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How To Teach Vocabulary In An NGSS Classroom: Interactions In Ecosystems

January 15, 2020

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out last week’s post – Why You Need To Stop Front-Loading Vocabulary. First of all, we…

Why You Need To Stop Front-Loading Vocabulary

January 8, 2020

Just like our teaching strategies are changing as we shift to the discovery-centered, NGSS-style of instruction, we also need to change how we…

You Can’t P-D Alone: Creating A Science Community

December 18, 2019

It has nearly been 2.5 years since I have been in the classroom. I started my maternity leave with my second child in June…

Scaffolding NGSS Inquiry: Investigating The Body As A System (MS-LS1-3)

December 11, 2019

The Next Generation Science Standards are all about discovery-centered instruction. (I may have made up that term, but it’s how I think about the…

Simulations To Engage: Infectious Disease and Body Systems (MS-LS1-3)

December 4, 2019

Simulations are a great way to engage your students in science content that they cannot otherwise access — whether it’s on a scale too…

Close Read Your Evidence Statements: Cells and Cell Organelles (MS-LS1-2)

November 27, 2019

When I first started teaching, cells were one of the topics in my curriculum. My old standards read something like, “Students will know the…

Connecting To Your Anchor Throughout The Unit

November 21, 2019

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Once you choose your anchor, you have to USE it. Anchor phenomena are meant to…

Engage Your Students In Science Discovery

September 20, 2018

Last week, we took a broad overview of NGSS-aligned instruction using the 5E Model. This week, we are going to take a deep dive…

It’s NOT The 5E Model: Red Flags To Watch Out For

September 3, 2018

The next few weeks are all about the 5E Model! This is one of my FAVORITE topics to discuss, so I’m excited to share…

Three+ Signs It’s NOT NGSS

August 30, 2018

NGSS-washing. Seriously, it’s a thing. And it’s a problem. Have you heard of “greenwashing”? It’s a thing companies do to take advantage of consumers…