10 Structured STEM Projects For Middle School Do you want to do STEM projects for middle school but you’re not sure how to structure them or grade them? I’ve got you! It took me years to iron out the kinks but now I LOVE STEM activities! When I first started doing STEM projects, I loved…
Create a Cell Model with Recyclables Do you want your students to create a creative cell model project, using recyclables, but you’re not sure where to start and how to structure it? I put together a structured set of directions so that the students don’t get distracted and off task. I believe accountability and time…
How Moving To Florida Changed How I Teach My Unit on Ecology So how did moving to Florida give me a new perspective on teaching my unit on ecology and ecosystems? I come from the Northeast part of the United States so moving to Florida, where the ecosystem is IN YOUR FACE, was a pretty…
Using CER Science Image Prompts as Bell Ringers Have you been wanting to incorporate CER science activities into your curriculum but you aren’t sure where to begin? Using CER science image prompts, as bell ringers, has become indispensable in my classroom to spark curiosity and kick start critical thinking. I use an assortment of life, physical…
How Do You Develop Relationships with Middle School Students? Have you heard that it is crucial that you develop relationships with middle school students, but you don’t know where to start? After teaching middle school science for over 30 years, I feel that developing relationships is definitely the most important tool. Let’s go over some…
STEM Energy Project Using Rube Goldberg Machines and Food Chains! Are you looking for a great STEM energy project that combines two middle school units? I have a super engaging Rube Goldberg machine and food chain STEM project that ties together two units that deal with ENERGY LEVELS. Food Chain Energy Levels When you are…
Review Made Fun: Science Classroom Gamification Can classroom gamification rev up the engagement and attention spans in your science class? “Can we play the review game?” This is the question I have heard for over 25 years of teaching middle school science. Many years ago I got bored reviewing for tests so I created a spelling…
Teaching Students Organizational Skills Teaching students organizational skills is critical and will stay with students long after their time in your classroom. I have often had alumni students come back to tell me how much they appreciated my “forcing them“ to do proper Cornell notes and to keep an organized notebook. They tell me that…
A Day in My Life Using Digital Science Notebooks Are you contemplating using highly engaging, digital science notebooks in your classroom? Do you need convincing? I’ve been teaching middle school science for 30+ years and the last decade I’ve been using digital notebooks. I have zero interest in going back to messy, spiral notebooks…
End of Year Science Teacher Reflections As a science teacher, it is powerful to use end of year teacher reflections to review successes and areas needing improvement. I strongly believe that the first few days, after the school year ends, should be spent analyzing and evaluating. End of school reflections don’t take much time, but…
