Evidence vs. Reasoning in CER: How to Help Students Understand the Difference
Help students learn how to write how scientific reasoning connected to evidence in a CER response in grades 5 and 6
Category: Back to School
Science Classroom Games That Get Students Thinking, Talking, and Reasoning
Looking for science classroom games that are actually worth the class time? These games get students talking, making connections, reviewing vocabulary, and explaining their thinking, all without another worksheet.
How to Choose 5th Grade Science Units to Teach in Depth
Feeling overwhelmed by how much science you’re expected to teach this year? You’re not alone… and you’re not a bad teacher for feeling stuck. Many teachers struggle to figure out which 5th grade science units to teach in depth and which ones are better suited for short lessons or light
How to Plan 5th Grade Science Without Getting Overwhelmed by the Standards
Trying to figure out how to plan 5th grade science year without drowning in standards, resources, or random Pinterest ideas?You’re not alone. Many teachers feel overwhelmed trying to cover every science topic equally — but that’s actually where the problem starts. In this post, you’ll learn how to strategically plan
How to Launch a Bell Ringer Routine in Your Science Class (Without Chaos)
Bell Ringers = Your Back to School Lifesaver If you’re walking into the school year without a solid plan for how to start each class, you’re not alone… and you’re not doomed either. 🙂 One of the simplest (and smartest) ways to establish consistency and calm during back to school
What to Teach in Middle School Life Science (According to NGSS)
If you’ve ever sat down to plan your science year and thought, “Where do I even start?”—you’re not alone. Between state mandates, NGSS performance expectations, and wildly different student levels, figuring out what to teach in middle school life science can feel like building a plane while flying it. That’s
Top 5 Free Science Activities & Printables for Back-to-School (Grades 5–8)
Back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind—between setting up your classroom, building routines, and figuring out what you’re teaching week one, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if your first few weeks of science could be low-stress, high-impact, and… free? That’s why I pulled together my top free back
5 Life Science Activities for Middle School That Actually Work (and Hit the Standards)
Let’s be real—middle schoolers don’t fake enthusiasm well. If a science activity doesn’t feel purposeful, engaging, or at least a little hands-on, they’ll check out faster than you can say “photosynthesis.” But when an activity is built to meet them where they are—engaging, creative, and actually aligned to what you’re
5 Activities to Spark Curiosity When You Teach Earth Science
Let’s be real—some days it feels like middle schoolers are more interested in their water bottles than anything you say. So how do you get them excited about topics like erosion, the layers of Earth, or planetary orbits? Simple: you make it curious, hands-on, and connected to their world. If
Middle School Life Science Curriculum Map (Free Download)
Planning your middle school science year doesn’t have to feel like you’re piecing together a 1,000 piece puzzle with half the pieces missing. If you’re teaching life science in 6th 7th 8th grade and trying to stay aligned with the NGSS, I’ve got something that’ll save your sanity: a free
Don’t Make This Mistake When You Teach Earth Science
There’s one mistake nearly every new teacher (and let’s be honest—plenty of veteran ones) makes when they teach Earth science: 👉 They teach each unit in isolation. And while it’s tempting to tackle the rock cycle, moon phases, or weather systems like they’re stand-alone topics, this approach does a real
5 Science Graphic Organizers That Actually Help Struggling Readers
Struggling readers shouldn’t be left behind in science class. But when your students can’t process dense texts or vocabulary-heavy assignments, what can you do—especially when you don’t have a curriculum? That’s where science graphic organizers for struggling readers come in. These 5 tools are designed to break down science concepts