Bilmor Learning

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • All living things have different parts (structures). • Different structures serve different purposes (functions). • An organism’s structure affects how it survives, behaves, grows, and reproduces. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alternative assessments of varying difficulty.

One challenge with Guided Reading is there are several different systems for “leveling” books. But this easy-to-use Leveling Correlation Chart shows the relationship between most common leveling systems (Fountas & Pinnell, DRA, Lexile, Reading Recovery, etc.), making comparisons quick and easy! It's important to note that a key finding of the National Reading Panel (2000) was that “guided oral reading” is a very effective strategy, especially in the lower grades. While Guided Reading seems to

Let's face it. Grading essays can be a pain! But effective assessment can be greatly simplified when you implement an easy-to-use Writing Rubric that students can clearly understand. Bilmor Learning's Writing Rubric reflects “6 + 1 Trait Writing,” a highly-effective form of writing instruction that fits well with most State Standards. It was developed to help students evaluate both their own writing and the writing of their peers. To use the Writing Rubric, simply circle the section in eac

Struggling readers, including those who exhibit the characteristics of Dyslexia, often benefit from specific classroom accommodations. This list of Classroom Accommodations includes evidence-based strategies for meeting these students' needs. It includes suggestions for classroom management, general instruction, reading, writing, testing, and homework. Teachers are encouraged to incorporate these strategies on a regular basis since they have the potential to benefit all struggling learners.

The underlying goal of all instruction is to move children from total dependency on teachers and parents to self-sufficiency. But that’s often a giant leap! This Gradual Release Model graphically represents how that process takes place. It's based on the pioneering work of Piaget (cognitive structures, 1952), Bandura (attention/retention, 1965), Vygotsky (ZPD, 1978), and Wood, Bruner, Ross (scaffolding, 1976). The “gradual” part may take a day, a week, a few months, or even years … but the obj

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Earth’s surface is constantly changing. • Some changes are very slow, like erosion or weathering. • Some changes are very rapid, like landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. • Changes to Earth’s surface may be harmful or helpful. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alternative assessments of varyin

If you want to start an immediate controversy, bring up the subject of homework! Most teachers (and many researchers) have strongly-held views … either for or against. “Pro” teachers believe that meaningful, carefully-planned homework has the potential to enhance the overall learning experience for their students. But such homework must also be balanced, reasonable, and implemented in a coordinated way district-wide. Yet according to researchers, often this is not what occurs in actual practice

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Soil contains both organic and inorganic materials. • Soils have different colors and textures. • Soils differ in their capacity to retain water. • Different soils support different kinds of plants. • Responsible soil management practices are very important. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alternative as

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • The weather changes from day to day and over the seasons. • Temperature, wind speed/direction, and precipitation help us describe the weather. • Seasons are related to the earth’s tilt and the length of the day. • Climate change may significantly impact local weather. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alt

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • The sun is a huge ball of hot gases and nuclear reactions. • Most energy from the sun reaches the earth as sunlight. • When sunlight is absorbed, it can produce heat. • Different things affect how much sunlight objects absorb. • Absorbed sunlight impacts Earth’s temperature and weather. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” a

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • The moon is Earth’s only natural satellite. • The moon is about one fourth the diameter of the earth. • The moon’s observable shape changes slightly each night. • This cycle of change takes about thirty days. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alternative assessments of varying difficulty.

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Fossils provide evidence about ancient living things and the environment where they once lived. • A fossil can be the actual remains of an ancient living thing. • A fossil can be a mineralized replica of such remains. • Fossilized traces include nests, dung, and various imprints. • Fossils are clues that help scientists understand Earth’s history. Note that every less

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Earth’s natural resources include rocks, soils, water, and atmospheric gases. • Earth’s natural resources have different physical and chemical properties. • Different properties are what make these natural resources useful in many different ways. • Earth’s natural resources are limited, and many of them are not renewable within our lifetimes. Note that every lesson in

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Light sources can be natural or artificial. • Light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object. • Light can be reflected by shiny materials (like a mirror). • Light can be refracted by curved surfaces (like lenses). • Light can be absorbed, producing heat. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” activities, and alt

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Matter has observable characteristics called “properties”. • Objects and materials can be described and sorted by their various properties. • The properties of objects and materials make them suitable for different purposes. • The properties of objects and materials can be measured using different types of tools. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multip

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • The motion of objects follows scientific laws. • Nothing can begin moving or stop moving unless a force is applied. • Mass (weight) and force (push or pull) affect an object’s motion. • Whenever a force is applied (action), there is an equal force in the opposite direction (reaction). Note that every lesson in this series also offers multiple options for “hands-on” a

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Matter has observable characteristics called “properties.” • Objects and materials can be described and sorted by their various properties. • The properties of objects and materials make them suitable for different purposes. • The properties of objects and materials can be measured using different types of tools. Note that every lesson in this series also offers multip

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the  Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Magnets and their properties have been explored since ancient times. • There are three basic types of magnets — temporary, magnets, permanent magnets, and electromagnets. • Areas of strongest force on a magnet are called poles. Opposite poles attract; like poles repel. • The properties of magnetic fields make magnets useful in many different ways. Note that every less

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • Heat sources can be natural or artificial. • Physical actions like friction can produce heat. • Physical actions do not change a substance. • Chemical actions like burning can produce heat. • Chemical actions change a substance into a different substance. • Mixing substances together can produce heat. • Heat can move between objects through conduction. Note that every

Reflecting both the NGSS and NSES standards, this lesson from the Essential Science series covers the following key concepts: • The three basic forms of electricity are static electricity, direct current, and alternating current. • Electricity can be used to produce light, heat, sound, and magnetic effects that can cause motion. • Electricity is usually produced by spinning a turbine attached to a generator. Turbines can be driven by wind, water, or steam. Note that every lesson in this serie