|
 GEMS is
a leading resource for innovative science and mathematics education.
Developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, the public science
education center at the University of California at Berkeley,
and tested in thousands of classrooms nationwide, over 70 GEMS
Teacher's Guides and Handbooks offer a wide range of supplementary
learning experiences for preschool through 8th grade.
GEMS activities engage students
in direct experience and experimentation to introduce essential,
standards-based principles and concepts. Clear step-by-step instructions
enable all teachers to be successful presenting the activities.
GEMS units offer effective, practical, economical, and schedule-friendly
ways to provide high-quality science and math learning to all
students.
GEMS Teacher's Guides
GEMS Teacher's Guides are clearly organized, easy to use, and
do not require special background in math or science. Each unit stands on its own, though many complement each other nicely, and we have prepared recommended sequences of units at various grade levels. Every classroom
session is outlined with an overview, materials list, and preparation
requirements, followed by clear, step-by-step directions. Complete
background information is provided for the teacher, along with
photographs, illustrations, assessment suggestions, and often examples of student work.
Throughout each guide there are comments on presentation strategies
and practical advice to help the teacher, many of them suggested
by teachers who tested the units.
GEMS Curriculum Sequences
GEMS Curriculum Sequences are a new series of products,
created by GEMS and published and distributed by Carolina Curriculum. The first units in the series are two
Space Science Sequences, one for Grades 3-5 and one for Grades 6-8.
Curriculum Sequences provide in-depth instruction on key science topics, and include an integrated assessment system, a technology component, extensive background for the teacher, readings, and more. This series represents implementation of the latest cognitive theories on learning, adapting classic GEMS instructional approaches into a more coherent, next generation Curriculum Sequence.
Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading™
Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading is a new curriculum for grades 2 through 5, featuring integrated science and literacy instruction. Students alternate inquiry science sessions with reading sessions that  feature original, content-rich, 4-color student books. It is being developed by GEMS in conjunction with the Graduate School of Education
at UC Berkeley, with financial support from the National Science Foundation. The program is published by Delta Education.
Concurrently we are engaged in research projects to demonstrate the
effectiveness of the integrated approach. When the currently planned units are completed the program will include 12 units, four at each of three grade bands (2/3, 3/4, and 4/5), including 27 student books and 120 one hour sessions at each grade band.
GEMS Development and Testing
Process
GEMS units are subject to rigorous national field testing.
Initially, activities are mined from the enormous wealth of classes
and programs developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science over the
last 30 years or created new. GEMS authors begin by testing activities in local classrooms. After these early pilot tests,
the activities are revised by a group of curriculum developers.
A first draft of the  unit is then typically classroom tested by teachers
in diverse urban and rural settings. Feedback from these trials
is used to again revise the unit. Next, an updated trial version
is sent to sites across the country for a third round of testing.
The data from these national trials is compiled and final revisions
are made to the teacher's guide. Even after publication, GEMS
units are revised and updated to incorporate feedback as more
teachers use them in the field. Many of GEMS more successful older guides are currently being rewritten and enhanced to reflect current pedagogy and ensure their continued relevance; these guides are then rereleased with the "New GEMS" brand.
GEMS Activities Engage Students
GEMS units are widely known to be engaging and motivating for
students. One of the central goals in the development and testing
process is to maximize the interest and participation of all students.
Captivating the imagination of students by challenging them is
a strong emphasis of the GEMS approach. Students come away feeling
that they can be successful at math and science. High student
interest increases the quality of their learning and the likelihood
that they will continue to study science.
All Teachers Can Be Successful with GEMS
The extensive classroom testing and review process deepens the
educational content of each unit and ensures that all teachers
can be successful presenting the activities. Due to their accessibility
and rich content, GEMS units serve as exemplars to teachers, encouraging
them to incorporate more inquiry-based learning into their teaching.
GEMS units are frequently used as models in preservice and educational
methods courses.
GEMS Activities Utilize Readily Accessible
Materials
Most materials needed for GEMS units are everyday items
that can be either collected or purchased inexpensively. Certain
materials can also be ordered from sources whose names and addresses
are listed in the guides. GEMS Kits are also available for most units, and kits are available as well for Seeds of Science/Roots of Reading units and for GEMS Sequences.
Read more about the educational
effectiveness of GEMS.
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