Genetics Unit Plans A genetics unit spans Mendel to Watson and Crick and, in middle school, the focus is on variations. Students learn what causes variations and how they are passed on to offspring. Here are 10 resources to implement in your genetics unit plans: Genetics Interactive Notes -Genetics Interactive slides including Mendel, simple dominance,Continue reading “Genetics Unit Plans”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Clear out your wish lists!
There’s a big sale this week. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been bookmarking and Wish-listing all of those resources on TeachersPayTeachers that you want to use in the last few months of the school year. I know I wish list bigger bundles and save them for the 25% off sale for really big savings!Continue reading “Clear out your wish lists!”
History of Remote Learning
There isn’t a school is the world that hasn’t been affected by the pandemic. Many have had to close for at least some time, and some schools haven’t reopened even now, more than a year into it. Most teachers I know are working in some weird hybrid situation – some students in person and someContinue reading “History of Remote Learning”
Density Activities for Middle School Science Students
Middle school students need to understand density and also need to be able to use the formulas to calculate density, mass, and volume. Here are some activities to help build depth to your density unit. Start with a phenomenon. An easy one is a latex balloon filled with helium and another balloon filled with air.Continue reading “Density Activities for Middle School Science Students”
Weird Mating Rituals
Natural selection is amazing. It lets favorable traits appear in the next generation and removes unfavorable traits. Some animals have developed weird mating rituals that helps them find the best partner. Here are two animals that build and decorate elaborate structures to attract a mate. ‘The bowerbird The bowerbird is an Australian bird. To attractContinue reading “Weird Mating Rituals”
Groundhog Day
Why Groundhogs? Groundhog Day is February 2. Every year, a groundhog named Phil is pulled out of his hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. His official name is Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary. If he sees his shadow, legend says, we’ll have six more weeks of winter. Continue reading “Groundhog Day”
How do you give notes?
Teaching with the NGSS means that much of the content is explored rather than lectured, but there are times when you have to present vocabulary, concepts, or history in a lecture style. I tend to do this for less than 5-10 minutes at a time, but nonetheless, there are times when I “give notes” likeContinue reading “How do you give notes?”
Educators have a seat at the table
The First Lady has some words of encouragement for all of us. We’re a bruised bunch of educators now. Ten months of criticism from the public – we’re not doing enough, why aren’t we doing this or that – and I’m exhausted from it. I avoid social media because parents hate teachers now,Continue reading “Educators have a seat at the table”
Create your own Digital Escape Activity
Using games, and especially escape activities in the classroom is a great way to boost engagement which, in turn, boosts comprehension and retention. Create your own Digital Escape Activity for your middle school science classroom using this free template! Have you tried my free Weather Vocabulary Escape Activity yet? A simple way to make aContinue reading “Create your own Digital Escape Activity”
Digital Brain Breaks
Give me a break! At the very least, give your students a break – a digital brain break can give students an opportunity to recharge and refresh and hopefully come back ready to go. Brain breaks help boost productivity and increase motivation. In a classroom, brain breaks often give students a chance to talk withContinue reading “Digital Brain Breaks”