Throughout the school year, we as teachers focus on building relationships between teachers and students. These teacher-student relationships create an in-class dynamic that supports the social and academic development of students, and often makes the work in the classroom, especially for classroom management, easier. But as we close out a…
When the weather is nice, do you find your students (and yourself!) staring out the window and wishing you were outside rather than in the classroom? I absolutely do - so why not take the learning outside when you can? Outdoor learning doesn’t have to be a significant investment in…
What if I told you there was a tool you could use in science class that allows students to zoom in on their learning? No, not the microscope. That could heat up their chances to learn. No, not a bunsen burner. That using these could get students engaged, thinking independently…
In class, our focus is most often on content and meeting curriculum requirements. But just beyond that focus is the zone of learning skills such as student organization skills and time management skills. These aren’t often the most engaging aspects of what happens in the classroom but they are fundamental…
Are you looking for ways to incorporate more environmental education into your science classes that are engaging and linked to your curriculum? Want some activities to use for Earth Day on April 22 (or any time during the school year)? Check out these 10 Earth Day activities that are sure…
One of the delights of science classes in middle school and high school is when direct connections can be made to the world around us. And what is even better is when those connections can have a positive effect on the world (and our students too!). This is why teaching…
The start of any new course comes with excitement and a bit of trepidation about planning it all! I like to channel that excitement into planning so I can alleviate some stress. Maybe you’re like me and you like to map things out too. Having an overall plan means you’re…
A virtual field trip is a guided exploration to travel the globe and visit natural environments without leaving the classroom. These educational experiences allow students to explore sites from the present or past. And the best part is they are aligned with curriculum standards to meet your classroom expectations and needs.
Symbiotic relationships play an imperative role in the ecology unit. Learning how organisms interact with one another feels limitless and unbounded for our students. Have you noticed that the level of engagement in your class is enhanced when you discuss animals, their lifestyles and habitat choices? Sample the Niches, Habitats…
Teaching the reasons for seasons is often a difficult concept for our students to grasp. We can certainly feel the changes of the seasons here on Earth, but the causes behind those changes are not as easily "felt." Reasons for Seasons PowerPoint Presentation In my class, we take about one…
We have something incredible in common...We breathe the same air! What exactly is this air we breathe composed of? What does it mean to breathe "fresh" air? Does the air change in composition throughout different parts of the world? What about at different altitudes? What are the characteristics of the…
My relationship with lesson plans has been somewhat of a rollercoaster for more than a decade. I first learned about lesson plans in my education classes in college. My professors explained how lesson plans provide teachers with a framework and a sense of accountability to ensure they are walking into…
Our students often feel that they have little to no choice as soon as they enter the halls of school, and this is why student choice matters. This is especially the case with middle and high school-aged kiddos. There are expectations set forth by their parents, their teachers, their school…
How to interpret data is important for both students and teachers. Data analysis and interpretation are key components of any science class, especially when working with the scientific method. We teach our students to gather necessary information, to analyze all components of their findings, and to draw conclusions prior to…
As a classroom teacher, we make many decisions in a day. Formative assessments are assessments that are administered during the learning process to gather information about students' understanding, knowledge, and skills. They provide teachers with a way to monitor student progress and make informed instructional decisions. Formative assessments can come…
