The MMSA uses a variety of tools and resources to help science educators improve and enhance science curriculum, instruction, and assessment in their classrooms, schools, or organizations. Schools or organizations are encouraged to contact the MMSA Science Staff for professional development or technical assistance in the use of these tools.






Maine's Learning Results
Maine's Curriculum Framework for Science and Mathematics
National Science Education Standards
Science for All Americans
Benchmarks for Science Literacy
Atlas of Science Literacy

---

The Crosswalks were developed by the MMSA to help Maine educators clarify the meaning and intent of a Maine's Learning Result performance indicator by linking performance indicators to related learning goals and readings in national standards documents. The Crosswalks are not an alignment document. They are used for identifying the closest match to a national standard that helps clarify the performance indicator.

The grade level Crosswalks are available by clicking on the following:
Grades K-2 Crosswalk
Grades 3-4 Crosswalk
Grades 5-8 Crosswalk
Grades 9-12 Crosswalk


Curriculum Topic Study is co-published by Corwin Press and the National Science Teachers Association, and authored by Page Keeley of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. This national publication, developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, provides the missing link between standards, research on student learning, and classroom practice. In addition to the 147 curriculum topic study guides used to clarify curricular topics, the book contains a rich variety of tools and processes for:

• Identifying the hierarchal structure of content knowledge in a topic
• Examining curricula for coherence and articulation
• Selecting curricula that are standards-based and research-informed
• Implementing new curricula
• Creating conceptual storylines for curricular units
• Reviewing instructional lessons and units
• Developing standards and research-based lessons
• Connecting content and inquiry
• Designing assessment probes
• Developing culminating student performance tasks
• Embedding CTS into various professional development strategies

Click here for information about the book and how to order a copy




The MMSA has developed over 60 formative assessment probes that can be used to inform teaching and learning in science. The probes are used by teachers to elicit and analyze students understanding of a topic prior to and during teaching. They provide essential assessment information for lesson planning as well as long term development of students’ ideas across multiple grade levels. Full sets of the probes are being published by the National Science Teachers Association in the Fall of 2005. This new publication, authored by Page Keeley, Lynn Farrin, and Francis Eberle is titled: Uncovering Student Ideas in Science- 25 Formative Assessment Probes (Volume 1).





Maine's Learning Results The Maine Learning Results identify the knowledge and skills required of all Maine students.

Maine's Curriculum Framework for Science and Mathematics
Maine's Curriculum Framework preceded the development of the Maine Learning Results. Many of the MLRs in science were derived from the Curriculum Framework. The Curriculum Framework also contains guidelines for professional development, instruction, and assessment.

National Science Education Standards contains national standards for content, teaching, professional development, assessment, science programs as well as systems standards in science, mathematics, technology, and social science.

Science for All Americans This seminal publication defines science literacy for all adults, as a result of the culmination of their K-12 education. It also describes principles for effective teaching and learning.

Benchmarks for Science Literacy This document describes the specific learning goals that that make up the K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 coherent set of learning goals that help students progress toward scientific literacy. The specificity and coherence of the Benchmarks goals help clarify Maine's Learning Results as well as identify important learning goals essential to science literacy that are not in the MLR’s

The Atlas of Science Literacy is a set of “growth in understanding” visual maps, based on Science for All Americans and Benchmarks, that shows the progression of K-12 understanding as well as connections among ideas in science.