iExploreScience: STEM in Elem

As you gather with loved ones (or enjoy a day by yourself), we just wanted to say... we are grateful for YOU. 

Thanks for letting me and Erin be a part of your learning journey.


Yours. <3


PS - If you'd like to connect personally with us on Instagram, you can find us at www.instagram.com/iexplorescience and www.instagram.com/sadlerscience! 

📬 Stay Connected

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• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

So I learned the hard way the importance of relationships for classroom management.

Have you been there?

I totally trashed my classroom culture my first year... rookie mistake.

And while I was busy rebuilding my classroom community so I could, you know, function on the day to day, I considered establishing strong student relationships as part of my classroom management strategy. 

I didn’t realize the profound impact it would actually have on my students’ ability to LEARN.

As I’ve learned how our brain is hardwired, I have realized how fundamentally important positive student-teacher relationships are — they are literally the FIRST step to “priming” our students to engage with our content. 

Let's chat why in this bonus Thursday Thoughts episode!

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
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• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

Teaching science in a “socially just and rigorous way” means creating learning spaces “where students’ whole-selves and interests are engaged and reflected within classroom science."

In this recording of a live video, I talked with Dr. Gray and Dr. Patterson Williams about their educational framework, (W)holistic Science Pedagogy (WSP).
 
 The designers identified 5 commitments (w)holistic science teachers make:
 (1) a commitment to an ever-developing self-awareness,
 (2) a commitment to science and its practices,
 (3) a commitment to science as a transformative agent,
 (4) a commitment to their students’ social emotional wellness, and
 (5) a commitment to restorative practices.
 
We talked about a few of these commitments and how WSP and its approaches align so well with the work we are doing in our NGSS classes to engage all science learners, tie science learning to the real world, and prepare students for the 21st century world and its demands. This conversation was truly transformational, focusing on how we can really bring our students whole-selves -- our students exactly as they are -- into our science classrooms.
 
To see the video and see the full bio for Dr. Alexis Patterson Williams and Dr. Salina Gray, check out the YouTube version of this episode here. 

**Who are Dr. Patterson Williams and Dr. Gray?**
Alexis Patterson Williams, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Patterson’s research lies at the intersection of equity studies, social psychology, and science education. Her recent project has led to the development of an educational framework, (W)holistic Science Pedagogy, with her colleague and sister scholar, Dr. Salina Gray.

Salina Gray, PhD has spent 23 years teaching in traditional public and charter schools. In 2014, she received her doctorate from Stanford University in Curriculum and Instruction in Science Education.  She along with her colleague and fellow Stanford alumnus Dr. Alexis Patterson have developed and published an educational framework called W(h)olistic Science Pedagogy.

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• Sadler Science - Exclusive Black Friday Deals
• iExplore Science - Join my email list. 

Get More Help with the NGSS

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
• Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

You’ve *told* your students this again and again… but it just doesn’t STICK. 

In this episode, let's chat: WHY.

*

For a long time, I thought I was a good teacher because my classroom was fun, my kids were engaged and well-managed, they did cool hands-on activities, they seemed to be learning. But really, they weren’t. 

And I knew it, too. You know that feeling you get when you’re reading exit tickets or quiz results, and you think, “I TOLD my students this. It was in the video, the text, talked about, in games, in the notebook. HOW do they still not get it!?” 

Yah, I felt that a lot when I started teaching. It took me a long time to figure out what I was missing that would take my students from forgetting EVERYTHING within a day to connecting content across units. No joke - it was a shock to me too!

If this is something you’re struggling with too, have a quick listen to this week's Thursday Thoughts episode.

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

Nicole and Erin received a question on the Teaching Science in 3d Instagram account.  Listener Joanna asked when to start an NGSS storyline.  Nicole and Erin provide two different approaches depending on your needs.

Nicole and Erin provide two possible solutions to help you find the method that works best for you.  

Want to learn more about when to start an NGSS Storyline?

• Using Student Questions In Your Storylines
• How to Build an NGSS Storyline
• Sadler Science: How I Create Cohesive Storylines
• iExplore Science: Using Storylines to Structure NGSS Units

Black Friday Deals: Sign up to Receive Emails Here

• Sadler Science - Exclusive Black Friday Deals
• iExplore Science - Join my email list. 

Get More Help with the NGSS

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
• Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

Have you ever wondered what an NGSS classroom looks like? In this episode, Nicole interviews Colorado science teacher Kayla Jubert about her journey to meet the intent of the NGSS. Kayla discusses the changes she's made and the benefits to her classroom.

Click here to view the episode recap.   

Get More Help with the NGSS

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
• Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

On this episode, Nicole and Erin answer a question from listener Paige. Paige asks “how do you recommend allowing students to explore and just do science, but also write down important information?” Nicole and Erin explain how to balance science writing and exploration in your NGSS aligned class.

To view the full episode recap, click here.

Learn more about writing for NGSS:

• Better Interactive Notebooks for NGSS
• Interactive Science Notebooks for the NGSS - iExplore Science
• Updating Interactive Notebooks for NGSS - Sadler Science

Get More Help with the NGSS

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
• Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

This week we answer another listener question.  Kristen asks "How do you teach a student to create a model who has not had any experience with creating them?"  Nicole and Erin discuss the Science and Engineering Practice of Developing and Using Models and provide tips for helping your students make models.

To view the whole episode recap, click here. 

Other Resources:

• NSTA Matrix for the Science and Engineering Practices
• NSTA Matrix for the Crosscutting Concepts
• NGSS Modeling is Not an Art Project - iExplore Science
• Four Ways to Help Your Students Make Better Models - Sadler Science

Related Episodes:

• How to Make Sense of the Science and Engineering Practices
• Making the NGSS Accessible for All Learners
• How to Teach for Student Discovery

Get More Help with the NGSS

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
• Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

This week, Nicole and Erin answer another listener's question.  Listener Marissa asks for advice on preventing students from cheating on her NGSS assessments.  Nicole and Erin discuss practical strategies and the intent behind the NGSS.

Get More Information

• How to Evaluate Student Learning 
• Engaging 3D Assessments - iExplore Science
• Creating Assessments for the NGSS- A Step by Step Guide - iExplore Science
• How to Teach NGSS Online

Get More Help with the NGSS

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
• Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/

In this episode, Erin addresses a listener question.  Sonia listened to a previous episode and wanted to know if we recommend doing lab style activities during out synchronous time.  She also asked about breakout rooms and notes that students aren't participating as much as she would like.

Get Erin's advice on making breakout rooms more productive and prioritizing activities for your synchronous time in this episode. 

Other Episodes to Check Out 

• How to teach NGSS online
• How to Facilitate Student Discussions Remotely
• How Students Can Do Science Activities from Home

More Resources

• Erin's Breakout Room Survey
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Sadler Science - 5 Tips for Teaching NGSS Online
• iExplore Science - How Discovery-Based Learning Transformed My Most Challenging Class
• Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a  step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.

📬 Stay Connected

• 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
• 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
• 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
• 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/