A Problem Based Learning Activity is an open ended challenge that asks students to solve a problem or create a product incorporating skills or content they have mastered. Alternately, the PBL can be used to introduce skills or lead students to discover content on their own. Problem based learning is student centered learning which increasesContinue reading “Problem Based Learning Ideas for Middle School Science”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Halloween Science
Middle school classrooms are scary places……especially on Halloween. Here are 3 activities to keep your ghouls entertained. SPIDERS! – This week long mini unit explores the characteristics and classification of spiders. Each day includes complete lesson plans and everything you need to implement the lesson. Day 1 – spider fact or fiction, spider anatomy DayContinue reading “Halloween Science”
Using Phenomena to address NGSS and engage students
What are phenomena? The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) define phenomena as observable events or occurrences that can be investigated scientifically. Phenomena serve as the foundation for engaging students in the process of scientific inquiry and understanding key scientific concepts. These phenomena can be natural or man-made and can range from simple to complex, spanningContinue reading “Using Phenomena to address NGSS and engage students”
Twitter Professional Development
This is a lonely profession, even without a pandemic. Teachers who have a professional learning community to plan lessons, bounce ideas off, and review strategies are lucky but most of us labor alone at our desks. But there’s a vibrant community of teachers online that you can access around the clock for help on quiteContinue reading “Twitter Professional Development”
Advanced Boom Cards
If you’ve been playing with Boom cards a little while, you probably have seen some decks that use a drag and drop feature. It’s a little more interesting for students than the simple multiple choice questions so today let’s take a look at how to create a drag and drop question. Drag and drop featuresContinue reading “Advanced Boom Cards”
Healthy School Lunches
It’s that time of year again. Here are the recipes making their way into my lunch rotation: Salad. Gets boring fast. I try to add something special – feta cheese or pecans (or both) so that every day isn’t the same. Burrito Bowl – Technically a salad, I suppose. Stack scoops of guacamole, beans, corn,Continue reading “Healthy School Lunches”
Back To School Night
What are parents looking for when they come to your (in person or virtual) back to school night? Our administrators think parents are looking for concrete information on how you will be assessing and grading their children and what specific content you will be covering. Sure, they want that. But what parents really want isContinue reading “Back To School Night”
Boom Card Basics
Boom Cards are digital, self-grading flashcards that students use to review a skill.They are easy to create, easy to assign, and easy for students to use. Since they are digital, they can be used for in person learning and distance learning. In order to use Boom Cards, there are the following system requirements: To useContinue reading “Boom Card Basics”
Simple Machines
A simple machines unit is a great one to teach using a constructivist approach. With some hands on experimentation, students can see the impact that using a lever or inclined plane has on work. Direct instruction to incorporate vocabulary supplements the observations students have made and allows them to draw conclusions about how simple machinesContinue reading “Simple Machines”
Strategies to Teach and Reinforce Vocabulary
Teaching science is a lot like teaching a new language. Good pedagogy and engaging, relevant hands on activities can help students understand concepts, but the vocabulary often remains elusive. Here are five strategies to teach and reinforce science vocabulary: