About the store
I have taught middle school science for 30+ years but have also simultaneously taught primary science, computers and college level education classes. I have a middle school science teachers blog, with the same name as my store, with lots of classroom management tips, free resources and activities.
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Forest Food Web Activity | Hands-On Food Chain Simulation With Yarn (Gr.3-6)
Students physically model a forest ecosystem by creating a giant food web with yarn. As each organism connects to others, students visually see how energy flows through food chains in the ecosystem. This highly engaging activity helps students understand producers, consumers, and ecosystem balance. (Need an Introduction? Introduction to Food Webs | Editable PowerPoint and Worksheets) Why use this resource?students move around and interactvisually easy to understand ecosystem connectionsstudents
3rd - 6th
Environment, General Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-3
, 5-LS2-1
, SCIENCE.4.5.D
+14
Water Filtration STEM Project | Water Pollution Engineering Filter Design
Inspire your students to engage with real-world environmental engineering challenges through this interactive STEM project focused on water pollution and primary sewage treatment. Aligned with MS-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity standards and MS-ETS1-2 and MS-ETS1-3 Engineering Design standards, this activity encourages students to apply their creativity and problem-solving skills in designing effective water filtration systems using household materials. Great Earth Day project! Need more backgr
5th - 7th
Engineering, Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-ETS1-2
, MS-ESS3-3
, MS-ETS1-3
+8
Also included in: 10 STEM PROJECTS For Middle School- Physics, Life, Environmental Science
Food Web & Biodiversity Game | Dice Activity on Ecosystem Population Changes
Engage your students with this fun and interactive digital game designed to explore the effects of natural and man-made disturbances on biodiversity within a forest food web. Perfect for Earth Day or environmental science units, this easy-prep activity allows students to visually understand and analyze ecosystem dynamics in an engaging and memorable way. (Need an Introduction? Introduction to Food Webs | Editable PowerPoint and Worksheets) What’s Included:Teacher Notes: Detailed guidance to hel
6th - 8th
Biology, Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-3
, 5-LS2-1
, MS-LS2-4
+3
Structured Rube Goldberg STEM Challenge | Middle School Forces, Motion & Energy
This low-prep, hands-on Rube Goldberg STEM project allows students to explore kinetic energy transfer, forces, motion, and simple machines. Designed with clear project directions and detailed assessment rubrics, this engaging activity helps students develop critical thinking and engineering skills while staying organized throughout the process. Perfect for teachers looking to integrate energy transfer concepts into a fun and educational project-based learning experience. Need help with end goa
5th - 8th
Engineering, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS, TEKS
3-PS2-1
, MS-ETS1-4
, 3-PS2-2
+11
Also included in: 10 STEM PROJECTS For Middle School- Physics, Life, Environmental Science
4 Types of Chemical Reactions Lab Bundle | Synthesis, Decomposition & More
Enhance your students' understanding of chemical reactions with this comprehensive set of six chemistry lab activities. Designed to cover the four main types of chemical reactions—synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, and double replacement—this bundle aligns with MS-PS1-2 and MS-PS1-5 standards. These hands-on labs are perfect for reinforcing theoretical concepts with practical, dramatic experiments. (Need an introduction? Types of Chemical Reactions PowerPoint with Differentiated Work
7th - 10th
Chemistry, Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS1-2
, HS-PS1-2
, SCIENCE.6.6.E
+3
Amazing Animal Senses | 22 Photo Cards with Clues on Sensory Receptors (4-7)
As part of your information processing unit, use this engaging, standards-aligned activity focused on sensory receptors and their responses to stimuli. Perfect for lessons on animal senses, this resource includes 22 color image cards of both vertebrates and invertebrates, paired with 22 mystery description cards that challenge students to match each animal with its unique sensory adaptation. Need a good introduction? Special Animal Senses PowerPoint with Differiented worksheets 1. Engaging
4th - 7th
Anatomy, Biology, Environment
NGSS, TEKS
4-LS1-2
, MS-LS1-8
, SCIENCE.5.13.A
+2
4 Types of Chemical Reactions with Humor | Synthesis, Decomposition & More (6–8)
Funny and engaging activity to learn the different types of chemical reactions, such as synthesis, decomposition, single replacement and double replacement reactions I like to put some humor into it as I am teaching the standards of MS-PS1-2 and HS-PS1-2. (Need an introduction? Types of Chemical Reactions PowerPoint with Differentiated Worksheets ) Included in this resource:Teacher Notes with student examplesNGSS StandardsBackground Info on the Reaction TypesStudent Directions4 Types of Chemi
8th - 10th
Chemistry, Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS1-2
, HS-PS1-2
, SCIENCE.8.6.E
Finding VOLUME with Water Displacement-BACK TO SCHOOL Activity Review Worksheet
Back to school measurement review activity using graduate cylinders to measure volume with water displacement. Students are shown the graduate cylinders before an object is added and then after and they calculate the difference in the level of the water to find the volume in milliliters. Digital or printable excellent supplement to working with graduate cylinders and learning how to use the meniscus as part of a unit on liquid volume. This can be used in the classroom as an introduction, for d
5th - 8th
Math, Measurement
NGSS, TEKS
5-PS1-1
, MS-PS1-1
, SCIENCE.4.1.D
+16
Motion Graphs Activity | Interpreting Distance-Time & Speed-Time Graphs
Are your students struggling to grasp the concepts of slope on distance-time or speed-time graphs? This comprehensive unit will guide them through understanding horizontal, diagonal, and curved motion lines that represent constant motion, acceleration, and rest. They can also calculate average speed with these no prep practice worksheets. Aligned with NGSS standards HS-PS2-1 and MS-PS2-2, this resource focuses on motion, forces, and acceleration, ensuring your students build a solid foundation b
8th - 11th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS2-4
, MS-PS2-2
, HS-PS2-1
+4
Plate Tectonics Map Activity | Digital Drag & Drop Lab to Move Tectonic Plates
Students manipulate tectonic plates on a digital map to discover plate boundaries and understand how plate movement shapes Earth’s surface. Enhance your students' understanding of tectonic plate movements with this interactive, no-prep digital geoscience activity. Designed to align with MS-ESS2-2 and MS-ESS2-3 standards, this engaging activity allows students to drag and drop tectonic plates onto a map. Ideal for classroom use, sub plans, or remote learning, this resource combines interactive l
6th - 8th
Earth Sciences, Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-ESS2-3
, MS-ESS2-2
, SCIENCE.6.10.B
+2
LIVING vs. NONLIVING UNICELLULAR MULTICELLULAR Microphotographs Prompt SORT
Even in middle school, students have a hard time distinguishing the differences between a living organism with cells versus a non-living structure. As part of your Traits of Life unit, students are given 12 images taken at the microscopic level. It takes some critical thinking to figure out what characteristics are present to identify whether something is alive or not, or unicellular vs. multicellular. A common misconception is that if something is dead then it is classified as non-living.
6th - 8th
Biology, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS1-1
, SCIENCE.6.4.A
, SCIENCE.7.13.B
Ocean Food Web Activity | Students Use Yarn to Build Chains in Marine Ecosystem
Engage your students in an engaging and interactive ocean marine food chain and food web activity that brings ecosystem interactions to life. Using yarn, students create interconnected food chains, deepening their understanding of producers, consumers, and the delicate balance within ecosystems. Ideal for multiple grade levels, this hands-on activity provides a memorable learning experience that reinforces key concepts in ecology. What’s Inside the Resource: 18 Illustrated Organism Cards: Each
3rd - 6th
Environment, General Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-3
, 5-LS2-1
, SCIENCE.7.11.B
+1
Forest Food Chains Digital Activity | Drag and Drop Energy Flow (Grades 5–8)
Interactive, no prep activity where students will create 8 separate FOREST food chains using their digital devices to drag and drop the plants or animals into the food chain sequences. Discuss the movement of matter and energy among plants, animals, decomposers and the environment. Depending on the age group, you may or may not want to show them the reference page telling which animals eat which organisms. Some of the food chains have four links and some of them have three. All of the animals
3rd - 6th
Biology, Environment, Science
NGSS
MS-LS2-3
, 5-LS2-1
Also included in: Forest Ecology Bundle | Food Chains, Food Webs & Biodiversity Activities
CER Science Photo Prompts Bellringers Bundle | 24 Visual Writing Prompts + Graph
Enhance your students' critical thinking skills with this bundle of 24 no-prep science CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) photo image writing prompts. Ideal for bell ringers, introductions, reviews, or assessments, these prompts provide engaging real-world images that inspire students to construct scientific explanations using the CER model. What’s Included:Real-World Image Prompts:Each of the 24 prompts features a real-world image designed to capture students’ interest and spark scientific inqui
6th - 9th
General Science, Science
Build a Food Web with Yarn | Ecosystem Activities Bundle (6 Real-World Examples)
This bundle of 6 interactive food chain and food web activities is designed to help students explore interactions and energy flow between producers and consumers. Perfect for reinforcing concepts in ecology, each activity features 16-19 images of plants and animals, allowing students to use yarn to visually connect food chains within the classroom. These versatile resources provide a dynamic way to understand complex ecological relationships and can be adapted for numerous classroom activities.
3rd - 6th
Environment, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-3
, 5-LS2-1
, SCIENCE.4.12.B
+2
RUBE GOLDBERG AND SIMPLE MACHINES UNIT-Rubric, Digital Scavenger Hunt, Task Card
Enhance your students’ understanding of forces, motion, and simple machines with this comprehensive bundle of engaging activities. Perfect for applying critical thinking and engineering principles, these resources offer hands-on experiences that align with NGSS standards. Each product in this bundle provides an interactive way to explore concepts like kinetic energy transfer and simple machine classification. Bundle Overview:1. Rube Goldberg ProjectObjective: Integrate critical thinking and engi
4th - 7th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
TEKS
SCIENCE.6.8.A
, SCIENCE.8.7.A
, SCIENCE.8.7.B
HALLOWEEN STORIES Plotting Motion DISTANCE TIME GRAPHS Graphing Activity
Teach your students how to interpret and draw distance-time graphs with this fun and educational resource based on Halloween action stories. Students will analyze motion segments from the stories, track distance and time in charts, and create accurate distance-time graphs that depict acceleration, deceleration, rest, or constant speed. (Need an introduction? Introduction to Distance and Speed Time Graphs PowerPoint and Workbook) What's Included:1. Teacher Notes:Clear Instructions: Guidance on h
8th - 11th
Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-PS2-2
, HS-PS2-1
, MS-PS3-1
+3
STEM WATER FILTER PROJECT and WATER FILTRATION Reading Passage BUNDLE
Bring real-world environmental science into your classroom with this hands-on bundle focused on water pollution and filtration methods. Aligned with MS-ESS3-3 Earth and Human Activity standards, as well as MS-ETS1-2 and MS-ETS1-3 Engineering Design standards, this resource engages students in designing and testing water filters while learning about the impact of human activities on water systems. The bundle includes a STEM water filtration challenge and an informative reading passage on natural
5th - 7th
Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-ETS1-2
, 5-ESS3-1
, MS-ESS3-3
+4
Ecosystem Scavenger Hunt – Biotic & Abiotic Factors in Backyard or Schoolyard
Engage students with an outdoor scavenger hunt to explore abiotic and biotic factors as part of your ecosystems unit. This interactive activity aligns with NGSS MS-LS2-2 or 5-LS2-1 and encourages students to document their findings in a digital or print nature journal. Perfect for reinforcing concepts such as environmental interactions, food chains, and ecosystems in real-world settings. I use this scavenger hunt as an introduction to a unit on ecosystems, food chains and environmental interact
4th - 6th
Environment, General Science
NGSS, TEKS
MS-LS2-3
, 5-LS2-1
, SCIENCE.5.1.E
+2
Yearlong Science Bellringers with CER Writing Prompts – 148 Prompts + Templates
Empower your students to enhance their critical thinking skills with this comprehensive mega bundle of 148 no-prep science CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) photo writing prompts. Perfect for use throughout the entire school year, these versatile prompts can be seamlessly integrated as bell ringers, do-nows, introductions, reviews, or assessments. Each prompt provides a real-world image coupled with a structured graphic organizer to guide students in constructing their CER explanations. What’s I
6th - 9th
General Science, Science
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About the store
Experience
I have taught middle school science for 30+ years but have also simultaneously taught primary science, computers and college level education classes. I have a middle school science teachers blog, with the same name as my store, with lots of classroom management tips, free resources and activities.
Teaching style
I am primarily a middle school (5-8th) teacher and I do believe that it is true that you either love them or fear them! They are at that crazy, confusing age where their bodies and minds are not necessarily in sync. They can be moody and testing but also very funny and “little” adults at times.
My teaching philosophy involves keeping the bar high in my classroom because I have found that as high as I hold it they will jump! In my eighth grade classroom I am quite often teaching high school level topics and I’ve had many alumni come back and thank me for pushing them because they felt very comfortable in their high school science. That is, by far, my biggest reward!
For many years now my school has been 1:1 with iPads that the students actually take home with them each evening. I completely turned my science classroom over to digital interactive notebooks so a large portion of my products can be used on devices or printed out. Using the iPads to document labs, to go outside and to do creative research has been a great experience.
My own education history
I have my BA in Biology/Scientific Illustration and my MA in Environmental Education.
Additional biographical information
I mentor other teachers plus I have my own blog, sciencebysinai.com, that is geared towards middle school science teachers with classroom management tips, how I use digital interactive notebooks, free resources and other labs and activities.
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