Discovery Education Science Techbook The Discovery Education Science Techbook for Grade 6 is a comprehensive digital program for learning science at the sixth grade level. The Science Techbook is designed to provide a balanced approach to learning science through the use of text, video, simulations, hands-on classroom activities, and laboratory work. Its appealing user-friendly design will engage your student in exciting and rigorous content as they travel the road of an independent 21 st Century learner. As your student works through the course with guidance from his or her teacher he/she will develop the knowledge, mathematical and other skills that are essential to building a true understanding of science concepts. Assignments and assessments provide opportunities for assessing student understanding that will inform their progress and reinforce critical knowledge and skills Who Is Discovery Education and what do they offer that traditional textbooks do not? Discovery Education is a part of the Discovery Communications family that includes renowned cable networks such as the Discovery Channel, Science Channel, and Animal Planet. For this reason, students are able to engage and investigate the world using video from the unique programming that Discovery Communications networks provide. Video content from network programs such as MythBusters, Through the Wormhole, Planet Earth, Curiosity, Life, and North America have been selected to support student learning and curiosity about the natural and physical world. Discovery Education Science Techbook is digital. The Discovery Education Techbook is a 100% digital textbook replacement solution. Instead of your student bringing a traditional textbook home with them, they will have access to all of the content in their Techbook anywhere there is an internet connection on virtually any device (phone, tablet, or computer). Developed by Discovery Education the program utilizes both digital and printable resources. Digital resources included in Techbook are interactive simulations, text, reading passages, and video. The multimedia approach that Techbook uses will support the learning needs of all learners, foster student curiosity, and will immerse students into thinking, working, and acting like scientists. While there are similarities with traditional Science textbooks, there are some important differences. Discovery Education s Science Techbook contains text and assignments just like traditional textbooks do. The key difference between Techbooks and traditional texts is in the delivery and structure of the Techbook. Techbook is a web-based program students can access on virtually any device (computer, tablet, or phone), anywhere there is an internet connection, anytime they want. Your student can still have printed reading material, assignments, and handson investigations for selected content, but all of the program s content can be accessed online. While it is certainly advantageous for a student to have a home computer and internet access, it is not a requirement. Techbook is designed to provide students access to content to mirror the work of real world scientists. Scientists work in inquiry based methods, where questions are posed, evidence is uncovered, and knowledge is constructed from examining the evidence. The digital nature of Techbooks not only allows students to access information, but also to conduct research for their own questions, analyze data and resources, and to create and innovate. These critical skills all support a solid foundation for college and career readiness in the 21 st century learner. As you know, students prefer to learn differently today than in the past. In a world of multimedia experiences, many of today s students prefer to learn through visual experiences. They are comfortable with using a variety of internet-connected devices, and love to collect information to solve challenging problems. As students work to master The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills they will be challenged to think, act, and behave just as scientists do. They will be asked to
develop explanations for their observations, hypotheses, and thoughts by experimenting, reading, writing, and sharing as scientists do. To help support each type of learner, students will perform interactive simulations, hands-on experiments, watch engaging videos, and read about course specific science content. What types of support are in Techbook to help my student? Within each concept of Discovery Education s Science Techbook contains Core Interactive Text. The structure of the Core Interactive Text marries the core reading content with hand-selected video segments and images. Since research indicates that the number one reason students struggle with reading informational text is producing the imagery in their minds, these hand selected videos and images should be viewed first, then students can read the text. A second feature in the Core Interactive Text is the embedded Interactive Glossary Terms. Research indicates that the second most common reason for students struggling with reading informational text is the lack of vocabulary development. In each of the glossary terms, before the definition is introduced, students are given access to an animation and key context statement to help visualize the term. After watching the animation students can view the definition, other videos, and/or images that help to make the term more concrete in their reading. In order to meet the unique needs of the ELL population each page of Core Interactive Text (on the E pages) is translated into Spanish and French. Students can access the translated versions by using the Language Switcher at the top of the page. Where can I get help with technical issues when using Techbook at home? Discovery Education services are completely web-based and require no installation. Customer Support is available via phone, email and live chat on Monday - Thursday from 8AM ET - 7PM ET and on Friday from 8AM ET - 6:30PM ET. Our online help section contains numerous resources to address common questions for using the Discovery Education Science Techbook. There are no costs associated with technical support.
How does my student access content? Students can access the resources in their Techbook in three different ways; 1- When students first log in to the Techbook they are taken to the Student Center where they can see any resources their teacher has assigned specifically to them. 2- Students can also browse through each of the concepts in a Techbook course.
3- Students can investigate the answers to their own questions by using the search feature to look for content that is of interest to them. Your student will have the opportunity to use filters to select the resource(s) that best fits his or her learning style in order to master the content. In this way, he or she becomes an active participant in his or her own learning. We hope that you will be an active partner with your student. Periodically, you may want to log-on to your student s Techbook page to see what material is being covered. You can access Techbook by visiting www.discoveryeducation.com. You will need the username and password that is provided to your student. From here you can see what has been assigned and completed by your student, view the content in the course, or search for content that interests you and your student.
Content of Science Techbook for Grade 6 Science Techbook for Grade 6 is subdivided into units each of which contain major conceptual components essential to a sixth grade level course. In each concept students are guided by a series of overarching and focus questions that provide a framework for conceptual learning. Unit 1: Matter and Energy Atomic Structure and Elements Molecules Chemical Reactions Unit 2: Physical Properties of Materials Mass Volume Density Minerals Material Properties Unit 3: Earth s Energy Resources How Fossil Fuels Came to Be Types and Uses of Fossil Fuels Issues of Fossil Fuels Solar and Wind Energy Hydroelectric and Geothermal Energy Issues of Nuclear Energy Human Use of Energy Unit 4: Force, Motion and Energy Kinetic Energy Potential Energy Direction of Motion Straight Line Motion Circular Motion Pulley Inclined Plane Unit 5: Transfer of Energy Conduction Convection Radiation Energy Storage and Transport Unit 6: Structure and Processes of the Earth Structure Based on Composition Physical Properties of Earth s Layers Sedimentary Rocks Metamorphic Rocks Igneous Rocks Rock Cycle Plate Tectonics Seismic Waves Why Earthquakes Occur Where Earthquakes Occur Where Volcanoes Form Unit 7: Organization of the Solar System Formation of Our Solar System The Inner Planets The Outer Planets Non-Planetary Objects Ancient Astronomy Future of Space Exploration Unit 8: Classification of Living Things Characteristics of Living Things Cell Theory Prokaryotic Cells Eukaryotes and Cell Differentiation Protists Prokaryotes Plants Fungi Animals Features and Naming Populations Pollution