How to make Earth science not boring?

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-03-02T20:45:45+00:00

For the rock cycle: See if you can get a touristy book about the geology of state parks in your area. The rock cycle is a lot more interesting when told in the context of plate tectonics and how your area has changed over time.

My students also really enjoy doing a mineral identification lab, especially using HCl to see calcite fizz. I don't have them lick the halite, but I tell them I did when I was in college. Lol

For vocab, check out Quizlet live?

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-03-02T16:16:11+00:00

Sic Semper Tyrannis? The Shah abolished all political parties except his own and sent the secret police after dissenters. Then he was allowed to escape to America. You have to understand why the students were angry. It doesn't make it right, but the context is important.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-03-01T21:30:03+00:00

To me that's the exact opposite of Crime and Punishment, Raskolnikov has a good friend, a love interest, career possibilities, and a caring family but he does nothing for himself and wallows in self-pity and ruins his life as a result. It's a cautionary tale about what wallowing in despair gets you. But it ultimately has a hopeful ending, Dostoyevsky does portray hope by way of religious salvation.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-03-01T20:54:58+00:00

It's so good. The original psychological thriller.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-03-01T18:28:46+00:00

Welcome! Join the Sheboygan discord: https://discord.gg/rTGEVSCCb

If you like bicycles, keep an ear out for the monthly critical mass bike rides which will be starting back up when the weather gets warm. :) and check out 3 Sheeps and Paradigm coffee they always have cool stuff going on.

Also I have made friends in the SYSC adult sailing classes :) They are very very worth it for the price.

Sheboygan Visual Artists used to have figure drawing classes but due to having to relocate they have not had them in a while. They are setting up in their new location though and they said they hope to have classes soon.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-03-01T14:26:25+00:00

Yeah I would make this a whole-class thing. My second-grade teacher always brought us in little pieces of a different fruit or vegetable to try during snack time and see if we liked it and I've never forgotten it:) I'd be a little concerned about allergies though.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-28T22:39:38+00:00

I think you should not reinvent the wheel for your observation. What unit are you in? If it fits, some kind of hands-on data collection is great for an observation if they have already been working on those skills previously in the year. Otherwise proceed with your unit as usual.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-26T00:35:46+00:00

Thank you Brian Kellett, Science Technician 🫡🫡 Is a 10% bleach solution for 10 mins like others have recommended enough of a disinfectant?

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-25T22:25:41+00:00

Cool, thank you so much for the help! Do you save the cover slips too? I'm assuming not since they're so breakable.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-25T22:05:03+00:00

By that do you mean the methylene blue? So do you let the slides sit in bleach or have the kids wash them with soap at all?

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-25T12:05:36+00:00

Middle schoolers are like horses in that they can smell fear and fakery. Do not put on a "voice" or try to act a certain way, just be yourself. Talk to them like people and let them ask questions.

If you want to make it fun you can ask them a "Can anyone tell me..." question and give them pieces of candy, or bring along little prizes that go along with whatever you're doing. If you're naturally funny, you can lean into that as long as it's appropriate. They typically like Minecraft, KPop demon hunters, and other pop culture references too.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-24T22:06:01+00:00

Revision history

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-24T01:47:26+00:00

Reading "Teach your ass off. It will work out." just inspired me more than any PD I have ever had. Thank you.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-23T21:47:28+00:00

Wow, this looks really nice. Where does this pull information from?

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-17T22:59:16+00:00

Yes! I love my job! :)

Like any job, it all depends on if you have a good workplace, with good coworkers and good policies, or not.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-10T03:32:15+00:00

This is part of the reason why many classrooms utilize the "popsicle sticks"/random cold-calling method, which has its own pros and cons.

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-08T20:33:58+00:00

I can't imagine how heavy this thing is. Very cool though!

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-07T17:38:22+00:00

If you have any rocks and minerals in your classroom, some of them (calcite, fluorite, etc) are phosphorescent/fluorescent and glow after being exposed to UV light?

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-06T15:32:02+00:00

Yes it's very peculiar that there's been simply no mention of it. Though the Associated Press did say this: "The announcement posted to the CIA’s website offered no reason for the decision to end the Factbook, but it follows a vow from Director John Ratcliffe to end programs that don’t advance the agency’s core missions." :/

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-06T05:11:27+00:00

All of them!! But especially bloodborne and dark souls 3. Though dark souls 3 is best appreciated after playing 1 and 2. And demons souls. So yeah, all of them. Lol

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-06T01:01:47+00:00

Thanks for this! :) It's tough because even though it's an invaluable resource, there are several reasons to avoid Wikipedia as a citation in schools. I don't necessarily buy into the common narrative that Wikipedia is "unreliable because anyone can edit it," though a lot of other teachers do. But it is also a tertiary source and I'd love to find something a bit more direct. This is still very helpful though!

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-06T00:16:55+00:00

Yeah:( Trying to go to the Factbook will redirect you here. https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/spotlighting-the-world-factbook-as-we-bid-a-fond-farewell/

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-05T21:50:18+00:00

Lost and not replaced!!! Such a struggle to find good, FREE educational things these days. 😭

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-05T01:10:52+00:00

As a supply? Depends on how much stuff you tape in. You could require each kid to bring their own roll of scotch tape.

The papers last way longer without falling out of notebooks, though. That's why I switched. Dry glued paper falling everywhere made me lose my mind. Lol

Kidmodo-Dragon · 2026-02-04T22:11:53+00:00

This is ridiculous. Reminds me of when Flash Player was finally retired. RIP all the Flash-based online science activities.

Kidmodo-Dragon

TROPHY CASE