FOSS Components

Teacher Toolkit

The Teacher Toolkit is the most important part of the FOSS Program. It is here that all the wisdom and experience contributed by hundreds of educators has been assembled. Everything we know about the content of the module and how to teach the subject is presented, along with the resources that will assist the effort. Each toolkit has three parts: Investigations Guide, Teacher Resources, and FOSS Science Resources book.

Investigations Guide

This spiral-bound document contains these chapters.

• Overview
• Materials
• Investigations

Teacher Resources

This three-ring binder contains these chapters.

• FOSS Introduction
• Assessment
• Science Notebooks (for Grades K–2 or for Grades 3–6)
• Science-Centered Language Development
• Taking FOSS Outdoors
• FOSSweb and Technology
• Science Notebook Masters (for grades 1–6)
• Teacher Masters
• Assessment Masters

The chapters in Teacher Resources and the Spanish duplication masters can also be found on FOSSweb (www.FOSSweb.com) and are available on CDs.

FOSS Science Resources book

This is a copy of the student book of readings that are integrated into the instruction.

Equipment Kit

The FOSS Program provides the materials needed for the investigations, including metric measuring tools, in sturdy, front-opening drawer-and-sleeve cabinets. Inside, you will find high-quality materials packaged for a class of 32 students. Consumable materials are supplied for two uses.

FOSS Science Resources Books

FOSS Science Resources is a book of original readings developed to accompany each module. The readings are referred to as articles in the Investigations Guide. Students read the articles in the book as they progress through the module. The articles cover a specific concept usually after that concept has been introduced in an active investigation.

The articles in FOSS Science Resources and the discussion questions provided in the Investigations Guide help students make connections to the science concepts introduced and explored during the active investigations. Concept development is most effective when students are allowed to experience organisms, objects, and phenomena firsthand before engaging the concepts in text. The text and illustrations help make connections between what students experience concretely and the ideas that explain their observations.

FOSSweb and Technology

The FOSS website opens new horizons for educators, students, and families, in the classroom or at home. Each module has an interactive site where students and families can find instructional activities, interactive simulations and virtual investigations, and other additional resources. FOSSweb provides resources for professional development, materials management, general teaching tools for FOSS, purchasing links, contact information for the FOSS Program and technical support. You do not need an account to view this general FOSS Program information. In addition to the general information, FOSSweb provides digital access to PDF versions of the Teacher Resources component of the Teacher Toolkit and digital-only resources that supplement the print and kit materials.

With a FOSSweb educator account, you can set up a customized homepage, which will provide easy access to the digital components of the modules you teach, and allow you to create class pages for your students with access to tutorials and online assessments.

Ongoing Professional Development

The Lawrence Hall of Science and Delta Education are committed to supporting science educators with unrivaled teacher support, high-quality implementation, and continuous staff-development opportunities and resources. FOSS has a strong network of consultants who have rich and experienced backgrounds in diverse educational settings using FOSS. Find out about professional development opportunities on FOSSweb.