The lights go off. The movie starts. Someone immediately asks if they need to take notes. If you’ve ever shown a movie in class, you probably know the moment. Movie days can get a bad reputation, but I don’t think pressing play automatically means pressing pause on learning. A movie
You know that moment when you finish explaining a biology concept, ask whether everyone understands, and the entire class confidently nods? Then five minutes later, a student asks, “Wait…what does a cell membrane do again?” Biology includes so many processes students cannot directly see. They cannot watch DNA being copied,
Tools don’t usually change teaching. But every once in a while, a tool shows up that quietly rewires how you plan, communicate, assess, and even breathe during the school day. And suddenly you find yourself thinking: “How did I ever do this without this?” Not because it replaces good teaching,
If your science bell ringers feel like they’re falling flat, you’re not alone. You put them up every day. Students answer them (sometimes). But the energy in the room doesn’t really change. It still takes 10–15 minutes to “warm up” their thinking, and by then your lesson has already lost
Missed labs. They happen. A student is sick, a field trip runs long, someone forgets to set an alarm… and suddenly your carefully planned, hands-on lab feels like a logistical nightmare. But here’s the truth: missed labs don’t have to derail your class—or your sanity. Over the years, I’ve developed
Let’s face it—science classrooms can quickly turn into waste zones. From disposable plastics to stacks of unused paper, the environmental toll of our labs can be staggering. But as science educators, we hold a unique position to not only teach scientific concepts but to also lead by example, showing students
Every year, without fail, my students come into our human body systems unit thinking one of two things: And honestly? I get it. The human body is complex. It’s layered. Everything connects to everything else. And if we teach it as a list of vocabulary words and diagrams to memorize,
Let’s be honest—there are days when it feels like your students could not care less about science. You bring your best energy, you set up the coolest demo, and somehow…nothing lands. Blank stares. Shrugs. Maybe even a few “Is this for a grade?” questions. I’ve been there—many times. Over the
I’ll never forget the moment I realized I needed a better plan for early finishers. It was 7th period, and we’d just wrapped up a lab. Half the class was still testing, measuring, and debating results. The other half? Already done—and starting to test my patience instead. “Can I help
I’ll never forget the time I tried to explain the carbon cycle with nothing but arrows on the whiteboard. A few students nodded politely… but most were checked out. One was doodling, another staring at the ceiling, and one whispered, “This is too complicated.” Honestly? They weren’t wrong. Carbon is
Whether you’re prepping for your very first year teaching Earth Science (welcome to the club!) or you’ve been in the game for a while and need a fresh approach, I want to share some ideas, tools, and real talk that have helped me bring Earth Science to life—without burning out
Yes, you read that right. Stickers. I’ve worked in several schools over the years, and no matter the zip code, class size, or curriculum, one thing never changes: I’m the teacher with the stickers. You’ll find them tucked in my lesson plan book, on my desk, or peeking out of
