Category: Teaching
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DNA Activity Ideas: Lessons Differentiated for an Active Classroom
Teaching DNA is genuinely one of my favorite units of the year. The content is fascinating, the visuals are strong, and there are so many ways to bring the concepts to life. Over time, I’ve developed a classroom flow that blends direct instruction, inquiry, and science and engineering practices (SEPs)—ensuring students learn the material and Read more
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Simplifying Science: Creative Ways to Teach Difficult Topics Effectively
I remember teaching cellular respiration one year when a student looked at me and said, “Ms., this is like Hogwarts or something—with all these spell words you keep using!” The concept was tough to grasp, and the vocabulary felt like a foreign language. Scientific topics like these can be overwhelming for students, both in complexity Read more
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The Key to Student Engagement in a Science Class
Chunking Notes and Activities to keep students engaged and learning Ah, the dreaded lecture days. I used to have to psych myself up just to get through them. Don’t get me wrong—I love teaching science (and yes, I could talk about cellular respiration all day!), but I started to notice those days just weren’t sticking. Read more
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Setting the Tone: How to Build Culture and Kick Off Science Class with Success
It’s the middle of August, and that feeling is creeping in —you’re dreading it. Yep, it’s time to start planning for another school year. The toughest part? Figuring out what to do during that very first week. You don’t want to spend all your time on “silly” icebreakers, but you’re not ready to dive straight Read more
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Easy Ways to Differentiate Science Lessons Without Overhauling Your Curriculum
6 Differentiation Strategies to Help All Learners Learning science is no easy task! Students walk into our classrooms with a wide range of skill levels, especially in foundational areas like math and reading. These gaps can significantly impact how well they’re able to engage with science content. A student might be labeled as “proficient” in Read more
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From Confused to Confident: Strategies for Teaching Complex Science Topics
It’s a pretty typical day in my science classroom—we’re diving into photosynthesis, and I can already see the blank stares starting. Light-dependent reactions? Not clicking. And honestly, I get it. Science education is packed with concepts that feel overwhelming, especially when you’re asking students to understand and memorize complex processes all at once. That’s where Read more
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Why Science Vocabulary Isn’t Optional (and How to Make It Stick!)
Let’s be real- every student know that memorizing vocabulary can be tough! it only gets harder when the words are describing microscopic or even “invisible” processes. But here’s the thing: without that vocabulary, true learning can’t happen. So, let’s dive into why vocabulary is so important, and I’ll share some tips and tricks on how Read more
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The One Student Who Just… Stares at the Wall (and What to Do About It)
Motivating students—especially those who claim they hate science—can feel like an uphill battle. We’ve all had that one student who checks out, stares at the wall, and refuses to even touch the assignment. But don’t worry—you’re not alone, and there are ways to break through. In this post, we’re diving into practical and effective science Read more
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Time Management for Teachers: How I Leave by 2:45 Without Falling Behind
How I Leave Work at Work: Realistic Time-Saving Strategies for Teachers Let’s be honest—leaving work at work as a teacher sounds like a fantasy some days. There’s always something to do: grading, planning, making copies, answering emails. Before you know it, you’ve been at school for 10 hours and still brought a bag full of Read more