Harvard Graduate School of Education Logo

This site shows you how to teach the causal patterns embedded in science curricula so that students emerge with deeper understanding. It links to and supports use of the Causal Patterns in Science Series (see Resources & Curricula).

You'll find examples of students' thinking, activities, assessments, classroom tips, and the rationale and supporting research behind this approach. General science examples and in-depth examples from Ecosystems and Density are given.

You will learn to identify the patterns and how students struggle unless they grasp them, to teach and assess understanding of the patterns at the same time you teach the science, and how to make it all work in your classroom.