I am in my 12th year of teaching. We lost textbooks years ago and have been collecting the very best ways of getting the information across to students.
Watch students overcome struggles of lining up dominoes in order to see how much energy is carried by small dominoes and large dominoes. This lab does require two sizes of blocks and two balls of different weight (I used a squishy ball and a Styrofoam ball). Students analyze how far the two balls were pushed based upon the size of the dominoes and how a large mass will carry more energy.
6 subsystems and Supports. Vocab, definition, and images to help students understand the difficult concept of subsystems in a transportation unit. Students can create a graphic organizer in order to take notes using a carousel method or as a whole class lecture. I also post these on my word wall.
Students utilize their teamwork, engineering, creative, and analysis skills in this 3 day lab. Two days of building and testing and one day for analysis, graphing and conclusion. Students have a menu they can follow so they can get the grade they want. More features = a better grade, however any attempt allows them to pass. Hands on way to visualize energy flow and an even better way to figure out WHY the ball needs to be going a certain speed in order to complete the features.
Students will adjust the speed and mass of a hot wheel's car in order to show how speed or mass affects the force a moving object has on a stationary object. Students utilize teamwork skills, following a procedure, and data taking skills to complete this lab. Graphing, conclusion, and analysis questions included. **Answer key included also
15 multiple choice and 5 short answer based on an image. Unit assessment for communication technology: includes source, encoder, transmitter, receiver, decoder, and destination questions along with mass media technology.
Student focused, middle school level article along with prezi links, simulators, and mini labs. This ONE lesson will incorporate electric, magnetic, and electric fields to complete the NGSS science standard for forces and fields. See my review game and assessment for a complete unit.
Create a presentation that communicates the components of your transportation system location and vehicle, and the relationship between the location and the vehicle. Includes rubric!
No textbook? Me either! Over the past few years I have created articles to get across information. This article focused on transportation systems. The subsystems are mentioned in more depth on my other listing, however are briefly mentioned at the end of this article. The main focus in what a transportation system is as a whole. Includes 10 check in questions based upon the reading UPDATE: Now includes an answer key
PBL for the water cycle. Your QUEST: Design and build a rainwater collection device which collects the most amount of rainwater over two weeks The Overview: As our water cycle unit begins, you will also use your engineering design skills to design and develop a device to collect rainwater. Where does rainwater come from? When does it go after it falls? What is the energy source that drives the water cycle? All these questions and more will be answered during this water cycle unit.
Observe different conditions and how they effect the rate of evaporation. Disclaimer: this lab requires a refrigerator OR other cooling method. One class period lab, however an opportunity to cross discipline to connect with Social Studies/Geography.
Utilize your Pear Deck add on and watch students interact with your slide show. Can be used without the add on, but just will not have immediate answers. Slide show focuses on plate tectonics and formation of landscapes caused by those movements.
Students can read as a group or whole class or given as homework. Radio program can be edited for use in your area. Includes all components of a communication system and review questions. Update: Now with answer key
Students are given one of out 10 communication devices. Students will need to write out the communication system for each scenario (example: TV- encoder, decoder, etc). Options are also for students to draw the communication system also. I have included my example on the last page.
While learning about the water cycle, students learn about simple weather patterns and climate. This mini investigation looks at various biomes using an interactive map and summarizes with three videos about situations that are too wet or too dry. This is to connect with a water catcher device.
10 multiple Choice and 4 short answer question. One question is based upon a project which is also listed on in my "store" which can be taken out easily.
Explanation of weathering, erosion, and deposition. If you are like my school and have no textbooks, this is the article for you. Includes definitions and examples of each. Also includes review questions to gauge understanding. UPDATE: Now the answer key
Students can either recreate the field lines or just identify them. This lab can also be a demo and pictures listed for assessment purposes. In remote/hybrid learning, this is a great way to still show magnetic field lines without requiring heavy cleaning or disposing of iron filings.
I am in my 12th year of teaching. We lost textbooks years ago and have been collecting the very best ways of getting the information across to students.
Teaching style
I like students to think for themselves. Many of the webquests, investigations, and activities have students following procedure and thinking for themselves. Overtime, this gets easier on students, but they need to be taught how to think!
My own education history
Masters in Middle School General Science
45 additional credits of middle school related courses.
TPT is the largest marketplace for PreK-12 resources, powered by a community of educators.