Why teach Climate Change Why should we teach climate change in middle school science? I’m sure science teachers all over the world don’t need the answer to this question, but here are the top 2 reasons: Science is real. Climate deniers and conspiracy theorists have a very large megaphone and social media loves them. StudentsContinue reading “Climate Change Lesson Plans”
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10 Tips for better classroom management
Getting your certificate to teach middle school science requires two things: you have to know your science, and you have to know basic pedagogy. But there’s nothing in teacher preparation that helps new teachers learn how to manage a class. Classroom management is the number one aspect of the job that frustrates teachers the most,Continue reading “10 Tips for better classroom management”
How to play a 2 player digital racing game
You’ve probably seen the 2 player digital racing games on TpT. They’re kind of cool – two different students compete on the same worksheet to answer questions. For each question they get correct, a racecar (or hot air balloon or dump truck or whatever) or moves up the screen representing their progress. What are someContinue reading “How to play a 2 player digital racing game”
Teaching the Scientific Method
Every middle school science teacher I know starts every school year with the scientific method. We learn the steps, we analyze how they apply in various situations, and we move on. Even if we will be using CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) in lab reports, we are still teaching the scientific method at the beginning ofContinue reading “Teaching the Scientific Method”
Free Google Classroom Banner for Back To School!
Target has Back To School sales. I have started my pile of things to bring to school – flair pens, some new book ends, and fancy post its. Maybe you’re one of the schools that opened last week, or maybe, like me, you still have a few weeks left. Maybe you’re like me and haveContinue reading “Free Google Classroom Banner for Back To School!”
12 Strategies for Early Finishers
By default, I used to tell early finishers to review their work. Some teachers ask early finishers to help the slower students keep up. Sometimes early finishers get asked to do busy work around the classroom – organize the book shelf or wash the glassware. But now I use enrichment activities for my middle schoolContinue reading “12 Strategies for Early Finishers”
8 Getting to Know You Games that aren’t too cringy
Those first few days of middle school are awkward. New faces, new hormones, new anxieties. Middle schoolers grow up at different rates, and some reach social maturity a little earlier, making that awkwardness even more obvious. Your whole year will run more smoothly if your students break some ice right now. But kids find gettingContinue reading “8 Getting to Know You Games that aren’t too cringy”
A Week of Sharks in Middle School!
Jaws got us excited about sharks, but the Discovery Channel got us curious. Sharks are terrifying and majestic at the same time making them ideal for engaging middle schoolers. When I see something that middle schoolers find interesting, I pounce on it. Here’s the new unit I designed this year for A Week of Sharks!Continue reading “A Week of Sharks in Middle School!”
Tips for a Great Science Demo Lesson
I was interviewed in my current district over the summer vacation and they asked me to do a demo lesson. There were no students, just a bunch of administrators with clipboards. Where do you even begin to prepare for such a situation? Here are some tips for a great science demo lesson given the ridiculousContinue reading “Tips for a Great Science Demo Lesson”
Managing Burnout
This is not my first rodeo. This was my 33rd year in the classroom. And I can assure you that this was the hardest year of my career. Our last day of school was a last week. I literally sat on the couch for 2 solid days. I took naps and snacked. That’s all IContinue reading “Managing Burnout”