Category: Scientific Processes

Support Science Inquiry at Home

As science teachers, we want our students to stay curious even when they leave the classroom. The best way to do this? Get parents involved! Learn more about how you can help parents support science inquiry at home!
supporting science inquiry at home
teach graphing in science

Teach Graphing in Science

Let me tell you a little (mildly embarrassing) story about how I came to discover that I needed to teach graphing in science... and how I increase my students' graphing skills all year long.

Common Misconceptions in Science

A little bit ago, I asked my readers what misconceptions they hear in their science classrooms over and over, year after year. Some were funny, some seemed regional, but for the most part, I was nodding my head in total agreement. I received a huge number of responses! Here are your most common science misconceptions...
common misconceptions in science
teaching growth mindset in science

Teaching Growth Mindset in Science

Let me paint a familiar scene: A student is frantically erasing their hypothesis after an experiment, trying to make it match their results. Sound familiar? But can we blame them? They've been conditioned by years of education to believe that success means getting the "right" answer on the first try. However, when students understand that failure and revision are natural parts of the scientific process, everything changes. Their entire approach to learning transforms.

Current Science Activities

If there's one thing I get excited about, it's bridging the gap between the textbook and real-world science. Integrating current science activities into class makes the subject matter more fun and engaging. More importantly, it helps students have those lightbulb moments when "school" concepts connect to the world around them. If I may use a buzzword here, it makes the learning authentic.

6 Science Vocabulary Activities

Many vocabulary lessons are dull, rote, and simply not worthwhile. But there are many ways to make vocabulary lessons both engaging and rigorous. Let me show you vocabulary lessons that hold kids' interest, have them up and moving around the room, all while being highly effective. Most importantly, students really, truly understand the meanings of the vocabulary words and how they fit into the "bigger picture" of the unit.