| Abstract |
| Abstract: The Full Option Science System (FOSS) series, designed for grades K to 6, consists of instructional modules organized under four topic headings: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, and Scientific Reasoning and Technology. The instructional techniques including hands-on approach, multisensory methods, working alone together (grades K to 2), and collaborative groups (grades 3 to 6) are used to achieve scientific literacy for students and instructional efficiency for teachers. Each module includes a teacher guide and equipment kits. This module (grades 5 to 6) emphasizes the construction of working models and solving real world problems. In activity one, students use multisensory methods to investigate sealed black plastic boxes in order to come up with a model to explain what the boxes look like inside. In activity two, students are presented with a device called a hum dinger. Students construct models of the hum dinger which function like the hum dinger but do not need to be constructed exactly the same way. In activities three and four, students work in pairs to exercise problem solving and engineering skills to design, construct, test, and refine a self-propelled cart that performs a set of predetermined functions. The teacher guide consists of a module overview, a set of activity folios, duplication masters for the student sheets, an assessment package (except grade K), FACTs (FOSS Activity Correlation Tables), and equipment inventory lists. The activity folio is a concise booklet for each activity, which provides a lesson plan; background information; a materials list; preparation plans; discussion questions; mathematics, language, social studies, and art extensions; home activities; and suggestions for including a multicultural dimension in the lesson. The equipment kit contains materials for a class of 32 students. Each kit for grades 3 to 6 also contains a teacher preparation video. The assessment packages for grades 3 to 6 including hands-on, pictorial, and reflective assessment are designed to assess student understanding of science processes and content. The duplication masters for the student sheets and assessment packages (grades 3 to 6) are written in both English and Spanish. English and Spanish versions of videotapes and videodisks are available separately to supplement this module. (CCC) |
| Table of Contents |
| Britannica Science System index/glossary Introduction FOSS Models and design module FOSS introduction Overview Activities Duplication masters (English and Spanish versions) FACTs (Correlations) Kit inventory lists FOSS assessments section Introduction Directions for administering assessments Teacher's charts Multimedia materials section Introduction Multimedia options Teacher preparation Supplementary video correlations |