PhD Science Texas - Purple

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.

Three examples of PD sessions being conducted

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.

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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.

CONTINUED SUPPORT

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

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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.

VIEW LAUNCH PhD SCIENCE TEXAS AGENDA


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. 

VIEW LEAD PhD SCIENCE TEXAS AGENDA


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.

VIEW MODULE AND LESSON STUDY AGENDA


Learn PhD Science Levels K–5

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. 


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. 


Using Models in a Student-Driven Classroom

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. 


Using Questions to Drive Student Learning

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.


Discourse for a Student-Driven Classroom

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. 


 

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

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