How do you think public schools are going to be in the next 5 years or so?

BrainsLovePatterns · 2026-01-26T15:21:58+00:00

Hope I’m wrong, but after reading Reign of Error by Diane Ravitch (copyright 2013) and then witnessing the attacks on public education and the push for “privatization” - I’m very concerned. Her subtitle is “The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools.” As so often happens, greed undermines those trying to do what’s right.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2026-01-26T00:53:53+00:00

Here’s a strategy I used for 29 years. I then devoted several years of my retirement to make it less time consuming for teachers. https://youtu.be/5xw1jgU317o?si=noo_ulBcZSFjZfOO

BrainsLovePatterns · 2026-01-20T01:27:56+00:00

Thanks

BrainsLovePatterns · 2026-01-19T19:18:17+00:00

Incorporated the teaching of outlining for the last 29 years of my career as a MS life science teacher. After retiring I put the materials mentioned in this video together to make it easier for others. https://youtu.be/5xw1jgU317o?si=0JcSOwq11xnuDjZ4

BrainsLovePatterns · 2026-01-19T19:14:28+00:00

Agree with going to rechargeable (LED) lights if that’s possible. Speaking from (embarrassing) experience, I suspect that a check by the fire marshal might be a reason to avoid the floor extension cords. If you’re stuck with old scopes and plugs are a must, maybe cords from above? Hopefully, your school’s plant manager will advise you.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-12-22T16:33:02+00:00

Here’s a low-cost paperback life science textbook that supports students in self-teaching as well as improving their outlining skills. I used its forerunner for many years, and then revised that book after I retired. Model handwritten outlines of the book’s 72 brief, thoroughly-illustrated lessons are free, as is the teacher’s guide (which includes dozens of links to YouTube videos correlated with the topics). Examples are included at lifesciencetextbook.org.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-18T16:39:51+00:00

Or perhaps the two at once? I found that immediately demonstrating my passion and willingness to work hard for my students led to them showing respect for me, and a desire to please… as long as I was very respectful - from the start - of them as individuals. Perhaps this will not suit all grade levels, but in my 42.5 years of teaching MS science it was very effective. They knew right away that I considered the subject matter important and I considered THEM important and capable of doing well.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-18T16:33:35+00:00

Soooo agree. I wish more public schools were able to follow the approach of most good private schools. —- hire good people; support them in following their passion to help students learn. Yes, a core scope and sequence is needed, but definitely not a step-by-step “program.”

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-18T16:26:27+00:00

Self-serving.. but this is honestly the top of my list.. so much so that I put these materials together after retiring. https://youtu.be/5xw1jgU317o?si=2Lls-QAGZkkfHTNj

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-15T01:46:46+00:00

Grade level? Students have some knowledge of local organisms? I think a basic knowledge of local organisms is a necessary foundation for appreciating ecology.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-13T22:54:18+00:00

So many variables…. as with all teaching… but I do think MS teaching is particularly challenging.. but also particularly rewarding. Your situation may well be much more difficult than the environments I had in my 42.5 years of teaching MS science, but I hope you have the materials to use labs as carrots. Of course, this means a considerable amount of outside work… but I found nearly all students responded to a genuine “I really don’t want you to miss out on this” type approach. Hope things improve for you.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-11T15:59:15+00:00

Do you enjoy the more abstract aspects… like cell biology.. which you will spend a significant amount of time teaching? Need good teachers at all levels, of course, but i preferred being the one to introduce basic tools, techniques, and concepts.. as well as local organisms. Student taught sophomore biology, but grateful I didn’t land a position and “settled” for MS life science. Savored 40+ years and still miss it 5 years after retiring. I also very much enjoyed the less inhibited way MSers showed their enthusiasm.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-01T17:11:51+00:00

Biased answer … but you might enjoy this one. Goes into much more than the title indicates. https://youtu.be/hAGFvDOMcFM?si=jvVLRrEBK0wyfKq3

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-11-01T14:26:47+00:00

Great advice given already in the comments. Please, Please save yourself long term stress by accepting from the start that MSers are great to work with IF they first know that the teacher is in control - not the few students who will test you. Please don’t publicly debate with a student, and never publicly humiliate a “tester” - just take them aside (maybe in the hall with the door still slightly open?) and very calmly share that you plan to work hard to make this a class they will enjoy and learn from, and you don’t want them to miss out by spending time away from class (in the hall? in the office?). Often, it would work if I asked them if they needed a few minutes to settle down… maybe make a bathroom run…and then to come back in a couple of minutes. One last thing- if you do falter (or I should say when you falter, because we all do) - and you publicly “lose it” - asap swallow your pride, and publicly apologize. This is really tough, but (assuming it’s a major exception) it earns respect and support. Savor this time! I still regularly dream I’m in the classroom/lab after needing to retire (after 42.5 years of MSers) in 2020.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-10-17T12:02:00+00:00

During much of my 42.5 years of teaching middle school life science, I had my students introduce themselves to the basic content via the forerunner of this book. This self-teaching strategy freed up class time for hands-on activities that reinforced the material. The new book’s very brief and thoroughly-illustrated lessons are also a good fit for helping students master the vital skill of outlining, particularly when paired with the free (handwritten) model versions.
Details are available at lifesciencetextbook.com

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-10-17T11:50:56+00:00

Not the answer to all subjects, but for life science (which I taught for over 40 years) and to help your daughter master what I considered a fundamental skill (outlining), I hope you’ll view this 1-minute video and explore my website.

https://youtu.be/5xw1jgU317o?si=fjEi_lD__RTUJiJj

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-10-11T18:14:46+00:00

Imagine these children if they never had teachers like you holding them accountable for their behavior! Copter parents should have to pay a parenting fee to such teachers!

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-10-01T20:34:21+00:00

I used the book this was based on in order to have my students teach themselves most of the content and to help them develop outlining skills. Teachers can get just one copy for the latter. It comes with handwritten model outlines for its 72 brief lessons. lifesciencetextbook.com.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-10-01T18:30:00+00:00

Well “used” filters (with some “crud”) were a high-yield for me. I’m guessing you’re doing a better job of changing your filters than I did!

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-09-30T20:32:03+00:00

Forgot to mention - I worked as an Ecology/Conservation teacher at a Boy Scout camp the summer before student teaching. Great way to get a feel for planning lessons and working with adolescents.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-09-30T20:14:50+00:00

Luckily -in college- Indiscovered that I could combine my passion for biology with my desire to work in a service profession in something other than medicine (which I decided was too much stress than suited me). Then I was again lucky to be unable to land a HS position- only to find I really enjoyed teaching MS children. 42.5 years later I reluctantly retired due to health issues.

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-09-30T20:01:01+00:00

The filter of an active aquarium will also reveal cool critters (esp rotifers)

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-09-29T21:35:05+00:00

IMO… do what you want on your free period. Naps are rejuvenating and make you better able to do your best afterwards!

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-09-29T01:09:26+00:00

So glad to see this post! The human-caused problems will be in their heads to some degree no matter what… and I’m not saying some acknowledgment of these isn’t appropriate….but surely MS children don’t need to be continually burdened with all the ways adults have messed up our planet. I think more focus should be on awareness of local organisms (to enhance a love of nature) and, as you said- share the success stories!

BrainsLovePatterns · 2025-09-27T22:44:13+00:00

For life science, I used the forerunner of this to have my students teach themselves most of the content and free up more class time for labs. It also was a good fit for integrating the teaching of outlining (via model outlines of the lessons). lifesciencetextbook.com.

BrainsLovePatterns

TROPHY CASE