Dodson Dynamics
7 Followers
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
About the store
As an educator of seven years, I've had the opportunity to work with a plethora of diverse learners across multiple grade levels.
I have taught primarily in the middle school environment -- teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. I taught ELA for four years, and am now almost halfway through my second school year as a science educator. I teach both 7th grade Life Science and 6th grade Earth Science.
I am a member of the Science Academy district planning team.
During the summer months, I help coordinate a summer reading program for struggling elementary readers. I recruit middle school volunteer mentors and assist them in becoming strong role models for elementary students who are in the program. My mentors work with kids to build their academic skills as well as their confidence and self-efficacy.
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Nature's Reset Button: The Surprising Side of Natural Disasters in an Ecosystem
This assignment is a dynamic, standards-aligned activity that helps students explore how natural disasters—though often destructive—can play a key role in shaping and even renewing ecosystems. Through video analysis, guided reflection, and a creative research project, students will examine how events like wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and floods can lead to environmental recovery and biodiversity boosts over time. Instructional Value:This resource supports instruction in key ecological concept
6th - 10th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
STEM Rocket Launch Supplemental Lab: Newton's Laws In Action!
Disclaimer: While this lab is designed to be used with any rocket model, the included building procedures are specifically tailored to the Wizard Estes Intermediate Rockets. Additionally, an altimeter is required for collecting data during the rocket’s flight. Altimeter types may vary, but a simple angle-based altimeter or a digital altimeter with barometric or GPS capabilities is essential for measuring the rocket's altitude. This resource is a supplemental resource for a teacher who already
5th - 9th
General Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS2-2
Mitosis vs Meiosis Review: Connect Cell Division, Genetics, and Inheritance
This comprehensive review package helps students consolidate their understanding of three cornerstone concepts in life science: cell division, genetic inheritance, and the vocabulary that connects them. Designed for middle school learners, these scaffolded tasks blend visual analysis, conceptual comparison, and applied reasoning to reinforce mastery of NGSS-aligned content. Task StructureVocabulary Foundations: Students match 20 essential terms (e.g., diploid, homologous chromosomes, Punnett squ
7th - 10th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Exploring Work, Energy, and Power Reading Passage and DOK Questions
This ready-to-use, print-friendly assignment introduces students to the foundational physics concepts of work, energy, and power through a clear, student-friendly reading passage and tiered comprehension questions. Designed for upper elementary or middle school science classrooms, it provides a structured yet accessible way to develop scientific literacy and reinforce key NGSS-aligned physical science standards. What It Covers Definition and calculation of work (W = F × D) Types of energy (kin
5th - 9th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Can You Read A Distance-Versus-Time Graph? Graph Analysis Practice
This two-part assignment invites students to explore and interpret distance-versus-time graphs through both structured analysis and creative thinking. In Part 1, students compare the motion of multiple riders based on the slope of their graph lines. In Part 2, they dig deeper by analyzing the changes in one rider’s journey, breaking the graph into segments (A–D) and interpreting changes in motion, direction, speed, and real-life meaning. Learning Objectives: Identify the x- and y-axes on a dist
6th - 10th
General Science, Graphing, Physics
Mitosis Under the Microscope Lab
Disclaimer: This lab requires prepared mitosis microscope slides and access to microscopes. It is recommended that you have 2 slides per PMAT stage, so 8 slides in total, which means 8 microscopes are needed as well. Mitosis Under the Microscope is an engaging, hands-on lab experience that invites students to observe real cells undergoing mitosis under the microscope. Using prepared slides (not included) placed at four stations—each showing a different phase of mitosis—students identify, sketch,
7th - 10th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Lighten Up! Pack For Your Trip to the Moon: A Weight and Mass Investigation
Lighten Up! is a creative, inquiry-driven science task that helps students build a deep conceptual understanding of the difference between mass and weight, and the role gravity plays in both. Blending imagination with real-world physics, students are placed in a humorous, scenario-based challenge: they’ve been selected to travel aboard the Artemis Moon Mission and must calculate the force required to carry their most valued Earthly possessions on the Moon. Through this scenario, students inves
6th - 8th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Constellations Over Me (Exploring Earth's Movement Using Constellations)
This resource can be used to introduce students to constellations and the important evidence they contain regarding Earth’s movement. Help students generate an understanding of Earth’s rotation, revolution, seasons, and day/night cycle by having them explore constellations that span the Northern Hemisphere. This resource can be used either in pairs or as independent work. Students will utilize a website that provides them with an interactive star map. They can type in any zip code in the US or C
5th - 8th
Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Science
NGSS
MS-ESS1-1
What Step Am I On?: Identifying the Steps of the Scientific Method
This is a low-prep, high-impact worksheet designed to help students build confidence in identifying and applying the steps of the scientific method. Through real-world, student-friendly scenarios, learners are challenged to match each statement to a specific step in the scientific process— asking a question, forming a hypothesis, testing it, and drawing conclusions. This task reinforces scientific thinking in a relatable way and serves as both a formative check and a critical thinking exercise.
5th - 9th
General Science, Other (Science)
Understanding Blood Types: Know It Before You Need It Reading Task
This multi-part assignment introduces students to the science of blood types through a scaffolded reading, comprehension, and critical thinking sequence. Beginning with an accessible, well-structured informational text, students explore the ABO blood grouping system, antigens, blood compatibility, and the Rh factor—all foundational concepts in life science and human biology. The follow-up questions are leveled using Depth of Knowledge (DOK) to ensure students engage in a full range of cogni
6th - 10th
Biology, General Science, Other (Science)
Marble Coaster STEM Challenge: A Kinetic and Potential Energy Thrill Ride
This highly interactive STEM challenge invites students to step into the role of a roller coaster engineer as they explore the physics of energy transfer. By constructing marble roller coasters using foam tubing, students gain a concrete understanding of potential and kinetic energy, gravity, and friction through creative problem-solving and hands-on experimentation. Instructional Value:This lab brings key physical science concepts to life, reinforcing: The transformation of potential energ
5th - 8th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
NGSS
MS-PS3-2
The Badge Lab: Recognizing Greatness in Every Scientist
This badge system is designed to foster a positive, inclusive, and academically rich classroom environment. Each badge highlights a specific student strength, behavior, or contribution, helping to build a culture where curiosity, effort, and collaboration are consistently recognized and celebrated. Why Use Recognition Badges?Promote a Growth MindsetBadges like Stick-With-It Scientist and Growth Gearhead recognize persistence and improvement, encouraging students to embrace challenges and see e
Not Specific
Classroom Community, General Science, Other (Science)
Themed Ten-Frame Boards
In this package, you will find eighteen different Ten-Frame Boards, each with their own unique theme to meet the interests and personalities of your young learners. These ten-frames can be printed and recycled after each use, or, you can print them in color and laminate them to ensure that students can use and reuse them over and over. Each board comes with its own printable token cut-outs. For example, the tokens that can be cut out for the space-themed board are planets. The tokens for the din
PreK - 1st
Arithmetic, Math, Numbers
CCSS
K.CC.A.1
, K.CC.B.4a
, K.CC.B.4c
Illustrating Newtons Laws: A Creative Approach to Force and Motion
This engaging and versatile assignment invites students to apply their understanding of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion by creating an original, labeled illustration that shows all three laws at work in a real-world or imaginative scenario. Students identify specific moments where each law is demonstrated, then explain the forces involved. Follow-up reflection questions help deepen conceptual understanding and connect their thinking to mass, acceleration, force, and real-life applications. Learni
5th - 9th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Crash, Split, or Slide? A Plate Boundary Card Matching Review Task
This interactive classification activity challenges students to apply their knowledge of plate tectonics by sorting detailed description cards into the three major types of plate boundaries: convergent, divergent, and transform. Using evidence-based reasoning, students will identify patterns in plate movement, landform creation, and geological events to correctly categorize examples like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Himalayan Mountains, and the San Andreas Fault. Blending observation with critica
Not Specific
Earth Sciences, General Science, Other (Science)
Pondering the Planets Poster Set: Rotation, Revolution, and Gravity At A Glance
This vibrant, visually engaging poster set brings the solar system into your classroom in an interactive and data-rich format. Each poster highlights one celestial body—the Sun, Moon, Pluto, and all 8 planets—and includes: A high-quality image of the planet or body Rotation rate (length of day) Revolution period (length of year/orbit) Gravity strength compared to Earth The posters are designed to support both visual learning and conceptual understanding of planetary motion and gravitational
Not Specific
Astronomy, General Science, Physics
Why Do Bigger Stars Die Faster? Text and Questions
Help your students explore one of astronomy’s biggest questions with this engaging and easy-to-understand reading and worksheet: Why Do Bigger Stars Die Faster? Designed for middle school science classrooms, this resource focuses on the relationship between a star’s mass, fusion rate, brightness, and lifespan—all in a format that builds comprehension and critical thinking. Students Will: Read an age-appropriate explanation of stellar evolution and fusion Compare red dwarfs, the Sun, and blu
6th - 8th
Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-ESS1-2
Off to the Races! Distance-Versus-Time Graph Challenge
This engaging, standards-aligned lab transforms students into drone engineers as they graph and analyze the motion of three racing drones—Blaze Wing, Turbo Falcon, and Speed Razor. Designed to support hands-on learning and real-world connections, this challenge invites students to interpret distance-versus-time data, construct precise graphs, and apply mathematical thinking to determine which drone should compete in the fictional Turbo-Flight Championship. What sets this resource apart is its l
6th - 9th
General Science, Physical Science, Physics
Earth's Layers League -- A Creative, SUPERHUMAN Way to Study Earth's Layers
Description:The Layers League project is a high-engagement, standards-based activity that challenges students to combine science content with creative thinking. After learning about Earth’s interior layers—crust, lithosphere, asthenosphere, mantle, outer core, and inner core—students use that knowledge to design an original superhero or monster that could realistically live in one of those extreme environments. Through structured planning, character creation, and reflection, students demonstra
5th - 8th
Earth Sciences, General Science
NGSS
MS-ESS2-2
, MS-ESS2-1
The Closest Star to Our Solar System: A Proxima Centauri Investigation
Overview: This engaging and accessible assignment introduces students to Proxima Centauri, the closest known star to our solar system beyond the Sun. Blending science content with critical thinking and imaginative exploration, this resource helps students build a foundational understanding of astronomy, exoplanets, and the challenges of interstellar travel. Learning Objectives: Define and conceptualize a light-year and interstellar distance. Identify the components of the Alpha Centauri star sy
4th - 8th
Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science
NGSS
MS-ESS1-2
, MS-ESS1-3
Showing 1-20 of 21 results
About the store
Experience
As an educator of seven years, I've had the opportunity to work with a plethora of diverse learners across multiple grade levels.
I have taught primarily in the middle school environment -- teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. I taught ELA for four years, and am now almost halfway through my second school year as a science educator. I teach both 7th grade Life Science and 6th grade Earth Science.
I am a member of the Science Academy district planning team.
During the summer months, I help coordinate a summer reading program for struggling elementary readers. I recruit middle school volunteer mentors and assist them in becoming strong role models for elementary students who are in the program. My mentors work with kids to build their academic skills as well as their confidence and self-efficacy.
Teaching style
I have high expectations, and my students know that. However, I also see them as humans, not homework-producing machines. I think every teacher with a reflective personality strives to ensure that they aren't embodying the cliche "ruler of the classroom" mantra and, rather, tries their best to engage in the experiences within the classroom as a mutual learner.
We have fun, but we cover our content in depth as we strive to connect it to the real world.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Rookie Educator of the Year (2019-2020)
Educator of the Year (2021-2022)
My own education history
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Lewis Clark State College in Idaho. This means I can teach K-8th grade in any subject. I have an endorsement as a "Reading Specialist", which means I can teach English Language Arts through 12th grade (K-12). I also have a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
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