Secondary Science Simplified™

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 goes. Send me a message on Instagram and share what changes you are making and if they are helping you!

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: Anatomy of a Class Period Lesson Plan
• Purchase the Bell I Use Here
• SECONDARY SCIENCE SIMPLIFIEDTM️ Professional Development Course
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode48

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 them with your students! I love to hear from you all when you use these free resources!

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 me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscience.com
• Grab your 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/episode60

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 Review and Test Pack
• Anatomy Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
• Physical Science Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode40

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 help getting your classroom reset, organized, and ready to go? Grab my FREE Classroom Reset Challenge where I walk you through 5 tasks to help get your classroom in order.

Resources:

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Natural Selection Lab
• Turn in bins
• Utility Cart
• Shoebox storage containers
• Phone caddy
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode39

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 @thelazygenius
• 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/episode55