Engaging middle and high school students in science lessons is crucial for their active participation and deep understanding of scientific concepts. As an educator, it’s important to create a learning environment that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for science. In this blog post, we will explore effective strategies and provide practical examples to help […]
How to Teach Middle/High School Science Effectively: Engage, Explore, Excel!
Teaching science to middle and high school students is an exciting and rewarding endeavor. To ensure effective instruction, educators must employ strategies that engage students, promote exploration, and facilitate excellence in scientific understanding. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore proven methods and provide practical examples to help you teach middle and high school […]
TWF Store Membership – Science Reading Case Studies
Case Study: The Plight of the Sumatran Rhino
The Sumatran Rhino, also known as the Hairy Rhino, is one of the world’s most endangered species. There are believed to be fewer than 80 of these animals left in the wild, making it one of the rarest large mammals on the planet. They are found in only a few isolated pockets of forest in […]
Case Study: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a massive area of marine debris located in the North Pacific Ocean. The GPGP is estimated to be around 1.6 million square kilometers (about three times the size of France) and is made up of an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic waste, which is constantly being added […]
Case Study: The Effects of Plastic Pollution on Marine Ecosystems
Introduction: Marine ecosystems are home to a diverse range of organisms, from tiny plankton to enormous whales. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are under threat from a range of human activities, including pollution. One of the most significant forms of pollution affecting marine ecosystems today is plastic pollution. This case study will explore the direct impacts of […]
Case Study – Green Sea Turtles and Climate Change
The green sea turtle, known scientifically as Chelonia mydas, is a large marine reptile found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. These turtles play a vital role in marine ecosystems by maintaining the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs. However, the impacts of climate change are posing a significant threat to the […]
Case Study – African Elephants and Climate Change
African elephants are the largest terrestrial animals on Earth, and they play a critical role in maintaining the balance of savannah ecosystems. However, their survival is increasingly threatened by climate change, which is causing significant changes in their natural habitats. One of the most significant impacts of climate change on African elephants is the loss […]
Case Study: The Arctic Fox and Climate Change
Climate change is having a significant impact on the planet’s biodiversity, and many animal species are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. One such species is the Arctic fox, which is facing numerous challenges due to the effects of climate change on its habitat. The Arctic fox is a small, adaptable animal that […]
Case Study: Polar Bears and Climate Change
The polar bear is an iconic symbol of the Arctic and is the largest land carnivore in the world. They are perfectly adapted to life in the Arctic and rely on sea ice for hunting, mating, and traveling. Climate change has had a significant impact on their habitat, and polar bears are now facing a […]
Case Study – The Adélie Penguin and Climate Change
The Adélie penguin is a species of penguin found along the coast of Antarctica and the surrounding islands. They are well adapted to the extreme cold and harsh weather conditions of the Antarctic region, but climate change is putting this species at risk. Adélie penguins are important for several reasons: One of the most significant […]
Case Study – Koalas and Climate Change
Koalas are an iconic symbol of Australia, but climate change is threatening their survival. These marsupials rely heavily on eucalyptus trees for food and shelter, but rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increased intensity of bushfires are severely impacting their habitat. Climate Change Impacts on Koalas: Habitat Loss: Koalas are dependent on eucalyptus trees for survival, […]
Teaching Climate Change to Students in Grades 6-9: Tips and Strategies
Climate change is a pressing issue that affects all of us. As educators, it’s our responsibility to teach students about this topic and help them understand the impact it has on our planet. In this blog post, we’ll explore ways to teach climate change to students in grades 6-9, including why they should learn about […]
How to Teach Space and the Exploration of the Universe to Grades 6-9
Are you a teacher looking for ways to make space exciting and engaging for your middle school or lower high school students? In this blog post, we’ll take a comprehensive look at how to teach a space unit to students in grades 6-9. Why Students Should Learn About Space Before diving into the lessons, let’s […]
How to Teach Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration to Students in Grades 7-9
As a middle school science teacher, you know how important it is to teach your students about photosynthesis and cellular respiration. These two processes are crucial for life on Earth, and they can be fascinating topics to explore with your students. In this blog post, we’ll provide a basic overview of what photosynthesis and cellular […]
How to Teach Ecosystems to Grades 6-9
Ecosystems are a fascinating and complex topic that can be challenging to teach to students. However, by using creative and engaging strategies, you can help your students develop a deeper understanding of this important concept. In this blog post, we will explore some hands-on and project-based ideas for teaching ecosystems to students in grades 6-9. […]
How to Teach Science to Any Grade
There is no one “best” way to teach science, as every student has different learning styles and preferences. However, there are several effective teaching strategies that can be used to make science engaging and accessible for students of all ages. Overall, the key to effective science teaching is to use a variety of teaching strategies […]
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How To Flip A Middle or High School Science Class
What does it mean to flip your class? In a nutshell, a flipped classroom is one that makes the lecturing homework and the homework, class work. It works with high and low achieving students. Students who are intrinsically motivated and those who aren’t. What are the benefits of the flipped classroom? It’s fantastic because it […]
7 Must-Know Physics Teaching Tips to Get Your High Schoolers Interested
You’re at the whiteboard explaining the physics chapter to your students and you’re noticing quite a few of them nodding off. It’s frustrating because you feel like you’re wasting your breath on them. You just can’t get them interested. Don’t worry, it happens to many teachers. It can be hard to make a subject like […]
Flipping Your Science Classroom To Increase Student Success
Flipping your science classroom is much easier than you think. I started flipping my classroom last year and had tremendous success. The students were more engaged in class as we didn’t need to spend all our time going through the notes. Instead, the students watched the videos at home and spent class time either practicing […]
5 Common Teaching Mistakes and How To Keep Them Out of Your Classroom
Regardless of how long you have been a teacher, whether it has been years or it is your first day, it is normal to make mistakes. There are some mistakes that you unknowingly make and can avoid with some tips in mind. One small mistake can cost you your learner’s concentration. Read on for ideas […]
Using Active Learning in Today’s Middle School Science Classrooms
Learning in the classroom is constantly changing as new technologies are released, new teachers graduate university, and new learning styles arise. Active learning is a hot topic in today’s middle schools but many teachers have a hard time getting onboard. When people hear, or read, the word “classroom”, different images pop into their minds, but […]
It’s More Femme in STEM: Top 5 Tips on Getting Your Female Students to Stay in STEM
What do you want to be when you grow up? Children who hear this come up with a variety of answers. Some practical and others not so practical, for example, becoming a wizard. But, for young girls interested in science, these dreams of becoming a scientist may fade over time. When you ask the same […]
8 Ways You Can Make Extra Money Online As A Teacher
As educators, we have an important job: teaching the world’s youth. While the teaching profession consistently ranks as one of the top five “noble” job fields, it is also hard for many teachers to make a living without working a part-time job on the side. What are the ways you can make money online as a […]
5E Lesson Plans – How And Why To Use Them In Your Classroom
If you are interested in 5E lesson plans, you’re in the right spot. I have been using them in my class for a few years now and they are a terrific way to manage, organize, and carry out your curriculum no matter what you are teaching. Personally, I use them to help differentiate my teaching […]
Make Learning Fun! Why Digital Interactive Notebooks Are Perfect for a Science Classroom
Are you a middle or high school science teacher? Are you searching for ways to make your lessons more effective? There are over 2 million K-12 science teachers in public and private schools in the United States. Roughly 400,000 teach in the middle and high school levels. Since science is one of the most complex […]
Essential Classroom Apps: A Guide For Middle and High School Science Teachers
One app to rule them all? Not a chance. There are so many apps out there but none really fall into the “one size fits all” ideal. Since there is no “silver bullet”, I reached out to hundreds of teachers just like you in order to find out which apps they rely on day-after-day. From […]
A Soundproofing STEM Activity – The Silencer
Your students’ mission requires them to design and build a soundproofing container that will reduce noise as much as possible. In my opinion, learning about soundproofing is very important. I think students need to understanding that exposure to high levels of sound can lead to issues such as Tinnitus and hearing loss. In this soundproofing […]
How to Create a Seating Plan in Middle and High School Science Classrooms
When I first started teaching I was all about the seating charts. As I’ve progressed through my career I’ve refined how and when I use them. How do you create a seating plan in middle and high school science classrooms? How should you create a seating plan in middle and school classrooms? Should you draw […]
How to Set Up a Google Classroom Quickly and Easily Without Any Tech Knowledge
Are you wondering how to set up a Google Classroom? You should, once you get over the small learning curve, it’s great. Super easy for you, no problem for your students, and certainly the way education is moving. I created a short walkthrough video below that outlines the process. How To Set Up a Google […]
Teaching Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Using The 5E Model
Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two of the most important processes on earth. Without them, life couldn’t exist. However, they’re topics that can be difficult to teach without going into too much or too little depth. Finding that sweet spot can be tricky. To help in my own classroom, I made this 5E lesson to […]
How To Avoid Getting Sick As A Teacher
How do you avoid getting sick as a teacher when sick is all around you? It’s hard to stay healthy as a teacher. We’re constantly around kids who are sick. Kids who borrow our pencil or breathe on us when we come over to help them. We’re in an enclosed space for hours at a […]
Cool Activities to Teach Friction to High School Students
Make friction fun using these simple activities you can do in your class with no prep and very few supplies. Activity #1: Interleaving a pair of phone books. I’m sure you’ve seen this demonstration where someone puts one page of one phone book down then the first page of the second on top of it. […]
The Immune System – A Science Teachers’ Guide
What is the immune system? The immune system is a collection of organs, tissues, and cells within an organism’s body that protects it from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other things that would otherwise get you sick. What are the different parts of the immune system? The immune system has a special transport network called the […]
10 Teacher’s Tips for Making Teenage Students Excited In the Classroom
It is infamously difficult to get and keep the attention of teenage students. If you’re struggling to get your students excited, check out these 10 tips. There’s a valid reason for the famous, “Bueller, Bueller, …Bueller,” quote is used as often as it is. The reason: teenagers are not easy to entertain, let alone engage. […]
Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Eclipses occur when one celestial body is shadowed by another. On Earth, we observe two types of eclipses: solar and lunar. Solar eclipses occur when the moon passes precisely between the Sun and the Earth and all three bodies are aligned. The moon casts its shadow on the Earth and blocks the Sun from our […]
How to master the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and impress your admin
If you’re reading this, odds are good that the idea of implementing the NGSS in your classroom is enough to keep you up at night. For many teachers, the task of updating their curriculum to reflect the new standards can appear extremely daunting. If you are one of these teachers, I say to you, “fret […]
The Science Teacher Reading List
Here is a list of books teachers have mentioned that are good reads for their classroom. Rocket Boys (The Coalwood Series #1) by Homer Hickam The #1 New York Times bestselling memoir that inspired the film October Sky, Rocket Boys is a uniquely American memoir—a powerful, luminous story of coming of age at the dawn […]