Secondary Science Simplified™
Rebecca Joyner, High School Science Teacher
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Secondary Science Simplified is a podcast specifically for high school science teachers that will help you to engage your students AND simplify your life as a secondary science educator. Each week Rebecca, from It's Not Rocket Science, and her guests will share practical and easy-to-implement strategies for decreasing your workload so that you can stop working overtime and start focusing your energy doing what you love - actually teaching! Teaching doesn't have to be rocket science, and you'll learn exactly what you need to do to simplify your secondary science teaching life so that you can enjoy your life outside of school even more. Head to itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge to grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Available episodes
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6 days ago
106. Standards-Based Grading, Citizenship Grades, Motivation and MORE With Guest Jennica Harrison
I love talking about science content, curriculum, engaging activities, and practical strategies you can implement in your own classroom. But when my audience inquires about topics I’m not so sure about, I bring in experts who can share their knowledge. That’s exactly what I did when it came to discussing standards-based grading. My guest on today’s episode, Jennica Harrison, shares her perspective, experience, and implementation of standards-based grading in her secondary science classroom.
Jennica is very open and honest about the challenges she faced when implementing standards-based grading but says the pros outweigh the cons. She discusses her transition to this type of grading, practical tips for doing it, and how it impacted her students. Since this might be a different way of thinking, Jennica shares examples from her own classroom and grade book that provide clarification on how this works in a secondary science classroom.
As our conversation flowed, each topic she discussed brought up more questions from me about how standards-based grading worked, along with the mathematical side. Jennica explicitly explained her interpretation and how she has made this switch successful in her classroom. Ultimately, she says it really comes down to being transparent with your students, making mistakes and readjusting, and knowing it’s not going to be perfect all the time.
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman
* Inner Orbit NGSS Assessments
* The Wonder of Science
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode106
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Nov 20, 2023
105. What Happened When I Stopped Assigning Formal Lab Reports
As science teachers, or teachers in general, we tend to have the mindset of doing things in our classroom the way we were taught, the way our department runs things, or what our colleague down the hall does. But if you really think about the reason behind what you’re doing, what you normally do might change. That’s exactly what happened with formal lab reports in my classroom. In this episode, I’m sharing why I ditched formal lab reports and how that decision impacted me and my students.
When I started to examine why I was assigning formal lab reports, I realized I was doing them for all the wrong reasons. So, when I finally made the decision to ditch them altogether, it greatly benefited my students and me. The pressure was off, and labs started to become enjoyable again, along with many other positive benefits. And since students weren’t getting critical thinking and scientific writing skills from the formal lab reports, I incorporated supplemental activities that provided students opportunities to practice those skills.
I’m aware that some science teachers feel very strongly about doing formal lab reports, and this might be a controversial episode, but for me, they didn’t serve a purpose in my classroom anymore. By ditching formal lab reports, it transformed the culture on lab days while still finding ways for students to practice skills that will help and support them later in their educational career. So whether you continue to do formal lab reports in your science classes or not, I hope this episode encourages you to make appropriate changes that are best for you and your students!
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Grab your FREE Thanksgiving Science Activity
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode105
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Nov 13, 2023
104. Using Summative Assessments to Prepare Students for Standardized Tests
After we teach a unit, what typically comes immediately after are summative assessments, and there are a lot of different types. Last week, I talked about authentic assessments, which still assess student learning but in a non-traditional way. And even though I value that type of assessment, I still believe in taking traditional tests. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to use your unit test to prepare your students for taking any future standardized test.
Giving traditional summative assessments does provide useful information for the teacher, such as personal benchmarks and self-reflection on teaching concepts. But it also benefits students as they learn valuable test-taking strategies for when they take standardized tests or other forms of assessments throughout their educational journey. The five tips I share will specifically help your students with standardized tests as they take your unit tests.
Taking summative assessments is completely valuable to both teachers and students, so it’s important to highlight the benefits and show that test-taking skills and strategies are valuable. By giving unit tests, you are supporting students and building those skills needed to take standardized tests in the future.
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Biology Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
* Physical Science Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
* Anatomy Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode104
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Nov 6, 2023
103. Authentic Assessments: How to Assess Students in a Way That Actually Matters
If you ask any student what they didn’t like about school, I bet assessments would be toward the top of their list. But what if you could create assessments that students actually enjoyed and liked? Okay, well, maybe that’s going too far, but you can definitely create assessments that are the best representation of their knowledge. I call those authentic assessments. In today’s episode, I’m going to share why I incorporate non-traditional assessments and four practical tips on how to implement them in your own classroom.
Authentic assessments might be a new term, so I help break down what I mean and how it directly impacts students in a positive way. Additionally, I give reasons why authentic assessments should be used, especially in relation to expressing what students know in a way that’s more than multiple choice and memorization. Likewise, when it comes to implementation, keeping the whole child in mind, along with their qualities, is why they’re at the forefront of my mind.
With midterm exams, semester exams on the horizon, and other exams in your class, now seemed like a good time to discuss assessments. And while traditional assessments are necessary at times, I encourage you to think outside the box and give your students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge through authentic assessments. Stay tuned to next week’s episode for more on this topic as we continue our mini-series on summative assessments!
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Biology Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
* Physical Science Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
* Anatomy Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
* Episode 94, How to Deal with Cheating in Your High School Science Classes
* Episode 87, Aligning Your Assessments: Curriculum Design Part 5
* Episode 51, 5 Alternatives to Traditional Midterm Exams
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode103
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Oct 30, 2023
102. Tips for Teaching Waves and Kinematics in Your Physics Class With Guest Laura Preiser
All month long, I’ve been diving into the most difficult topics to teach in each of the science disciplines, and we have finally made it to the last discipline - physics. I love all things science, but physics is not a discipline I have a lot of experience in. So instead, I decided to bring on a listener of the podcast who is knowledgeable and has experience teaching physics. Laura Preiser is my guest on this episode and is sharing the two topics that are difficult for teachers and students and tips and advice for teaching each.
As Laura identifies waves and kinematics as the most difficult topics to teach in physics, she also shares various activities, labs, and general tips that make these two topics engaging, fun, and enjoyable for her students and herself. By making small changes to the way topics are taught and the timing of when they’re taught, it can make a huge difference in how a student feels about the topic.
With the help of Laura, we have concluded our series that tackles the most difficult topics to teach in each discipline while also sharing advice and tips that make the topics in those disciplines engaging for teachers and students. Make sure to listen or revisit any of the other episodes on biology, chemistry, and anatomy!
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Grab the Free Halloween Resources
* Sound Wave Stations
* EM Wave Instagram Profile Project
* Fantastic Four Stations - Kinematic Equations
* Pendulum Painting Lab - Conservation of Energy
* Light Waves Stations
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode102
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Oct 23, 2023
101. 6 Tips for Teaching Stoichiometry in Your Chemistry Class
When I decided to do this series, I knew exactly what I was going to discuss when it came to the difficulties of teaching chemistry. Students get overwhelmed by all the math and more intense content that comes with this science discipline, particularly teaching stoichiometry. However, there are several things you can do to ease their stress and make this unit fun for your students. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing 6 tips for teaching stoichiometry in your chemistry class.
There are a lot of concepts in chemistry that are difficult for students to grasp and understand, which is why it’s important to bring these up early or before you teach the content. Not only does this provide multiple opportunities to practice, but when it’s mentioned in the content, they already have seen it before. Additionally, teaching chemistry is more than just content. It’s teaching students problem-solving and critical thinking skills. And one of the best ways to achieve this is by incorporating real-world scenarios, labs, and activities in order for them to see the connection.
Even though your students may be apprehensive about the chemistry content, there are still things you can do to help alleviate and diminish their stress. By implementing these 6 tips and other pieces of advice, I hope to encourage you that teaching stoichiometry to your students will be fun and academic at the same time. Tune in next week for the last episode in the series about the difficult topics teaching physics.
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Free Science Halloween Resources
* Stoichiometry Unit - including Magnitude of a Mole
* Chemistry Curriculum - Full Year Bundle
* Introduction to Chemistry Unit
* Dimensional Analysis Activity - Fudge Lab Expansion Pack
* Free Science Winter Resources - including Hot Chocolate Lab Activity
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode101
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Oct 16, 2023
100. Your Questions Answered: Grading, Challenging Behaviors, Leave, Favorite Labs, Supporting ELs and MORE!
I’m doing a happy dance because it’s my 100th episode! Y’all, I can’t believe I’ve been supporting and sharing my thoughts, ideas, and resources with you for almost two years. Just like when I celebrated 50 episodes, I’m doing another special “Ask me anything” episode.
I constantly get questions ranging from work, personal, curriculum, management, and more. And since I love connecting and supporting teachers, I knew answering all your questions was how I wanted to celebrate! I answer all your questions about maternity leave prep, group work, supporting ELs, absences, curriculum writing, and more. So take a listen to a fun episode that celebrates 100 episodes!
Want to continue the celebration? I’m incredibly thankful to you, my listeners of Secondary Science Simplified, and would love to have you leave a rating or review of this podcast! Your review and support means so much to me.
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Free Halloween Resources
* Free Lab Audit
* Free RADAR Signs
* Natural Selection Lab Simulation
* Ecosystem in a Bottle Project: An Inquiry-Based Ecological Investigation
* Dinosaur Genetics Stations Activity
* Anatomy Body System Diagrams and Discovery Stations Bundle
* It’s Not Rocket Science Science Curriculum
* It’s Not Rocket Science Resources
* It’s Not Rocket Science TPT Resources
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode100
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Oct 9, 2023
99. How to Teach the Nervous and Endocrine Systems in Your Anatomy Class
We are starting week two of our difficult topics to teach with the different science disciplines. Last week’s episode, Episode 98, focused on biology and biochemical reactions. But this week, I’m focusing on anatomy! Since there’s a lot of content to cover in this subject and each teacher differs in what they choose to teach, that makes it difficult to decide what the most difficult topic to teach is. With the help of my listeners, I’m focusing on five tips on how to teach the nervous and endocrine systems in your anatomy class.
As I mentioned, there’s a lot of diversity in how a teacher approaches teaching anatomy in their classroom, but just like with teaching biology, I encourage you to focus on the big picture. Each of the five tips that I share assists in that overarching idea and showcases how both the nervous and endocrine systems work together.
Both of these systems also spark curiosity among students, which leads to them asking a lot of questions. Although this is a great thing and piques their interest, it can be overwhelming for you. Therefore, some of my tips focus on providing students with the opportunity to be responsible for their own research. This idea creates a space where they can answer their own questions while you highlight the main topics.
The nervous and endocrine systems can be overwhelming to teach, but I hope that my tips and ideas help motivate and excite you about approaching these topics in your anatomy class. In two weeks, I’ll come back to this series with the last two science disciplines, but next week will be a special episode. It’s my 100th episode, so be sure to tune in for an episode where you get to ask me anything!
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Free Halloween Science Resources
* Anatomy Body System Diagrams and Discovery Stations Bundle
* Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum FULL YEAR Bundle
* Control and Coordination Unit
* Neuron Communication and Signal Transmission Inquiry Activity
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode99
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Oct 2, 2023
98. 5 Tips for Teaching Biochemical Reactions in Your Biology Class
Welcome to fall, y’all! We just wrapped up our Summer of Podcast PD, where we tackled curriculum design, classroom management, grading strategies, and so much more. But with a new season comes a new series. With so many of our recent topics involving general classroom tips, I decided it was time to focus on more content-specific topics for each science discipline. So, biology teachers, this one’s for you! I’m sharing biology’s most difficult topic and tips for teaching it in your classroom.
With the help of my own personal experience and the responses I get from reacting with my audience on various social platforms, I determined some controversial aspects of teaching biochemical reactions. Therefore, each of my five tips highlights ways to keep the focus on the big picture and bring in ways to make the information stick with your students. I love creating resources and activities that are memorable for students, all of which I share and discuss in the episode.
In every content area, there’s a topic that reigns difficult for either you or your students. However, it’s all about finding ways to make connections, engagement opportunities, and creating meaningful activities. By implementing my five tips for teaching biochemical reactions, it’ll make this challenging topic more manageable!
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Free Halloween Science Resources
* Energy Flow Unit
* Food Web Lab Station Activity
* Photosynthesis Activity - Class Relay
* Biology Curriculum - Full Year Bundle
* Apply to be a guest on the podcast about Standards-Based Grading
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode98
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Sep 25, 2023
97. 6 Grading Tips That Changed My Life
Over this past month, I’ve been sharing my thoughts, practices, and strategies surrounding the topic of grading. You’ve probably realized how passionate I am about this topic because it’s something that I believe will give you more balance in your life between school and your personal life. And who doesn’t want that?! To wrap up this series, I’m sharing my own personal grading strategy and tips to help accomplish my grading goals.
Many teachers talk about the amount of time they spend grading student work but fail to have a strategy for minimizing that time. Spending time thinking about your personal grading strategy helps you be more intentional about decreasing the time you spend grading. In order to do that, it’s important to identify two key principles on which all your grading decisions are based.
So, how do you accomplish those grading principles? That’s where my 6 grading tips come into play. Each tip keeps students’ learning at the forefront while making sure your classroom remains equitable. Not only do these tips help minimize time spent grading, but also provide more freedom for differentiation, feedback, and immediate adjustments to your lessons.
Having a ton of assignments to grade can be overwhelming to teachers. However, if you create a personal grading strategy that aligns with your key principles, you won’t feel stressed from grading, and you’ll have a better work-life balance.
*Resources Mentioned: *
* Monthly Desk Calendar
* Apply to be a guest on the podcast about Standards-Based Grading
* Editable Midterm or End of Year Review Project
* Complete Units
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode97
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Sep 18, 2023
96. Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)
Remember the days when you were in school and thought, When I’m a teacher, I’m NEVER going to do this! But then you become a teacher and do exactly what you said you weren’t going to do. Don’t worry, I’m guilty of this too. As soon as I became a teacher, I followed suit with the cycle of assigning homework in my class. However, I had a mindset shift to where now I’m a huge advocate for not assigning homework.
I know for some, this sounds crazy! Most of you probably have a list of questions that include how do you do this, what are the benefits, and how will I know if my students are understanding the concept? And while those are all valid questions, I’ve got answers for you! In today’s episode, I’m sharing why I chose not to assign homework, my strategy in doing so, and the 6 results I learned that may surprise you.
Since not assigning homework is hard for us to grasp, I ask one simple question that asks you to reflect on the meaning of the homework you assign. Once…
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Sep 11, 2023
95. How to STOP Grading Everything
As teachers, we know that our time is valuable and we try to create that perfect work-life balance. However, time dedicated to instruction, engaging activities, and other teaching-related tasks can consume our time in and outside the classroom. But you can decrease the amount of time you spend on one task that will save you more time and energy, which is grading!
Now, I know that grading is a mandatory and necessary component of teaching, but the amount of time teachers are spending on grading student work is way too much. I believe that there are ways you can truly stop grading everything while still having multiple preps and higher-level AP courses. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to achieve this, two of the biggest criticisms I get, and my solutions to each.
Once you decrease the amount you’re grading, you will begin to see how it benefits both you and your students. Yes, I said students! They will appreciate your more timely feedback and get a more energized and recharg…
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Sep 4, 2023
94. How to Deal with Cheating in Your High School Science Classes
To wrap up our Summer of Podcast PD, we’re ending with a series on grading practices. And one of the hot topics that’s particularly relevant in secondary classrooms is the act of cheating. This is a topic that I feel very passionate about, so I’ve invested in my own research to find the best strategies and solutions. In today’s episode, I’m sharing what you can do to best prevent it, how to respond when it does occur, and specific strategies to use in your classroom.
In this world we live in, technology is everywhere, and our students know how to use it to their advantage. And while cheating is an academic issue, it can be prevented. There are a lot of things I do in my own classroom that eliminate the pressure and act of cheating that’s related to how I choose to grade assignments, labs, and tests. I discuss what I do along with my reason for not giving homework.
But since we know that cheating will eventually occur at some point during the year, what do you do? With dif…
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Aug 28, 2023
93. Simple Strategies for Classroom Management
I loved talking all about classroom management this month, and we have finally made it to the last episode of the series! The biggest takeaway I wanted to convey was the importance of being proactive rather than reactive, and a way to do that is through simple strategies implemented in your classroom. In this last episode, I’m sharing my final five strategies for effective classroom management this school year.
Sometimes the best strategies are the simplest ones, which is so true for the 5 classroom management strategies I’m sharing today. I’ve had personal experience and success with each one, and know you will too! As I explain each strategy, I also break down why I love it and how to use it, how it was helpful, or how to implement it in your classroom.
Starting off the year with effective classroom management is critical to managing student behaviors and more efficient learning and instruction time. I encourage you to choose one of these simple strategies mentioned, along wi…
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Aug 21, 2023
92. 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in your Secondary Science Classroom
My message in last week’s episode was all about how to be proactive rather than reactive using routines and procedures. Continuing with the classroom management series, I believe another way to be proactive in your classroom is through the pace of your class and how you handle transitions. In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing 5 practical tips to keep your class moving with efficiency.
In my experience, one of the best ways to prevent disciplinary issues is by keeping your class moving. The pace of your classroom sets the tone and shows your students what’s expected of them. Because of this, I intentionally use my time more precisely and reap the benefits from it, which I share with you. Additionally, I discuss my 5 simple and practical tips, which include transitions, to help give you a more efficient classroom.
The best time to implement new procedures, routines, activities, or habits is the beginning of a new school year. Instead of wishing for more classroom time, dealing w…
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Aug 14, 2023
91. My Top 5 Classroom Management Routines and Procedures for High School Science Teachers
Dealing with behaviors and problems in the classroom is inevitable, but our goal is to prevent as many as we can before they even happen. A simple way to achieve this is by implementing routines and procedures!
In last week’s episode, I challenged you to reflect on your own classroom management philosophies and come up with 3-5 refrains that define your management style. Keeping those in mind, in today’s episode, I’m sharing how to use those routines and procedures as being proactive rather than reactive when managing the classroom.
A teacher’s classroom management is personal to them regarding their own philosophy, personality, and style, so determining what routines and procedures you implement falls into that same category.
To give some context and guidance, I’m divulging my top 5 routines and procedures to teach at the beginning of the school year. By no means is there one “right way” to do any of the ones I share, so just think of them as ideas that are proactive…
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Aug 7, 2023
90. Classroom Management Philosophy for Secondary Science Teachers
The new school year is upon us, and to help you prepare, I am spending the whole month of August covering all things classroom management. Now, I know classroom management looks different for every teacher, but I hope that sharing my personal philosophy and tried and true strategies will help you develop your own.
Classroom management is incredibly personal, and in order for it to be effective, it has to be authentic to you and your personality. This is why figuring out what your philosophy is is so important when developing your classroom management style. Today, I am sharing questions to ask yourself when determining your style, what refrains my personal philosophy centers around, and the two ways to look at classroom management.
When figuring out your classroom management style, looking at your core values is key. We dive deep into core values in my Secondary Science Simplified course, so if you are looking for more support determining your core values, join the waitlist for when…
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Jul 31, 2023
89. Classroom Management in a Post-COVID World with Guest Casey O’Hearn
Tomorrow is August which means that many of you are gearing up to head back to school. What better way to get back into the school mindset than to talk about classroom management? We know classroom management is so important to have a successful class, but these post-pandemic times are making things TOUGH! I have not personally been in the classroom since before the pandemic, so I invited Casey O’Hearn to join me today to share all about his post-COVID classroom management.
Casey is a 4th-year science teacher at Sumner-Fredericksburg High School. He teaches biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy. He has spent his entire teaching career teaching during COVID and post-COVID times, which we all know has presented many challenges for teachers and students.
In his 3 years of classroom experience, Casey has found simple and practical ways to build relationships with students and successfully manage his classroom. In this episode, we talk all about reachi…
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Jul 27, 2023
88. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: Part 5
YOU DID IT!! It is the last episode of our Curriculum Design mini-series and we are wrapping it up with a little extra support with what I think is the most challenging assessment to write, the end-of-unit tests. Now, let’s be clear, no assessment is easy to write, and writing tests is NOT for the faint of heart. Of course, I want to give you as many helpful tips as I can, so in today's episode, I am giving you a glimpse into how I write my end-of-unit tests.
As I mentioned, writing tests is challenging, and I don’t want you diving into this thinking it will be easy peasy because, quite honestly, it won’t be. However, I hope that hearing how I create my end-of-unit tests makes it a bit more manageable. In this episode, I am sharing what I recommend you use as a starting point, how I typically break down the types of questions on tests, how I like to divide up my end-of-unit tests, and why it is CRUCIAL you review your tests for bias.
I hope you found this mini-series to be incr…
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Jul 24, 2023
87. Aligning Your Assessments: Curriculum Design Part 5
Huge CONGRATULATIONS, teacher friend! You made it to the final part of our curriculum design mini-series! I am so incredibly proud of you! Even if you only completed part 1, you still made progress, and small progress is better than no progress! We have spent the last few weeks walking through the first four parts of curriculum design, but today, we are diving into how to align your assessments.
When I say “align your assessments,” I’m sure many think that means teaching to the test. That is NOT at all what I mean. What it does mean is that we are creating meaning and intentionality with everything we do in our instruction.
We want our students to be motivated to complete their work and not just see it as busy work, which is why it is so important to ensure that your assessments are aligned to the learning and instructional activities that took place throughout the unit. In this episode, I’m sharing how I create formative and summative assessments for my curricula and the imp…
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Jul 20, 2023
86. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: Part 4
Ready for more help with building out the backbone of your curriculum? I’m ready to help! I know that this part might feel hard, and that is totally okay! Although it is one of my favorite parts of designing curriculum, I know that is not the case for everyone. Coming up with instructional activities and resources is not necessarily an easy thing to do, but I will gladly share the behind-the-scenes thought process I go through to help YOU come up with ideas for your own curriculum.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and if designing this curriculum feels hard, please don’t feel discouraged! I want to provide you with the support you need to take this on if it is something you want to do. I am sharing how I think through what activities to include for different concepts in my Electrons unit and how I balance out the activities that are included in each unit. And I hope that giving you a glimpse into my thought process is helpful for you as you work through building out the back…
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Jul 17, 2023
85. Building Out Your Backbone: Curriculum Design Part 4
We have made it to part 4 of the Curriculum Design mini-series! The first three parts weren’t exactly “fun,” I get it! But this is the point in the design process where we get to start being creative, and the process becomes a bit more interesting! BUT, if you have not done steps 1 through 3, it is crucial that you complete them before moving on to part 4 - building out the backbone of your curriculum!
Ready to dive into the fun part of curriculum design, teacher friend? Building the backbone of your curriculum means planning out all of your instructional resources - think labs, activities, projects, and all the memorable learning experiences for your students! This is where you get to be creative and think of all the ways you can engage your students in their learning!
Now, don’t be intimidated and think you need to add tons of activities and labs and projects into your curriculum right away. And, of course, you do not need to figure this all out on your own! In this episode…
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Jul 13, 2023
84. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: Part 3
Lecture is the foundation when designing a curriculum. Now I know that may make some of you not very happy, but it’s true. However, when I say lecture is the foundation, I do not mean that it’s my top priority or what I spend most of my time doing in the classroom. When we talk about foundation, I mean the baseline of which I build my curriculum on. To give you a better understanding of how I build my curriculum off my foundation, I am sharing how I use my foundation of lecture notes so that my whole class isn’t lecture.
When I think back to when I took anatomy & physiology, I remember reading textbooks, memorizing information, and labeling diagrams. That is NOT what I wanted my curricula to be. I didn’t want every lesson to be a lecture and my students memorizing things from their textbook.
Because of this, I began thinking of ideas for instructional resources I could use to make my lectures shorter, the activities more engaging, and keep my classroom student-centered. Today…
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Jul 10, 2023
83. Forming Your Foundation: Curriculum Design Part 3
We are at the tipping point in our Curriculum Design mini-series! I am so excited that you have worked through this process with me up to this point. So far, we have covered strategizing your sequence and analyzing your aims. If you haven’t done that, be sure to complete those steps before moving on to step 3, forming your foundation.
So what is a foundation? When I am talking about the foundation for your curriculum, I am talking about the core direct instruction delivery strategy (AKA lecture notes). Now I know that lecture notes and direct instruction have a bad rap, BUT I think I approach them a little differently than what we’re all used to. And as I share my process for designing a curriculum for personal use, take what serves you and leave what doesn't!
In this episode, I am breaking down my process for forming the foundation of my curriculum. I am sharing why I like using lecture notes, how I build out my .PPTX files, and why I love using Cornell note outlines with my stu…
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Jul 6, 2023
82. PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION: Parts 1 and 2
Have you been following along with our Curriculum Design mini-series and need just a little bit more support and context to complete parts 1 and 2? I’ve got you covered, teacher friend! I know the process of designing a curriculum is *A LOT, *but if we work through it together, step-by-step, it will make it much more manageable and will be so beneficial in the end!
Sometimes when taking on new, big projects, it is helpful to have examples and reference points to guide you along the way. Hearing the practical implementation of these steps can be incredibly helpful as you work your way through the curriculum design process. And because I want to ensure that I am providing you with as much help along the way as I can, I am sharing how I strategized the sequence for my Biology curriculum by thinking through the 10 questions from episode 80 and why it is so crucial and beneficial to do the not so fun work of analyzing your aims like we discussed in episode 81.
Designing your own curricu…
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Jul 3, 2023
81. Analyzing Your Aims: Curriculum Design Part 2
We are moving on to step two in our curriculum design mini-series! If you did not complete the first step in the process about strategic sequencing, you NEED to go back and start there before tackling step two. This week, we are going to dive into analyzing your aims. Although this isn’t the flashiest or most fun part of the process, it is crucial to designing your curriculum.
I am walking you through how to analyze your aims, step by step, and covering why you need to accurately identify what standards you need to use, the importance of finding out if there are any specific materials you need to follow, and why you need to translate your standards into practical objectives.
This may be a part of the curriculum design process you want to skip over, but you NEED to do this. This step is so important - you need to learn what you need to be teaching and to what depth you need to teach it! And if you still need a little help, be sure to tune in to episode 82 where we will be covering e…
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Jun 26, 2023
80. Strategizing Your Sequence: Curriculum Design Part 1
You asked for it so I’m going to give you what you want! One of the most frequent requests I get is for my curriculum design process. What better time to break down my process for you than during our Summer Podcast PD!? We are kicking off our curriculum design series by starting with the absolute first thing you need to do when designing a curriculum to use in your classroom.
Whether you are trying to figure out what to teach in a prep you have nothing for, or you have curricula for all your preps, you are going to walk away from this series knowing how to write a curriculum for you to use in your own classroom because I am breaking down my process step-by-step.
In this episode, I am sharing what this series is and what it is not, how to best use this series to achieve your goals, the importance of strategizing your sequence, and what action step you can take today to get started creating your own curriculum.
Not sure how to strategize your sequence? Think through these 10 questio…
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Jun 19, 2023
79. 4 Ways to Use Your Summer Well
Summer is in full swing and I could not be happier! It’s time to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the much needed time off. But if I’m honest, summer has always been a time of tension where I struggled with feeling guilty when I’m enjoying the fun because I’m not preparing for the next school year and also feeling guilty while I was working because I should have been enjoying summer more.
I know if I’ve struggled with this, most likely there are others that do as well!! I am here to tell you that there totally can be a balance between using the summer to reset while still preparing for the upcoming school year and I am giving you all the details of the 4 things I do to achieve this balance.
In this episode, I am sharing the importance of playing during the summer, why you need to unplug, how you can serve future you, and my number 1 way to use summer well.
Be sure to follow or subscribe to the Secondary Science Simplified podcast wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’…
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Jun 12, 2023
78. Our LEAST Favorite Topics to Teach & How We Approach Them with Guest Sam Holcomb of Engineer Does Education
Let’s be honest, we all have certain topics that we have to teach but just absolutely dread teaching. Whether it’s because they are boring, unnecessary, or just depressing, we just don’t want to teach them! I’m sure you know exactly what topics you would skip over if you could and you are not alone, teacher friend! Sam Holcomb of Engineer Does Education is joining me today to chat about our least favorite topics to teach.
Be sure to reach out to your secondary science teacher friend and encourage them to join you in the FREE Podcast PD! It’s the perfect way to get your teacher friends together and take in some bite-sized PD episodes all summer!
*Resources Mentioned:*
* Sign up for the FREE Summer Podcast PD
* Sam’s Energy Hero Project
* Sam’s Current Event Project
* Grab the Photosynthesis Relay Activity
* Watch the City of the Future Video
* Get the Human Impact Project
* Grab Rebeca’s FREE Children’s Book Project
* Simple Systems with Sam - Ep. 2:…
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Jun 5, 2023
77. 5 Myths You Might Believe About Your Work Email
Are you an email addict feeling like you need to constantly be checking your inbox and responding immediately to anything that comes in? Guilty!! I like to think of myself as a recovering email addict. For years, I let email take way too much of my time and energy that I should have been focusing on other things.
I want to help you break away from the constant email checking so you can have a much healthier outlook on your work email as you head into summer! In this episode, I’m debunking 5 lies you might be believing about your work email and 5 practical ways you can combat them so you can spend your time focusing on more important things. Plus, I’m sharing some of my favorite tools to help with limiting the time you spend in your inbox!
If you have a teacher friend who needs some help setting email boundaries, share this episode with them! Better yet, send them the FREE Podcast PD* *so they can join in on all the goodness that’s coming this summer!
Resources:
* Sign up fo…
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May 29, 2023
76. How Did You Do This Year?
If you’re anything like me, you want to just make it through the last couple weeks of school and say GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE to another school year! But, before you close up your classroom for the summer, I encourage you to take a few minutes to reflect on the school year and ask yourself, “How did I do?”
In this episode, I’m sharing six questions to ask yourself to help you reflect on the year. Once you reflect on these questions, WRITE them out and put them in your pencil drawer or paper clip them to your planner so when you return in August, it is the first thing that you see!
Remember to grab the calendar for the next few months of our FREE Podcast PD* *and share it with a science teacher friend and encourage them to join you in a summer filled with practical, relevant, and SIMPLIFIED PD.
Resources Mentioned:
* Sign up for the FREE Summer Podcast PD
* Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
* Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
* Send me a…
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May 22, 2023
75. End of Year Classroom CLEANOUT Without the FREAKOUT
Get out your big black trash bags and label makers, because it’s time for an end of year classroom cleanout! If cleaning out your classroom causes immediate overwhelm (or dread if you’re also tackling the supply closet 🤢) don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Simple systems are my love language, and over the years I’ve managed to get cleaning out a classroom down to a science. In this episode, I’ll will walk you through exactly how to handle your end of year classroom cleanout in a stress-free way. I know you’re ready for summer, but I promise if you take the time to do this well, your future self will thank you!
Do you know a secondary science teacher friend who you want to join you in the FREE Podcast PD? Get your teacher friends together, hold each other accountable, and take action on these bite-sized PD episodes all summer!
Resources Mentioned:
* Sign up for the FREE Summer Podcast PD
* Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development co…
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May 15, 2023
74. My #1 Way to Simplify Future Lab Days
We are kicking off our Summer Podcast PD with a topic I get asked about most - LABS! There is so much to cover when it comes to labs and how to simplify them. But let’s be honest, you likely aren’t in the headspace at this point of the school year to strategize about how to simplify your lab days. So today, I am sharing the one thing you can do NOW to help simplify every future lab day.
In today’s episode, I am walking you through, step by step, how to audit your current labs so you have all the information you need to improve your labs and ensure you are doing the right labs! Be sure to grab the FREE lab audit sheet to help you audit your labs.
Do you know a secondary science teacher friend who you want to join you in the FREE Podcast PD? Get your teacher friends together, hold each other accountable, and take action on these bite sized PD episodes all summer!
*Resources Mentioned:*
* Grab the FREE Lab Audit Here
* Sign up for the Summer Podcast PD Series
* Join the Se…
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May 8, 2023
73. Teacher Appreciation Week Gone Wrong
Happy teacher appreciation week, my friend! I truly hope that you are being celebrated and shown how much you are appreciated this week! Unfortunately, I know that Teacher Appreciation Week doesn’t always go the way that we hope it would. Sometimes, how we are shown “appreciation” is simply unbelievable and today, we are hearing some stories from listeners about their ridiculous teacher appreciation gifts.
I want you to know that you ARE appreciated for all your efforts! So to show my appreciation, I am offering 10% off the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop for the month of May using code MAYPOD10. This code is stackable so you can use it in addition to any other codes! PLUS, I am doing FREE PD all summer on the podcast! Each week, I’ll be sharing practical, actionable, and specific PD on the Secondary Science Simplified podcast so you can take the information to prepare for next year. I am so excited to share this with you starting next week!
Check out the show notes f…
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May 1, 2023
72. Review Strategies for EOC, Benchmark, and AP Exams
The end of the year is fast approaching which means that benchmark and EOC exams will be here soon. If you’re anything like me, you HATE reviewing! If you dread review days as much as I do, I have some ideas and tips to help make them a little less painful for you. Today, I am sharing 4 tips for review strategies for your upcoming EOC and benchmark exams.
End of the year exams can be incredibly stressful for students and for teachers as student performance can impact your job. I want to help reduce the stress of preparing your students for these exams by sharing tips to simplify this year’s test prep and review. In this episode, I am sharing 2 tips for if you are working on a team and 2 tips for all secondary science teachers. We are diving into how to divide and conquer review topics, the benefits of rotating teachers/students, why you should prepare with as many practice problems as possible, and how to effectively use review stations.
Let me know if you’ll be using any of th…
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Apr 24, 2023
71. "I'm the Problem, It's Me": Working with Difficult Coworkers and Admin with Guest Zach Matson
Working with difficult admin or difficult coworkers can make or break a teaching position. Last episode, my high school chemistry teacher Zach Matson joined us to talk all about dealing with difficult parents. He is joining us again today to share all about his experience and insight into dealing with difficult admin and coworkers.
Talking with Zach is always so incredible, entertaining, and helpful! In his 20+ years of teaching, he has experienced some difficult situations that he is sharing to help other teachers who may be working with challenging admin or coworkers. In this episode, we are discussing, working with difficult coworkers and in PLCs, advice for how to know when it’s time to move on because of difficult admin, tips for what to look for in admin when interviewing, and his advice for new teachers. We covered so much information in this episode and I know you are going to love this conversation as much as I did!
*Resources Mentioned:*
* Check out Zach’s YouTube Ch…
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Apr 17, 2023
70. “It isn’t an Attack on You”: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach Matson
Dealing with difficult parents can be one of the worst things about teaching secondary science. So many of us would love advice on how to handle challenging situations, what to say when issues arise, or how to stop taking things personally from teachers who have been there and figured it out. That is one of the reasons I brought my high school chemistry teacher, Zach Matson, back on the podcast!
Zach is a 20 year teaching veteran who is full of amazing insight and advice for high school science teachers and today, he is talking all about dealing with difficult parents. He has had his share of difficult parents over the course of his career and he is sharing some great advice and tips for handling these situations. In this episode, we are talking about how to handle emails from difficult parents, setting boundaries, how to deal with a potentially failing student, and what he has done in cheating situations.
Zach will be back again next week talking about admin and coworkers. Be sure t…
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Apr 10, 2023
69. Admin Support - WHY You Need to Ask, HOW to Ask, and WHAT to Ask For
Admin support can completely make or break your job as a secondary science teacher. As high school science teachers, we have so much on our plates already - planning, prepping labs, grading, teaching how many preps, pressure from parents, etc. Without support from admin, this job can be even more challenging. So how can you get support from admin? ASK! That’s right, you need to actually ask for what you need and ask in an effective way.
I spent my first few years struggling because I was afraid to ask my admin for what I needed to effectively teach my classes. I learned the hard way that I needed help and I needed to ask my admin for that help. I also learned a few things along the way about asking for support from admin and I’m sharing those lessons with you so you can confidently ask your admin for support.
In this episode, we are covering why you need to ask for help, my best tips for how to ask your admin, and ways admin can support you that do not cost money. As always, if s…
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Apr 3, 2023
68. Evaluating Your Teaching Contract
It’s contract season! Have you received your teacher contract for next year yet? If not, it will likely be coming soon and regardless of if you are staying or not, you may be feeling a lot of emotions. If you are on the fence about staying in your current position or leaving, I strongly suggest you think through it in a neutral way without letting fear or exhaustion make the decision for you. One way to do this is to look closely through your teacher contract and determine if it best serves you in this season.
Being a teacher these past few years has been incredibly challenging which has led many teachers to question whether they should return to teaching next year, stay in their current position, or try switching schools. When I left teaching in early 2020, I too had to make tough decisions and one thing that helped to make my decision to leave was looking through my contract. If you are unsure what to do next year, I want to help you by talking you through four things to consider…
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Mar 27, 2023
67. Considering a Teacher Career Change with guest Daphne Gomez, the Teacher Career Coach
You know I am always here to support you and want to see you thrive in the classroom! I know, however, that even with all the tips, advice, and resources I share, you may still be considering whether or not being in the classroom is the best choice for you. If that’s where you currently find yourself, I want you to feel supported, too. That’s why I am so excited that our guest today, Teacher Career Coach, Daphne Gomez, is here to share some amazing advice for you.
It’s that time of year when contracts start coming out and you are deciding what your plans are for next year. You may be set on staying in your current role or you may be considering other options. If you are thinking of exiting the classroom but are unsure where to start, Daphne’s got you! She is sharing what led her to leave the classroom, specific indicators of if it is time to make a shift, examples of types of careers teachers can transition into, advice for what to do if you are ready to leave or starting to c…
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Mar 20, 2023
66. Tips for Teaching at a Public School vs. a Private School
Are you unsure if you want to teach in a public school or a private school next year? In my experience, there are definitely differences between the two and pros and cons to both and finding which school is the best fit for you is so important. So today, I am sharing tips that I have learned from my experience in both public and private schools to help you wherever you end up next year.
I want to help you THRIVE and not just survive in whatever school you teach at so I am sharing my best advice for teaching at private schools and public schools. In this episode, I am giving you 10 tips for teaching in a private school, 10 quick tips for teaching in a public school, and how these tips helped me while teaching at different schools.
No matter where you end up teaching next year, I truly believe the most important thing about your happiness and job satisfaction is the support you receive. I hope you find a school that you have good support from your admin, parents, and coworkers and that…
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Mar 13, 2023
65. Considering Switching Schools? 10 Questions to Think Through
Contract season is quickly approaching, meaning soon, you’ll have to decide if you will return to the same school next year or look for someplace new. If you’re unsure if you will sign or not, I want to help you make this decision. I am sharing 10 things to take into consideration when you are deciding whether to stay at your current school or look for a new school.
We are all aware that every school has its issues and that no school is perfect. We also know that every school is very different. That is why I think it’s important to reevaluate whether to stay or move on every couple of years so you can decide if where you’re at is serving you and what’s most important to you in your current season.
All schools have their downfalls but I think it’s so important to find a place where you feel supported in your current season of life. That means it may be time to look at your family and priorities and weigh the positives and negatives of staying or leaving your school.
If yo…
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Mar 6, 2023
64. How to Re-Engage Apathetic Students (and Manage Your Own Apathy!)
Quarter 3 is a doozy! There is definitely an energy shift after winter break and both students and teachers feel it. Everyone is just drained. So how are we going to get through the rest of the school year and re-engage our students? I’ve got 5 tips to help re-engage your students and YOU in quarter 3.
Spring break and the end of the school year seem so far away. We and our students are likely just going through the motions at this point in the school year which means now is the perfect time to make some changes and get them engaged and excited for your class again.
You may be thinking that you just don’t have the time or energy to figure out ways to re-engage them but the good news is that you can get them enthusiastic without a ton of extra work on your part.In this episode, I am sharing why you should be connecting with them on a personal level, how a change of scenery can be beneficial, the importance of giving them autonomy, and how to get inspired to do what is FUN!
If…
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Feb 27, 2023
63. Teaching and ADHD - Practical Tips for You AND Your Students with Guest Bri Plyler
Students and teachers with ADHD have unique struggles and challenges when it comes to work and school tasks. Whether you are a teacher who has ADHD or you have students who have ADHD, understanding how different strategies may help can be incredibly beneficial. I am no expert in ADHD so I am so grateful that Bri Plyler is joining us today to share some amazing information on ADHD in the secondary science classroom.
We all likely know someone who has ADHD, diagnosed or not, so having a better understanding of how it may affect people and strategies to help is so important. In this episode, Bri is sharing her career history and background, some ADHD markers, actionable tips for teachers and students with ADHD, and recommendations specifically for helping secondary science teachers tackle everything on their plate.
Resources Mentioned:
* Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
* ADHD Symptom Checker
* Classroom Visual Timers
* Time…
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Feb 20, 2023
62. 5 Ways to Instantly Make Your Planning Period More Productive
How are we supposed to have a work/life balance when we have a million things to do on a daily basis and a 45 minute (or 90 minute if you’re lucky!) planning time to get them all done? Finding ways to have the most productive planning period possible is essential to working only your contracted hours and having a life outside of work. If you’re not sure where to start, I’m sharing my 5 best tips for optimizing your planning period so work can stay at work.
At one point, I was working about 60 hours a week. 60 hours! Once I figured out how to maximize the effectiveness of my planning period, I was able to cut down my working hours to only my contracted time and finally have the work/life balance I needed.
If you’re ready to take control of your planning period and use the little time you have to the fullest, I have some tips for you! I am giving you 5 specific things you can do TODAY to maximize the effectiveness of your planning period. I am sharing how to shut out external d…
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Feb 13, 2023
61. Rethinking Demos and More with Guest Dr. Erica Colón
Many of us are looking ahead to the end of the school year because we are just burnt out. The last thing we want to think about is coming up with or preparing demos for our classes. I get it! That is one of the reasons I am so excited to have who I consider to be the “Demo Queen” joining us today. Prepare to be inspired, brecause Dr. Erica Colón, from @nittygrittyscience, is here to share her tips and insights with us about demos and so much more!
Erica has so much great advice for new and veteran teachers. In this episode, she is sharing her background and experience, why she started Nitty Gritty Science Jr., misconceptions about demos, advice on rethinking demos, and what she wishes she could go back and do differently as a new teacher.
Resources Mentioned:
* Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
* FREEBIE: Valentine’s themed high school science activities
* A category in my store of ALL my complete units
* Send m…
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Feb 6, 2023
60. Teaching with Packets - What They Are, Why I Love Them, and How to Use Them
It’s almost Valentine’s Day so I knew I needed to share with you all about love at first sight! It may be a bit cheesy, but when I was first introduced to teaching with packets, I knew it was love at first sight and I’ve never looked back.
In this episode, I am sharing all the information you need to decide if teaching with packets is something you want to try with your classes. I am diving into what packets are and what is included in these packets, what teaching with packets looks like, ten reasons I absolutely love teaching with packets, and what resources can help you to create your own packets.
Be sure to grab your FREE Valentine’s Day themed high school science activities! These activities are perfect for engaging your students in a fun and worthwhile learning experience. There is one activity specifically for each subject - biology, anatomy, physics, and chemistry. Grab them today and send me a DM or email me at rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com when you use the…
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Jan 30, 2023
59. From Burned Out to Burned-In with Guest Amber Harper
We hear about teacher burnout all. the. time. You may even be feeling burnout and exhaustion right now. You are not alone, teacher friend! Whether you feel completely burned out or if you’re just feeling a little blah at this point in the year, our guest, Amber Harper of the Burned In Teacher is here to help!
We’ve been talking about scheduling rest and aligning your expectations with your current season of life but maybe you are still feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. You are not alone and there are ways that you can navigate your way out of burnout.
Amber is so encouraging to those of us feeling burnout and really challenges us to think more deeply about where we are. She is sharing her burnout story, what led her to leave the classroom and come back, what it means to be a Burned-In teacher, and advice for how to take action to change yourself and navigate your way out of burnout.
Amber Harper is a long-time educator, author, speaker, and podcaster. She’s the fo…
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Jan 23, 2023
58. Midyear Reflections and Reset
Oh, the second half of the school year. Making it to the end of the school year may seem like a daunting task to you. I get it! But what if you spent the next few months thriving instead of just surviving? Today, we are doing some midyear reflections by taking a look at the expectations we have for ourselves as teachers and digging into four areas of our work life that we can reset to make the rest of the school year the best it can be.
In this episode, we are talking about why you need to be reflecting on your current season, how to look at your classroom procedures and revamp them if needed, why you should give your teaching space a reset, what a time audit is and why you should do one, and how to look at your grading practices and determine if they need to be changed. Now is a great time to make changes in your work life and I challenge you to reflect on what you are currently doing and see if it aligns with your current season of life!
Don't forget to download the free Classroom…
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Jan 16, 2023
57. Living and Working in Your Current Season
As we are getting into the second half of the school year, are you noticing a difference in your energy and priorities compared to the beginning of the school year? Maybe there’s something new going on in your life or you’re entering a different phase with parents or your children. As we move from season to season, it is so important to recognize where we’re at and respect how living in that season may look different than just a few months before.
You know I love “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi and have shared some great takeaways from the book in previous episodes. One thing she really focuses on is living in your current season and giving it all your attention without rushing through. This really hit home last year as me and my family went through new seasons every few months as we added another baby to the family. This idea is something that really helped me and I knew I needed to share it with you!
Whether you are moving, pregnant or coming back from maternit…
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Jan 9, 2023
56. Scheduling Rest – Why You Need to and How To Do It
Do you actively schedule time for rest or are you running at full speed 24/7? We often get so caught up in doing as much as possible and having everything scheduled out that we don’t leave any time to rest. Let’s be honest, that isn’t healthy or sustainable. So today, we’re talking about why you need to schedule rest and how to actually do it when you feel like you have absolutely zero time.
I’ve previously shared how much I took away from reading “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi. One thing she discusses is scheduling rest and I think this is so, so important! We aren’t meant to be going nonstop with no time to recharge. I want to be sure you’re taking the time you need to rest so I am sharing why it is so important to actually schedule rest, how to schedule rest, and what to consider when you are scheduling time to rest into your schedule.
* “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” Book
* “The Lazy Genius Way” Book
* The Lazy Genius Podcast…
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Jan 2, 2023
55. Goal Setting for the New Year - a Different Approach
New year, new goals! That’s what we always hear, right? For some, this goal setting energy is exhilarating but for others, it’s just exhausting! Whatever your feelings are about new year goal setting, I have a three step approach to goal setting for this year that will make it seem much more manageable.
I recently read “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi and it totally inspired me! I used what I took away from that book to create a realistic approach to setting goals so that I actually follow through with them and I am sharing that approach with you.
I am sharing the importance of focusing on what really matters to you when you set your goal, why you should start small, and how focusing your goals on your life instead of your job is the best way to go about setting goals.
Resources Mentioned:
* Join the email list for access to the Cheer for the New Year event!
* “The Lazy Genius Way” Book
* The Lazy Genius Podcast
* The Lazy Genius on Instagram @thelazygen…
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Dec 26, 2022
54. Your Top 5 Favorite Podcast Episodes of 2022
We are one year into the Secondary Science Simplified podcast and I am SO GRATEFUL for each and every one of you! To wrap up year 1 of the show, I wanted to do a recap of favorite episodes from 2022.
We’ve covered so many different topics this year and have had some amazing guests on the show! There were a few episodes that were my absolute favorites that I knew I needed to share with you all again and, luckily, my favorites were listener favorites as well! Today, we are looking back at five personal and listener favorite episodes of Secondary Science Simplified. We are revisiting the “Best Episodes of 2022” including episodes on the importance of Prime Times, advice for new science teachers, mistakes to avoid at the beginning of the year, keeping things in perspective when teaching, and a beginning of the year pep talk.
I absolutely love hearing from you about the show and getting requests on topics to cover. Please keep the feedback and requests coming by sending me a DM…
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Dec 19, 2022
53. School Counselor Partnerships, Life Hacks, and Laughter with Guest Lauren Tingle
Did this year fly by for anybody else? I cannot believe it’s winter break and we’re already at the end of 2022! Winter break is a time to rest, recharge, and have fun. One of my best friends, Lauren Tingle of the Counselor Clique, is here today and bringing great advice and some laughter to all of us to wrap up the year. She is talking life hacks, self-care, teacher-counselor partnerships, and so much more!
You know how much I love giving you tips to help simplify your life inside the classroom so I thought it would be perfect for us to share ways to simplify your life outside of the classroom as well. In this episode, Lauren and I are talking a bit about school related topics like what it’s like working with friends, why teachers should partner with counselors, Lauren’s best and worst experiences with teachers, and the importance of setting boundaries.
Since most of you are on break right now, we wanted to share tips to help you rest and recharge during breaks, life hacks th…
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Dec 12, 2022
52. Why NOT to Assign Work Over Breaks
Confession time: One of my biggest regrets from my time spent in the classroom is assigning homework over school breaks.
Not only did I assign homework over breaks, but sometimes I would even assign projects to cover things we couldn’t get to in class (cringe!). As I spent more time in the classroom, I started to really reflect on my teaching practices and realized assigning work over breaks was not beneficial to me or my students. Today, we’re digging into why you should not assign work over breaks.
Resources Mentioned:
* FREEBIE: Winter Activities for High School Science
* Genetic Disorder Research Project
* Grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge!
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode52
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Dec 5, 2022
51. 5 Alternatives to Traditional Midterm Exams
Winter break is quickly approaching! Unfortunately, that means that midterm exams are as well. Most of us are required to give some sort of midterm exam and although scantrons are fast and easy, as we’re thinking of all the exams we have to grade, there may be alternatives that better serve our students. Today, I am sharing 5 ideas for using an alternative midterm exam with your secondary science students.
At this point in the year, you (and your students) are likely feeling pretty burned out. The thought of a long midterm exam is exhausting to everyone. This is the perfect time to try an alternative midterm exam that will assess your students’ learning in a fun and authentic way!
Resources Mentioned:
* FREEBIE: Winter Activities for High School Science
* Biology Midterm and Final Exam
* Anatomy Midterm and Final Exam
* Physical Science Midterm and Final Exam
* FREE Design a Children’s Book Project
* Teach the Class! Project
* Biology Independent Research P…
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Nov 28, 2022
50. Ask Me Anything! All YOUR Questions Answered!
It’s finally here! It’s the 50th episode of Secondary Science Simplified and to celebrate, I’m answering all of your burning questions. I am so excited to answer every single question you sent in.
I absolutely love connecting with you all and answering your questions. That is why I knew I needed to do an “Ask Me Anything” episode and you all did not disappoint! In this episode, I am answering all your questions from what I’m currently doing, curriculum writing, advice for first year and student teachers, classroom management, labs, and maternity leave, to who my favorite Instagram follows are and my most regrettable fashion choices.
I am so grateful to share the 50th episode of Secondary Science Simplified! To celebrate, we are doing a GIVEAWAY! The lucky winner will receive a $100 gift card to the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop! To enter, leave a review for the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, take a screenshot, and DM it to me on Instagram @its.not.rock…
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Nov 21, 2022
49. Visuals, Middle School, Maternity Leave, and MORE with Guest Rachael Lasky
Going through different seasons of life and experiences will definitely change your perspective on teaching. From teaching in a classroom with no windows, sinks, or up-to-date posters to display to taking maternity leave during a sub shortage, our guest today has had a wide range of experiences that have influenced her mindset around teaching. I am so excited to have @the_weird_science_teacher, Rachael Lasky, with us today!
Rachael has such great experience when it comes to teaching middle school science and is sharing amazing wisdom on using visuals for teaching, work/life balance, and so much more! This episode is full of excellent insight, especially for middle school science teachers. Rachael is sharing why she loves teaching middle school science, her experiences and advice for taking maternity leave at the beginning of the school year, how she uses visuals in her lessons, and advice for middle school teachers.
Resources Mentioned:
* Science Scaffolded Notes/Ancho…
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Nov 14, 2022
48. 5 Ways to Reclaim Your Class Time
It seems we never have enough time to do what we want to do in our class periods. How are we supposed to get labs, demos, lectures, assessments, and more squeezed into a 45 or 90 minute class? The answer: Reclaim your precious class time! You may be wondering how in the world you can do that, so today, I am sharing 5 simple changes you can make so you can cover all that you need to.
If you are looking at everything you need to get through and aren’t sure when you’ll have time to do it all, this episode is for you! I am giving you practical and simple changes you can make in your classroom to reclaim your valuable class time. I am sharing the three places time is most often wasted, how procedures are key to reduce wasted time, why you should have an agenda on your whiteboard, the power of timers and bells, and how an efficient turn-in system is a game-changer.
It is amazing how much time you can reclaim by implementing these five tips! I want to hear about what you try and how it…
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Nov 7, 2022
47. 2 Ways That Learning Happens and How to Create a Classroom Culture That Fosters It
How can we make learning more natural and more meaningful for our students? Simply put, learning happens best through asking questions and making mistakes. If you’re thinking about your classes and realizing that your students aren’t asking many questions and are afraid to make mistakes, this episode is packed with tips for you about how to move students to the center of their learning!
We are quickly approaching the “Ask me Anything” 50th episode of Secondary Science Simplified! I want to answer any question that you have - nothing is off limits! Submit your questions by DM-ing me on Instagram or send me an email to rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com with the subject line “Questions for Episode 50” by NOVEMBER 8th.
Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode47
Resources Mentioned:
* SECONDARY SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED™️ Professional Development Course
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple…
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Oct 31, 2022
46. Incorporating STEAM as Secondary Teachers with Guest Dr. Sarah Habibi
STEM is so important to teach our students to create lifelong learners and problem solvers. Integrating STEM into secondary science classes doesn’t need to be overwhelming or stressful thanks to @Science.Bae, Dr. Sarah Habibi! She is joining us today to give us some insight on STEAM and how we can teach it in our classes.
We are so lucky to have Dr. Sarah Habibi join us today to share her experiences and knowledge! She is sharing all about her unique career journey, why we should teach STEM to our students, how to integrate STEM and STEAM into our secondary classrooms, why she loves teaching on social media, and simple ways to incorporate STEM at home.
Sarah is so enthusiastic and encouraging when it comes to teaching STEAM! You’ll walk away from this episode feeling fired up and inspired to incorporate more STEAM in your classroom and at home.
Dr. Sarah Habibi is a molecular biologist, educator, digital content creator, and new mom to her son Noah. Sarah uses the power of soc…
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Oct 24, 2022
45. Using Phenomena to Engage Students
Using phenomena is a great way to engage your students but it can be so overwhelming trying to figure out what to do or how to get started. If you’re using NGSS or other standards that utilize phenomena, but are struggling to incorporate them in a meaningful way, I’m going to break it down for you! In this episode, we’re diving into engaging students through phenomena.
Resources Mentioned:
* Next Generation Science Standards
* It’s Not Rocket Science Units
* Biology everyday phenomenon: Cancer Statistics
* Biology anchoring phenomenon: Comparing Genetics
* Ecosystem in a Bottle investigation
* Support and motion unit
* Anatomy everyday phenomena: Wellness Trends
* Anatomy everyday phenomena: Heart Health
* Antibiotic Resistance Lab
* Matter Unit
* Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
I want to hear from you! We are coming up on our 50th episode! To celebrate, I am doing an “ask me anything” episode where no topic is off limits. S…
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Oct 17, 2022
44. Engaging Small Classes: What to Do When You Only Have a Few Students
Managing large classes can be a challenge but engaging small classes can be equally as difficult. If you are struggling with engaging your small class, you’re not alone! I’ve been there twice (teaching class periods with only 6 students!) and today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about engaging small classes.
Trying to keep the excitement and energy up in a small class isn’t easy and finding ways to do activities without enough students is challenging.
So in this episode, I am sharing my four BEST tips for helping you engage your small classes. We are covering why you should lighten up when you’re teaching a small class, the power of discussion and how it helps build a culture that encourages questions, how to use unique rewards as a means of motivation, and what to do when you just don’t have enough bodies for labs.
Don’t forget to grab your Halloween-themed FREEBIE for biology, anatomy, chemistry, and physics!
Resources Mentioned:
* FREEBIE: Halloween-themed…
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Oct 10, 2022
43. How to Manage Large Classes: What to do When You Have WAY Too Many Students
If you’re looking at your class roster and feeling absolutely overwhelmed by the crazy numbers you are seeing, you’re not alone! I am seeing so many teachers saying they have 30+ students in their science classes and they have no idea how to make teaching, let alone labs, with that many students, work.
If you are one of the teachers that has too many students in your science class, this episode is for you! I’m sharing six tips I’ve learned on how to manage large class sizes. We are going to cover why you should arrange desks into pods, how seating charts are crucial to managing large classes, why you need to include small group work into your lessons, how to use stations for labs with large classes, the importance of procedures, and how to use my favorite whole-classroom management strategy. Plus, I am giving you practical ways to incorporate each one of these tips!
Don’t forget to grab your Halloween-themed FREEBIE for biology, anatomy, chemistry, and physics!
Check out…
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Oct 3, 2022
42. What to Do if You Hate What You Teach
Are you stuck teaching a class or a grade that you absolutely hate teaching? You’re not alone! I’ve been there and so have many other teachers.
It can be such a struggle to make it through the year when you don’t want to teach the classes you’re assigned to teach. But perspective and a plan can make getting through the school year a little easier.
In today’s episode, I am talking all about what to do when you hate what you’re teaching. I’m covering my experience teaching a grade that I hated, four pieces of advice for what to do, why talking with admin is so important, and what to do if admin isn’t willing to work with you on what you want to teach. I’m also covering what to look for in great admin and three things you can do to help make it through this school year.
This episode was inspired by an email I received from a teacher and I would LOVE to do an episode on a topic that would benefit you or that would answer a question you have! If you are struggling with…
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Sep 26, 2022
41. 4 Practical Tips for Building Relationships with Your High School Students
You know that building relationships with your students is crucial. You know it leads to more memorable learning experiences but you aren’t quite sure how to build that relationship with all of your 100+ students. Today, I am giving you some of my favorite tips for building solid relationships with students.
We all know building relationships is foundational for reaching every learner but building these relationships doesn’t have to be exhausting! In this episode, I am sharing four practical tips to start building relationships with your students today, how to easily and realistically implement these tips, and how I found time to support students in extracurriculars pre and post-kids.
Looking back, my most memorable learning experiences were the ones where I knew my teachers cared about me as a person, not just my grade. Building strong relationships shows our students that we care about them, we want them to succeed, and we are rooting for them!
Do you have a tip on how to keep…
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Sep 19, 2022
40. How to Reach EVERY Learner in Your Classroom
As teachers, we know how important it is to reach every student that walks into our classroom. But how do we go about doing that when there is such a diverse group of students in every class? Today, I am sharing 4 tips on how to reach every learner in your high school science classes.
Reaching every single one of your students can seem overwhelming but I am here to help give you practical tips to help you do just that. In this episode, I am sharing the importance of getting to know every student as a person, how eliminating homework can benefit you and your students, why you should use a variety of assessments, and the importance of checking your test questions for bias.
Our students come to us with so many different backgrounds, home lives, experiences, and preferences but there are simple things we can do in our classrooms to make sure we are reaching them all and making an impact.
Resources Mentioned:
* Complete Secondary Science Units
* Biology Midterm and Final Exam Revi…
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Sep 12, 2022
39. Organization Tips for Your Science Classroom
Do you LOVE organizing your space or does the thought of it send you running the other way? Are you thinking there’s no way you can “organize” when you aren’t in a science classroom, you have no storage, or you’re a floater who only has a cart?
You all know how much I love all things organization and I am sharing some of my favorite tips and recommendations with you to help make your teaching space (whatever that space may be) efficient and welcoming.
I have spent time teaching in several settings and have learned so much about how to best use the space I have. Today, I am sharing some of the things I’ve learned with you! We are looking at how to use the front of your classroom most effectively, suggestions for having an organized turn in area, how to make class necessities easily accessible, and some advice specifically for floaters.
PLUS, I’m sharing two bonus recommendations on how to help manage cellphones in the classroom and how to organize YOUR files.
Need some…
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Sep 5, 2022
38. A Beginning of the year PEP TALK
The school year is approaching and we could all use a pep talk, especially after the past 3 years! We know this school year is filled with more unknowns and we’re running on empty before the year even starts. But I’m here to pump you up and get you excited for the start of school!
This is a much-needed pep talk, not only for secondary science teachers, but for all teachers! I am sharing why teaching is a job and not your whole life, why you don’t need to be on-call all the time, the importance of giving yourself and students grace, and why we should take this year one day at a time.
You are valuable and what you are doing is valuable! So this year, focus on showing your students that you care about them and you care about what you are teaching. You’ve got this, Teacher-Friend!
Know a teacher who could really use a pep talk? I’d love for you to share this episode with them and pass on the encouragement and pump each other up for another school year!
Resources:
* Downloa…
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Aug 29, 2022
37. Teaching Physics and FUN with Guest Michelle Brosseau
Does the thought of teaching physics for the first time stress you out? Do demos and labs seem overwhelming? My special guest, Michelle Brosseau, is here to give some great advice to new physics teachers!
Today, I am joined by an amazing secondary science teacher, Michelle Brosseau. Michelle is sharing 4 tips she has for first year physics teachers, what to do if you’re intimidated by demos and labs, and how she makes grading labs more manageable. She’s sharing some changes she's made throughout the years to engage her students and set them up for success.
Michelle Brosseau is a high school Science teacher, specializing in Physics, Earth & Space Science, and making learning FUN. Whether it’s teaching the physics of bubbles, demonstrating drag forces with indoor skydiving, or wearing her astronaut costume (or her velociraptor sweater, or her molecules dress, or her fossils blouse…), Michelle embraces her nerdiness to energize her students’ learning. Michelle has a Profession…
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Aug 22, 2022
36. Teaching Anatomy: 5 Tips for the Best Year EVER!
Are you teaching Anatomy for the first time or have you taught it before but don’t feel super confident teaching it? This episode is for you! Today, I am sharing 5 tips for teaching anatomy to help both you and your students LOVE anatomy!
In many high schools, Anatomy is an elective class which allows you to have some flexibility and options in what you teach and how you teach it. In this episode, I am sharing 5 tips to help you teach an anatomy class that you and your students love and that is meaningful. I am sharing why and how to stick to YOUR goals for the class, the importance of prioritizing real world applications, why students should be doing research in Anatomy class, the importance of emphasizing the interconnectedness of the systems, and how to take advantage of seasonal opportunities to keep students engaged.
I need YOUR help! I am putting together an episode on tips to keep every learner engaged in science classes. I would love to hear from YOU on how you engage a d…
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Aug 15, 2022
35. Competency, Classroom Management, Teaching Chemistry and MORE with Guest Zach Matson
Wouldn’t it be nice to get some honest insights and tips from an amazing chemistry teacher with an INSANE amount of experience? Lucky for us, my high school chemistry teacher is joining me today to do just that! Zach Matson is sharing the great insight and knowledge he has gained in his 20+ years of teaching. We cover a little bit of everything and you are definitely going to walk away with some great tips and feeling more encouraged to take on whatever is thrown your way!
In this episode, we are covering everything from what Zach wished he knew his first years teaching to AP Chemistry tips. Zach is sharing his background and how he got into teaching, his advice for new chemistry teachers and what he wished he did differently his first few years teaching, the importance of building rapport for classroom management, tips for doing demos and implementing lab days, and so much more!
Zach Matson has been teaching since 2001 and is certified in secondary chemistry, physics, and mathem…
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Aug 8, 2022
34. Teaching Biology - 4 Things NOT to Do
Whether you know what classes you are teaching next year already or if you are waiting for your schedule, I am here to help! In the upcoming weeks, our episodes will be content-specific to help YOU walk into this school year with confidence. We are starting today with my personal favorite course, BIOLOGY!
In today’s episode, I am sharing four things you should NOT do when teaching biology. We are talking about why you shouldn’t teach macromolecules in an isolated biochemistry unit and what to do instead, why teaching biochemical reactions only on a micro level is challenging to your students, what to do instead of teaching mitosis and meiosis together, and why addressing misconceptions when teaching evolution is important.
Secondary Science Simplified has reached over 10,000 downloads and to celebrate, I am giving away a $100 gift card to the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop and an It’s Not Rocket Science RTIC mug! To enter, just share your favorite Secondary Science Si…
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Aug 1, 2022
33. 5 Mistakes to Avoid at the Beginning of the School Year
Setting up for a successful school year starts on day 1. I have made my fair share of mistakes when it comes to starting the school year that made the year much more challenging than it should have been. Learn from my mistakes, teacher friends! In this episode, I’m going to help you avoid the mistakes I have made in the past. I am sharing what I wish I would have done from the beginning of the year that would have made things much easier!
I want to help you learn from my mistakes so you can have a more simplified back to school season. Today, we are looking at the most important procedure to have in the secondary science classroom, a simple change that can help you reclaim your time, how to block off time to accomplish your to-do list, and a huge mistake to avoid so you don’t feel drained and overworked.
I want to celebrate with YOU! We have reached over 10,000 downloads and to celebrate, I am giving away a $100 gift card to the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop and an I…
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Jul 25, 2022
32. Student-Centered Pedagogy: One Way to Start
Are you thinking that shifting to student centered pedagogy sounds great, but way too time consuming and overwhelming to do this year? If you are ready to make an easy change in order to help your students take more control of their learning and practice critical skills they can use their entire lives, this is an episode you do not want to miss!
In the previous 3 episodes, we focussed on what student centered pedagogy is and why you should shift to this type of teaching, as well as practical ways to implement student centered teaching. Today, I am giving you the ONE THING you can easily implement this school year to make your teaching more student centered without added overwhelm, stress, and time.
In this episode, we are looking at what project-based learning is, why it is important to use PBL in high school science classes, and how you can get started implementing PBL more easily than you may think. If you just don’t have the time or energy to prepare for PBL, I’ve got you! I h…
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Jul 18, 2022
31. Student Centered Pedagogy: How to do It
Do you feel overwhelmed when thinking about shifting to student centered pedagogy? Does the thought of redoing EVERYTHING stress you out? This episode is for you! I am breaking down how simple it can be to shift your current lessons and teaching to be more student centered and I’m sharing tons of tips to help along the way!
In today’s episode, I am giving you the ins and outs of how to transition to student centered pedagogy. We talk about 4 changes you can make to your current resources and lessons to make them more student centered, questions to ask yourself to see which changes would work for what lessons, and how to handle parent and student push back when you are making students take charge of their learning.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about all that needs to be done when you go back to school, check out my FREE summer classroom reset challenge to help you get a head start on preparing for the school year.
Resources:
* Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum
* Discove…
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Jul 11, 2022
30. Student-Centered Pedagogy: Why Make the Shift
Better serving your students while less is required of you? Sounds amazing, right? If you’re ready to make that happen, today’s episode is for you! We are continuing our new summer series on revamping our pedagogy to make it more student centered and this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
We have all heard that students learn best by doing, not by hearing. I know it can seem overwhelming to make the shift from lecture-style, teacher-centered teaching to student centered teaching, but it can have such a huge impact on both students and teachers. In today’s episode, we are looking at how to prevent opposition and student apathy, the importance of equipping our students to be independent learners and critical thinkers, and how taking us out of the center stage leaves more room for us to better serve our students.
We will be covering how to shift our pedagogy in the next 2 episodes. Until then, check out my FREE classroom reset challenge that walks you through five tasks you…
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Jul 4, 2022
29. Student-Centered Pedagogy: What it is
Ready to get off the stage and be in the audience with your students during your classes? That’s what we’re diving into in this new series focusing on student centered pedagogy. We’re talking about everything you need to know about shifting your pedagogy to be more student centered.
Today, we are looking at what student centered pedagogy is and what it isn’t. We revisit transforming our teaching from one dimensional to three dimensional and becoming more of a facilitator than a lecturer in our lessons. We break down common misconceptions and address some fears you may be having about letting students take more control of their learning.
I give you some examples of how I implement student centered pedagogy while still having structure and a plan - because we all know how much I love planning ahead! If you’re wondering how to move your students from passive to active learning so the content can be more meaningful to them, this episode is for you!
Don’t forget to grab you…
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Jun 27, 2022
28. Using Summer Productively
Summer is here which means you can finally rest after the long and demanding school year! We know the routine - hurry, stress, and go, go, go all school year so when summer comes, we just want to relax, recharge, and unplug. And we should! But if you’re anything like me, you need something to work on to keep you in some sort of routine.
In this episode, I discuss how to make the most of your restful summer by setting small, manageable goals so that you can be more prepared going back to school. I give you 3 easy to work on goals that will help cut down on the stress that fall often brings. You’ll hear about using your increased mental clarity and creativity to make adjustments for next year, completing a task that you just don’t have time for during the school year, and checking a must-do task off your list that is low pressure and doesn’t require much energy from you.
If you’re interested in PD in the summer, I have my own professional development course that I have create…
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Jun 20, 2022
27. How the Secondary Science Simplified Course Helped This New Teacher with Guest Rachel Carter
“Do it! What are you waiting for…it’s a game changer! It’s made my life so much easier.” This is the message today’s guest, Rachel Carter wants to share with everyone who is considering enrolling for the Secondary Science Simplified Course, which is now open for enrollment!
This month, I’ve shared secrets and habits I learned the hard way in my teaching career that I wish I had known when I first started teaching. These experiences formed the foundational lessons in the Secondary Science Simplified Course. After learning from my mistakes, I truly love all things related to simplifying our jobs and lives, and I am passionate about sharing how to do that with other teachers.
In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Rachel Carter, one of the teachers who took the course with me last summer after her 2nd year of teaching. You’ll hear how taking the course impacted her as a newer educator in the field. If you’re wondering how the course has impacted a more experienced ed…
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Jun 13, 2022
26. Leaving Work at Work
What are your worst work habits? This month, I’m getting open and honest about all the bad work habits I established during my first few years in the classroom. The good news is, habits can be changed! In my case, experience, making lots of mistakes, and leaning on the wisdom of my co-workers taught me how to correct these habits over the years.
In today’s episode, I’ll share what I believe is the absolute worst habit I formed as a new teacher…regularly working way more than 40 hours a week and having poor work-life boundaries. Thankfully, I learned how to leave work at work, and it made me a much better teacher and led to a happier, less anxious personal life. I’m sharing with you what I would tell myself if I could go back in time: “You work so that you can live, you don’t live so that you can work.”
Reserve your spot to the FREE workshop, 3 Secrets to Stress-Free Lab Days
Join the Secondary Science Simplified Course Waitlist
Check out the show notes for all…
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Jun 6, 2022
25. The Importance of Proactivity
During my first few years as a teacher, I developed some bad habits simply because I had so much to learn that could not be taught in a teacher certification program. There’s only so much you can learn about theories or even from shadowing other teachers. Eventually, you just have to jump in and learn things the hard way, doing the best you can to manage all of the things.
On top of figuring it out as you go, you have an audience of teenagers judging you along the way. I created survival mechanisms just to get by during those first years, and they became bad habits that I had to break. Thankfully, I learned some things through experience and the wisdom of other teachers. In each episode this month, I’ll share a teacher habit that I’ve learned along the way that I wish I had started my first year.
In today’s episode, we talk specifically about the importance of proactivity and how being proactive as a teacher can save you so much time and energy in the long run, especially w…
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May 30, 2022
24. A Look Inside the Secondary Science Simplified Course with 14-Year Teacher, Nikki Pryor
Like many teachers who have been in the classroom these last few years, today’s guest is a passionate educator who found herself exhausted at the end of a long and trying school year. When Nikki Pryor heard me share about the Secondary Science Simplified Course I was offering last summer, she knew it was exactly what she needed. She was ready to take a proactive approach and find a way to simplify her life and stop “chasing her tail.”
Now, Nikki is here a year later to discuss how taking the course last summer impacted her. She shares how this course is different from any other professional development she has taken in her 14 years of teaching. She’ll talk about her favorite parts of the course, and some of the things she implemented during the school year that completely changed the dynamics of her classroom. Nikki is currently in her 14th year, teaching science in the public school system of Oklahoma. In addition to being an educator, she's a small business owner, mother o…
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May 23, 2022
23. Ending the Year Strong by Setting Summer Rocks and Boundaries
We are wrapping up this month’s "Ending the Year Strong" series with my favorite strategy…how you can set up rocks and boundaries for yourself this summer. In each of the first three episodes of this series, I have given you a simple challenge that can have a big impact and set you up for success next school year. Whether you’re a teacher who has a hard time unplugging from work for the summer, or you’re a teacher who leaves all your schoolwork behind and goes into the new school year feeling behind, today’s challenge will benefit you.
Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/
Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode23
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May 16, 2022
22. Ending the Year Strong by Resetting Your Classroom
Believe it or not, the end of the school year is the perfect time to reset your classroom! After a busy school year, chances are your classroom is a mess. While it’s tempting to wait till the start of the new school year to take inventory and reorganize, your future self will thank you if you do it now. I know…I know…you’re ready to leave it all behind and start your summer break, but hear me out.
In today’s episode, we are continuing our series on how to end your year strong. In episode 20 and episode 21 I challenged you to reflect on your classroom management and lesson plans this past school year in order to end the year strong and set yourself up for success for next school year. Today we’ll take a mental break and focus on the physical space you teach in with the Classroom Reset Challenge. I’ll give you the step-by-step process you need to walk through every corner of your teaching space and storage areas so that when you return to your classroom next fall, you’ll…
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May 9, 2022
21. Ending the Year Strong by Auditing Your Lessons
What can you do now with a little bit of effort that will serve “future you” 5 times over? Summer is almost here, and this month’s episodes are dedicated to sharing specific and simple strategies you can do now so you can end your year strong and go into next year rested and ready to go.
Like most teachers this time of year, you may be feeling totally exhausted, but if you can channel the little bit of energy you have left into completing the challenge I’m giving you today, it will have a huge impact on saving you time and energy next year.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about how and why auditing your lesson plans for next school year is so important, even if you don’t know what you’ll be teaching.
Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/
Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode21
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May 2, 2022
20. Ending the Year Strong by Reflecting on Your Procedures
What if I told you it’s possible to end the year strong and prepare for the year ahead so that when you come back in the fall, you can start the year ready and rested rather than overwhelmed and stressed? That’s exactly what we’re talking about in this month’s podcast episodes.
This series is designed to equip you with specific and simple things you can do each week in small chunks as you end the school year. These actionable steps will set you up for success next year so you can actually unplug from work this summer and recharge before entering another school year. I’ll share one practical challenge per episode that you can do now to serve “future you” and your students next year.
In today’s episode, I challenge you to take some time to reflect on your current year and the procedures you had in place. Whether you have a few weeks or a few months left in this school year, it’s really important to do this now while this school year is fresh in your mind. Join me as…
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Apr 25, 2022
19. Collaboration, Classroom Management, Career Changes and MORE with Guest Jamie Whitlock
When I first started this podcast, I knew I would love to interview my dear friend and past co-worker, Jamie Whitlock. I learned so much from Jamie as her coworker and learned even more from her just through doing this interview, and I am so excited to have her on the show.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Jamie’s experience in the classroom as a full time teacher and what she has learned from spending the last four years in other teachers’ classrooms observing and supporting them as an instructional coach. We cover her transition into teaching as a second career, teaching a high stakes EOC-based course. We also discuss working on a team of teachers and how to collaborate with coworkers, even difficult ones or those NOT in your subject area.
Jamie provides so much wisdom with regards to whole classroom management strategies as well as garnering respect from students, particularly in the difficult setting of teaching in a post-pandemic classroom. She shares her experience…
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Apr 18, 2022
18. What to Do After End of Year Testing with Students
What do you do with that awkward, random amount of time you have after end-of-year testing is over? Whether you have 3 days or 3 weeks left till the last day of school, energy this time of year is at an all-time low, and senioritis is running rampant, even if you don’t teach seniors!
This last year has been especially challenging for so many teachers, and I totally understand if you’re just ready to breathe a sigh of relief that the testing is over and summer break is almost here.
You and your students have worked hard to get here, and you all deserve to rest and relax. If you’re not ready to throw in the towel yet and want to maximize every last day of the school year, this episode is for you.
Today I’m sharing 4 ideas for meaningful, yet fun things you can do after testing with your students that will keep them engaged and learning right up to summer break. These are simple, no-prep and low-prep ideas that don’t put pressure on you or your students. Check out the sho…
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Apr 11, 2022
17. Celebrating Earth Day in Your Secondary Science Classes
For the month of April, I'm doing podcast episodes all based on your questions and requests. I love making episodes that are helpful to you, so if there’s something you want to hear about on the podcast, shoot me a DM on Instagram and let me know! Last week, in episode 16, I covered one of the most requested topics, how to write sub plans for secondary science. Be sure to go back and listen if you missed it!
Today's episode is all about celebrating Earth Day in your secondary science class. We’ll cover why you should take time to celebrate with your students and exactly how to do that in simple yet effective ways.
Grab your FREE Earth Day resource: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/earthday/ Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode17
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Apr 4, 2022
16. 5 Strategies for Pain-Free Sub Plans
Over the next few weeks, I'm doing a series of episodes based on listener requests. I love hearing from you and providing content that is relevant. So…what was the most requested topic? How to best write sub plans for secondary science!
It’s really no surprise. How many jobs do you know of where it is actually so much harder to be out of work than it is to actually just be there? Writing sub plans as a secondary science teacher specifically is almost always worse than just powering through your dreaded seasonal allergies or actually making it to your bi-yearly dentist appointment.
In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing my 5 best strategies with a simple action item for each one that you can take and implement right away to set yourself up for success. I am a huge advocate for using all of your personal days and your sick days as you need them every year, despite the hassle of finding a sub and writing sub plans. Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this ep…
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Mar 28, 2022
15. Teaching Seniors, AP Biology, and MORE with Diana Price
What better way to top off our mini-series on Senioritis than an interview with a teacher who has taught a lot of seniors in her career. I am so excited to welcome my friend, Diana Price, to the show today!
In this episode, Diana shares some tips for how she personally handles senioritis with her students. She also talks about her entire teaching experience, from starting out as a floater teaching at the high school she went to, to now teaching mid-pandemic at a small private school as the only teacher who teaches the 5 preps that she has. She shares a wealth of knowledge, especially in relation to her experiences teaching AP biology.
Even if you don’t teach AP biology, you’ll walk away from this episode with some practical strategies for simplifying your life as a secondary science teacher.
Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode15
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Mar 21, 2022
14. Combating Senioritis Part 3: Saving the Best for Last
I’ve saved the best for last! In episode 12 and episode 13 I shared tips for combating senioritis as it creeps up in our classrooms this year. If you missed those episodes, be sure to go back and listen. It is possible to keep your students engaged and keep yourself energized so you can finish the year strong as a high school science teacher.
In today’s episode, I will be sharing my number one strategy for setting yourself up for future success, so senioritis won’t be something you dread every year. Now is the perfect time to reevaluate your core sequence and your pacing guides for next school year to set yourself up for success with combating senioritis and spring fever a year from now and every year after that.
Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode14
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Mar 14, 2022
13. Combating Senioritis Part 2: Using Student-Centered Activities
Fighting students for their attention is the last thing you want to do when combating Senioritis. The more choices we can provide for our students, the better our chances for finishing the year on a positive note and avoiding the symptoms of Senioritis. It is possible to provide choices to students without spending tons of time prepping and exhausting yourself as a teacher. When you shift as many activities as possible to be student-centered, you take most of the prep-work out of your own hands and put the responsibility for learning back on the students.
Whether you teach seniors or not, most students (and teachers) suffer from Senioritis, so it’s important that we find ways to change things up to keep our students engaged and learning through the end of the year. If you missed Part 1 of this series, be sure to check out Episode 12 where I shared my first two strategies for combating Senioritis in your students.
Today, I’m sharing two more strategies that will keep your student…
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Mar 7, 2022
12. Combating Senioritis Part 1: Getting Students Outside and Changing up Lecture
As the weather starts changing and the days are getting longer, Spring Fever starts to set in. I call it Senioritis, and whether you teach seniors or not, this condition does not discriminate based on student age. To be perfectly honest, Senioritis hits me as well. I get just as antsy as my students do for Spring Break and feel myself longing for summer days where I can escape the four walls of the classroom.
This month, I’m doing a 3-part series all about combating Senioritis. I’ll be sharing specific suggestions for keeping your students engaged until the end of the year, despite the weather changing and the countdowns to summer break. In today’s episode, I'm sharing two simple strategies you can implement to shift the mood in your classroom drastically right away.
Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode12
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Feb 28, 2022
11. Balancing Multiple Preps with Sam Holcomb of Engineer Does Education
I am so excited to introduce today’s guest, Sam Holcomb. Sam is sharing tips and strategies from her own experience balancing up to 7 preps at a time! She struggled during her first year trying to do it all, but soon, she began to implement the strategies she talks about today to simplify her life. Now she enjoys helping other teachers eliminate the overwhelm and stress that so many face.
Sam Holcomb was an engineer who specialized in lean, efficient systems and project management until jumping headfirst into a lifelong goal of teaching science. After an overwhelming first year as a department of 1 with 7 preps and no education background, she was exhausted. Realizing this overwhelm was extremely common, she knew something had to change. Now, Sam takes her engineering background and helps secondary science teachers create efficient systems, templates, and freedom to enjoy science again! Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com…
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Feb 21, 2022
10. Balancing Multiple Preps: How to Manage Grading
Balancing multiple preps can be one of the most challenging things for a secondary science teacher to do, but it’s possible to simplify and reduce the stress of balancing multiple preps.
Two of the biggest struggles for balancing multiple preps are lesson planning and grading. In episode 9, I shared my 5 best tips for how to lesson plan for three or more preps. Be sure to go back and catch that episode because it will save you so much time and make your life with multiple preps so much easier.
In today's episode, we're going to specifically address struggle number two, which is grading for all of those preps.
Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode10
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Feb 14, 2022
9. Balancing Multiple Preps: How to Lesson Plan
Being strategic with your time is always important for teachers who want to maximize their energy, but when you have 3 or more preps, it is more important than ever to be strategic so you can save time in every way possible. Having a system in place for managing lesson plans can have a huge impact on your effectiveness and efficiency in the classroom.
In today’s episode, we are going to talk specifically about how to lesson plan for all those preps. I’m going to share with you my five best tips for managing it all through lesson planning when you have 3 or more preps. When you have three or more preps on your plate, you cannot possibly do it all perfectly, and that’s ok. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to do your job so that you can do your best to love your students and provide engaging lessons that will support their success.
Grab your FREE Valentine's Day resources: bit.ly/inrsvday
Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketsciencecl…
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Feb 7, 2022
8. Balancing Multiple Preps: Where to Focus Your Energy
How do you do all the things you want to do as a secondary science teacher while balancing multiple preps? I get it. You want to do it all and be it all, but you are only one person with so much time. On top of that, your energy levels vary from season to season. Teaching multiple preps can be an overwhelming task, and the solution is not to start working 60-70 hours a week.
In today’s episode, we are going to talk about where you need to focus your energy so you can survive and thrive during this busy season. When you’ve got multiple preps to teach, it is not the time to try all of the new things. I’ll share how to be strategic and pick one prep to focus your creative energy on while putting your other preps on cruise control.
Grab your FREE Valentine's Day resources: bit.ly/inrsvday
Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode8
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Jan 31, 2022
7. Making 1D Lessons 3D with Skipper Coates of Real Ms. Frizzle
What’s the difference between a 1-Dimensional classroom and a 3-Dimensional classroom, and how does a 3D classroom benefit our students? That’s what we’re talking about in today's episode. I’m interviewing my very first guest (yay!) and she is an expert in helping other teachers transform their classrooms from 1D to 3D with simple shifts.
Skipper Coates started teaching in February of 2008, when a teacher left a note on his desk saying that he was never coming back. A biology major, she was suddenly thrown into the world of Earth and Space Science. It was only a few years later that Skipper started writing her own Earth and Space Science curriculum for Teachers Pay Teachers. She is the mother of three cute kids, and she forces them to do science experiments together for family time.
Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode7
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Jan 24, 2022
6. Engaging Students in Lecture
Lectures don’t have to be boring! In fact, they can be engaging and effective when used correctly in a classroom that is balanced with active learning experiences and direct instruction. Lectures can still be a useful instructional strategy that can help solidify the learning our students do during active learning experiences.
In this episode, I’ll share why I still lecture, and I’ll give you my five best strategies for making lectures engaging for your students.
GIVEAWAY: I’m celebrating the launch of the podcast this month with a giveaway! Two winners will be selected at the end of this month to receive their choice of $100 in store credit to the It’s Not Rocket Science Resource Shop OR an It’s Not Rocket Science Custom RTIC Tumbler and a $30 TpT Gift Card. To enter the giveaway:
* Share the podcast somewhere on Social Media with your teacher friends
* DM me on Instagram with a screenshot of your post
* BONUS ENTRY: Leave a review on Apple podcasts
Check out the…
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Jan 17, 2022
5. Engaging Your Students - Without Exhausting Yourself
Do you find yourself wishing that teaching science could be fun without being exhausting? It's absolutely possible! Labs are one of the main ways we can engage our students in learning, but they require a lot of teacher prep. There are many other ways to get students involved in learning that are highly effective and take some of the workload off of you.
In this episode, I share seven simple, low-prep ways to engage students without exhausting yourself. Of course, these are not meant to replace labs, but they are great tools to break up your teaching and keep the learning student-centered. The key to saving time is to put the work back on the students and keep it simple.
GIVEAWAY: I’m celebrating the launch of the podcast this month with a giveaway! Two winners will be selected at the end of this month to receive their choice of $100 in store credit to the It’s Not Rocket Science Resource Shop OR an It’s Not Rocket Science Custom RTIC Tumbler and a $30 TpT Gift Card. To enter t…
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Jan 10, 2022
4. Engaging Your Students - In the First 5 Minutes of Class
Can the first 5 minutes of class really set the tone for the entire period? Absolutely! I believe the first 5 minutes are the most important part of each and every class. In today’s episode, I’m sharing exactly what I do during those first 5 minutes to get my students focused and moving in the right direction from the moment they walk in the door.
GIVEAWAY: I’m celebrating the launch of the podcast this month with a giveaway! Two winners will be selected at the end of this month to receive their choice of $100 in store credit to the It’s Not Rocket Science Resource Shop OR an It’s Not Rocket Science Custom RTIC Tumbler and a $30 TpT Gift Card. To enter the giveaway:
* Share the podcast somewhere on Social Media with your teacher friends
* DM me on Instagram with a screenshot of your post
* BONUS ENTRY: Leave a review on Apple podcasts
Check out the show notes for more resources from this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode4
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Jan 3, 2022
3. Midyear Reset Part 2
In episode two, I discussed ways to reset the physical classroom space and the way you relate to and manage your students. In today’s episode, I’ll give you two ways you can reset the year personally and professionally and how you can simplify your job so you can enjoy your year both in and out of the classroom.
Kick-off the New Year with me by celebrating Cheer for the New Year during the first week in January! Join my list so you don’t miss out on the major deals, fun giveaways, and free resources I’ll be offering during this week: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge/
Check out the show notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode3
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Jan 3, 2022
2. Midyear Classroom Reset Part 1
Have you ever had one of those school years where you wanted to start the summer countdown in January? Trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve experienced this myself, but I’ve got good news! There is no student, class, or school year that is too far gone. You can recover! Implementing a mid-year reset in your classroom is a game-changer.
You can do a classroom reset anytime, but implementing it during December or January is the perfect time! From bad habits that have been formed, to a class that is impossible to manage, to running at an unsustainable pace, there are 4 strategies you can use to hit the reset button for a fresh start to any classroom.
In this episode, I share two of those strategies with you and give you practical actions you can take today to change your classroom dynamic. In episode number three, I will share two more strategies for a successful mid-year reset. Be sure to follow so you don’t miss out.
Kick-off the New Year with me by celebrating Cheer for the…
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Jan 3, 2022
1. The Story of It's Not Rocket Science®️ and Secondary Science Simplified™️
Welcome to the very first official episode of Secondary Science Simplified! To kick things off, I’m sharing a bit about who I am, my unexpected journey to becoming a secondary science teacher, the story behind It's Not Rocket Science, and my vision for Secondary Science Simplified.
Throughout my years as a teacher, I quickly learned how demanding the job is and how difficult it can be to balance your work and personal life. Now I’m here to show you how you can simplify your life with practical and easy-to-implement strategies! In this episode you’ll hear more about my vision for this podcast, and how you can request episode topics and guests.
Kick-off the New Year with me by celebrating Cheer for the New Year during the first week in January! Join my list so you don’t miss out on the major deals, fun giveaways, and free resources I’ll be offering during this week: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge/
Check out the show notes: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com…
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Nov 22, 2021
Welcome to Secondary Science Simplified!
If you're drowning in lab reports and struggling to find time for anything besides work, I've got some great news for you. Teaching doesn't have to be rocket science AND it doesn't have to consume your entire life. This podcast will be your go-to resource for finally creating a sustainable work-life balance.
Tune in every Monday for practical and actionable strategies that you can begin implementing right away. Are you ready to simplify your life?
Head to itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge to grab your FREE classroom reset challenge!
Show notes for each episode can be found at itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/podcast.
If you have a topic that you would love to hear on the podcast, send me a message on Instagram @its.not.rocket.science.
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