Content is aligned to general education standards and taught systematically by incorporating scripted lessons, least intrusive prompt strategies, teachable objectives, and ongoing assessments.
PROGRAM FEATURES
- Core concepts include the five senses, rock cycle, earth and sky, and life cycle
- Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards and National Science Education Standards
- Includes materials and manipulatives for experiments to increase generalization, attention, and understanding
- Provides teaching framework for future lessons and standards to extend the curriculum
- Customized to teach students with an intellectual disability or autism
- Student Science Logs available for individual progress monitoring
The 28 lessons follow a standard sequence. Students engage by discussing Wonder Stories; investigate through hands-on experiments; describe and explain concept statements using vocabulary cards, posters, and games; and report findings in their My Science Logs.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
- Four units (Five Senses, Rock Cycle, Earth and Sky, and Life Cycle) that focus on the most frequently occurring science standards
- A list of skill-building benchmarks plus general education alignment objectives
- Embedded instructions for technology
- A chain of responses to guide students
- Scripted lessons to increase teacher fidelity and reduce prep time
- Progress reports using My Science Logs and end-of-unit assessments
The Early Science Curriculum Plus includes four Teacher’s Guides, Implementation Guide, Wonder Wally Storybook, one (1) My Science Log Student Book, ten (10) My Science Log Student Workbooks, safety and KWHL posters, Wonder Wally Game, vocabulary cards, photo cards, safety rule cards, concept statement cards, wonder question cards, and PDFs on disc, the GoWorksheet Maker App, corresponding set of GoWorksheet activities, and samples of communication overlays. The kit also includes Student Experiment Materials: four goggles, prism, four geodes, three minerals, four rocks, butterfly stage objects and garden, clay, and styrofoam ball. Storage bin, plus cases for cards and rocks to keep materials organized.
Books included (all books are 8½ x 11 inches, full color, spiral bound):
- Implementation Guide, 66 pages
- Teacher's Guide: The Five Senses, 108 pages
- Teacher's Guide: The Rock Cycle, 104 pages
- Teacher's Guide: Earth and Sky, 108 pages
- Teacher's Guide: The Life Cycle, 106 pages
- Wonder Wally Storybook, 110 pages
- My Science Log, 120 pages.
Workbooks included:
- My Science Log Student Workbook (10 copies)
Research
Smith, Spooner, Browder, and Jimenez (2011) demonstrated the effectiveness of the Early Science Curriculum with elementary students who have moderate-to-severe developmental disabilities, including autism. Students learned science vocabulary and concepts linked to grade level standards.
Supporting Research Articles:
Smith, B. R., Spooner, F., Jimenez, B. A., & Browder, D. (2013). Using an early science curriculum to teach science vocabulary and concepts to students with severe developmental disabilities. Education & Treatment of Children, 36, 1-31.
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