Groton Public Schools Curriculum Map INTRODUCTION Course Title: CSI (Crime scene investigations) Curriculum Area and Grade: MS Science- Grade 8 Course Purpose: The purpose of this course is to expose students to forensics and enhance student understanding of forensics. Major Learning Goals and Understandings: Student Learning Expectation(s): Students will be initially exposed to the science of forensics. They will learn how professionals in the career field of forensics apply science concepts to analyze evidence at crime scene. 21 st Century Learning Expectation(s): Creativity and Innovation Students will learn and apply how to generate and test idea, make observations, formulate explanations, and apply these processes in their own investigations. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Students will learn and apply how to compare their observations to those made by scientists based on evidence. Communication Students will learn and apply communicating observations using detailed, precision, and evidence over opinion. Collaboration Students will work collaboratively with others while participating in scientific discussions and appropriately using claims, evidence, and reasoning. Information Literacy Students will be able to learn and apply how to locate reliable scientific information in reputable reference books, back issues of journals and magazines, on websites, and in computer databases. Media Literacy Students will be able to learn and apply how to critique arguments in which the claims are not consistent with the evidence given. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Literacy Students will be able to learn, apply, and articulate how technology is essential to science for such purposes as sample collection and storage, computation, and communication of information. Flexibility and Adaptability Students will be able to learn and identify the difference between scientific theories and beliefs. Initiative and Self Direction Students will learn about and be aware of the broad range of careers that involve scientific inquiry. Social and Cross-Cultural Skills Students are able to structure scientific discussions to allow for differing opinions, observations, experiences, and perspectives. Productivity and Accountability Students will learn and apply how to articulate the importance of accurate data collection and record keeping in science, and be able to demonstrate good practices for data collection, and identify common sources of error.
1. Crime Scene Science Introduction (2 weeks) 3. Observation skills (1 week) 5. Fingerprints (1 week) 7. Forensics applied by police/ detectives (1 week) Unit Trimester= 12 weeks 2. Careers in Forensics (Fire, lab technicians, police, detectives etc.) (1 week) 4. Forensics of fires (2 weeks) 6. Pattern analysis (2 weeks) 8. Crime Scene investigations (1 week) 9. Comparing Knowledge to forensic stereotypes (1 week) Mappers/Authors: Carrie Ryall Date Approved: 3/11/2013 Unit 1- Crime Scene Science Introduction Grade: 8 Subject: Science Course: CSI Length of Unit: 12 Weeks Common Core State Standards Key Ideas and Details 3. Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks. Supporting Standards Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 7. Integrate visual information with other information in print and digital texts. 8. Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text. Connecticut State Standards Inquiry strands
1. The students will know: The science involved in analyzing a crime scene is referred to as forensics. 2. Students will know the general description of forensic careers such as Fire investigators, lab techs, police, and detectives. Part 2 Unit 1 Standards (Crime Scene intro) Key (GLE) Content Knowledge and Concepts/Skills The students will be able to: 1.1 Recall components of a crime scene investigation process. 1.2 Recall various types of crime scenes. 1.3 Recall types of evidence analyzed. 2.1 Understand the role in society fulfilled by the use of forensic science when employed by fire investigators. 2.2 Understand the role in society fulfilled by the use of forensic science when employed by lab techs. 2.3 Understand the role in society fulfilled by the use of forensic science when employed by police. 2.4 Understand the role in society fulfilled by the use of forensic science when employed by detectives. Bloom s Taxonomy Levels Creating, Evaluating, Analyzing, Applying, Understanding and Remembering Students will analyze crime scene elements to synthesize conclusions. Students will understand how evidence is compiled to create a clear picture of events. 3. Students will know the importance of observation skills. 3.1 Students will learn about and employ observation skills. 4. Students will know detailed knowledge about the forensics of fires. 5. Students will know detailed knowledge about fingerprints 6. Students will know detailed knowledge about pattern analysis within crime scenes. 4.1 Recall the components of the fire triangle. 4.2 Recall strategies used to determine how a fire started. 5.1 Recall historic cases using fingerprints. 5.2 Understand why fingerprints are reliable evidence. 5.3 Apply knowledge and be able to lift fingerprints. 6.1 Understand how patterns are used to identify criminals (tire tracks, shoe prints, behavior patterns etc.)
7. Students will know detailed knowledge about police and detective investigative processes. 8. Students will investigate a mock crime scene. 9. How to compare knowledge to forensic stereotypes. 7.1 Understand process of questioning eye witnesses. 7.2 Understand reliability of eye witnesses. 7.3 Understand how to approach a crime scene. 8.1 Apply knowledge from previous units while analyzing a mock crime scene. 9.1 Reflecting and analyzing the student s view of forensics before class and after. 9.2 Parallel societal stereotypes of forensics with facts learned within course. (look at Monk TV show) Big Idea and Essential Questions Big Idea: The science of forensics is a specific approach to scientific investigation. Essential Questions: How does the science of forensics work to solve investigative problems?
Part 3 Common Unit Assessments Crime dossier resource-summative assessment Essay describing reflection from unit 9. Part 4 Common/Assured Learning Experiences Using attached resources to introduce forensics to students. Part 5-Teacher Notes