great minds phd science reviews

New Science Curriculum Reviews: PhD Science K-5

Great Minds’ PhD Science Texas  (PhD Science Texas)   is a comprehensive science curriculum for grades K-5. The material focuses on students making sense of and explaining scientific phenomena. The goal of the program is for students to “engage in learning that builds their coherent understanding of scientific knowledge.” As of September 2023, the materials are available in print only.

PhD Science Texas  organizes learning in three modules per grade level, based on topics typically addressed in elementary science. Each module includes multiple lessons which are grouped based on related concepts. Lessons are intended for 35 minutes of instruction in grades K-2 and 45 minutes of instruction in grades 3-5.

The material consistently and systematically integrates phenomena and essential questions. Learning is scaffolded throughout the modules with a focus question for each concept. Across the lessons in each module, students follow the same learning cycle designed to help them make sense of and be able to explain scientific phenomena.

Lessons include a variety of activities that support academic discourse about science and critical thinking. Students are required to observe phenomena, ask questions, develop and use models, and collaborate with others. Opportunities for students to connect science to the real world are evident throughout the material.

In PhD Science, there is no traditional textbook. The primary student material is the Science Logbook, a consumable resource that provides activities and resources for most lessons. The primary teacher resource is a teacher edition, which provides comprehensive support for teachers, including scientific background and implementation guidance. The volume of information included in the teacher edition may require additional teacher preparation time.

Learn more about PhD Science’s rigor, assessments, and supports for special populations by reading Learning List’s Spec Sheet and Editorial Reviews .

About Learning List

Learning List’s reviews are available through a subscription. Contact  [email protected]  to learn about subscribing to our instructional materials review service. Subscribers get access to alignment, instructional quality, and technology compatibility reviews of more than 3,300 widely used PreK-12 instructional materials and can submit additional materials for review at no additional charge.

About Great Minds * 

What began as a small group of K–12 advocates with a passion for knowledge has grown quickly into teams of hundreds of teacher-writers on a mission to elevate education in every classroom. Great Minds® makes knowledge accessible to all in the form of high-quality curricula in mathematics, English language arts, science, and more.

*Content in this section is adapted from Great Minds.

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Russell 2000, bitcoin usd, cmc crypto 200, phd science from great minds earns high marks in rigorous review from wested.

Richmond, Va. , June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PhD Science®, an elementary school science curriculum developed by Great Minds PBC®, has earned high marks from WestEd, an independent nonprofit research organization.

The rigorous review examined PhD Science kindergarten lessons. PhD Science is a free and open educational resource in Grades K–2 that is designed to engage students in authentic science practice. Students ask questions, gather evidence, develop models, and construct explanations while investigating real-world phenomena. The curriculum is also available in grades 3–5, and middle school grades are under development.

In its review , WestEd noted that the curriculum is strong in a variety of important ways, including the way it is sequenced purposefully to support students in building understanding toward the targeted Next Generation Science Standards. The reviewers also commended the curriculum for soundly setting expectations for and around student expression, presenting the materials in an accessible way, and supporting teachers in engaging students in three-dimensional learning—the integration of core ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and science and engineering practices.

"We're glad the WestEd reviewers picked up on aspects of the curriculum teachers around the country love too," said Pam Goodner , Great Minds chief academic officer for science. "I talk to educators all the time who say that PhD Science is helping their students meet targeted learning goals, sparking wonder, and building knowledge about how the scientific world works."

For example, Missy Wooley , STEM Center director of Lincoln Parish Schools in Louisiana , has described teaching with PhD Science this way: "The learning is phenomenon based, discussion heavy, and hands on."

The WestEd review team used the EQuIP Rubric for Science , designed to provide feedback for continuous improvement. This isn't the first strong evaluation of PhD Science . Last year, the Louisiana Department of Education gave the curriculum a Tier 1 rating, the highest possible.

No other science curriculum has to date earned equally high marks from WestEd for its kindergarten materials.

About Great Minds: Great Minds PBC is a public benefit corporation and subsidiary of Great Minds, a nonprofit organization. Teachers and content experts write Great Minds curricula, applying their experience to create materials that resonate with students, teachers, and families. Great Minds curricula currently include PhD Science ® ,   Eureka Math 2 , Eureka Math,    Wit & Wisdom ®  (English language arts), and Geodes ®  books for emerging readers developed in cooperation with the Fundations ® foundational reading program from Wilson Language Training.

Contact: Nancy Zuckerbrod [email protected] (301) 204-9391

View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/phd-science-from-great-minds-earns-high-marks-in-rigorous-review-from-wested-301855620.html

SOURCE Great Minds PBC

PhD Science Product Components

Dec 22, 2021 • knowledge, information, in this article, teacher edition, science logbook.

• Material Kits

Module Overview and Appendices

• Appendix A: Module Resources —a set of lesson-specific resources to aid instruction: full-size photographs, informational texts, investigation procedure sheets, materials preparation, and supplemental information
• Appendix B: Module Storyline —a more detailed version of the Module Map section in the Module Overview that summarizes the progression of concepts in the module
• Appendix C: Module Glossary —level-appropriate definitions for new terms in the module and the lesson in which the definition appears
• Appendix D: Domain-Specific Words, General Academic Words, and Spanish Cognates —a list of key terms in the module and their Spanish cognates to support English language development

Lesson Sets

• Opening Paragraph: a brief introduction to the lesson set and its three-dimensional learning
• Focus Question: a question that guides learning throughout the concept (remains the same throughout a concept)
• Phenomenon Question: a question that guides learning throughout the lesson set (changes with each lesson set)
• Knowledge Statement: a statement that reflects the scientific understanding students will develop during a lesson set (to guide teachers, not to post for students)
• Objectives: learning outcomes for each lesson (to guide teachers, not to post for students)
• Standards Addressed: a summary of the focus Performance Expectation(s), SEPs, DCIs, and CCs the lesson set addresses
• Materials: a list of materials needed for each lesson, including necessary preparation (includes optional materials and substitutions where applicable)
• Launch: the lesson opening, which engages students as they begin thinking about the lesson phenomenon
• Learn: the heart of the lesson, during which students develop new knowledge and apply prior knowledge to explore phenomena
• Land: the lesson closing, in which students reflect on what they have learned
• Optional Homework: suggestions for applying and extending science learning in students’ homes and communities (does not occur in every lesson

Materials Kits

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PhD Science from Great Minds Earns High Marks in Rigorous Review from WestEd

Richmond, Va. , June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- PhD Science®, an elementary school science curriculum developed by Great Minds PBC®, has earned high marks from WestEd, an independent nonprofit research organization. 

The rigorous review examined PhD Science kindergarten lessons. PhD Science is a free and open educational resource in Grades K–2 that is designed to engage students in authentic science practice. Students ask questions, gather evidence, develop models, and construct explanations while investigating real-world phenomena. The curriculum is also available in grades 3–5, and middle school grades are under development.  

In its review , WestEd noted that the curriculum is strong in a variety of important ways, including the way it is sequenced purposefully to support students in building understanding toward the targeted Next Generation Science Standards. The reviewers also commended the curriculum for soundly setting expectations for and around student expression, presenting the materials in an accessible way, and supporting teachers in engaging students in three-dimensional learning—the integration of core ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and science and engineering practices. 

"We're glad the WestEd reviewers picked up on aspects of the curriculum teachers around the country love too," said Pam Goodner , Great Minds chief academic officer for science. "I talk to educators all the time who say that PhD Science is helping their students meet targeted learning goals, sparking wonder, and building knowledge about how the scientific world works." 

For example, Missy Wooley , STEM Center director of Lincoln Parish Schools in Louisiana , has described teaching with PhD Science this way: "The learning is phenomenon based, discussion heavy, and hands on."  

The WestEd review team used the EQuIP Rubric for Science , designed to provide feedback for continuous improvement. This isn't the first strong evaluation of PhD Science . Last year, the Louisiana Department of Education gave the curriculum a Tier 1 rating, the highest possible.  

No other science curriculum has to date earned equally high marks from WestEd for its kindergarten materials. 

About Great Minds: Great Minds PBC is a public benefit corporation and subsidiary of Great Minds, a nonprofit organization. Teachers and content experts write Great Minds curricula, applying their experience to create materials that resonate with students, teachers, and families. Great Minds curricula currently include PhD Science ® ,   Eureka Math 2 , Eureka Math,    Wit & Wisdom ®  (English language arts), and Geodes ®  books for emerging readers developed in cooperation with the Fundations ® foundational reading program from Wilson Language Training.  

Contact: Nancy Zuckerbrod [email protected] (301) 204-9391  

SOURCE Great Minds PBC

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• PhD Science Texas
• Eureka Math TEKS Edition

Professional Development

From the teacher–writers of phd science ® texas  .

Created by the team of teacher–writers behind PhD Science Texas , our in-person and virtual professional development (PD) sessions include options for teachers and leaders. These sessions ensure strong initial implementation as well as sustained success.

Private Professional Development

Come together with educators from your school or district for an in-person or virtual PD session. Great Minds ® facilitators will work with up to 30 participants in each session.

Looking for modeling and observation of day to day classroom practices? Or to better understand the nuances of the curriculum so you can customize it in your classroom? If so,  PhD Science Texas Personalized Coaching might be a good option for you.

PD to support new implementers and seasoned users of PhD Science Texas

FOUNDATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Foundational PD sessions build and deepen new educators' understanding of the curricular design and pedagogy of PhD Science Texas . Sessions help both teachers and science leaders learn how to implement PhD Science Texas  with confidence.

Launch PhD Science Levels K–2, 3–5, and K–5

Educators explore instructional shifts within the curriculum's learning design, approach to knowledge building, and curricular structure through its use of authentic phenomena, hands-on investigations, and coherent storyline.

Choose from two of the three-hour sessions listed below to complete your foundational professional development journey.

• Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom

Using Models in a Student-Driven Classroom

Using questions to drive student learning.

These sessions cover important topics and components that are beneficial in laying a strong foundation for a successful implementation. 

Lead PhD Science K–5

Leaders will learn how to support a successful implementation by developing knowledge of the curriculum components and learning design and identifying key indicators of a successful  PhD Science Texas  implementation. 

Module and Lesson Study K–5

This session helps educators better understand the process of internalizing a module, including the progression of science content knowledge, standards addressed, assessments, and investigations.

SUSTAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Seasoned practitioners who have completed the foundational courses can deepen their understanding of the curriculum and strengthen their implementation through this advanced coursework.

Nurturing a Student-Driven Classroom

Participants discover how to nurture and empower students to drive their learning by establishing and maintaining a positive classroom culture and classroom norms.

Managing a Student-Driven Classroom

Educators identify the components that are necessary for managing and facilitating a student-driven classroom as they plan and prepare for upcoming instruction.

Building Knowledge with the Content Learning Cycle

This session deepens understanding of the curriculum learning cycle, demonstrating the cyclical process students use to build knowledge, emphasizing the importance of using phenomena to drive instruction, engaging in scientific practices, and exploring coherent storylines. 

This session explores the importance of using collaborative conversations to build student knowledge while developing tools and strategies to support the nuances of crucial curriculum components such as the anchor model and anchor chart. 

This session explores the importance of using collaborative conversations to advance science instruction while providing tools for leaning into students' natural curiosity to motivate learning using crucial curriculum components such as the driving question board.

Pacing for a Student-Driven Classroom

Teachers identify pacing challenges, explore curricular resources, and hear from experienced implementers to support pacing decisions when planning and preparing for instruction.

Participants identify how discourse supports a student-driven classroom and explore a process for discourse that includes support in laying a solid foundation, planning, facilitating, and reflecting on student-led discourse.

Differentiation for a Student-Driven Classroom

Educators build upon their understanding of differentiation and explore additional differentiation resources as they plan and prepare for instruction.

Planning and Preparing by Using Checks for Understanding

Teachers see how the formative Checks for Understanding assessment tool can help them monitor learning as well as guide planning and instructional decisions.

Leveraging Related Phenomena

Teachers discover how to leverage related phenomena to support students in transferring and applying science content knowledge. 

Implementing PhD Science Texas with Fidelity

We know that when teachers feel prepared and well-versed in the curriculum, students thrive. To set educators up for success with PhD Science Texas,  our team created the three-year plan. With integrated professional development and personalized coaching, this plan will help all teachers feel confident with the curriculum. 

SUMMER (before implementation)

Foundational Professional Development Sessions

• Launch  PhD Science Texas
• Lead  PhD Science Texas

FALL/WINTER/SPRING

Foundational Professional Development Session

• Module and Lesson Study

Personalized Coaching

• Guided Observations for Leaders
• Prepare a Lesson Collaboratively

SUMMER/FALL

• Using Models in a Student-Driven Classroom*
• Using Questions to Drive Student Learning*

WINTER/SPRING

Sustaining Professional Development Sessions

• Nurturing a Student-Driven Classroom*
• Managing a Student-Driven Classroom*

* These sessions can be flexibly interchanged from our full list of Sustaining PD offerings based on district needs and conversations with your Implementation Lead.

• PLC Supports

Sustaining Professional Development Session

• Pacing for a Student-Driven Classroom*
• Building Knowledge with the Content Learning Cycle*

Complete this form to learn more about Professional Development from Great Minds

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