Planning Learning Sequences

What are general steps in planning a learning sequence/ unit?
Answer: Planning learning sequences.

What would an outline or table of contents for a learning sequence or unit look like?
Answer: table of contents .

What would a draft of a science content sequence made from lesson plans look like?
Answer: Air Sequence
These sequences are designed for physical science content.
The first is related to air. It has no identified age level or identified instructional comments for the activities (exploration, invention, expansion... no diagnostic, formative, summative, or generative assessment).

A teacher would a collection of ideas and activities for a particular science idea and would begin to plan how to sequence them depending on the students.

For students in lower grades science ideas related to air as matter, air takes up space... might have a teacher select the balloon activity as exploration, and the following activities for invention, and the activity to remove water from an inverted jar with the syringe and tube as expansion.

The same sequence could be used with middle school students with science ideas related to air flow, pressure... In this instance the first activities could be used in a class discussion as exploration to diagnose what activity to use to begin hands on exploration. The activity with the jars and lids with two holes would be a likely activity. The questioning could start with the idea of air occupying space, but expand to what happens to cause the water and air to flow. Later activities could focus on a concept of pressure, equlibrium...

Other lesson plan like sequences:
Electric Current Sequence
The electricity sequence is not as flexible. It is designed for middle school or higher. Notice also that there are several categories of science information that the teacher and students can explore as well as ideas on electrical circuits (inquiry, unified processes - model, and other science ideas).
Reading and Writing Numbers with Numerals and Words
Sequence examining place value patterns and its relationship to how numbers are said and written. This plan includes math ideas related to number values and communication.
Card Trick Sequence Includes math ideas related to problem solving, reasoining and proof, and patterns.

What would a sequence with both content and process look like on a lesson plan?
Answer:
Planning Unified Processes
Planning Matrix for Bulbs and Batteries
Notice generalizations have been identified for several dimensions of science standards as well as supporting information and assessment ideas.
Water Sequence
Notice two sets of focus questions, one for content and the other for processes. Also notice that in the procedure discussion questions include questions for both.
Rounding Numbers
Measurement and body proportion are used to help students learn concepts of rounding.

How is a unit planned?
Answer: Units can take many forms. However, most units have the similar kinds of information grouped in similar ways. Sample comprehensive unit plan outline.

Planning for one subject
Light unit with discussion on its creation - grade four - six
Animals and environments - Gerbils for kindergarten, grade one or two

Planning a science unit with integration to other subjects
Possible planning sequences for matching activities to the dimensions of language arts using a short book as the unifying theme "The Mitten"
Planning for subject integration
Sound unit with discussion on its creation for grade one or two

Planning for integration
Integration

Robert Sweetland's Notes ©