Inchworm Science
1 Follower
Moore, South Carolina, United States
About the store
I began my teaching career in the early '90's in a middle-school self-contained classroom serving students with a wide range of abilities. After several years, I moved into the Science Department and found my true calling. Due to several years of teaching multiple grade levels, I have accrued over 10 years of experience teaching Life Sciences to 7th grade students, and 15 years of experience teaching Earth and Space Sciences to 8th grade students.
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The 4 Fundamental Forces of the Universe
When I ask my students to name a Force, I often get answers that include Inertia, Momentum, Density, Acceleration, and a list of many other terms that do not fit. As a student myself, I made this same mistake until I learned to identify the 4 Fundamental Forces of Nature, and this 2-3 day mini unit is a great enrichment activity to help students understand this basic classification. In this activity, students will use their developing research skills to define each of the four forces, locate d
5th - 8th
Basic Principles, General Science, Physical Science
Darwin's Finches: A Natural Selection Data Lab
The scope of Darwin’s observations can be overwhelming to students. This lab focuses on just one, the finches, with a hands-on demonstration of the success, or failure, of various beak designs. Students then take their observations to the next levels by graphing the data, ranking results, and generalizing their experience into predictions. Great introduction to Natural Selection.
5th - 8th
Biology, Environment, Graphing
NGSS
MS-LS4-4
, MS-LS4-6
A Brief History of Astronomy: Interactive Offline Reading
In order to understand Earth’s Place in the Universe, it is helpful to first explore how the principles of astronomy have developed over thousands of years. In this 3-part activity, students will: - Read about the observations of several Classical civilizations and sort their major achievements - Compare the 5W’s of the Heliocentric and Geocentric Models - Examine a timeline and identify the astronomers related to some of the biggest events in Modern Astronomy The activity was written for 6-8th
5th - 8th
Astronomy, Earth Sciences, General Science
NGSS
MS-ESS1-1
Solar Activity - A Predictable Patterns Lab
The surface of the Sun is a very busy place with twisting magnetic fields and explosions of enormous amounts of energy. These motions create many visible effects, called solar activity, that astronomers have been tracking for centuries. In this activity, students will explore the concepts around Solar Activity and Cycles through interactive reading, data graphing, and data/graph analysis. Multi-modal connections come together in this self-contained, offline lesson to lead students into recognizi
5th - 8th
Astronomy, General Science, Graphing
NGSS
MS-ESS1-1
What A Drag - Collecting, Graphing and Analyzing Frictional Force Data
Working with large amounts of data in Physical Science can be challenging unless students are provided with guided practice. In this lab, small groups work with TWO Independent Variables, Mass and Surface Friction, as they collect data and then interpret it from each perspective. The lab requires students to create two graphs which also allows for reinforcement of manual graphing skills or the introduction of digital graphing, depending on your students’ readiness. The activity was written for
5th - 8th
Basic Principles, Graphing, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-PS2-2
, MS-PS2-1
How To Use A Spring Scale - Equipment Review Mini-Lab
As a beginning middle school science teacher, I made the mistake of assuming that students had already been exposed to the use of basic equipment before arriving in my classroom. This assumption resulted in disconnected spring scales, stripped triple-beam balances, broken glassware, cracked thermometers that were used as drumsticks, and the list goes on. I now use quick, one-day, equipment review mini-labs before conducting activities that require the use of that equipment. With the confiden
5th - 8th
Basic Principles, General Science, Physical Science
NGSS
MS-PS2-2
Showing 1-6 of 6 results
About the store
Experience
I began my teaching career in the early '90's in a middle-school self-contained classroom serving students with a wide range of abilities. After several years, I moved into the Science Department and found my true calling. Due to several years of teaching multiple grade levels, I have accrued over 10 years of experience teaching Life Sciences to 7th grade students, and 15 years of experience teaching Earth and Space Sciences to 8th grade students.
Teaching style
The best teaching advice I ever received...my principal offered me a position in the Science Dept. and I was unsure. She asked me what I remembered about my own middle school science experience and I told her they were mind-numbingly boring. Her advice was to "teach the way I would have liked to have learned". I took that advice to heart and have never regretted it. I constantly look for new activities and resources that I find exciting and interesting. I'm not afraid to try new ideas and my kids and I will work through them together. I strive to expose my kids to ideas through multiple modalities and experiences, including hands-on and digital resources. I always keep in the back of my mind, "How would I would have wanted to learn this when I was a kid."
Awards & shining teacher moments
Science Dept Chair - 8 years at one school, 6 years at second school
Nominated for TOY 4 times
My own education history
BS - 1998 - Erskine College, SC
- Major: Special Ed - Certifications: EMD, TMD, EH, OH, LD
- Minor: Elem Ed
MS - 2005 - University of Phoenix
- Program: Curriculum/Technology Integration
Of course, as any educator knows, these decades included multiple workshops, conferences, training seminars, webinars, and all of the usual opportunities experienced teachers are exposed to.
Additional biographical information
I simply love to teach middle school kids, and I can easily put myself in their places and see where they are struggling. Therefore, I strive to write my materials in a way that addresses these questions before they even become a problem for them.
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