Science Literacy Lab

Welcome! I’m Ms. Simpson, a middle school teacher with 10+ years of experience. I created Science Literacy Lab to help students think critically, write clearly, and explain their scientific understanding with confidence. I specialize in - NGSS-aligned science instruction - Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) writing - Disciplinary literacy across content areas - Supports for English Learners and diverse learners - STEAM and nature-based learning My resources are classroom-tested and designed to blend science and literacy, so students can not only do science, but also explain and communicate their thinking. Thank you for being here. Let’s help students become confident science thinkers and communicators.

My teaching style blends structure with creativity, helping students become critical thinkers, curious questioners, and confident communicators. I believe all students, especially English Learners and developing writers, deserve access to rigorous, engaging content with the right supports. My resources are: - Student-centered and scaffolded: Sentence stems, graphic organizers, and models support thinking and writing - Cross-curricular and NGSS-aligned: Integrates science and literacy so students explain like real scientists - Inquiry-driven and real-world focused: Built around phenomena, data, and meaningful questions - Inclusive and supportive: Designed for diverse learners, including ELs and special populations - Classroom-tested: Refined with real middle school students for clarity and engagement My goal is to help you build a classroom where literacy lives within science and where students can clearly explain what they know.

Teaching is full of little victories and a few unforgettable moments. Over the years, I’ve been honored to receive recognition for my work in both STEM education and literacy integration. But my favorite moments are always the small ones like when a student who once said “I’m not good at writing” confidently shares a CER explanation using real scientific vocabulary. Those are the moments that fuel everything I create for Science Literacy Lab.

As both an educator and lifelong learner, my work is grounded in literacy, science, and thoughtful curriculum design. - 📘 B.A. in Human Communication (English concentration) – Built my foundation in reading, writing, and clear communication - 🔬 Multiple & Single Subject Teaching Credentials – Certified K–8, with a focus on middle school learners - 📚 M.A. in Science Education (Grades 5–9) – Emphasis on curriculum, language development, and inclusive practices - 🎓 Doctoral Candidate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership – Research focused on supporting English Learners through disciplinary literacy I bring together research, classroom experience, and creativity to design resources that are practical, purposeful, and effective.

When I’m not designing science-literacy lessons, you’ll likely find me outdoors exploring nature or sketching observations in a notebook. I believe curiosity begins with the natural world and drives all meaningful learning. In the classroom, I balance structure with creativity. My students often describe me as “strict but warm.” I set high expectations because I truly believe in their potential. I’m especially passionate about creating inclusive spaces for English Learners and diverse learners. I’ve taught in both traditional classrooms and outdoor science programs, and I currently teach 8th grade in California. Every resource I create is classroom-tested and designed to help students become confident, clear, and curious thinkers.