Megan's Lab

This 3-part activity is designed to help students learn how to apply the CER format to writing discussion posts, something that they probably do a lot of during distance learning. Students first identify the parts of a CER in a Twitter-style example conversation. They then look at another similar example, and determine whether the posts meet the criteria of a CER. Finally, students have a chance to practice a text-based discussion. Note that this activity assumes students already have some exper

This series of three activities is designed to help students build their skills in NGSS Practice 4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data. In the first activity, students look at how the way data is presented can affect the conclusions that can be made from it. In the second activity, students look at an example set of ambiguous data, and discuss how the variability in the data affects their ability to draw a conclusion. In the final activity, students analyze a data set, including making a graph and

This series of three activities is designed to help students build their skills in NGSS Practice 3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations. The activities align with the Planning Investigations Graphic Organizer (listed as a free resource in my store :) ) In the first activity, students practice identifying types of data that would help answer particular questions. In the second activity, students discuss reasons why a hypothetical experiment may have yielded different results for different gr

This is a great "First Week" activity that will help your students see themselves as scientists -- literally! I used a version of this activity at the beginning of the year last year, and modified it for this year after noticing a missed opportunity for students to examine their own biases about who "is" or "isn't" a scientist. Students first draw what they think of when they think of a "scientist", and then talk about what they drew. Of course, at the end they have a chance to draw themselves!

This is a simple graphic organizer for students to use before and during an experiment. It pairs best with class discussion, as your class goes through the process together! In the first box, students think about how the question they are currently investigating relates to the Driving Question or phenomenon of the unit. In the next box, students think about what information would be useful in answering the question. Finally, students think about how they could set up an experiment or other activ

This is the Summary Table template that I use with my students. I wanted to make sure it was available as a free resource since I mention it in many of my other lessons and units! For those unfamiliar, a Summary Table is a useful sense-making tool for phenomenon- or driving-question-based units. It is a way for students to keep track of each activity they've done, what they learned from it, and how it helps them answer the driving question or explain the phenomenon. More information about Summar

This is the Summary Table template that I use with my students. I wanted to make sure it was available as a free resource since I mention it in many of my other lessons and units! For those unfamiliar, a Summary Table is a useful sense-making tool for phenomenon- or driving-question-based units. It is a way for students to keep track of each activity they've done, what they learned from it, and how it helps them answer the driving question or explain the phenomenon. More information about Summar