TPT for Schools

I want to make sure you know about TpT for Schools! Many of you already turn to Teachers Pay Teachers to get resources to meet the needs of all types of learners — and now your school can support you in purchasing these resources! TpT for Schools is an easy, centralized way for your administrator to use school funds to buy the resources you need from TpT. Learn more here about how your administrator can sign up: bit.ly/tpt4schools

Images from inside the Womb

While reproduction and development wasn't my favorite topic to talk about with 14 year olds (I mean they laugh at everything), I always enjoyed seeing their amazement when I showed images of fetal development.  They were truely amazed by what fetuses look like and how they start off resembing the newborn very little.  While students enjoyed the comparisons between humans and other animals, I found that they were most interested in what they once looked like.  I came across a website that provides 10 images of human gestation along with some facts of what the baby can do at that stage.  I particually like that they facts accompany the images as students are often amazed at what a fetus can do at such an early age.

The Science Book - a collection of Interactives for Middle and Elementary students

Science can be hard for younger student to understand I love that this website brings it to like.  While it accompanies a physical book it can completely be used on it's own.  It has video clips and interactive animations that all your students to go inside plants, around the body, deep into the earth and to the depths of space.

Just pick the area of science you want to learn more about, and which type of item you want to try:

• Apply It! – Investigate and research key scientific concepts, just like any real scientist
• Art In Motion – Watch scientific processes come to life with fantastic animations
• Interactive Art – Click on the diagrams to interact with scientific processes
• Real-World Enquiry – See how science is used to help us in the real world
• Untamed Science – Join the Untamed Science crew in these high-energy videos
• Visual Analogy – Understand tricky scientific concepts by comparing them to everyday objects or scenarios

Teaching Students how to Read to Learn in Science

Do you remember when MOOCs (massive open online courses) were all the rage? They are still around and I came across one from Stanford University called Reading to Learn in Science. This course is running now and goes until the end of May. The great things about MOOCs is that you get from it what you put and you don't have to feel guilty about not completing the whole thing because they are free! The course is designed to address such concerns, giving teachers the tools to help students read for understanding in science. With NGSS, CCLS and any other new standards you state or district might be adopting, reading in science is key. Students must know how to do things like cite evidence or support/critique an argument.

If you think that this course is for you, I suggest you check it and get registered. Even if you aren't sure, I would still register so that you have access to the information and can always go back to it later.

Teaching a new subject - Study.com

When I first started teaching Chemistry after a number of years teaching Biology I was worried that I would remember everything.  I spent the summer reading through the textbooks and review books so that I could bring my skills up to date.  Youtube was another place that I looked for explanations.  I recently learned about Study.com and had I have known about it when I first started teaching Chemistry I'm sure I would have checked it out.

There are a number of different ways to use Study.com, but for this purpose, I would choose to use it as a student because I am looking to learn myself.  There were so many different courses offered at so many different levels.  It ranges from middle school to college and includes everything and every subject in between.

Depending on the subscription level you choose, you will get access to videos, quizzes, personalized support and even college credit.  There is a free trial if you want to check it out for a few days (or try to cram a bunch of videos into those days, lol).  I suggest checking it out if you are curious about what it's like.  Study.com is also offering my readers 20% their first month if you join via this link.

Do you think this is something that would be helpful to you? 

Collection of Science Teaching Resources

A while back I came across this website with a collection of science teaching resources.  It's a little old and I don't think it's being updated, but it's still a great resource.  Take a look at it and let me know what you found to be helpful or what you were hoping to find.

http://scido.wikispaces.com/Share+Folders

Teaching Rocks, Minerals, and Landforms

I will be honest with you, I don't love Earth Science the same way I do with Biology, Chemistry and Physics.  Don't get me wrong, there are topics that I enjoy, but others I am not so thrilled about.  This being said Earth Science is my weakest area and I sometimes worry I will shortchange the kids when I have to teach these topics   When I can find quality video clips that present these topics I like to incorporate them into my lessons.  It provides a new perspective for my students and also gives them a change of pace in the lesson.  This collection includes videos on landforms, earthquakes, volcanoes, weathering and erosion, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, minerals, rocks, rock cycle, soil and fossil.

Which ones will you use in your class?