I had a proud teacher moment this February when I realized that I had trained my 8th graders to effectively complete Cornell Doodle Notes all on their own. I put the simple instructions on the screen to choose a scaffolded level of notes from the…
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Teaching Science
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Chemistry Resources Middle School NGSS Teaching Resources Teaching ScienceUsing Manipulatives to Teach Chemistry Concepts
How Can We Differentiate Complex Content for Our Various Learners? At the middle school level, it’s sometimes a great challenge to differentiate for various learning styles when you’re in the midst of a chemistry unit. Imagine learning about chemical bonding for the very first time.…
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Chemistry Resources Earth and Space Resources NGSS Teaching Resources Physics Resources Teaching ScienceEngaging the 5E Explore Phase with PhET Virtual Labs
A couple of years ago, I started writing my lesson plans using the 5E instructional model. IT WAS A GAME CHANGER! Something about scrapping those ‘old school’ teacher terms of “anticipatory set”, “input”, “independent practice”, etc. helped me to plan more fun and interesting lessons.…
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As an 8th grade science teacher, when Halloween time crept up in the Fall, I always wished that I had a fun, potions-themed, Halloween-esque science lab for my students. But with all the craziness of jumping into the school year, parent-teacher conferences, half-days, holidays, and…
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NGSS Teaching Resources Physics Resources Teaching ScienceHeat Stations to Warm Up Your Thermal Energy Unit!
What better way to learn about heat transfer than to experience it firsthand?! Basic thermodynamic concepts provide a fantastic foundation for students learning chemistry and physics. One of my favorite station labs of the year are my heat stations and the learning from these stations…
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Chemistry Resources NGSS Teaching Resources Physics Resources Teaching ScienceA Fun Mystery Puzzle to Add to Your Physical Science Class!
After I do the Gummy Bear Demo to pique their interest, I have found that this Mystery Solutions Puzzle is a great way to grab my students by their brains! I have used Flinn Scientific’s Mystery Solutions Activity for a few years, but this…
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Chemistry Resources Earth and Space Resources Life Science Resources NGSS Teaching Resources Physics Resources Teaching ScienceFree Websites for Finding NGSS Anchoring Phenomena
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) ask us as science teachers to provide anchoring phenomena, opportunities for real-world application of concepts, and flexibility to allow students to follow their own curiosities while learning science. They are asking us to learn with our students and to…
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Chemistry Resources NGSS Teaching Resources Teaching ScienceSniffing for Patterns : Connecting Chemistry and Smells
How important is the sense of smell? Your sense of smell guards you from eating rotten foods, conjures up memories from the past, gives you a stronger sense of place, helps you to find a mate, connects you with a newborn baby or a pet,…
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Earth and Space Resources NGSS Teaching Resources Teaching ScienceHow to Teach a Brief History of Space Exploration
When I was in elementary school I was obsessed with the idea of space and astronauts. I remember consistently requesting permission from my 4th grade teacher for my best friend and me to be allowed to go to the library for recess instead of out…
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Escape games in education are all the craze these days! They are part imaginary story, part scavenger hunt, part competition, and part rigorous content review (which the students usually don’t even notice!). If you need to review science content, try an escape game! Imagine awaking…
