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
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
Welcome, Alyse! I’m so excited to welcome my friend Alyse as a guest blogger! She’s an incredibly creative and passionate science educator who always has amazing ideas to make teaching more engaging and effective. I know you’re going to love the insights she’s sharing in this post. Be sure to
We all know that since 2020 teaching has changed dramatically. The content has remained the same for the most part but the teaching approach and the learning process have fundamentally changed. It’s not just students who have changed, but teachers too! Therefore, new teaching strategies are necessary to help the
You know that moment when you’re in the middle of a new unit and you mention something from the last unit and see a sea of furrowed brows or tilted heads. Knowing as a teacher that what you just said was definitely covered in a science lesson, an activity, and
As teachers, we often talk about how to make lessons more relevant to our students. The goal is to make connections between any lesson and everyday life to increase student engagement while sharing knowledge and teaching skills. With Earth Science classes in middle school or high school, there are a
I used to teach science last period on Fridays. By the end of the week, students were already checked out—ready for the weekend—and honestly, so was I! One day, we were teaching about how to measure the angle of Polaris using the horizon, and I noticed most students were staring
Tell me if this sounds familiar… In my first year of teaching a student asked a question, and I did not have an answer. In that moment, I felt defeated. I didn’t realize that not knowing an answer is a teaching strategy. I beat myself up for a long time
Let’s hear it for love… of science… and Valentine’s Day! In my classroom, students were always aware of the days and weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. Tapping into that energy by integrating the day (or week) with science-focused lessons and activities can be a fun and educational way to
Let’s remember that the best learning experiences are often the most memorable. They transcend the boundaries of textbooks, allowing students to explore, question, and discover for themselves. These activities aren’t just about imparting knowledge; they’re about cultivating a spirit of inquiry that will last a lifetime. As educators, we understand
Do you recycle your Christmas tree? If your answer is “no,” fear not – you’re in the right place! The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving. As educators, we have a unique opportunity to instill the values of sustainability and environmental consciousness in our students. One
As the calendar turns to December, students (and teachers) invariably start to think about the holidays – both the dates of note on the calendar and the winter holidays that close out the year. If you’re looking to make it to your winter break without breaking your brain, then consider
