SPIRAL Project: Initial Findings of Vertical, Cross-Grade Professional Learning Community Discussions of Science Teaching Practice

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Eighteen
  In Roundtable Session: STEM Spirals, Scaffolds, and Student Understanding (Table 8)

Abstract

The NGSS were designed to spiral core disciplinary ideas and practices across the K-8 developmental trajectory. However, teachers usually lack opportunities to interact across grades and understand how student thinking develops over time. This study presents initial findings from a three-year investigation of vertical, cross-grade professional learning communities that use artifacts from their classrooms to seed conversations for professional learning. Results show a positive disposition toward the vertical meetings, particularly in terms of providing a portrait of what is possible for students at different developmental levels. These findings will help inform the field’s understanding of how to better support professional learning for standards that build on each other across grade levels and how digital artifacts can support this collective learning.

Authors

• Matthew J. Kloser, University of Notre Dame
  Presenting Author

• Jose Felipe Martinez, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Marlene Saint Martin, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author

• Michael Szopiak, University of Notre Dame
  Non-Presenting Author

• Christine Ong, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jon Kovach, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author

• Leticia Perez, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author

• Justin Betzelberger, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author

• Richard Huynh, University of California - Los Angeles
  Non-Presenting Author