Improve Student Achievement With Making Sense of SCIENCE

Making Sense of SCIENCE is a comprehensive series of professional development courses that focus on core topics of K–8 earth, life, and physical science.

Each course listed below:

Explores the intersection of science knowledge, teaching, and literacy so that teachers are better able to help students make sense of essential science content
Are nationally field-tested and proven through rigorous research studies to be effective for teachers and students — especially diverse students, including English learners and students with poor literacy skills

The courses are supported by a Teacher Book, a Facilitator Guide, and accompanying CDs. Charts that serve as a focal point for teacher learning during the course as well as additional Teacher Books can be purchased separately.

For more information about Making Sense of SCIENCE courses and Facilitation Academies, visit us at WestEd.org/mss.

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Matter for Teachers of Grades 6-8

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Jennifer Folsom, Mayumi Shinohara

"This course tackles core science topics and the challenges of teaching those topics head-on. It delves deeply into matter at the observable and atomic levels and meets the needs of teachers from novice to expert."
— Barry Kluger-Bell, physicist, science educator, and former Assistant Director of the Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry more >

Price: $249.95 | Format: Multimedia | Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-938287-02-2 | Order #: MSS-12-01

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Matter for Teachers of Grades 6-8, Teacher Book

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Jennifer Folsom, Mayumi Shinohara

Price: $59.95 | Format: Trade Paper | Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-938287-01-5 | Order #: MSS-12-03

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Matter for Teachers of Grades 6-8, Charts

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Jennifer Folsom, Mayumi Shinohara

Wall charts serve as the focal point for teacher learning during Making Sense of SCIENCE courses. This bundle includes 47 pre-made charts, making it easy to successfully lead a matter course for teachers, grades 6–8. more >

Price: $149.95 | Format: Poster | Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-938287-05-3 | Order #: MSS-12-04

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Energy for Teachers of Grades 6-8

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Jennifer Folsom, Mayumi Shinohara

"At last we have an outstanding professional development resource that takes into account both students' and teachers' ideas and leads teachers through a collaborative process that makes a measurable difference in their teaching and student achievement."
— Page Keeley (Past-President of the National Science Teachers Association and author of the Uncovering Student Ideas in Science series) more >

Price: $249.95 | Format: Multimedia | Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-914409-78-6 | Order #: MSS-11-02

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Energy for Teachers of Grades 6-8, Teacher Book

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Jennifer Folsom, Mayumi Shinohara

Price: $59.95 | Format: Trade Paper | Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-914409-86-1 | Order #: MSS-11-04

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Energy for Teachers of Grades 6–8, Charts

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Jennifer Folsom, Mayumi Shinohara

Wall charts serve as the focal point for teacher learning during Making Sense of SCIENCE courses. This bundle includes 36 pre-made charts, making it easy to successfully lead an energy course for teachers, grades 6–8. more >

Price: $149.95 | Format: Poster | Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-914409-88-5 | Order #: MSS-11-06

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Force & Motion for Teachers of Grades 6-8

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Mayumi Shinohara, Jennifer Folsom

"What more could you ask for in a professional development experience? I learned new ways to get kids talking about science in a rich way, ways to analyze student work, and ways to improve my lessons. I also came face to face with some of my own science misconceptions. My teaching practice is changed forever."
— Vicki Baker, National Board Certified teacher, Union City, CA more >

Price: $249.95 | Format: Multimedia | Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-914409-77-9 | Order #: MSS-11-01

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Force & Motion for Teachers of Grades 6-8, Teacher Book

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Mayumi Shinohara, Jennifer Folsom

Price: $59.95 | Format: Trade Paper | Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-914409-80-9 | Order #: MSS-11-03

Making Sense of SCIENCE: Force & Motion for Teachers of Grades 6–8, Charts

By: Kirsten R. Daehler, Mayumi Shinohara, Jennifer Folsom

Wall charts serve as the focal point for teacher learning during Making Sense of SCIENCE courses. This bundle includes 48 pre-made charts, making it easy to successfully lead a force and motion course for teachers, grades 6–8. more >

Price: $149.95 | Format: Poster | Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-0-914409-87-8 | Order #: MSS-11-05