Elementary Implementation
Massachusetts Implementation Resources
This section contains implementation resources designed to support schools and districts as they implement new elementary science curricular resources. While several of the resources are specific to OpenSciEd Elementary curriculum, all of the resources can be applied or modified to accommodate any high quality instructional material designed for use in elementary science spaces. These resources were developed in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as part of the Massachusetts OpenSciEd Field Test. For more information about the field test, please visit the MA DESE OpenSciEd webpage.
Planning for Implementation
A successful curriculum adoption requires thoughtful and careful planning by a district or school leadership team. The first step in this process is to learn about Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Curriculum Framework and the instructional shifts required to meet the expectations of the framework.
​
​
​
​
​
This collection of resources have been curated specifically for administrators and other instructional leaders in elementary schools responsible for the implementation of STE standards. It is organized as a continuum of researched-based resources beginning with national organizations down to local levels. Focus areas include:
-
Shifts in Thinking and Awareness in Science, Technology, and Engineering
-
Models for Structuring Elementary Science Instruction
-
Details of Implementation
-
Things to Consider in Bolstering Science Education
-
Assessment Resources - resources to support utilizing three-dimensional assessment opportunities
-
Open Educational Resources
​
Any successful curriculum adoption process requires a plan. This Implementation Plan document outlines a multiyear process for adopting an elementary science curriculum. While this document makes reference to the adoption of OpenSciEd, it can be modified to accommodate any high quality instructional material.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Year 0 starts with developing a Leadership Team that will guide the curriculum adoption process and building a vision that will sustain this work.​ Years 1 - 2 emphasize professional learning, collaboration, and cycles of feedback as teachers implement new science instructional units. Year 3 provides opportunities for refining instructional practices and supporting alignment efforts.
​
DESE has developed the Implement MA Process Guide, an inclusive and robust four-phase process to select and implement HQIM to support districts with their implementation planning.
Scheduling Considerations
Time is a limited resource for all elementary schools, but particularly in regards to instructional time for science. It is important to analyze both the current schedule and the estimated time needed to fully address the science standards when using a new curriculum. The resources below can provide guidance for making decisions about classroom schedules and allotting instructional minutes.
​
​
​
​
​
​
This short article outlines how elementary teachers in Massachusetts use the embedded structures of the Elementary OpenSciEd curriculum to make the best use of the instructional time they have allotted for science.
The information provided in this spreadsheet can inform schools and districts of the science instructional time needed to successfully address grade level science standards embedded within the OpenSciEd elementary curriculum.
​
These schedules provide examples of how Massachusetts schools and districts who have adopted OpenSciEd elementary curriculum or other HQIM have been able to accommodate the required minutes needed to fully address the standards.
Planning Support
The OpenSciEd elementary curriculum includes incredibly detailed Teacher Guides, student handouts, assessments, rubrics, and a variety of other resources. So while the curriculum is entirely complete, it is still important for teachers to be able to make sense of it for themselves. General resources, like DESE's Lesson Internalization Tool, exist for teachers to utilize with any curricular material. However, it can be helpful to use tools specific to the curriculum. The resources below were designed to support teachers in their use of the OpenSciEd elementary curriculum.
This document provides Massachusetts standards guidance to teachers in the Commonwealth using Elementary OpenSciEd curriculum materials.
Discussions are an integral part of the OpenSciEd curriculum. This tool can support teachers as they learn to plan for these important instructional moments.
​
This document provides general considerations for teachers as they become more reflective in the Elementary OpenSciEd lesson-level pacing planning process.
​
This document provides teachers with specific support and strategies when considering the pacing of Elementary OpenSciEd lessons.
Materials Management
The OpenSciEd Elementary curricular materials are an Open Educational Resource which means things like Teacher Guides, student handouts and assessments, presentation slide decks, and much more are free for anyone to access and use. However, schools that use the OpenSciEd curriculum still need to purchase hands-on materials for students to engage with as they figure out science ideas. Purchasing kits from a certified OpenSciEd vendor is an option and sourcing materials individually is another an option. There are many things to consider when deciding between purchasing a kit or sourcing materials individually. This document provides a comprehensive list of materials needed when using the Unit 1 for the OpenSciEd Elementary curriculum and things to consider if purchasing individual items rather than a complete kit.​​​​​​ When choosing to source materials rather than purchasing a complete kit is the decision, staying organized is key. This template can be used to document and organize items purchased along with their cost.
Find elementary professional learning resources using the link below:
Accessing the OpenSciEd Online Materials
Need a quick guide to navigate the OSE materials? You will find guidance to locate the storyline, instructional videos, kit materials, and more!
​
Go to www.openscied.org to download the OSE unit and materials.