A trip through the GI Tract [video]

The video below from the Canadian Museum of Nature shows the inside of the human digestive tract. It is a 3D, computer-generated animation that starts at beginning of the esophagus and ends at the anus.

Top 5 Posts of July

What was everyone reading in July?  Well, here's a recap of the top five posts from last month.  Check them out!

       Short videos on the science topics you teach       Websites for the Earth Science Classroom        Introducing students to the scientific method       Why Does the Moon Have Phases? - literacy activity        Chemical & Physical Reaction GIFs to make your lessons pop

First, free access to my new products if you sign up for my email list

I would like to give a little bonus to those of you who sign up for my newsletter.  I will send you an email each time a post a product that matches what you are teaching.  It will include a link that will be good for 24 hours to get the product for free.  :-)   Don't worry, you won't be overwhelmed with emails from me; they'll be one or two a month.

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Short videos on the science topics you teach

I have always liked showing videos as part of my science classes, but I don't want to spend a whole period showing a video.  Plus, we know that the kids won't pay attention to a video that long anyway.  Check123 is a great site for finding short videos.  All areas are represented, but of course we all care about the science section. ;-)

The videos are all less than 4 minutes long.  You can do a search for what you are looking for and even narrow down the results based on the length of the video you are looking for.  For the most part these videos are hosted on YouTube, so if this is blocked in your school it won't work.  (On a side note, if it's blocked in your school you should really talk to the powers that be because it's a valuable teaching tool!)

What's one of your go to site for find videos for your classroom?

USGS Water Science School - Website for water education for students and adults

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has recently revised its web-based water-science education tool, The USGS Water Science School, where students can learn all about water, from what it is, to where and how much there is, to the most in-depth discussions of the natural water cycle anywhere. 

The Water Science School offers several main topic areas: 

• Water Basics
• Water Properties
• Natural Water Cycle (Posters and information in over 60 languages!)
• Surface Water
• Groundwater
• Water Quality
• Water Use
• Activity Center
• Photo Galleries
• Water Q&A
• Teacher Resources
• Water Dictionary

If you have questions or comments, please contact:

Tara Gross, tgross@usgs.gov or Howard Perlman, hperlman@usgs.gov

Chemical & Physical Reaction GIFs to make your lessons pop

Buzzfeed is usually know for its silly quizzes to find out which candy bar you are most like or what state you should really live in.  I came across this post that shows they can actually do something useful. :-)  It's a collection of 23 chemical and physical reaction GIFs that I can't wait to add into my lessons.

Of of my favorites is below; it's a match burning.



https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicamisener/extremely-freaky-chemical-physical-reaction-gifs

Life Science Learning Center

The University of Rochester Medical Center has created the Life Science Learning Center for high school teachers.  It's a collection of lessons that have been tested by real teachers and students.  These are not your typical lessons, but rather ones that push students to really think and analyse the topics.  Some of these will be difficult for a 9th grade Biology class, but would be great for an upper level class like an AP or IB course.

Lesson topics include: Neuroscience, Cancer Biology, Biology of Drug Abuse and Addiction, AIDS Vaccine Case Study, Environmental Health, Kidney Crisis, Cholera, Nano Particles, Making tools of the Trade, Stem Cells and many more!