Category: Science studies

Reading Strategies in the Science Classroom

Using reading comprehension strategies in the content area helps students build background knowledge and academic skills. Tara Dale and Mandi White, authors of The Science Teacher’s Toolbox, share four techniques they use to help middle schoolers grasp informational text.

Problem-based Science for the Common Good

Problem-based Science encourages students to develop a love of scientific thinking, math, and the creative use of technology as they learn through invention, design thinking, fixing and tinkering. Teacher-author Christa Flores demonstrates her hands-on PbS model.

A Junk-Rich Middle School Science Curriculum

Due Monday: Bring in 3 pieces of junk to demonstrate Newton’s 3rd Law. That’s a science homework assignment that supports a growth mindset, says science educator Mike Janatovich. Find out why useful junk can engage middle schoolers better than the packaged kits.

Help Students Read & Think Like Scientists

To learn science deeply, students need the trifecta of instruction: experiments; exploration of a complex text; and teaching that’s both challenging and empowering. Deeper learning expert Libby Woodfin shares how this works in Peter Hill’s 8th grade classroom.

How To Become an NGSS Superhero

Vermont science coordinator Kathy Renfrew shares her vision of how middle grades teachers and coaches can be leaders in developing science classrooms that are student-driven and focused on teaching scientific subjects in ways that relate to the real world.

Using Games to Teach Core Science Concepts

Faced with students struggling to learn complex science ideas in traditional ways, middle school teacher John Coveyou turned to classroom gaming as a solution. His colorful card games teach core concepts like ion-bonding, DNA principles and protein building.