Anatomy of a Vista

A vista is a unit of instruction prepared by Kindergarten through Grade 12 Texas science teachers. The vistas serve as models that demonstrate how the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science can be translated into the classroom and laboratory. Each vista is driven by an engaging context that consists of a set of cohesive lessons (a series of learning experiences) linked to an overall, prospective learning goal—the TEKS.

Each vista includes an introduction, several learning experiences, ongoing formative assessments, and a final student product (summative assessment) that synthesizes what the student knows and is able to do as a result of the vista experience.

A vista includes the following parts:

The Vista Title is an interest-building title that introduces the vista to the student.

The Overview is a statement that describes the general content of the vista.

The General Time Frame is an estimate or recommended time required to complete the vista. It is generally written in class periods or what may be reasonable for the grade level or course.

The Background Information for the teacher provides useful information that can enhance the teacher's understanding of the science concepts in the vista.

The Materials is a complete list of all the tools, equipment, and supplies needed to complete the vista.

The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills identifies the specific Knowledge and Skills statement(s) and Student Expectation(s) addressed in the vista.

The Correlations identifies corresponding standards found in the National Science Education Standards.

A Learning Experience is a lesson that is described in terms of:

  • what is to be learned;
  • what the student will be able to do with what is learned;
  • how students will demonstrate that they have learned; and
  • how the teacher will design the learning environment to optimize learning.

The following parts are found in each Learning Experience:

  • The Title is usually written as a descriptive statement.
  • The Description describes the learning experience and may include an instructional strategy connection.
  • The Time Frame is an estimate or recommended time required to complete the learning experience.
  • The Materials is a list of tools, equipment, and supplies that is necessary to complete the experience.
  • The Advance Preparation includes notes written specifically to the teacher regarding what needs to be done before the experience begins.
  • The Procedures are step-by-step instructions written in clear, concise language for the teacher to guide students to a successful completion of the learning experience.
  • The Formative Assessment is a description of how students can be assessed during and after the learning experience. Several formative assessments may appear in a single learning experience.

The Summative Assessment is a description of how students' new understanding(s) will be evaluated. The summative assessment should:

  • assess students' understanding of the TEKS identified in the vista,
  • relate directly to the learning experiences included in the vista, and
  • result in a student-produced learning product.