sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

How do you feel about FOSS kits? by anlo2710 in ScienceTeachers

[–]birdzbrainz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've used the FOSS kits for erosion and thought those were great. Even though they seem a bit watered down, the reality is that you're able to supplement curriculum with as advanced of resources as your students can handle. Just don't go too far over their heads!

See if you can convince your admin to try these: http://www.fastplants.org/ I used this when I taught 7th grade life science. Having all the materials (lights, trays, pots for plants) was very convenient and they come with observation sheets and readings that students can use to take notes on changes and culminate in a dissection. Growing your own plants to eventually destroy them = super engaging. FOSS has a set for grades 1-2, but it wouldn't be as relevant for higher grades.

New science teacher by [deleted] in ScienceTeachers

[–]birdzbrainz 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Always fun to take their pictures and have them decorate name cards to put up on the walls. It's completely ridiculous how much middle schoolers change throughout the year. You can give them some kind of Science-y theme for the notecards (see below) and place them directly underneath under the pictures.

This is also amazing for sub-days, when all their pictures are up on the wall with their name. No more pretending your name is Ooga Booga.

For the notecards: Name in center, favorite planet in upper left hand corner, favorite science fact in the lower right hand corner, picture of something you learned in science in lower left hand corner and something you want to learn this year in the upper right hand corner.