LHS SAVI/SELPH Modules

SAVI/SELPH

(Science Activities for the Visually Impaired/Science Enrichment for Learners with Physical Handicaps)

Nine modules were developed as part of the SAVI/SELPH project. Each module consists of four to seven sequenced investigations. Depending on the experience and needs of the students, the suggested sequence of investigations can be followed or altered to suit the particular program or situation. Many of these investigations are similar to those in some FOSS modules. By acquiring the appropriate SAVI/SELPH measurement equipment and reviewing the SAVI/SELPH folio for suggestions on accommodating students with disabilities, these investigations will work well in the mainstreamed classroom.

Each SAVI/SELPH folio includes the following sections:

Overview: A brief synopsis of the investigation.
Background: Information about the science concepts of the investigation for the teacher.
Purpose: Specific objectives of the investigation.
Materials: A list of equipment needed for the activity.
Anticipating: What the teacher must do to prepare for the investigation; prerequisite skills or activities needed by the students.
Doing the Activity: The step-by-step lesson plan.
Follow-Up: An evaluation activity done immediately after the main investigation.
Going Further: Extensions for the investigation.
Language Development: Suggested communication skills activities related to the science investigation.
General Application Skills: Everyday application of skills and science concepts developed in the investigation.

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SAVI/SELPH program materials can be ordered from the Center for Multisensory Learning at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Call 510-642-8941 or fax 510-642-7387 for more information.

SAVI/SELPH Order Form (pdf)
You will need Acrobat Reader (a free download is available from http://www.adobe.com) to open the form.

For equipment line items, see pages 3 and 4 of the SAVI/SELPH order form.

SAVI/SELPH MODULES:

Communication
Environmental Energy
Environments
Kitchen Interactions
Magnetism and Electricity
Measurement
Mixtures and Solutions
Scientific Reasoning
Structures of Life

C O M M U N I C A T I O N

This module contains four activities dealing with the physics of sound. The specific goals include: sharpening students' sound discrimination skills, helping youngsters become familiar with sound sources, sound receivers, and sound amplification, introducing the concept of pitch and bringing youngsters to an understanding of the relationship between vibration and sound. A companion video is also available.

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E N V I R O N M E N T A L E N E R G Y

In this module of four activities, youngsters construct solar water heaters and pinwheels to collect environmental energy from the sun and wind. A companion video is also available.

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E N V I R O N M E N T S

The four activities in this module introduce the concept of environment. During the course of their investigations, students find that different organisms require different types of environments, and that a suitable environment fosters growth and survival.

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K I T C H E N I N T E R A C T I O N S

The four activities in this module provide experiences with common household substances: baking soda, yeast, lemons, salt and cookies. These somewhat higher-level activities call upon several techniques and tools introduced in other SAVI/SELPH modules, e.g. controlled experimentation and metric measurement. A companion video is also available.

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M A G N E T I S M A N D E L E C T R I C I T Y

The four activities in this module provide students with the basic concepts of magnetic attraction and repulsion, circuit, insulator, conductor and electromagnetism. These concepts are integrated as the students build a telegraph and send coded messages. A companion video is also available.

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M E A S U R E M E N T

This module contains four activities that introduce youngsters to standard metric measurement. They use a variety of specially developed tools that not only permit easy measurements but also help to stimulate the development of manipulative skills.

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M I X T U R E S A N D S O L U T I O N S

This module contains four activities that introduce students to fundamental concepts of chemistry: mixture, solution, concentration, saturation, and evaporation. These activities also foster growth in manipulative skills (e.g. measuring, transferring, and filtering), organizational ability and observational skills. A companion video is also available.

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S C I E N T I F I C R E A S O N I N G

The five activities in this module help students make observations and process information. These activities develop the concepts of variable and controlled experimentation. A companion video is also available.

S T R U C T U R E S O F L I F E

The primary goal in this module of seven activities is to provide experiences with both plants and animals and to help students learn something about the organisms they explore. The two major concepts that students explore in this module are growth and behavior.

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