Here’s a great way to engage students in science during the day or two before the holiday with a science of Thanksgiving themed jigsaw activity or escape room. To play as a Jigsaw: Divide students into groups and have each group research a different aspect of Thanksgiving and how it relates to science. Here areContinue reading “The Science of Thanksgiving”
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Do You Sneeze at the Sun?
Do you sneeze at the Sun? You may have a genetic condition known as Achoo Syndrome. Really. Sneezing when you look at the Sun, or sometimes any bright light, is called a photic sneeze reflex. The reflex is known as Achoo Syndrome, an anagram of “autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst.” It is triggered by aContinue reading “Do You Sneeze at the Sun?”
8 Things you didn’t know about Spiders
Are you afraid of spiders? Is it the 8 legs? The sticky web? The antennae? The 6-8 eyes? Here are 8 things you didn’t know about spiders. I bet your students didn’t know them either. Spiders have either 6 or 8 eyes. The pattern of the eyes varies among the different species of spiders. Most spiders don’tContinue reading “8 Things you didn’t know about Spiders”
8 things you probably didn’t know about vampire bats
At Halloween time, or any time, students are fascinated by vampire bats. Maybe it’s because vampire bats seem so scary and dangerous. But here are 8 facts you, and your students, probably didn’t know about vampire bats. I bet they’ll love learning about them. There are 3 species of vampire bats, all living in CentralContinue reading “8 things you probably didn’t know about vampire bats”
Starting a compost pile
Autumn is the best time to start a compost bin. First, when you make a compost pile in the autumn, you get a quick start on your compost with leaves which decompose quickly. Secondly, if you compost now, you’ll have beautiful black gold (that’s what my mother, the most amazing gardener I know, calls it)Continue reading “Starting a compost pile”
Solar System Picture Reveal Digital Worksheet
Students are intrinsically curious about the solar system and love learning about it, but everyone could use a little practice learning the facts of the planets. How are you making it more engaging for students, especially during this rollercoaster of face-to-face, hybrid, remote learning? Magic Picture Reveal worksheets are a great way to engage studentsContinue reading “Solar System Picture Reveal Digital Worksheet”
Simple Machines Magic Picture Reveal Digital Worksheet
Any time you can make learning and reviewing vocabulary fun, do it! Magic Picture Reveal worksheets are a great way to engage students and reward them for learning their vocabulary. And now that we’re all on some rollercoaster of face-to-face, hybrid, and remote learning, any time you can make it digital, do it! Here’s theContinue reading “Simple Machines Magic Picture Reveal Digital Worksheet”
Teaching Genetics and Punnett Squares
Kids love genetics and Punnett squares, and teachers love teaching it. Here are some genetics and Punnett square activities that are low prep and no-prep! When I present new material, I often use a slideshow. Since we started distance learning, I’ve been using hyperdocs and interactive notebooks to accompany my slideshows. Phenotype/genotype activities. Create aContinue reading “Teaching Genetics and Punnett Squares”
Magic Picture Reveal Digital Worksheets
Any time you can make learning and reviewing vocabulary fun, do it! Magic Picture Reveal worksheets are a great way to engage students and reward them for learning their vocabulary. And now that we’re all on some rollercoaster of face-to-face, hybrid, and remote learning, any time you can make it digital, do it! Here’s aContinue reading “Magic Picture Reveal Digital Worksheets”
Autumn Weekends during a Pandemic
What’s the saying? “There ain’t no tired like teacher tired?” And now, “Ain’t no tired like pandemic teacher tired.” Here are my 10 favorite autumn weekend destressors. Fire in the chiminea. Add s’mores and cocoa/wine. Wrap yourself in a blanket if it’s cold. Invite the neighbors. Pumpkin/apple picking. This was stressful when the kids wereContinue reading “Autumn Weekends during a Pandemic”