Brittany H Journal 5 October 19, 2012

Learning progressions are sophisticated ways that children think about the major science core concepts. These progressions are important because they develop underlying concepts about a topic before delving deep into the mastery of a concept. A lot of times teacher will attempt to build knowledge far beyond what the child may be ready for and this does nothing for the student except give them the view that science is just memorization. Therefore, when deciding a proper learning progression for the idea of Biological Change should start at kindergarten and through fifth grade (elementary education) and be developmentally appropriate within each. Two major components of this big idea are: non-living and living things change over time and factors influence the changes and students understand scientific ways of thinking and use methods to solve real-life problems. During Kindergarten and First Grade the students first need to be able to utilize scientific tools, inquiry, and ways of thinking. Therefore its appropriate that the students can be introduced to the following core tenets of Biological Change: Distinguish between facts and opinions Distinguish between fact and opinion while providing evidence through observations and results Generate questions about living organisms, non-living objects, or environments through observation Explain fossils are preserved remains of things from the past that were different

During Second and Third Grade the students can be introduced to the following core tenets of Biological Change: Observe and describe change caused by natural phenomena Observe and record change using measurement tools Identify ways that the Earths surface is constantly changed Distinguish between slow and rapid changes to Earths Surface

During Fourth and Fifth Grade the students can be introduced to the following core tenets of Biological Change: Identify the appropriate measurement tools for specific tasks Differentiate between rapid changes to Earths surface and those that take time Explain how changes to Earths surface today are both similar and different to those in the past Explain the processes under which fossils are formed Explain how fossils provide evidence about the animals, plants, and environments of long ago Through this learning progression I have created I hope that students will come to a deeper understanding of the Biological Changes that occur here on Earth. I decided to have concepts such as scientific thinking, observation, and fossils progress through the grades in what I believe is a developmentally appropriate way. I chose not to introduce the Earth surface

changes in Kindergarten and First Grade because I do feel it is a little too abstract and early to introduce things such as waves affecting the Earths surface (students in Kentucky probably havent experienced this). I focused more on the development of scientific thinking and inquiry and into the fifth grade it becomes more sophisticated as it is put to use towards the big idea of change.