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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Moldy Bread Experiment Lab Sheet & Related Jigsaw Readings
My middle school science students really enjoyed this week-long Moldy Bread Experiment. All that's required is four kinds of bread, some sandwich baggies, tap water, cups and eye droppers.
As an added benefit, fun lab can "run in the background" while the class pursues other state-required science explorations. This lab can also be started on a Friday and left over the weekend to shorten its actual class-time duration.
The added jigsaw readings from the FDA are purely optional but I highly r
6th - 9th
Basic Principles, Biology, General Science
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
Food Web Scavenger Hunt Activity
This front/back page Food Web Scavenger Hunt was designed as a reinforcement activity for Texas fifth graders. I paired my students and had them work through the front and back page. Then I had them swap papers with neighboring partners and we graded them in class. (I projected the activity on my SmartBoard/white board and had different partner sets come to the board and fill in a section. This made the activity a little competitive (and sneakily repetitive) to ensure everyone understood the foo
3rd - 5th
Basic Principles, Environment, Science
NGSS, TEKS, VA SOL
5-LS2-1
, SCIENCE.3.12.B
, SCIENCE.3.12.C
 +5
Bohr Model Atoms Practice
My 8th graders drew Bohr models of atoms at the beginning of class every day for a week (until everyone in class could complete the task correctly).
Nothing promotes collaboration between students like the desire to "quit doing this over and over." I
I copied this page on two sides and handed one sheet to every students. I always began the lesson with Boron, then challenged students to draw larger and larger atoms. You'll notice from my example page I always had the students label the electro
8th
Basic Principles, General Science, Science
Behavioral vs. Structural Adaptations Quiz
This 2-page quiz tests students ability to distinguish between behavioral and structural adaptations. As a bonus, I've also included a chart-reading question related to adaptations. (Students always need practice reading charts; they will see many on their end-of-year state tests!)
This quiz was originally designed for Texas 5th graders, but also could be used with 7th graders studying life-science as well as HS biology students.
ALERT: I've also got a Structural vs. Behavioral Adaptations Sort
5th - 9th
Basic Principles, Biology, Science
Atomic Theory Half-page Quick Quiz
Test students knowledge of atomic theory with this handy half-page quiz. I use it after our unit on atomic theory. I typically have my students swap papers and we grade it in class. It's also easy to teacher-grade if you hold the answer key to the left of your stack of finished quizzes! (Just be sure students fill in the answer letters in the left column as well as the blanks).
6th - 10th
Basic Principles, Chemistry, Science
Forces and Motion Quick Quiz
Save paper with this half-page matching quiz that covers Newton's Laws of Motion and related vocabulary.
6th - 8th
Basic Principles, Physical 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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