Connecting To Your Anchor Throughout The Unit
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 drive instruction, connecting all the disparate…
Using Photosynthesis To Understand Systems: Exploring Processes, Inputs, and Outputs
One of the NGSS Crosscutting Concepts that has so many ties across the disciplines is the idea of Systems and System Models. At the middle and high school levels, one…
Exploring Interactions In Ecosystems: A Discovery Card Set
Cards! We are back to cards. If you’re a follower of this blog, you’ve heard about them before… because like I said, I love them! A quick review -- cards…
Using Real World Situations To Promote Science Talk: Biotic and Abiotic Factors In Ecosystems Cards
Stations and cards. Cards and stations. These, I admit, are two of my favorite things. I love using cards -- whether for sorting, to make observations, or as discussion starters…
Biomes: Teaching An NGSS-Aligned Unit
Biomes is a topic I have often seen on the course curriculum sheets provided by schools and districts, yet it is not a topic that is anywhere in the Next…
Step By Step: Creating An NGSS-Aligned Life Science Curriculum
One of my favorite times of the school year actually happens right before school starts. I love the excitement of August -- decorating my classroom, establishing my classroom management strategy,…
Making Detectives in Middle School: Engaging Students In A Science Mystery
Check out this problem-based teaching strategy to engage middle and high school students in their ecology unit and assess their understanding of ecology concepts. Students investigate clues to answer the question, "Where have all the tree frogs gone?" and construct an argument based on evidence. Learn how you can design a similar activity yourself in this post.
Designing 5E Instruction: Unpacking The Standard
When it comes to unit design, where do you start? You start with a standard. Learn how to break down the NGSS to develop your assessment and work backward to design your unit. This is the first in a series on designing instruction aligned to the NGSS and based on the 5E model.