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Land Pollution Lesson Plan

As I was developing my land pollution lesson plan, I couldn't help but take a little trip down memory lane to the 1980s... I remember a lot of ads about not being a “litterbug”.  My generation got the message… littering is bad. While being a “litterbug” seems to have been cut down, garbage is still a huge issue on our little third rock from the sun. The amount of garbage humans generate is really out of control, and we are running out of ways to deal with it.

Middle School Valentine’s Day Science

Sing it with me... 🎶 science and Valentine's Day, sittin' in a tree... k-i-s-s-i-n-g! 🎶 (Please tell me you know this reference or I am going to feel really old right now!) Yes, science and Valentine's Day are truly a match made in heaven. There are tons of connections you can make between Valentine's Day and your middle school science content - everything from human hearts (anatomy) to habitat destruction (ecology).

Water Pollution Activities

Kids can agree that dirty water is gross and littered water is not a rare sight. But there are many aspects to water pollution that go overlooked. Water pollution is not just about yucky, ugly water. It's about contaminated drinking water and microplastics exposing us to harmful chemicals. It's about thermal pollution from power plants and nutrient pollution from agriculture. If we're going to raise environmentally aware kids, water pollution lessons will require more than the "dirty water = bad, clean water = good" simplified approach.

Book List for Science Teachers

I don't get much time to read, so I have learned to be quite purposeful with the books I choose. By nature, I'm drawn to science-related books. I don't mean dry, fact-laden science books but rather books that are based in science but are fun, on the lighter side, informative about subjects I care about, or can legitimately make me a better science teacher. I've compiled my best book list for science teachers - science book recommendations that I've enjoyed and you may, too.

Holiday Game for Secondary Students

Looking for a holiday game for secondary students? Need something to do before Christmas break with your middle schoolers or high schoolers? Finding that most Christmas games are too "young" for your students? I have the perfect Christmas game for middle school and high school! Take a little breather from your day to try it out... my 2 Truths and a Lie game!

Science Gifts and Prizes for Middle School

A lot of teachers in my school use candy as a little holiday gift or a reward to their students, but I steer away from candy as a gift. I have nothing against candy... it's just that I like to keep things science-y! I also feel that a science-themed gift will be remembered much more than a Jolly Rancher. However, I generally have over 100 students at any given time. And... I have a budget. I've found different ways to give my students science-themed Christmas gifts and rewards - but importantly - without spending a lot of money.

Hands-On Forms of Energy Activity

Let students EXPERIENCE each form of energy with this HANDS-ON forms of energy activity! Let me just say this upfront... this activity seems daunting at first. I get it! There's quite a few moving pieces. But I promise you, this is one of the most rewarding hands-on activities you'll do all year!

Pond Water Activity

Ah, that age-old science activity from days past - studying pond water! Why does it seem that no one does this anymore?! Studying aquatic microorganisms in pond water touches on lots of life science standards. And it's also SUPER FUN!

Classification of Matter Activities

True confessions of a science teacher: I pick favorites. Favorite units to teach, that is... and classification of matter activities don't make the list! DNA and chromosomes? LOVE IT! Human impact on the environment? ALL ME! Chemical and physical changes? A BLAST! Pure substances versus mixtures? Meh. But... my students wouldn't say this. (I hope!) Here's how!

Thanksgiving Science Activity

During one Thanksgiving season, I had been giving a lot of thought to "the meaning of Thanksgiving" and wanted to somehow sneak it into a science lesson. I'd been feeling that kids are just less grateful these days. Perhaps it's social media, perhaps it's our materialistic society, or maybe its just me getting older and thinking the cliché "kids used to be different." Whatever its is, everyone can always use a little more gratitude in their life and I felt compelled to teach a lesson on being thankful.