River And Medford Teachers Unpack NexGen Science Standards

PATCHOGUE, NY - From Patchogue-Medford School District: Fifth grade teachers at River Elementary and Medford Elementary recently collaborated with their peers at the high school level to inspire curiosity and confidence through creative learning. It starts with the teaching staff and will trickle down to students.

Dr. Tania Davenport-Dalley said with the implementation of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS ) it is necessary for there to be an unpacking of these standards, “while we transition our teaching approaches for our students to meet these standards.”

With that in mind, teachers at both River and Medford met recently with different grade levels during a faculty meetings to focus on, “how we can bring the standards to life for our students,” said Dr. Davenport-Dalley.

This required that Dr. Davenport-Dalley to do some research on her own including attending workshops, watching videos, speaking to experts like Michelle Thoden, a chemistry teacher at Patchogue-Medford High School, along with the Director of STEM, Dan Sohal.

“We looked specifically at matter and its interaction domain of the NGSS,” she said. “It was great collaboration for the River and Medford teachers. I learned from them as well. I love teaching and collaborating with teachers as well as students. I like to tell my staff, I am not a scientist or a science teacher, I just play one at faculty meetings.”

Photo courtesy of Patchogue-Medford School District