If you’re looking for a way to make test review more exciting—or you just want to inject a little energy into your classroom—Zap games are a total game-changer.
I use Zap games regularly in my middle school science classroom, and they never disappoint. My students are engaged, cheering each other on, and best of all—they’re reviewing essential content without even realizing how much they’re learning.
So what is a Zap game, and how does it work? Let me break it down for you.
What Is a Zap Game?
Zap is a PowerPoint-based review game that works best when played in teams. The gameboard contains 64 clickable buttons, each linking to a slide that contains either a review question or a special action. The objective? Answer questions correctly and collect the most popsicle sticks by the end of the game!
Zap is fast-paced, unpredictable, and totally classroom-friendly. You don’t need fancy materials—just a projector and something to use as a scoring token (I use popsicle sticks, but paperclips or tally marks on the board work too!).
How to play a Zap game:
Divide your class into teams — as many as you’d like, though 3–6 tends to work best.
Display the PowerPoint gameboard with 64 numbered buttons.
Team 1 picks a number, and you click that number to reveal a question.
The team answers the question. If they’re right, they earn a popsicle stick.
If they’re wrong, the next team gets a chance to steal the point.
After each turn, click “Return to Gameboard” to go back and choose another number. The number that was already played will be darkened so it’s not chosen again.
The Twist: Special Slides
Not every slide is a question! Some are “Zap” actions—and this is where things get interesting. These slides might say:
Zap – Return all your popsicle sticks to the teacher (ouch).
Steal One / Steal Two – Take 1 or 2 sticks from another team of your choice.
Give One / Give Two – Give away 1 or 2 of your sticks to another team.
Lose a Turn – Skip your next turn.
Pick a Player – Choose a player from another team to join yours!
These slides add an element of strategy and chance that keeps students on their toes and the game unpredictable.
When to Use Zap
Zap is perfect for:
Unit reviews
End-of-week content refreshers
Test prep
Early finisher challenges
Sub plans (with a little prep!)
You can find a few pre-made Zap games on topics like DNA, the rock cycle, ecosystems, and more here.
What do the Loch Ness Monster, crop circles, and aliens have in common? They’re all mysteries that capture the imagination—and they’re perfect for helping middle schoolers learn how to think like scientists.
If you’re looking for a way to bring engagement and rigor together in your classroom, my free Fact or Fiction activity might be just what you need.
What Is CER, and Why Does It Matter?
CER stands for Claim – Evidence – Reasoning, and it’s a framework students use to explain scientific phenomena clearly and logically. Instead of just giving an answer, students are taught to:
Make a Claim: A statement or conclusion that answers a question.
Support it with Evidence: Scientific data that backs up the claim.
Add Reasoning: A justification that connects the evidence to the claim using scientific principles.
In other words, CER helps students move beyond “just guessing” or “picking the answer they like” to thinking critically, evaluating sources, and defending their ideas using real science.
And let’s face it—middle school is the perfect time to build those habits. Students are naturally curious (and sometimes skeptical), which makes them ideal detectives for separating science from myth.
Introducing: Fact or Fiction – A CER Activity Disguised as a Mystery Investigation
In this free 3-part resource, students become scientific investigators as they explore a mystery of their choice—like the Nazca Lines, Atlantis, or even the Chupacabra. Their job? Research both sides of the mystery, evaluate the evidence, and make a claim about whether it’s fact or fiction.
This activity is flexible enough to be used as an individual project, partner activity, or whole-class discussion, and it integrates perfectly into units on the scientific method, media literacy, or research skills.
Here’s what’s included:
✅ Complete directions to guide students through the CER process ✅ A list of suggested mysteries for students to select from ✅ A suggested rubric to score student projects
Why Teachers Love It:
💬 “My students were so into this. I’ve never seen them so invested in citing evidence.” 💬 “The CER format made it feel like a science lesson, even though they were talking about Bigfoot!” 💬 “Great for early finishers, extension projects, or end-of-unit review!”
Want to Try It Out?
This 2 page activity is totally free and designed to make your life easier while helping students build real science skills.
Bring some critical thinking—and a little mystery—into your classroom!
If you teach middle school science, you know that mutations and natural selection can feel a little abstract at first. Students may understand what a mutation is, but connecting that idea to survival, reproduction, and real-world organisms? That takes a little more thinking—and a lot more creativity.
That’s why I created the “Design a Mutant” worksheet—a free, two-page activity that helps students visualize how beneficial, harmful, and neutral mutations work in real organisms.
And did I mention? They get to invent their own mutant. 🧬🎨
What Is the “Design a Mutant” Activity?
In this printable worksheet, students choose a plant or animal they already know—like a rose bush, squirrel, or goldfish. Then they imagine three different mutations:
🟢 A beneficial mutation that helps the organism survive and reproduce
🔴 A harmful mutation that makes survival harder
⚪ A neutral mutation that doesn’t change the organism’s survival chances
On the second page, students draw the organism with its three mutations and label each one. Finally, they think one step further: What if the environment changes? How would their mutations help or hurt the organism then?
In just two pages, they connect mutations, traits, survival, reproduction, and natural selection—all while thinking creatively and applying what they’ve learned.
Why Teachers Love It
“My students had SO much fun drawing their mutants. One made a cactus with wings. Another gave a turtle the ability to change colors like a chameleon!” “It really helped solidify the difference between beneficial, harmful, and neutral mutations—and I could clearly see who understood the concepts.”
Teachers love this activity because it:
Makes mutations and natural selection visual and personal
Encourages creative thinking and problem solving
Is low prep—just print and go
Works well for review, sub plans, or end-of-unit assessments
Aligned & Ready to Use
The “Design a Mutant” worksheet aligns with NGSS MS-LS4-4 and MS-LS4-6, focusing on the roles of genetic variation and environmental change in natural selection. It’s ideal for grades 6–8, but could be used for enrichment or support in other grades too.
Want to Try It? It’s Free!
You can grab the full 2-page worksheet (plus teacher instructions) for free! Just click below, and I’ll send it straight to your inbox.
Looking Ahead?
If your students enjoyed designing mutants, you might be heading into adaptations, fossils, or artificial selection next. I’ve got some fun, ready-to-go resources for those units too—stay tuned!
As middle school science educators, we strive to inspire curiosity and show students how scientific breakthroughs often come from unexpected places. In this featured video from the Great Astronomers Series, we meet Henrietta Swan Leavitt, the pioneering astronomer whose discovery of the period-luminosity relationship in Cepheid variable stars helped astronomers gauge the size of our universe.
Leavitt’s work transformed how we understand distances in space—yet her story remains less recognized than those of her male counterparts. This video offers a fascinating glimpse into her contributions through clear narration and visuals perfect for the classroom.
Why you should watch—and share—this video:
It presents historical science through a relatable lens, engaging for middle schoolers.
It highlights the often-overlooked achievements of a female scientist, supporting diversity in STEM teaching.
It adds rich context to lessons on astronomy, light, and scientific history.
Classroom Ideas for Teaching Henrietta Swan Leavitt’s Story
1. Quick Pre-Video EngagementPrediction Prompt: On the board, write: “What do you think it means to ‘measure the universe’?” Have students jot down ideas before watching. Revisit after the video to see how their understanding changed. 2. Hidden Figures in Science: Show a list of famous astronomers (Galileo, Hubble, Newton) and ask which ones they’ve heard of. Then introduce Henrietta Swan Leavitt as someone equally important but less known. 3. During-Video Note-Taking and Post Video Discussion Questions Click here to download a copy of a worksheet your students can use while they’re watching the video. 4. Hands-On Science Tie-In Star Distance Model: Have students use a simple light bulb (as a star) and a lux meter or phone app to see how brightness changes with distance. Relate this to Leavitt’s work on Cepheid variable stars. Light Curve Activity: Provide sample light curve graphs for Cepheid variables and have students measure the period, then discuss how it relates to brightness.
Henrietta Swan Leavitt’s meticulous work measuring the brightness of Cepheid variable stars may not have made front-page headlines in her lifetime, but it laid the foundation for one of astronomy’s most important breakthroughs—understanding the true scale of the universe. Sharing her story not only enriches your astronomy lessons, it also reminds students that scientific discovery is built on the dedication and insight of many minds, not just the ones in our textbooks.
The next time you teach about stars, light, or the history of astronomy, consider introducing your students to Henrietta. Her story is an inspiring example of how careful observation, perseverance, and a passion for discovery can change our understanding of the cosmos.
Embed this video in your next astronomy lesson, use the classroom ideas above, and help your students discover the hidden heroes of science. If you try these activities, share your experience in the comments below—or pass this post along to another teacher who could use it in their classroom. Let’s keep shining a light on the scientists whose brilliance deserves to be remembered.
The first day of school doesn’t have to be awkward, boring, or full of endless icebreakers your students have done a dozen times before.
If you’re like most middle school teachers, you want something quick, low-prep, and meaningful—something that sets the tone for your classroom without overwhelming you or your students.
That’s why I’m sharing two of my favorite first-day activities that I use every year—and you can grab them both for free!
📱 Activity #1: Social Media Hashtags — Get to Know Your Students in Their Language
Middle schoolers love to talk about themselves, but sometimes they need a structure to help them express who they are. This activity invites students to create three hashtags that represent their personality, interests, or identity—just like they would on social media.
Whether it’s #GamerGirl, #FutureVet, or #AlwaysHungry, students can be as playful or thoughtful as they like.
✅ Why it works:
It’s quick and fun
Students can share without being put on the spot
You’ll get a feel for your class’s tone, humor, and interests
❤️ Activity #2: What Matters to Me — A Window Into Student Priorities
This reflective worksheet helps students communicate what’s important to them—family, friends, hobbies, goals, or even fears—without writing a full essay.
It gives you valuable insight into your students’ worldviews while creating a classroom culture rooted in empathy and connection.
✅ Why it works:
Encourages self-reflection and meaningful conversation
Helps build relationships from day one
Provides writing or discussion prompts for later in the week
You can assign one on paper and one digitally. Use them as morning work, early-finisher activities, or pair-share discussions. They work great in homeroom, ELA, advisory, or science (that’s where I use them!).
Either way, they help create a space where students feel seen, valued, and safe—and that’s what the first day should really be about.
Want More First Week Ideas?
I’ve got plenty of other easy ways to make the first week of school smooth, fun, and low-stress—especially for science teachers. Stay tuned, or join my email list to get fresh ideas and resources in your inbox every week (all $5 or less!).
Some standards just don’t sparkle—until you make them! Students who are enjoying themselves are far more likely to learn and remember what you’re teaching. Here are some tips on how to make science lessons fun!
I think different standards and interesting to different people. For some people, earth science (the rock cycle) is dull, but other people love the rock cycle. I was bored with relative and absolute dating until I figured out how to make it fun, and now it’s a perennial favorite with my students. Physical properties of matter are another often complained about standard, but the right activities can make it fun. In other words, it’s not the content that’s boring, it’s the activities your students are completing to learn to the content.
I’m not pretending that my students would prefer to be in science class rather than playing video games or hanging with their friends. Believe me, it’s not a confetti and balloon party every day. I’m just suggesting that teachers have the power to select activities that make kids say, “This isn’t so bad.” And maybe, if you can engage them, they’ll be more likely to learn and remember the content.
#1 – Why it matters
While making the concepts relevant won’t be “fun,” it does help engage your students. When students understand how today’s lesson is important to their lives or to the bigger picture, they’re more likely to pay attention.
What does this look like? When you’re introducing a lesson, start with a bellringer that introduces a phenomenon or a problem students must solve – “What shape is a flame in zero gravity?” or “Count how many times you can fold this paper.” Ask them a question to connect with real life – “Have you ever been stung by a bee?” or “Did you watch the news report about the earthquake last week?”
#2 – Add Mystery
Curious students are active and engaged students. Try puzzles or mysteries that students must solve. While they’re solving the mystery, they’ll uncover clues that will help them understand a larger concept.
What does this look like? Case studies of environmental disasters can lead to deep understanding of acid rain or climate change. Mini crime scenes can be used for many concepts such as blood typing (whodunit?), physical properties (what is the mystery powder?), Use inquiry-based setups or phenomena to introduce the topic. invasive species (what caused the collapse of the ecosystem?), extrapolation of data (when did the ice cube start melting?), seismic waves (where did the earthquake start?), geologic time (did humans live at the same time as dinosaurs?).
Another great way to add mystery is by creating an escape room. Using Breakout or escape rooms in the classroom, students are immediately curious and they use problem-solving skills as they make mistakes but keep trying.
#3 – Add movement.
Any time students can get up out of their seats and move around the classroom makes it more fun for them. Not only do they get a change of scenery, they get some oxygen in their brains and a small brain break.
Try a scavenger hunt around the room. Hang clues around the room and have students solve riddles using the clues.
Try a gallery walk with images or graphs around the room that students need to use to solve a puzzle.
Try stations. As students travel around the room, they engage with different activities or texts to learn about a topic.
Play charades by having students act out vocabulary terms for a quick brain break.
Play 4 corners. Label each of the corners of your classroom with the letters A through D and then ask a multiple choice question, asking students to move to the correct corner.
Allow students to walk and talk instead of think-pair-share. Pair them up and let them walk around the room explaining a concept to each other.
#4 – Make it a game.
A little friendly competition boosts buy in. Gamify vocabulary with Bingo, Kahoot, or Taboo. Modify board games from home by using science concepts to take a turn instead of rolling dice.
I use prizes like inexpensive tokens – lollipops or fancy pencils, but free prizes like “choose your own seat for a day” work just as well. Even better, let students “level up” in mastery with a badge or tracker system.
Why does this work? Activities that are appropriately challenging without being too difficult are more engaging for students in much the same way that playing slot machines is engaging – you’re never quite sure if this time is going to get you the prize.
#5 – Integrate Art or Storytelling
Creating something not only helps make science lessons fun, it also helps concepts “stick” with students. Have students create comics, songs, or posters about a concept.
Some examples: “Write a diary entry from the point of view of a water molecule in the water cycle.” I had great success with an activity in which students used climate change graphs to illustrate a climate change concept. Students also had a great time making green screen videos to demonstrate their understanding of the nitrogen , carbon , and water cycles.
#6 – Borrow a Theme
When in Doubt, Add a Costume or Holiday. This makes it feel like a party even though it’s just science class.
What does this look like? To teach dichotomous keys last year, (and celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws), I played the Jaws theme and flew a helium filled shark balloon around the classroom. For Halloween, we learned to graph zombie populations and practiced the scientific method by trying to create a recipe for fake blood. At Thanksgiving, we created menus using all of the states of matter.
The Content Isn’t Boring—It Just Needs a Spark
You don’t have to overhaul everything to make science lessons fun —just tweak the delivery. For middle schoolers (and probably for all humans), joy translates into memory. The more fun it is, the more it sticks.
Download this lesson plan organizer to help you brainstorm ways to kick it up a notch!
If you’re a middle school science teacher, you know the struggle: you want your students to practice key content and get immediate feedback… but you don’t have time to grade every single worksheet. Sound familiar? Teaching middle school Earth science can be incredibly rewarding—but let’s be honest, it can also mean piles of worksheets and hours of grading. If you’re looking for an engaging, no-prep, and standards-aligned way to reinforce science content without burning out, you’re going to love this.
Each worksheet in this bundle is built in Google Sheets and designed to automatically highlight correct and incorrect answers as students type. If they enter the wrong answer, the cell stays red. When they get it right, it turns green. It’s like having a digital assistant that checks their work as they go—no grading needed from you. tudents know right away whether they’re on the right track, and you don’t have to lift a red pen.
Each worksheet covers a different Earth science concept aligned with NGSS middle school standards and designed to reinforce key vocabulary and content knowledge.
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
Slide1
🌎 What’s Included in the Earth Science Bundle?
This Earth science digital worksheet bundle includes 15 self-grading review sheets on the following topics:
The rock cycle
Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks
Plate tectonics and Earth’s layers
Continental drift and seafloor spreading
Volcanoes and earthquakes
Weathering, erosion, and deposition
Soil formation and types
Natural disasters and human impact
Fossils and geologic time
Whether you’re teaching Earth science as a standalone unit or integrating it into a broader curriculum, these worksheets are a great way to reinforce learning without adding to your grading pile.
These are perfect for:
Bellringers
Independent practice
Test prep
Homework
Emergency sub plans
Early finisher work
Because they’re digital and self-checking, you can assign them in Google Classroom with just a few clicks—no printing, no copying, and no grading!
🎁 Free Earth Science Self-Checking Worksheet – Try Before You Buy!
Curious to see what a self-checking worksheet looks like in action? I’ve got a free one ready for you to try. This freebie is a great way to introduce your students to digital practice with instant feedback. It also gives you a feel for how easy these are to assign and how much your students enjoy them.
Here’s what teachers say about using self-checking Google Sheets in their science classes:
✔️ Saves hours of grading ✔️ Increases student accountability ✔️ Reinforces vocabulary and science concepts ✔️ Perfect for 1:1 classrooms and blended learning ✔️ Engaging and visual format for middle schoolers
These worksheets aren’t just busywork—they’re a tool for active learning, retrieval practice, and error correction all in one.
🔗 Ready to Simplify Your Science Review?
If you’re teaching 6th, 7th, or 8th grade Earth science, this bundle is a must-have. It’s designed to reinforce content and save you time—all while keeping your students engaged.
Free Alternative Energy Resources for Your Middle School Science Classroom
If you’re teaching about climate change, energy resources, or human impact on the environment, then you know it can be tricky to find middle school science materials that are both engaging and easy to use. That’s why I’m sharing two of my favorite FREE resources that are classroom-tested, standards-aligned, and ready to go!
🌱 Free Alternative Energy Google Slides Presentation This ready-to-use slideshow introduces students to the basics of alternative energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass energy. It’s great for whole-group instruction, student-led research, or even as a review tool. 👉 Grab it here for free
📝 Free Alternative Energy Cloze Notes Pair the slideshow with these editable cloze notes to reinforce key concepts. Students fill in the blanks as they follow along, helping them focus and retain new vocabulary. Plus, it’s a super easy way to check for understanding. 👉 Download the cloze notes here
These free resources are just a sneak peek of what’s included in my full 3-Week Climate Change Unit for Middle School. This comprehensive unit is packed with:
✅ Step-by-step lesson plans ✅ Student-friendly readings ✅ Hands-on activities ✅ Editable Google Docs and Slides ✅ Assessments with answer keys
It’s designed to make teaching climate science easier—whether you’re new to the topic or just looking to refresh your materials. 👉 Check out the full unit here
Final Thoughts
Teaching about climate change and energy can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With a few solid resources (and a little planning), you can make this unit one of the most meaningful and memorable parts of your year.
And remember—these two alternative energy resources are totally free, and they’re a great starting point for any teacher looking to bring real-world science into the classroom.
If you’ve used them with your students, I’d love to hear how it went! Drop a comment or tag me on social media.
🌎 Let’s help the next generation understand and protect our planet—one lesson at a time.
That lab day when 8 beakers broke during first block. The crystal growing solution that spilled into the nooks and crannies of your keyboard. The student who took the dissected frog home to feed his dog. The directions you repeated forty, fifty, sixty times. We’ve all had those days.
Of course I want my students to do labs. Not only are they the most fun part of science, they’re also the best way for students to understand a concept. Labs also give students an opportunity to practice skills like data collection, collaboration, and communication – although some days, the only skill they practice is carrying a graduated cylinder without dropping it.
But lab days are exhausting! I teach with a rotating drop schedule, so there are weeks when every day is a lab day for at least one class. Classroom management is at least two notches more difficult, and set up and clean up occupy all of my prep time. Then, as a reward, I get a stack of lab reports to read.
Fear not! I’ve got a set of practical systems that won’t guarantee success, but will help you keep your cool and get through lab days with as little chaos as possible.
1. 🔍 Prep Like a Pro
Know Your Supplies, Space, and Students
Keep a master checklist for common supplies (beakers, vinegar, goggles, etc.).
Color-code or bin supplies by group to speed up setup and cleanup.
Have students preview instructions or watch a demo the day before.
Store materials by content – The five large cabinets in the back of my room are for earth science, physical science, life science, environmental science and measurement.
Label everything in your storage room or cabinets.
Bonus Tip: Prep one or two extra station kits—there’s always a spill or missing piece!
2. 👩🔬 Lab Groups That Work
Assign Smarter, Not Harder
Use role cards: Materials Manager, Data Recorder, Cleanup Crew, etc.
Rotate roles each lab so no one is “just watching.”
Assign groups intentionally—balance personalities and skills. Pairing a higher level student with a lower level student helps them both, although in different ways. Pairing a student who is very good at writing with a student who is strong in math helps them both. In some situations, it makes sense to put the strong students together to tier the lab activity.
Use your bulletin board space for a anchor chart on lab roles. Make the vocabulary of lab roles part of the vernacular in your classroom.
Let students have choice – either who they work with or what their role is – at least until they make bad choices.
3. 📝 Streamline Instructions
Say It Once, Show It Twice
Print and distribute directions for each student.
Use your projector or Smart Board to show visual directions (photos, diagrams, step-by-steps).
Demo each step of the lab or the entire lab before students begin.
Pro Tip: Let early finishers help others without doing it for them.
4. ⏳ Behavior Management
Establish rules and consequences
Set expectations before the lab starts. Go over rules like “no horseplay,” “ask before touching,” and “no eating/drinking” before anyone touches a single test tube.
Model correct behavior. Physically walk through how to carry glassware, measure liquids, and clean up safely—middle schoolers need to see it.
Enforce consequences consistently. If you say a student will sit out the rest of the lab for misbehavior, follow through. Every time.
Keep materials at your command center and only release supplies when you’re ready—no free-for-alls. This is particularly important when the materials are super fun (vinegar and baking soda….).
5. ⏳ Time-Saving Systems
Get In, Get Done, Get Clean
Use timers at each station to keep things moving.
Teach (and rehearse) cleanup expectations like a mini fire drill.
Set up a “Lab Help” signal (like red/yellow/green cups or laminated signs).
6. ✅ Grading Without Losing Your Weekend
Less Paper, More Learning
Use quick lab exit tickets instead of full lab reports.
Use rubrics for lab reports. Rubrics can help you save time grading by providing a checklist of criteria.
Skim lab reports instead of poring over every word and mark the rubric as you go.
Limit the length of the assignments. “Write 70-100 words to answer this question…”
Remember your job is to grade, not to edit. In science, I grade students on the quality of their answers, not on their writing ability. I may circle misspelled words or grammar, but I don’t belabor it.
If you’re grading digitally, keep a file of commonly used comments. For all written assignments or lab reports, I compose a doc for myself that contains the comments I anticipate using. “Use your data to support your conclusion,” is one I use a lot!
You Can Love Lab Days Again
Using a few key systems, lab day can run smoothly and you can enjoy them as much as the kids do. Let your first lab in September be a “how to do labs” experience, and then reinforce the routine every time. They’ll be humming along by winter 🙂
I was about 2 days into my geologic time unit when I put up this human history timeline on the window of my classroom. It was a great focal point for the geologic time and natural selection units this year.
For weeks, I referred to the human history time line. Now that we’re in the natural selection unit, I have used this time line as the focal point for so many references.
Introducing Natural Selection – I used the human evolution time line to show how human traits (like brain size, bipedalism, or tool use) evolved gradually through selection pressures.
Variation in Traits – Use the time line to point out the differences between species like Australopithecus afarensis and Homo erectus to discuss how variation is essential for natural selection to act.
Survival of the Fittest – Use examples from the timeline to explain how certain traits helped early humans survive in changing environments.
Adaptation Over Time – Highlight how traits like opposable thumbs or the ability to speak were advantageous, helping early humans adapt to their environments.
Extinction of Other Hominins – Refer to species like Neanderthals to explore why some lineages didn’t survive.
Environmental Pressures – Show how climate changes or migration events influenced evolutionary changes in humans.
Common Ancestors – Use the timeline to illustrate how all humans share a common ancestor with other primates, reinforcing the tree of life concept.
Misconceptions About Evolution – Point to the gradual changes in species to debunk the idea that humans evolved “from” monkeys.
Homologous Structures – Compare the features of related species to demonstrate that they have a common ancestor.
Molecular Biology –Using modern DNA technology, we can see how much Neanderthal DNA individuals have. The number of similarities is inversely proportional to the time of divergence from Neanderthals.
Having a focal point like this human history timeline has been a point of reference for weeks, leading us through two big units of study and bringing us toward ecosystems.
