10 Years of Teaching: ESL, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Astronomy, Physics, Beekeeping
Department Head of Innovative School, Developed New Science Courses
Adult ESL Education
The linked online simulation allows students to learn the structure and function of the plasma membrane while the guiding handout verifies understanding along the way and tracks mastery. Concentration gradients, active and passive transport, as well as transport proteins are covered from start to finish in this mini-unit. This is a great method to introduce a diffusion and osmosis unit. See additional Cell Transport materials on my product page. This usually takes 30-45 min to complete and onc
Learn how to build and evaluate cladograms! This 2-page document introduces characteristic similarities and how they translate into a cladogram illustration. Students count X's to observe that more complex organisms fall later on the cladogram timeline. Once recording the species in the correct order, they evaluate the relationships between organisms. Branched cladograms are evaluated to see closer and more distant ancestry. Lastly, students use provided species profiles to create and reflect o
This rubric my colleagues and I designed after an AP Institute. We felt like the rubrics provided were extremely technical and difficult for students to break down into manageable criteria even they could score. If students score an Exceeding, this meets the standard for AP expectations for lab report technical writing. This rubric has been used in 9th-12th grade courses in a number of various laboratory sciences (i.e. chemistry, biology, physics, botany, etc.). If you'd like a guide that prov
A super simple way to introduce and assess examples of biological symmetry. Students need no other information! Definitions providedRelation to common real-world observationsVisually engaging sample questionsUse this simple handout for homework, group work, online, etc. Pairs or teams can share their answers and assess each other. **Extension** Assign student teams to find examples of each type of symmetry inside/outside of the classroom or internet. Enjoy!
This 2-page guided handout allows students to introduce themselves to active and passive transport by illustrating daily experiences. As a group, pair, or independently, students evaluate new terms like concentration and membrane in relation to concepts they observe in their own lives. This handout can stand alone or introduce a cellular transport unit with wet-lab investigations. Check our my TpT page for more ideas! I highly recommend the Plasma Membrane Video Game which is a perfect activi
Engage students in determining what science Can and Cannot study through this colorful yet thorough PowerPoint. From evaluating hypotheses, variables, and controls to comparing theories and laws, this is all you need for a complete introduction for all lab science courses. This Presentation leads students through their first lab report (aligned to AP standards) which will serve as a template for all future labs throughout the year. Compare methods to display data and ways to improve experimenta
This 15-question assessment (key included!) gauges mastery of steps in the scientific method, variables/controls, and the areas science is able to investigate. Reduced reading, identification of key terms, and simplified answers provided. The assessment matches the first section of the What is Science Presentation and Unit Note Packet for ESOL/SPED students. Review questions are provided in the presentation and packet to allow students to self-assess before embarking on this formal assessment
This real-world prompt asks students to identify the factors that can impact the successful production of a small farm and design an experiment to test one of the researched variables. Examples such as the amount of water, temperature, light, and more are provided to students as a research article where their investigation begins. From there, students conduct additional research, create an investigation to carry out, and write a complete lab report sharing their results. An adapted version for
A quick, visual method to score student mastery. Graph 1 depicts two species competing for resources with only one surviving. Graph 2 simulates a diverse ecosystem with multiple producers and additional trophic levels. Students demonstrate understanding in identifying carrying capacity, factors affecting population survival rates, and make arguments on biodiversity's impact on ecosystem health. Clear, student-friendly rubric provided for each question and standard.
This is used as a summative student-designed investigation demonstrating their ethical decision-making as well as knowledge of the scientific method. Students apply their understanding in designing and carrying out an investigation on an insect, person, or plant to observe preferences. Growing plants in varied environments, surveying humans' likes/dislikes, or observing changes in animal behavior are all great ideas. Rubric used to score the student-designed lab is aligned to AP standards and
This 15-question assessment (key included!) gauges mastery of steps in the scientific method, variables/controls, and the areas science is able to investigate. The assessment matches the first section of the What is Science Presentation and Unit Note Packet. Review questions are provided in the presentation and packet to allow students to self-assess before embarking on this formal assessment. Even if the grade is not recorded, I recommend you accustom your students to multiple choice-style qu
This 15-question assessment (key included!) gauges mastery of steps in the scientific method, variables/controls, and the areas science is able to investigate. The assessment matches the first section of the What is Science Presentation and Unit Note Packet.Review questions are provided in the presentation and packet to allow students to self-assess before embarking on this formal assessment. Even if the grade is not recorded, I recommend you accustom your students to multiple choice-style que
A simple, ready-to-go way to extend, introduce, and apply the world of genetcs! Use this as a tool to engage students in a NEW topic. Assign this as an independent task to APPLY genetics. Include as a post-assessment EXTENSION to relate basic principles. This 1-page document introduces 3 themes to Mendel's Observations: Some alleles are DOMINANT over othersAlleles are inherited INDEPENDENLY from parentsAlleles are SEGREGATED during sexual reproductionStudents then categorize examples from the n
This real-world prompt asks students to identify the factors that can impact the successful production of a small farm and design an experiment to test one of the researched variables. Examples such as the amount of water, temperature, light, and more are provided to students as a research article where their investigation begins. From there, students conduct additional research, create an investigation to carry out, and write a complete lab report sharing their results. A separate version for
This 15-question assessment (key included!) gauges mastery of steps in the scientific method, variables/controls, theories vs laws, and the areas science is able to investigate. Reduced reading, identification of key terms, and simplified answers provided. The assessment matches the first section of the What is Science Presentation and Unit Note Packet for ESOL/SPED students. Review questions are provided in the presentation and packet to allow students to self-assess before embarking on this
This assessment follows the Video Game Handout, a document linked to an online simulation allowing students to learn the structure and function of the plasma membrane. Concentration gradients, active and passive transport, as well as transport proteins are covered from start to finish in this mini-unit. This is a great method to introduce a diffusion and osmosis unit. See additional Cell Transport materials on my product page. This assessment usually takes 5-10 min to complete. Visiting the o
10 Years of Teaching: ESL, Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Astronomy, Physics, Beekeeping
Department Head of Innovative School, Developed New Science Courses
Adult ESL Education
Teaching style
Student-Centered, Tactile, Low Cost, English Language Development, Professional Skills
Awards & shining teacher moments
Teacher of the Year, Instructional Coach, Technology Grants
My own education history
B.A. Biology, Minor in Spanish, Graduate Degree in Teaching Science to People of Other Cultures
Additional biographical information
Developed Student-Run LLC: Students placed beehives throughout the city, gained skilled in beekeeping and entrepreneurship, designed products from honey and wax to sell on a student-created online store, planned gatherings educating pre-K to adult citizens.
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