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Wandering Scientist

Rated 5 out of 5, based on 2 reviews
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Pasadena, California, United States
About the store
I taught second grade for two years before I discovered that Science and Engineering was all that I wanted to teach. You know, the fun stuff. So, I moved up to teaching 8th grade science where I have been for 8 years. For the last two years, I have also taught engineering. At the schools I have worked at, I have needed to support students of every kind: SPED, GATE, EL, and every student in between. Currently, my classes are mostly "Collab" rostered with about 1/3 of each class comprised of students with IEPs that have mild to moderate accommodations listed on them. Like most of us, I have always needed to create engaging lessons on my own as the options for curricula that effectively align with the NGSS standards and are middle school level are sparse, to say the least. I look forward to sharing my tried and tested lessons with all of you!
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Preview of Critical Thinking Entrance Ticket - Mystery Animal Sounds Part 2

Critical Thinking Entrance Ticket - Mystery Animal Sounds Part 2

The PDF download includes a link to a OneDrive folder where you can download everything you need! *Part 2 of the Mystery Animal Series! Five more animal sounds!* I developed this activity over 5 years in my 8th grade science classroom. It started as a way to get kids laughing and engaged when we first started distance learning during Covid-19. Over the years, I have expanded the routine to include writing standards and rubric to get kids writing. It can be easily adjusted for older and you
Preview of Critical Thinking Entrance Ticket Routine - Mystery Animal Sounds Part 1

Critical Thinking Entrance Ticket Routine - Mystery Animal Sounds Part 1

The PDF download includes a link to a OneDrive folder where you can download everything you need! I developed this activity over 5 years in my 8th grade science classroom. It started as a way to get kids laughing and engaged when we first started distance learning during Covid-19. Over the years, I have expanded the routine to include writing standards and rubric to get kids writing. It can be easily adjusted for older and younger students by editing the rubric and sample answers. This activity
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About the store

Experience

I taught second grade for two years before I discovered that Science and Engineering was all that I wanted to teach. You know, the fun stuff. So, I moved up to teaching 8th grade science where I have been for 8 years. For the last two years, I have also taught engineering. At the schools I have worked at, I have needed to support students of every kind: SPED, GATE, EL, and every student in between. Currently, my classes are mostly "Collab" rostered with about 1/3 of each class comprised of students with IEPs that have mild to moderate accommodations listed on them. Like most of us, I have always needed to create engaging lessons on my own as the options for curricula that effectively align with the NGSS standards and are middle school level are sparse, to say the least. I look forward to sharing my tried and tested lessons with all of you!

Teaching style

I am always trying to find the balance between collaborative, independent and teacher-led work. I believe that having a healthy mix of all three helps to support students at this age level to feel confident to tackle tasks on their own. That being said, I am always looking for ways to accomplish the same learning target without students just following along and taking notes or reading an article and filling in the blanks of a worksheet. If you poked your head inside my classroom, you would hear productive noise as students discuss, see students writing or making something with their hands, and feel, on a good day, a sense of positivity and excitement about the topic. I would be monitoring the room from the side, letting students struggle for a little while before jumping in to offer help and suggestions.

Awards & shining teacher moments

For the last two years, I developed an Introduction to Physics and Engineering elective course. In the Spring of 2024, my course description was adopted by my district and all middle schools at the district have the option to teach my course.

My own education history

Bachelors in French Language and Culture - San Francisco State University Masters in Teaching - Pepperdine University

Additional biographical information

I love to travel, hike and camp. I want to see as much of this world as possible as it fuels my creativity and helps me connect better with students from all backgrounds.