Lina's Lessons

Sea Floor Spreading with Bill Nye - This video, linked in the document, explores Hess's discovery of sea-floor spreading which provided further evidence for the theory of plate tectonics. Great supplemental resource to include during lesson on evidence supporting theory of plate tectonics. Video is 4 minutes long. Questions can be completed during the video and discussed afterwards.

Oh my, do I love a good webquest. I designed this 4-pager in mind for computer lab testing days! After students complete the quarterly assessment, this webquest previews upcoming material on Continental Drift, Plate Tectonics, and Volcanoes. If they're going to be on the computers, this gives them something productive and inspiring to work on (rather than finding a way around a school firewall, am I right?). Webquests are great, because students have complete control over their pacing and a sens

10 comprehension questions to go along with an article from National Geographic on Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift (linked in PDF). Great introductory activity for the Theory of Plate Tectonics and Continental Drift or great for sub plans. Article not included, but linked in PDF

Doodle Notes on the stages of Meiosis. My 7th graders loved this! As a former biology student, I couldn't just talk about cellular division without teaching it fully!! We selected 6 colored pencils and colored the chromosomes along the way to show they divided and where they ended up in the cell. When my principal observed the lesson, he was so impressed!! This lesson is suitable for beginning instruction on cell division or as a review activity to challenge more advanced students. If done toge

A simple Lab Safety Review worksheet. Paired with the lab safety video by Crash Course on Youtube, this worksheet could be used as a quiz or to promote active listening during the activity.

Simple worksheet to encourage active listening during Bill Nye - Measurements video. Link to online video included, as well as the answers below. I really like Bill Nye videos as a mid lesson pick-me-up. It reinforces ideas taught in class, the kids love the "cheesiness" of the 90s, and they're eager to answer when called on at the end of class as a "review." It's one of the easy wins in science class, where I feel like all students get a sense of accomplishment, which is especially important

Explore the concept of precision and accuracy with this low-prep lab. All you will need is a class set of rulers and some pasta, and supplies around the classroom. Students will measure items using pasta, practice data collection and learn how science can be performed even with limited tools! The data collection also introduces/reinforces knowledge about how to use conversions. The lab allows students to understand the concepts of precision and accuracy in an applied way and features analysis q

This is a nice one week expansion on the result from a carbon footprint calculator - like the one found here from the EPA's website. This tool allows students to reflect on their carbon emissions, what they may already be doing at home and new habit to incorporate. This activity pairs well with a unit on "Human Impacts on the Environment", "Environmental Health" or "Energy", or simply something to tie into Earth Day. Students have an opportunity for reflection as well to address how they can ch

For classroom management: When a student needs to be sent out of the classroom, I often include this reflection form for them, in addition to the work we complete in class. It offers a structured way for students to reflect, especially if they're not yet ready to work on the assignments.

Breakdown the different types of heat transfer with this instructional PDF that will walk you and your students through an interactive flip chart. Prior knowledge of heat transfer (convection, conduction and radiation) are needed to successfully complete the activity. It is a great summative assessment that shows where your students' understanding of heat transfer is, while allowing for creative freedom. My students really liked the creative aspect and it created a class period where they were r

Simple open-format Do-Now page. I like to print them double sided and stamp them weekly. It has helped so much with classroom management and establishing a routine for the first 5 minutes, as students trickle in. The open-format also allows for creative prompts, such as "Draw a shield volcano, and label with the following components..." Used with daily science question to help students settle as the enter the classroom, before the bell rings. While this page is good for all subject areas, as it