included Found in Drawer 1 (Box A)

FOSS Introduction

OVERVIEW: science background and management strategies

MATERIALS: inventory list and preparation instructions

Teacher Guide

INVESTIGATIONS

Step-by-step instructions to

Prepare the materials

Guide the investigation

Integrate language arts and math

Administer assessments

Teacher Guide

INVESTIGATION MASTERS

Student response sheets

Special teacher sheets

English and Spanish

FOSS SCIENCE STORIES

RESOURCES: books and websites

FOSS WEBSITE

Assessment

Measures content knowledge as well as process and communication skills

Facilitates reporting through comprehensive scoring guides and assessment charts

Formative Assessment

Monitor student progress through

Teacher Observation

Student Sheets

Science Notebooks

Summative Assessment

Students demonstrate learning

Performance Assessment

End of Module “test”

Portfolio assessment

FOSS Science Stories

Original student books developed to enhance the investigations

K-2 books are expository

3-6 books are a collection of content rich stories and articles

32 softcover books included Found in Drawer 1 (Box A)

K-2 kits include one Big Book

Available in Spanish

Teacher Preparation Video

• DVD included in kit• Found in Drawer 1 (Box A)

• Overview of each investigation• Demonstrations of how to

set up the materials • Classroom footage of students

doing activities

Videos are online

www.fossweb.com

Measurement Tool Kits

Grades 3-6 modules require specific measurement equipment

Additional equipment is found in a separate box labeled Tool Kit

e.g, Variables Tool Kit

Living Materials

Purchase Living Materials separately Coupons are sent to the school building

Redeem your coupons through Delta 3-4 weeks before starting the lesson

Immediate and long term care instructions are in the Teacher Guide, included with the shipment, and on FOSSWEB

If you have any trouble with the shipment, contact Delta Education immediately at 800-258-1302

Interactive simulations to extend and apply student learning

Resources for parents and teachers

FOSSWEB.com

Sample Module Page

www.fossweb.com

Teacher Resources

www.fossweb.com

Professional Development

Ongoing professional development and implementation training

Conference workshops and summer institutes

Teacher Preparation Videos

FOSS Website

FOSS Newsletter

Teach with confidence!

Complete curriculum

Thoroughly researched during development

Standards-based content

Nationally field-tested activities and materials

Proven success stories nationwide

Don’t just open books,

open minds!

For more information

www.deltaeducation.com

www.fossweb.com

www.lhsfoss.org

www.fossworks.com