Learning through Books, Media and Technology

ARTICLES THIS ISSUE:

1995 Administrative Leadership Award for Library Media Services

1994 President's Award Winners Ruby Ling-Louie and Dale Buboltz

Restructuring Science – Pyner High School

Colaboration to the nth degree – Alvarado Middle School

The keyword is science – Newmark Memorial High School

Giving research a practical twist – Rancho Cotate High School

A Good Ideas Encore! – De Portola Middle School

A fair opportunity for students – Challenger Junior High School

From petri dishes to publishing – Rialto High School

Resource-based learning in science – Reedley High School

The web of learning – Sierra Vista Elementary School

Buying a piece of hte rain forest – George C. Marshall Elementary School

Too Good To Miss! Eisenhower High School, Florin High School

Good Ideas! Home Page

Good Ideas! is published by CSLA

1499 Old Bayshore Hwy.

Burlingame

California

94010

(415) 692-2350

Giving research a practical twist

Rancho Cotate high School

For fifteen years, Chris Peterson, biology teacher at Rancho Cotate High School, has been studying water, wastewater, and the effects of water policy on wildlife in Sonoma County. Now that concern has culminated in a new high school science program that integrates with social science, math, English, and information literacy. Fifteen different public agencies in the areas of water, pollution, and wildlife have expressed their support for this effort. A team of teachers has collaborated to plan the program, which Connie Pearson, library media teacher, describes as "the most exciting educational activity in which I've participated."

Connie Pearson and two of Rancho Cotate's science students.

Students will investigate the topics related to water resources in Sonoma County by selecting a committee (Wetlands, Environment, Government Agencies, Business and Agricultural Interests, and Wildlife). They will do local interviews, search through online resources, attend agency meetings, and conduct field tests. Video cameras will be used as reporting tools, as well as papers, brochures, notices, and newsletters, many of which will be generated through use of word processing and desktop publishing. Findings will be presented throughout the community as well as at school, and connections with elementary students engaged in similar projects will be established and maintained.

This science effort is only one of the ways in which Connie collaborates with teachers. She is also a mentor teacher for technology, and has presented technology workshops for teachers (including science teachers) throughout the district. As her own information literacy skills are honed, she enthusiastically encourages staff and students to explore new research methods and technologies.

• Rancho Cotate high School (Grades 9-12; inrollment 1,500)
  5450 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park 94925
  Vicki Romero and Ron Whitman, Co-Principals
  Connie Pearson, Library Media Teacher
  Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District