You’ve taught all class period and it’s time for the end of day routine (for that class period)! Some days feel so hectic and rushed when packing up and cleaning up. Yet there are some that run a lot smoother. How do we make sure our end of day routine is a smooth and effective…
How do we make sure we are using science projects best practice when our students are working? How do we plan and prepare for science projects? And how do we manage those days when science projects are all over the classroom? In the first two blog posts in this series, I shared an overview of…
Lab days are so much fun and they’re even better when students follow science lab safety! How do we make sure students are engaged and following those important science lab safety rules? In the first two blog posts in this series, I shared an overview of routines and the beginning of class routines. We are…
Let’s take a closer look at different independent work ideas and the routines that students need to know and follow. This will help us as teachers be more intentional with the independent work we give our students. This is the fourth blog post in the Routines for Classroom Management in the Science Class Series. In…
There are many ways to take notes in class so our note-taking days do not have to be sit-and-get. This is the third blog post in the Routines for Classroom Management in the Science Class Series. In the first two blog posts in this series, I shared an overview of routines and the beginning of…
One way to get class started on the right foot is by giving your students science warm up activities. Not only does it free you to answer questions, collect papers, or take attendance, but more importantly, it gives students the review or curiosity their brains need. So let’s talk more about science warm up…
This is one of my favorite times of year- back to school- so I want to share some beginning year tips to get the year started right! I love the fresh start. New groups of kids. Planning those engaging lessons. All of it! So, let’s forget the overwhelm of the start of the year and…
The bell is about to ring and it’s almost the beginning of class. Your students are walking to your classroom. Do they know what to do when they get there? This is the first step in our routines for classroom management in the Science class series. How do we set up the beginning of class…
On any given day in Science class, you know that there are important routines for classroom management. But what are they, and how do we teach and use them when we are doing different activities? In this series, we will go over the different parts of our Science class (beginning, middle, and end) and…
Are you looking for ways to have convection currents explained to your students? You can show convection currents in several different ways. Let’s talk about a lab that demonstrates how convection currents work! In this post We are going to go over convection currents and when we teach them in Science class. I will also…
Here is a salinity and density experiment that demonstrates how differences in salinity are related to density without having to go to the poles to show students how salinity and density create deep ocean currents. . This lab also gets students guessing which water has the greatest salinity. In this post We will go over salinity…
Movement in the classroom benefits students and teachers! As Science teachers, we need to make sure our students move throughout our class period. Let’s explore how it benefits the brain and learning. You’ll also see how simple it is to incorporate movement into your day! In this post I will talk about why most classrooms…
I love setting goals and reaching them, and I like to teach my students how to start setting goals. I involve them in my goal setting and share my progress with them. This helps them see how they can do this too. Let’s get started! In this post We will talk about goal setting in…
It’s rare that we get to see our fellow teachers in their classrooms, so do you ever ask yourself, “How do teachers manage student behavior in their classroom?” There are several different management styles, and teachers have their own personalities. But the thing to remember is no matter how you manage your classroom, it’s important…
One way to offer students choice is by using choice boards in the classroom. Choice boards can be used with any Science unit, and for any group of students. When you offer activities based on student interest and the different intelligences, your students will be more motivated and may learn the material better than if…
As educators, we know how important it is for our students to learn and use vocabulary about Science. When students learn and practice new vocabulary words, it helps them in all areas in school, and in their lives. In This Post We will go over a few vocabulary teaching strategies to use during your Science…
Teaching middle school science is a lot of fun, and kids get excited when most of them finally get the answer to their question, “What is a science lab?” As teachers we need to make sure we are managing it so students are safe, engaged, and learning. Oh, and so we are not stressed too. In…
If you’re anything like me, you’re always working on ways to improve as a teacher. I LOVE being a Science teacher, and I want to make sure I’m doing my best for my students. I’ve read many books and attended various professional development trainings throughout the years. In This Post I will share three books…
Why build personal habits? I’ve spent the last two years reading a lot of books to help me personally and professionally as a teacher, and it has been LIFE CHANGING! I have to share four books that I’ve read and listened to, and how they have helped me. In This Post Reflecting and development is…
During 5E Evaluate, it is time to test in science. What have students learned? This is a very important part of instruction and learning. You need to know what your students are understanding and learning. This guides your instruction and leads them to the knowledge you expect them to learn. You must ask the right…
What are some science activities you can assign that are meaningful, engaging, and grow students’ brains? This is what Elaborate is all about! It’s time to have students practice and expand on what you taught them in Explain. In This Post We will discuss what Elaborate is in a 5E unit. I will share different…
We’ve engaged and explored, now it’s time to Explain 5E Model. This is your time to shine and project your best teaching practices with direct instruction. So, what are the components to successfully implement the Explain step? In This Post Explain is the guided instruction piece of the 5E Model. We will look at what…
What are the Earth Day activities you can do for middle schoolers? In middle school, we follow our curriculum, so how do we incorporate Earth Day into what we are already teaching? And how can you incorporate these Earth Day activities any time of year? While you are thinking about the Earth Day activities you…
Now that you’ve done your hook in the Engage step in your 5E Model lesson, the next step is super fun because this is where you get to plan science experiments for middle schoolers! This is the Explore step. Kids will do some engaging activities to explore the content you will be teaching. In This…
What do you think about lesson plan hook ideas? Let’s try this activity. Look at this image of two separate classrooms. What do you observe? One classroom is full of students who are bored, not engaged. The other classroom has students participating and asking questions. Why is this? Quite possibly, the teacher in the…
Why is lesson planning of science such an important thing to do? Think back to your college days. Some of you may have just graduated and others, like me, feel like college was in another lifetime. But I bet you can remember writing those detailed lesson plans for your education classes. Some school districts…
I’ve thought about how to use task cards in my classroom so that it is engaging and meaningful for my students. I enjoy using task cards in the classroom because it’s a way to chunk information, and they are getting deliberate practice and review of information they were taught. In This Post I will share…
Have you ever found some of your students off task during your amazing science lessons, and wondered, “How can I engage students in my lessons?” Well, you are not alone! There are some students who just LOVE Science and will be glued to everything you say. But then there are others who are disengaged and…
Time Management in Teaching Series Part 1 Have you ever asked yourself this seemingly impossible, unsolvable question for teachers- “How to time management at work?” I feel you my fellow teacher. We have a TON to do and there just doesn’t seem like enough time at work right? Do you often find yourself bringing work…
Imagine walking into a middle school Science classroom and seeing students engaged in their learning. Establishing some key components for science classroom management will ensure a smooth school year. Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases with no cost to you. In This…
During school, it is important to incorporate team building activities in a classroom. That goes for Science too, especially because most of what we do requires collaboration. Team building is one of the biggest parts of community building. Let’s explore why it’s important and what team building activities in a classroom are useful. In this…
As a middle school Science teacher (or any teacher), we need to be able to get students attention pretty quickly. But how do we do that without yelling or getting frustrated? I don’t know about your classes, but some of mine (especially the huge ones) are loud and can’t always hear me when I need…
When and how do you review science classroom procedures? You’ve taught them at the beginning of the year, so that’s good enough right? No! Procedures, routines, expectations- they all need to be reviewed throughout the year. Reteach them when students need correction. Review them after each long break from school. And be sure to review…
Do you wonder how to get students to talk in class? Do you want more of your students to participate in class? Yes, having a quiet class is a nice change to the talkative classes. But how do you know if your students are learning or engaged mentally? In those quiet, seemingly unresponsive classes, there…
Managing a talkative classroom can feel exhausting, but there are some things you can do to make your life easier…and make sure your students are engaged and learning. We all have those classes- they seem to talk nonstop. They might talk during instruction, they talk when you pause to breathe, it’s the last class period…
Using science stations in the classroom creates opportunities for students to practice material you have taught. It also gives you freedom to monitor their learning and work with small groups of students. So how do you use science stations in the classroom effectively? In This Post I will go over the benefits of science stations…
The bell rings after summer break and it’s time to teach common classroom procedures! Not only do we teach these at the beginning of the year, but we must also teach these throughout the year- after breaks or when students start “forgetting” what the common classroom procedures are. And remember, when these 10 common classroom…
School is supposed to be about learning, so why the use of games in the classroom? Have you ever heard someone ask this or wondered this yourself? Kids (and adults) LOVE games! Kids play games at recess, they play games at home, they may even play sports! So how do you incorporate the use of…
Time Management in Teaching Series Part 3 There was a time that I questioned my ability of time management in teaching. You’re teaching your lesson, and the kids are engaged, but all of a sudden, the bell rings! Class is over?! Kids are racing to clean up and pack up so they’re not late for…
Time Management in Teaching Series Part 2 I am so excited to share some time management at work tips that I have implemented each day in the classroom! We’ve talked about characteristics that we need to develop and practice for effective time management. If you haven’t already, be sure to read the first post in…
I’m a list person, and today I’m sharing my list of science lab equipment! I don’t know about you, but I’m a little addicted to lab equipment and supplies in my classroom. I like to make sure I have everything I may ever need! There are so many different lab supplies and materials that may…
Thinking of science classroom expectations for middle school makes me sing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Okay, maybe the start of summer is the most wonderful time, but starting a new year is so refreshing too. What’s exciting and important is establishing classroom expectations and procedures. No matter how long you’ve been…
I remember my excitement when I got my position as a middle school Science teacher, walked into my new classroom, and started dreaming of my science classroom setup. My new classroom was an oddly shaped room. It wasn’t a square or a rectangle, more like a weird pentagon. There were large tables for the students…
