Active Brain Science
183 Followers
Oregon, United States
About the store
I love teaching science! There are so many opportunities for critical thinking and exciting applications to the real world. Life science is my specialty, and my favorite part is helping students understand what science really is and how it works. I teach 7th graders in Oregon during the year, then head down in the summer to an English immersion school for Spanish speakers in Honduras, where I train and mentor new volunteer teachers.
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Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Graphic Notes
Middle school students CAN master abstract photosynthesis and cellular respiration equations with these graphic notes. Through a combination of visuals and fill in the blank boxes, this graphic organizer helps kids make connections between the big ideas and the molecules in these important chemical reactions. I saw my students’ understanding jump as soon as we started using these, and the kids relied on them when it came time to interpret complicated lab results from their elodea and fish experi
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Human and Frog Anatomy Comparison: Structure and function of organs
Enhance your frog dissection with this anatomy comparison activity. Students will love learning more about the frogs before and after the dissection. In this lesson, students think critically as they combine observations from the dissection with background information to discover the similarities and differences in frog and human anatomy.
This lesson includes links to several excellent resources for learning about frog anatomy and adaptations that can be used either before or after the dissect
7th - 10th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Bird Beak Island: A Natural Selection Scenario
Not your average bird beak lab! Students will start with a hands on activity to collect data, then USE that data to predict the future of two island populations in 500 years after mutations arise. Middle school students often have a hard time understanding the difference between the mutations that create new traits and the natural selection that “chooses” the helpful ones. This powerful activity can generate that “aha” moment where it all becomes clear.
The details:
On day one, student use th
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science
Frog Dissection Final Project
Assess your frog dissection in a meaningful way with this fun and engaging project. With a combination of writing and scientific drawing, creating this booklet will help students process their feelings about the dissection, solidify what they learned, and create a “souvenir” of their memorable experience.
Since the frog dissection focuses on anatomy and science skills, it makes sense to pick an assessment that will both measure and reinforce students' ability to make observations, create scient
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science
Place your bets: An evidence for evolution review game
Have fun and build classroom culture while reviewing the evidence for evolution with this “Place your bets” activity. First, students will answer true/false questions about the four main types of evidence for evolution (fossil record, DNA, vestigial structures, and comparing skeletal structures). After they answer each question, students get to “bet” between $5 and $35 on each answer (the more confident they are in their answer, the more they should bet). Even though no actual money will be use
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science
Evidence for Evolution Foldable Notes and Interactive Notebook Activity
With this foldable and interactive notebook activity, it's easy to include both input (the foldable notes) and output where students process and display their learning in a circle map. The foldable is a great way to organize information about the evidence for evolution and students will enjoy using it to make their circle maps. My students loved making the maps, and every single one was unique.
This classroom-tested lesson provides everything you need to give students the time and clear expect
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science
Evolution Mix and Match Vocabulary Game
Make your vocabulary lesson fun and engaging with this evolution mix and match game! This set includes a word card, a definition card, and an example card with a picture for eleven vocabulary words. As students move around the room to find the group of three for their word, they will review vocabulary, solidify understanding, and get to know new classmates.
You can also easily make this into a card sort activity with a set of cards for each pair of students to sort into groups at their desk. Ei
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Evolution Activities Bundle
Practice authentic science while learning about the theory of evolution with this bundle! These unique activities will engage your students with 9+ days of exciting lessons that cover adaptations, natural selection, mutations that create new traits, speciation, evidence for evolution, and real-world applications. As the unit progresses, students can create their own explanations of antibiotic resistant bacteria and refine them as they gain new understanding. They will also collect data, analyze
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Evolution Word Wall Cards
Give your students a powerful tool for unlocking the content with these evolution word wall cards. With this set, you get 15 full-page cards with the word in large font, a high quality image, and a student-friendly definition. Also included is a second smaller card for each word without the definition. Choose which version works best for your class, or use the cards without definitions to quiz your students. An editable template is also included for any additional words you would like to add.
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Heredity Word Wall Cards
Your students will master key unit vocabulary with these heredity word wall cards! Each vocabulary word is on a full-page card with a definition and a high quality image and on a second half page card without the definition. Choose which works best in your class, or use the cards to quiz your students. Since adding word walls to my classroom, I've seen students dramatically increase their memory and comprehension of the vocabulary. These are especially helpful for English language learners and
5th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Genetic Testing Article Response
Would you want to know if you have a genetic disease? With this genetic testing article response, students will consider the pros and cons and defend their decision with evidence from the text. Even if your curriculum is packed, you can find time to include literacy and current issues in science with this fun activity!
After reading an article about genetic testing (available at four different lexile levels) and filling out a graphic organizer with pros and cons, students will write an informe
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Digestive System Word Wall Cards & student vocabulary handout
Your students will master key unit vocabulary with these digestive system word wall cards. Each vocabulary word is on a full-page card with a definition and a high quality image and on a second half page card without the definition. Choose which works best in your class, or use one set to post and one to emphasize key words of the day as you teach. Since adding word walls to my classroom, I've seen students dramatically increase their memory and comprehension of the vocabulary. These are especi
7th - 10th
Biology, General Science
Ecology Word Wall Cards
Your students will master key unit vocabulary with these ecology word wall cards! Each of these 17 vocabulary words comes in two formats: 1) a full-page card with the word, a definition and a high quality image and 2) a half page card with the word and images only. Choose which works best in your class, or use one set to post on the wall and one to reference as you teach.
Since adding word walls to my classroom, I've seen students dramatically increase their memory and comprehension of the vo
6th - 9th
Biology
Introduction to Science Word Wall Cards
Give your students the tools they need to master key science vocabulary right from the start! Each of these 13 vocabulary words comes in two formats: 1) a full-page card with the word, a definition and high quality images and 2) a half page card with the word and images only. Choose which works best in your class, or use one set to post on the wall and one to reference as you teach.
Since adding word walls to my classroom, I've seen students dramatically increase their memory and comprehension
6th - 10th
Biology, General Science, Physical Science
Heredity Mix and Match Vocabulary Game
Vocabulary is fun and engaging with this heredity mix and match game! This set includes a word card, a definition card, and an example card with a picture for nine vocabulary words. As students move around the room to find the group of three for their word, they will review vocabulary, solidify understanding, and get to know new classmates.
You can also easily make this into a card sort activity with a set of cards for each pair of students to sort into groups at their desk. Either way, student
6th - 9th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Digestive System Note Set: Foldable and Graphic notes for all the organs
Make the “big picture” of the digestive system clear with this interactive note set. Whether you use the interactive notebook or the stand-alone version, these digestive system notes use clear graphics, foldable flaps, and careful organization to help students build their understanding. Since I’ve started using these notes in my own classroom, my students have developed a much better understanding of how all the organs work together to accomplish the amazing job of getting nutrients and glucose
7th - 10th
Biology, General Science
Heredity Graphic Notes
Go beyond memorizing to unlock the big ideas of heredity with these unique notes. Through a combination of visuals and blanks to fill in the content, this product will help kids make connections between how traits get passed down and the details of genes, chromosomes, and alleles. It can be difficult to clearly communicate this topic to middle school students since they may not be ready to learn about some of the more complicated process involved. But with this clear layout, my students could un
7th - 10th
Biology
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About the store
Experience
I love teaching science! There are so many opportunities for critical thinking and exciting applications to the real world. Life science is my specialty, and my favorite part is helping students understand what science really is and how it works. I teach 7th graders in Oregon during the year, then head down in the summer to an English immersion school for Spanish speakers in Honduras, where I train and mentor new volunteer teachers.
Teaching style
Active lessons get students interacting with science so they can own it! Hands-on activities, interactive notebooks, direct vocabulary instruction, and solving real world scientific mysteries allows students to develop connections between big ideas, leading to longer-term learning. In addition, I include plenty of activities that integrate content while building students' understanding of the true nature of science. To trust science, you have to understand how it works. It's my job to teach that and I take it seriously!
My own education history
MS in Environmental Education from Southern Oregon University, Oregon Teaching License in Upper Elementary and Middle School Science, BS in Environmental Science and minor in Biology from University of Oregon
Additional biographical information
Before becoming a classroom teacher, I taught science on the coast and in the forest at Outdoor School. I also taught middle school science for a year in Honduras (one of the hardest but most rewarding years of my life) and lead wilderness adventure trips for teenagers. Now I'm thrilled to get to spend a whole year with my students as we embark on an adventure of science learning every fall.
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