Twig Elementary: All about modules

In Twig Science Elementary, the curriculum content is arranged in a hierarchy:

Grade > Module > Driving Question > Lesson

Teachers and Administrators can use the program's Lesson Explorer to drill down through the curriculum hierarchy and view all student-facing content, educator resources, and lesson-planning materials. 

After reading Getting Started with Lesson Explorer, use this article to take a closer look at modules and explore the resources available for each module. 

Most grade levels have 4 or 5 modules:

  • Starting in Grade 2, each grade level contains an introductory module (called Module 0) which should take 2–3 weeks to complete. In Module 0, students learn how to employ scientific best practices. The Module Anchor Phenomenon for Module 0 is always How do scientists and engineers work as a team?

     Notes

    • In the earlier grade levels that do not have a Module 0, the best practices information is dispersed throughout the other modules.
    • Module 0s are not available to Fast Track-only customers. 
  • Modules 1 and beyond are full-length modules which can take up to a quarter of a school year to finish. Each full-length module has its own Module Anchor Phenomenon that focuses on scientific exploration. 

    Here are a few examples:
    • Grade 2, Module 2: Master of Materials: How can we describe materials as different from one another and understand how their properties relate to their use?
    • Grade 4, Module 4: Earthquake Engineering: How can we reduce damage caused by earthquakes?
    • Grade 6, Module 4: Cities of the Future: How can we reduce harmful impacts on the environment in the places where people live?

To access and peruse modules:

  1. Log in to Twig Science Elementary.
  2. Select a grade level from the top of your Teacher Dashboard.
    grade 3 tile TSE.png

  3. The list of modules opens for the grade you've selected. 

    list of modules grade 3 v 3.png
     
    From the top of the Modules page you can access links to several resources. 

    Modules_resources at top.png

    The table below explains each resource.

    Button or Link Details
    A. View PE Progressions PDF detailing the Performance Expectation Progressions for each module in the grade level.
    PE Progression example_grade 3.png
    B. Watch Structure Video Short intro video to the lesson structure of the Twig Science Elementary curriculum. This video is the same video for all grade levels.
    C. Lab Kit Materials

    Click Lab Kit Materials and then select the type of downloadable list you wish to access (Full Course, Lab Refills, or Fast Track). An explanatory video is also available. 
    modules_lab kit materials.png
     

     Note

    Fast Track-only customers: When you click Lab Kit Materials, your menu options will be The Basics Kit, Teacher-Supplied, and Hands-on Labs Alternatives.
    D. Teacher-Supplied Materials

    These are the grade-specific lists of supplies that are not included in the kits you purchase from Imagine Learning. Choose between Full Course and Fast Track lab types.
    teacher-supplied materials lists.png

     Note

    Fast Track-only customers:  Find Teacher-Supplied Materials by clicking Lab Kit Materials and then selecting Teacher-Supplied.
    E. Phenomena Tracker A grade-specific breakdown of the anchor phenomenon for each module, along with the performance expectations, key investigative phenomena, learning objectives, and anchor phenomenon touchpoints for each Driving Question in the module.
    Within the document, there are clickable links to the Driving Question, the Teacher Edition of the lesson, and the Twig Book for students.
    clickable links in phenomena tracker.png
    F. 3-D Assessments From this link, you can access two guides. The Guide to Using the Assessment Center describes the various reports you can run to see student data. The Guide to 3-D Assessment explains the design of the Twig Science assessment suite and provides ways to modify assessments to meet the needs of all students. 
    3-D assessments links.png
  4. To view the standards for a module, click the link in the bottom left of the module tile.
    module - link to standards.png
    Then select the type of standards you wish to view from the tabs at the top of the window that opens. 
    standards per module.png
    Depending on where you teach, your tabs may differ from what is shown above.
  5. Each module also contains an introductory trailer video to get students interested in and thinking about the module's topic. Click the thumbnail image to start the video.
    trailer video for each module.png

  6. Click the arrow in the green circle to open more information about the module. 
    open The Pet Problem.png
    This opens up the Driving Question(s) and an introduction with links to the Teacher Edition PDF and the Twig Book PDF. Click on one of these links and then choose your desired language, English or Spanish.
    links from module to PDFs.png
     

     Note

    Fast-Track only customers do not have the link to the Teacher Edition PDF. 

    Module 0 (as shown above) is an introductory module and is shorter than the other modules. Modules 1 and beyond include tabs for Table of Contents and Assessments as well as the Leveled Reader Lessons (if available).
    additional module features.png

     

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