I do this short Presentation Skills class discussion with students before we do presentations in class. It is crazy the difference this simple exercise makes. Their presentations are much, much better. Students already know what a good presentation looks and sounds like. They just need to be reminded. That’s what this 20 minute lesson does.Continue reading “How She Teaches Presentation Skills”
Author Archives: How She Teaches
Comprehensive Guide for Teaching Pathogens and Infectious Diseases
The immune system, and especially infectious diseases, have always been interesting topics to students. They already know a lot about infectious diseases, but many have never defined it or put it into context before. In this blog post I share some of my favorite lesson ideas to teach infectious diseases, pathogens, and the immune system:Continue reading “Comprehensive Guide for Teaching Pathogens and Infectious Diseases”
How She Teaches Body Systems
Biology is the study of life, and in Biology the main system we study is the human body. Body Systems is a great topic to teach in Biology at the beginning of the year. My students are so curious about their bodies and their health. They have so many questions and they spark interesting conversationsContinue reading “How She Teaches Body Systems”
Great Gift Ideas for Teachers!
These are my favorite gift ideas for teachers. Just in time for the holidays! Whether you are a student and you want to buy a gift for your favorite teacher, or you have a special teacher in your life, I hope I can help you find that perfect something. Many of my ideas are inspiredContinue reading “Great Gift Ideas for Teachers!”
7 Effective Test Review Teaching Strategies That Don’t Take Extra Planning Time!
These test review strategies are quick and easy to plan for (assuming I already made the test). I just don’t have time to make Jeopardy. Sorry, not sorry! These strategies are also effective for helping my students learn, and preparing them for tests. Hopefully these ideas are helpful and can save you some valuable time.Continue reading “7 Effective Test Review Teaching Strategies That Don’t Take Extra Planning Time!”
How She Teaches: System, Structure, Function, Component
Systems are parts working together. Many things in science are systems, and in Biology the main system we study is the human body. This lesson is a great way to jump into science content at the beginning of the year. I use this lesson to introduce the Vocabulary Log. A Vocab Log is a simpleContinue reading “How She Teaches: System, Structure, Function, Component”
My Top 16 Classroom Management Strategies
I have way too much to do during the day teaching and grading to deal with all the extra stuff that happens in the classroom. I can’t waste any more time on unnecessary questions, losing stuff, waiting, cell phones, extra talking, distractions, bad behavior, and unpreparedness. They all take away from my instruction time andContinue reading “My Top 16 Classroom Management Strategies”
5 Ways to Take Notes Without a Worksheet
It’s good to keep students busy, but I don’t like to feel like I’m giving busy work. Lots of worksheets can feel like busy work. When students create things in their notebooks, they use their brains. They process information and learn. In this blog post I’m happy to share 5 different ways to take notesContinue reading “5 Ways to Take Notes Without a Worksheet”
More Tips for Using Science Notebooks as an Organization System
I had so much to say about science notebooks in my last post, How to Set-up a Science Notebook, that I needed to start a whole new one! In my 7 years of teaching, I used science notebooks most of the time. I tried binders too, but ultimately I like using notebooks the best. OverContinue reading “More Tips for Using Science Notebooks as an Organization System”
How to Set-up a Science Notebook
Many teachers I know are organized people. You have to be in order to manage hundreds of copies, handouts, and pieces of student work every single day. Organization comes naturally to many teachers, but it doesn’t necessarily for students. We teachers all know the student with the crumpled up papers at the bottom of theirContinue reading “How to Set-up a Science Notebook”
My Go-To Lesson Structure and 8 Classroom Routines for Better Classroom Management
Over the years I figured out a lot of tips to streamline my classroom. In this blog post, I’ll share my favorite lesson structure and classroom routines for a typical day. I hope the ideas in this blog post can save you some time and stress! Keep reading to learn more about my go-to lessonContinue reading “My Go-To Lesson Structure and 8 Classroom Routines for Better Classroom Management”
Lab Safety Teacher Script
This Teacher Script encompasses many of my teacher-centered moments when learning Lab Safety. Just print the script, attach it to a clipboard, and you’re ready to go! Read my script below for ideas, download my PDF to use in your classroom, or make a copy of my Google Doc and customize it to your needs.Continue reading “Lab Safety Teacher Script”
How She Teaches Lab Safety
Labs are some of my favorite learning activities to do with students. I try to do as many labs during the year as I can, and they are an important part of my science instruction. Labs are fun to do, but it’s really important to educate students and practice safe lab behavior. Chemicals and glasswareContinue reading “How She Teaches Lab Safety”
How She Teaches Being Alive: 6 Characteristics of Living Things
6 Characteristics of Living Things Biology is the study of living things. So it makes sense to start the year by learning what it means for something to be alive. This is a memorable lesson for students that I can refer to throughout the year. It’s great to bring up again when we study cells,Continue reading “How She Teaches Being Alive: 6 Characteristics of Living Things”
6 Of My Favorite Activity Ideas for the First Day of School
Going over the syllabus and class rules are important on the first day. Icebreakers are another standard activity for the first day of school. “Get to know you Bingo,” is a well known icebreaker. Nothing against Bingo, but there’s a good chance my students will do Bingo in one of their other classes. I wantContinue reading “6 Of My Favorite Activity Ideas for the First Day of School”