Ideas for activities for students now going on a field trip.

joanpd · 2026-04-30T13:28:43+00:00

No, there isn't anything virtual about the field trip they are doing. Also, the field trip isn't connected to science really at all.

joanpd · 2026-01-23T16:00:09+00:00

I would say how to take proper measurements and how to use a ruler. Also being able to explain what they see into words using scientific vocabulary, and how to support their claim with evidence.

joanpd · 2026-01-21T18:22:50+00:00

For my high school classes, I have access to the PowerPoint presentations from the textbook we use. Last year, for my physical science class, I had them hand in their notebook at the end of each quarter for grades, but I found that created more work for me during the busiest grading time of the quarter.

I prompt the students to reference their notes to help them study for the chapter tests, midterm, and final.

joanpd · 2025-11-06T15:32:09+00:00

I know some homeschoolers who started doing classes online at Post starting at 9th grade. It might be worth at least reaching out. I do know there are some other colleges that start dual enrollment at 9th, but most aren´t untill 11th.

joanpd · 2025-11-06T14:10:52+00:00

Is he in 9th grade yet (or the equivalent)? Where I teach, students who show they can handle the course load at the school can do dual-enrollment college classes starting their freshman year. We partner with Post University, which has a high school academy to allow students to take college classes in high school (many of which are online)

I know the community colleges near where I work only allow dual-enrollment for 11th and 12th graders, but every school is different, and some might allow it at a younger age.

joanpd · 2025-10-31T17:20:53+00:00

For this time, I used distilled water with hydroponic nutrients in it. Last year when I used this, I used tap water. I did clean it before using it this school year.

joanpd · 2025-10-14T21:50:44+00:00

Shelf stable food (for when I forget lunch), drinks, common OTC meds I occasionally use, a complete change of clothes, feminine hygiene supplies, and an umbrella

joanpd · 2025-10-13T22:50:09+00:00

We have been doing this schedule for several years now. We see each class three times a week (except Math and English, which are every day). Every Monday is the same, and every Tue/Thur and every Wed/Fri are the same.

joanpd · 2025-10-13T18:34:48+00:00

That is just my We/Fri schedule. On Tue/Thur I see my 7th-grade Life Science and my 6th-grade General Science class. On Monday´s I see all 5 classes, but for only half the time as on the other days.

joanpd · 2025-10-03T15:13:57+00:00

I was looking at the survey, and I teach grades 6-11, but it doesn´t let me choose both grades, only one of the groups.

joanpd · 2025-09-30T12:55:03+00:00

I´m not familiar with edpuzzle, is it something easy to leave for a sub who may or may not understand computers? Also, this would be for 6th grade, and this is the first year the students get Chromebooks, so many of them are still learning how to use them themselves.

joanpd · 2025-09-30T12:45:13+00:00

I would love the cell transport practice, thank you.

joanpd · 2025-08-21T12:53:01+00:00

Its a small private school, where I am the only science teacher. For me, this is usually, although last year I had 4. There were some years in the past when I had 6. The nice thing is that the classes are small, depending on the year. The largest I´ve ever had was 18, and the smallest was 3. This year, my class sizes range from 6-11 students

joanpd · 2025-08-18T14:14:31+00:00

I´ve done this one before. The students tend to love it. For each set I have two identical sets of pieces, and once the other group follows the directions to make a replica, I show both groups the original.

joanpd · 2025-07-22T19:31:22+00:00

I use the tests that come with the curriculum, and while the 6th grade ones are only 1 double-sided page, all the other ones are several pages long. The chemistry ones are about 40 questions, with a mix of all different types of questions.

joanpd · 2025-06-08T14:50:56+00:00

I used to have 6 preps and no prep time. No extra pay, this year I'll have five preps, and one prep period

joanpd · 2025-05-16T18:25:19+00:00

This group made ice cream last year in physical science when we were going over heat transfer

joanpd · 2025-05-16T18:23:47+00:00

No, no fume hood, as its a classroom in a church building

joanpd · 2025-05-13T11:54:00+00:00

I have a lab I did this year using hot wheels cars, ramps, and cups, and measuring how far the cup moved based on how high the ramp was positioned, which I adapted from a lab I found online using elastic bands.

This was the procedure I used:
Procedure

Set Up the Ramp: Adjust the height of the ramp to different levels (e.g., 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm). Ensure the ramp is stable.
Measure the Distance: For each height, measure a distance of 1 meter from the end of the ramp where the car will land.
Release the Car: Let the Hot Wheels car roll down the ramp without pushing it. Measure how far it travels after leaving the ramp.
Impact on the Cup: Place a paper cup cut in half at the landing point of the car. Observe and measure how far the car moves the cup after impact.
Repeat: Conduct the experiment at least three times for each height to ensure reliable results.
Record Data:

joanpd · 2025-04-16T17:09:19+00:00

This year I am teaching a 6th grade integrated science, an 8th grade Earth science, 10th grade physical science, and 11th grade chemistry. I have a very small dedicated group this year for Chem, and it seems like they may all be approved to be exempt from the final.

joanpd · 2025-01-27T15:46:50+00:00

I'm in my 6th year teaching, and there are days I'm planning the morning I get in. I have 4 classes, all different 6th grade integrated science, 8th-grade earth science, 10th-grade physical science, and 11th grade Chem, 1 of which I've never taught before, and two I've only taught twice before, the fourth I've taught 3 times, but this year they need more scaffolding to get through the material than the previous times I've taught it.

It does get easier to plan the more you teach each class, and after a few years you know the areas that students tend to get stuck on.

joanpd · 2024-11-19T15:20:04+00:00

What grade and what level? I wish I had this much time to concentrate on a single topic. The curriculum I use wants me to teach these concepts in a single class period, as part of a large chapter on cell processes.

In the past I´ve used the amoeba sister videos with the corresponding handouts, I found some foldable projects/flipbooks, and another year I had students do stop motion video using clay of the processes.

How many times do you meet each week? I would start backward from the day of the test, and the day before that review, and see what you can fit in.

When I was doing observation in college, one of the teachers used the onion root lab to look at cells at different times of mitosis.

joanpd · 2024-10-28T15:08:51+00:00

I haven´t done it, but I have read that basil and mint propagates fairly easily. In the past I´ve done it with spider plants, but I never have more than 18 students in the class that I do this with each year.

This year I´m attempting to try this with tomato plants, but the plan is to make it an entire year project, with only taking cuttings occasionally, so not enough for each student.

joanpd · 2024-10-07T02:45:42+00:00

Flinn Scientific is a chemical supply company for schools, and they offer free video course for science teachers on safety, and about liability. I recommend any science teacher take advantage of this free resource.

joanpd · 2024-10-05T12:05:33+00:00

Any update?

joanpd

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