BigBrainofScience
112 Followers
San Antonio, Texas, United States
About the store
I'm now retired from teaching. But in my 12 years in the classroom I created and accumulated a lot of resources. Although my experience spanned multiple subjects and grade levels, the bulk of my teaching career was spent as a middle school science teacher and Gifted & Talented science teacher. (My 8th grade GT students took 9th grade Biology, too. That's why you'll find a bunch of Biology assignments in my store, too.) And yes, you'll find novel reading, writing and even math resources in my store, too...because, well, I taught those subjects as well. (That happens when you have six Texas teacher certifications.)
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Popcorn Thermal Transfer Lesson with Quiz (Conduction, Convection & Radiation)
Here's a one- or two-day lesson on the three kinds of thermal transfer that affect our atmosphere. To really make the lesson "pop," I suggest you bring in a hot plate and fry pan to cook popcorn by conduction, a hot air popper to cook popcorn by convection, and a microwave to cook popcorn by radiation. Students can "clean up" the experimental mess at the end of the lesson (coffee filters make cheap, disposable bowls). Another teaching tip: Surprise your students with the quiz again about two wee
5th - 8th
Basic Principles, Earth Sciences, Environment
4 Signs of a Chemical Reaction lab with photos
Help your students remember the SIGNS OF A CHEMICAL REACTION with this fun lab with a keep-for-review lab sheet that includes memory-tickling photos. My students loved this lab for all its surprises, fire and smoke. But I loved the fact they could glue the lab sheet into their INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOKS and review its photos to help them remember the signs of a chemical reaction prior to year-end testing!
This package includes a lab sheet, answer sheet, plus a materials and procedures page that wal
7th - 10th
Basic Principles, Chemistry, Science
Chemical symbol-formula-equation Interactive Notebook strips
Help students remember the difference between a chemical symbol, formula and equation with these handy interactive notebook strips. As you project a strip on your front whiteboard or smart board, ask students to fill in the "This is a" column blanks. Then have students glue these into their science notebooks for future reference!
Several weeks later, project it on your whiteboard again and have students write the terms on their desks with dry erase markers. Use it as a year-end review before te
6th - 8th
Basic Principles, Chemistry, Science
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About the store
Experience
I'm now retired from teaching. But in my 12 years in the classroom I created and accumulated a lot of resources. Although my experience spanned multiple subjects and grade levels, the bulk of my teaching career was spent as a middle school science teacher and Gifted & Talented science teacher. (My 8th grade GT students took 9th grade Biology, too. That's why you'll find a bunch of Biology assignments in my store, too.) And yes, you'll find novel reading, writing and even math resources in my store, too...because, well, I taught those subjects as well. (That happens when you have six Texas teacher certifications.)
Teaching style
I typically followed a 5E lesson plan. I piled on the rigor and really tried to fit in labs wherever possible. I thought my kids earned best by DOING science, so my lesson plans typically had my students doing a lot of hands-on activities. I liked to use matching games to help my students (especially ESL students) build vocabulary and retain material. As I slowly build my TpT store, you'll see me adding more and more materials in this vein. You'll also find that many of my lessons are self-guided. Again, this is because I really think kids learn best by DOING, not listening to me (or any teacher) talk.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Twice nominated for teacher of the year by my peers.
First teacher at my school to take a Destination Imagination team to the state tournament.
Accepted into the UT Southwestern STARS summer internship for teachers in 2010. (I conducted research into regrowing nerve cells in the Li Lab of the Neurology Dept.)
Invited for a second UT Southwestern STARS summer internship in 2012.
My own education history
Earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin in 1982. Began as a pre-med student, so I had quite a bit of coursework in biology as well.
Worked as professional writer for 14 years.
Obtained my Texas alternative teacher certification in 2015.
I currently hold certifications in six areas: 8-12 Composite Science, 4-8 Science, Gifted & Talented, ELS supplemental, 4-8 Generalist, K-4 Generalist.
Additional biographical information
I've also taught photography to adults at a local community college. And I've taught continuing education courses in basic and advanced woodworking. My father was an English teacher for 30+ years. Teaching runs in my blood. I'm now retired from teaching, but miss it. Still sifting through years of lessons to share on TpT. If you need a resource and can't find it, email me. Time permitting, I'll build you what you need...send it to you for free and put in my store for others!
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