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Tag: Next Generation Science Standards
5 Tips for Guiding Students Through PHET and other Simulator Tools
If you’re a science teacher you know that there are simply some concepts that cannot be shared or visualized by students without the support of a simulation. Fortunately, there are MANY available simulator tools (some FREE and some subscription based) that can support your instructional efforts. <For an exploration of OTHER simulation tools, see this […]
5 Tips for the NGSS Modeling Practice
NGSS modeling can be tricky! If you are an educator that has adopted the Next Generation Science Standards, you have undoubtedly, along with way, encountered the Science and Engineering Practice of NGSS Modeling. And no, this is not a ‘sashay down the runway’ type of modeling, but rather it is dynamic representation of a student’s […]
Unpacking NGSS Standards
I’ve been teaching the Next Generation Science Standards to my sixth graders for 5 years now. Yes…through Covid and beyond. (that sounds a little like Buzz Lightyear). Along the way, I made a discovery that has helped IMMENSELY! The strategy that I’m sharing below, helps set the stage for me and my learners and I […]
Modeling Waves
In our efforts to integrate Next Generation Science Standard MS-PS4-1, we had the BEST time building and exploring our own wave machine!! As a result, we created a Wave Machine!! The machine, constructed from relatively easy to obtain supplies, allowed us to visualize and model mechanical waves as we identified the patterns that make up […]
Kinetic Energy Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction
Show your students the conversion from elastic potential energy to kinetic energy as they release this COOL popsicle stick kinetic energy chain reaction.
Writing CER Reports (Part #2)
In Part #1 of this CER Series, we took a look at ways to help your students recognize the components of a CER by sorting a series of claim, evidence and reasoning cards. In Part #2, we’ll take a look at how we can support students in the process of writing their own CER Report […]
Writing CER Reports (Part #1)
Claim-Evidence-Reasoning or CER is a science and engineering practice built into the NGSS model. The CER is essentially a report, and these reports help foster a student’s ability to analyze data that they’ve collected and make the connection between data and understanding. After a few years of adopting this Science and Engineering Practice, I’ve found a […]