Samples

PhD Science K–5
Level 2 Module 3: Plants

• Great Minds | Open Education Resource

Materials are published by Great Minds as open-source OER and are included here for reference only (free registration required).This Grade 2 life science module was developed for the National Edition of PhD Science, a phenomenon-based, NGSS-aligned curriculum. The module supports student sensemaking about plant growth, pollination, and seed dispersal. As lead science editor, I worked closely with the writing team to shape lesson storylines and learning progressions and conducted comprehensive editorial reviews across all module components. I ensured the scientific accuracy and coherence of all program materials, reviewed and approved artwork, edited for grammar and style, and helped teams refine assessments and investigations.As the final editorial decision-maker for all content throughout development and production, my work ensured that lessons, investigations, and assessments functioned as an integrated learning system. Aligning core content, visual assets, and supporting materials resulted in higher usability for teachers and clearer sensemaking for students.

Modeling Water Movement in a Phenomenon-Based Science Lesson

Lesson development emphasizing scientific modeling and progression from observation to explanation. Additional excerpts available upon request.This lesson sample demonstrates how instructional sequences were developed and refined to support student sensemaking through the use of models. The lesson guides students from initial observations to increasingly sophisticated explanations by anchoring discussion in a shared physical model and revisiting prior ideas as new evidence is introduced.Editorial work focused on strengthening the coherence of the lesson sequence, clarifying teacher-facing guidance, and ensuring that scientific ideas were introduced at an appropriate level of complexity. Particular attention was given to how questions, prompts, and explanations supported causal reasoning and helped students connect observable changes in the model to underlying processes in Earth’s systems.

Assessment Design for Student Sensemaking

End-of-module assessment item supporting explanation and evidence-based reasoning. Additional excerpts available upon request.This assessment sample illustrates how assessment tasks were designed and refined to elicit meaningful evidence of student sensemaking rather than surface-level recall. Items were structured to require students to explain phenomena, use evidence from investigations or models, and apply scientific reasoning consistent with classroom instruction.Editorial work focused on ensuring that assessment prompts were scientifically accurate, clearly worded, and aligned to the intent of the learning sequence. Particular attention was given to task clarity, cognitive demand, and the relationship between what students were asked to do during instruction and how their understanding was assessed. Scoring guidance was developed to support consistent interpretation of student responses while preserving opportunities to recognize partial understanding.