Science in a Snap

This document includes a set of guided notes for students to use during four different Bill Nye videos. I have aligned the questions and answers to cover the NGSS topics for grades 4 (will cover the topics and extend), 6, 7, and 8. The sheets require students to label diagrams, use data tables, and define key terms needed to understand the standards. Answer keys are included! I typically use these as an introduction to a unit or as an independent computer station during small group station wo

This particular jeopardy game includes questions that fully cover all of MS- LS1 A,B,C, and D (From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes ) as well as MS-LS3 A and B (Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits). The final slide (28) is a printable organizer for students to use for answering. I require groups to have theirs answers written in order to submit them. If the group misses the question, the group that follows them must have already written the answer down on their organ

Batter Up! In this whole-class behavior management system, students are working as a whole class to earn homeruns through their behavior, work ethic, and whatever goal you set. It works best on a bulletin board. Each time you have to redirect the class, a strike is given. There are quick reflections set for each strike, until strike 3 when a reflection form must be filled out. I have included my consequences chart for each strike, as well as a blank chart to customize it to your classroom

Students are required to read, summarize and analyze a current article on ANY science topic. This is done as a monthly project that is completed whenever other tasks are finished early or as an outside of class extension. Included are: two versions of the requirements, a graphic organizer, and a review sheet for share out day. The project helps to support multiple common core state standards for ELA as well as providing student choice for my yearly evaluation.

At the price, you get each organizer for only 70 cents! I have included my top five graphic organizers from my classroom. These organizers have helped my students read and understand science texts and articles, but could be used for any non-fiction text. After requiring students to try out each one, I create a bulletin board with them and keep them up all year for students to pick up to help them self monitor and provide scaffold themselves. I have the pockets labeled: vocabulary, summary, m

This project allows students to problem solve by using the STEM process to create miniature catapults. It is high interest and requires students to use large amounts of communication, problem solving skills, and data collection. Included in the package is: 1. An overview and requirements sheet 2. Data collection sheet for students during testing 3. Score sheet and rubric 4. Materials list 5. Directions for how to build catapults. 6. Teacher notes on how to set up, suggestions for variables s

I use this assignment as an initial data collection tool to assess my new student's writing. It requires them to summarize as well as analyze a summer event in relation to science. It also gives me a quick piece of data on which students have a vast amount of scientific knowledge already and which one struggle to name a scientific concept they have previously learned. This is often my first assignment of the year, or on years that I loop and will have my 7th graders back as 8th graders, I ass

This is a game played with a pair of dice. Students roll the dice and add scientific concepts to the scene as the game progresses. It is great for a beginning of the year activity for students that have been in a science class, an activity center, when students finish early, or and end of the year activity as a review. In years where my students are well behaved for substitutes, I will leave it for a sub because the kids love to play! I have had kids also change the categories for the dice b

This project is tied to CCSS for informational texts as well as meeting the 'exceeds' category on multiple domains on the Danielson Framework for Teaching. It includes a scientist sign up sheet, a graphic organizer (for research, sources, and word work), a menu grid for multiple modes of presenting, an organizer to compare scientists and promote conversation, as well as a rubric. The rubric does not have point values to allow for teachers to create their own. I have a set amount of points for

I created this for my students to have a more organized way of having their own, labeled cell model. When all organelles are folded down, it is a cell diagram, then flip one up to find its name and function. The second version includes numbers on the tabs and by the corresponding inserts to make it useful for younger grades and struggling students. **This holds up best when all parts are printed on cardstock. If it is being glued to an interactive notebook page, just the organelles would

This is a great beginning or end of the year activity. Students bring it a normal item from home and have to discover the science involved with it. It gets the students thinking about how much science exists in their daily lives and gets them excited to begin learning about science. We typically define what 'science is', do a brief lesson on different fields of science, then go into this project. The file includes a description, a guide when students view other's displays, a peer response fo

In this high interest activity, students use the scientific method to investigate just how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop. They will collect, record and analyze data then make use of it through an informative writing activity. I have done this in 2 class periods and have stretched it to 5 class periods, depending the depth you want to take it.

This game will play through just like the actual TV show. Under each category, you will simply select the price value and it will take you directly to the question. Click once more and the answer appears. Click on the picture of the Jeopardy host, and it will take you back to the main board. **Also included is an answer sheet for students to use during the game (printable by choosing to print slide 2 only). Which ever box is chosen is where their answer is written down. I have my student

I created this as a recognition for students that go above and beyond on projects, take a major leadership role, or just do something awesome in science. On the back, I have them write why they got it, so they can remember it when they find it in a box 20 years down the road. I wasn't sure how 8th graders would like them, but they get just as excited to earn them. Even some of my former students said the still have one framed at home.