iExploreScience: STEM in Elem

Have you noticed your students' observation skills aren't what you'd like them to be?  You aren't alone.  In this episode, we answer a listener's question about how to improve students' observation skills.  This episode s full of easy-to-implement ideas for the first few weeks of school.

Click here to read the episode recap.

Other Episodes to Check Out 

• Incorporating Student-Centered Science Stations
• All About Anchoring Phenomena
• Using Student Questions to Build Storylines

Other Resources

• Using a Notice and Wonder Activity - Sadler Science 
• Four Ways to Actively Engage Students with Anchoring Phenomena - iExplore Science
• Asking Questions - Sadler Science
• How to Teach Nature Drawing  by John Muir Laws and Emily Lygren (Free Download)

📬 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/

Let's talk about those back to school activities. Despite the many shifts we've seen teachers making in their classroom, we've seen several teachers continuing to use old practices. Even if they've ditched the scientific method, many teachers are still teaching an intro to science unit. In this episode, Erin discusses some of the reasons why you should skip this intro unit. Instead, teach skills in context.

Check out the full episode recap here.  

Other resources: 

• Is it time to ditch the Scientific Method? – Episode 5
• What to avoid when you head back to school – Episode 90
• Letting Go of Lessons on the Scientific Method – Episode 36
• Why the Scientific Method Doesn't Belong in the NGSS Classroom – Sadler Science
• Why I don't do Lab Reports in my NGSS Classroom – Sadler Science

📬 Stay Connected

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

This episode comes from a listener's question about science notebooks. Lindsay from New Mexico asked the following question. 

"I would love to learn more about incorporating interactive notebooks into the NGSS classroom. Do you follow [the] left/right side [structure]? How do you grade them? Do you use them as a lab notebook as well?"

This is a simple question with lots of parts. So, we'll answer. them one at a time.   Click here for the episode recap. 

Other Episodes to Listen to

• 35 Better Interactive Notebooks for NGSS
• S3 E11: Balancing Science Writing & Exploration with NGSS

Other Resources 

• Interactive Notebooks in the Science Classroom Made Simple - Sadler Science
• The Traditional Method For Organizing an Interactive Notebook - Sadler Science
• 5 Ways to Improve Your Interactive Notebooks - Sadler Science
• Interactive Science Notebooks For The NGSS - iExploreScience
• Teaching With Science Notebooks [Inside Spark Science] 

If you are just starting your journey with the NGSS and are looking for a clearer picture on what it looks like in the classroom and means for your instruction, check out the Bring Wonder Back Workshop.   This is a FREE workshop series designed to get you started.   Visit iexplorescience.com/wonder for details.   

📬 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/

Your district adopted a science curriculum. You hoped it would be well aligned with the NGSS. But, after reviewing it, you realized it wasn't built for 3D learning. You aren't alone. 

This week we answer this question from Kim in California. The name of the publisher she mention has been removed because we believe the problems she is discussing are not unique to this particular publisher. 

Kim says "I am a 7th and 8th-grade science teacher. Our district adopted [an integrated curriculum]. As a team, we don't love the program. The spiral organization doesn't really make sense and the SEPs and CCCs don't seem smoothly integrated. Do you have suggestions on how to adapt or utilize [this curriculum] specifically or adopted curricula in general? Thanks!"

Check out the full episode recap here.

Once you've listened, here is an episode for each of the things you can choose to work on:

• Science and Engineering Practices
• Disciplinary Core Ideas
• Crosscutting Concepts
• Phenomena
• Discovery-Based Learning

Other Resources:

• How to Create Engaging Storylines - Erin's Blog Post
• FREE 3d Lesson Planner - Sadler Science
• Nicole's Free Bringing Wonder Back Workshop

📬 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/

While traditional classrooms put teachers as tellers front and center, transitioning to the Next Generation Science Standards and a more student-driven approach to science instruction understandably moves the work of students to the main stage. Incorporating science stations is one way to create a classroom that values and emphasizes active learning, shifts ownership and responsibility for student work where it belongs (to your students!), and creates an environment where teachers can more easily meet the needs of individual students and small groups.

In this episode, Nicole VanTassel of iExploreScience shares how she sets up science stations to shift ownership of learning to her students and create more ease and flow for herself in the classroom. Beyond the logistics of implementing stations, she shares some thoughts on the types of activities - from phenomenon-focused questioning and exploration to explain-style tasks and formative assessment - that work great as science stations.

Other Resources 

• Why I Use Classroom Stations For Science Instruction [iExploreScience Blog]
• How To Set Up Science Stations In Your Classroom [iExploreScience Blog]
• 3 Things to Consider When Setting Up Your Science Classroom [Sadler Science Blog]
• Using a Notice and Wonder Activity [Sadler Science Blog]
• Episode 8: How to Really Use The 5E Model [Teaching Science In 3D Blog]
• [Free Workshop] Bring Wonder Back: Intro To The NGSS
• Designing 5E Instructional Sequences [Find This Course Within The Spark Subscription]

📬 Stay Connected

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

The CER is a framework that was created to help students with the practice of engaging in an argument using evidence. It helps them understand the difference between parts of an argument. However, it is often confusing for them to distinguish between evidence and reasoning. 

We received this question from Ben in Michigan. "The difference between evidence and reasoning gets very blurry. I don't understand the difference." Don't worry Ben! We are here to help. 

In this episode, Erin explains the difference and gives you tips for using the CER Framework in your classroom.

To view the full episode recap, click here.

Other Resources 

• The Secrets of CER: Your Step-by-Step Guide
• 5 Ways to Use the Practice of Engaging in an Argument
• Episode 78: Improving Scientific Arguments
• Nicole's Analyzing and Interpreting Data FREEBIE
• Erin's Resource for Teaching Argumentation
• CAST Item Specifications

📬 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/

Most often, we think of the back-to-school time as the best time to rethink your classroom management plan. However, it's never a bad time to rethink your strategy in the classroom. 

Arguably, this school year was the most difficult one for teachers. If you struggled with classroom management, you weren't alone. In this episode, we discuss what traditional strategies to keep. Then, we let you know which strategies are better left in the past.

To read the full episode recap, click here.

Other Episodes to Listen to

• Resetting Your Classroom Culture After A Break
• The Brain Science Behind Your Students Missing Engagement
• The Importance Of Building Relationships in the Science Classroom
• What to Avoid When You Head Back to School

Other Resources 

• The Procedures Every Teacher Should Use - Nicole VanTassel
• Procedures = Prevention - Nicole VanTassel
• Three Back to School Activities to Avoid - Erin Sadler
• Seven Ways to Increase Student Independence This Year - Erin Sadler

📬 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/

Teaching science in a three-dimensional learning environment often feels overwhelming. Many teachers ask us where to start. Here's our answer: It depends.

Each teaching situation is unique. There are differences in time constraints, demographics, resources and so much more. Therefore, your strategy for approaching 3D teaching and learning also needs to be unique. 

In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss two main strategies for getting started.  And, they list several episodes that you can listen to once you've decided which approach to use.   To get a full list of episodes that accompany this episode, check out the FULL Episode recap here.   

View Erin and Nicole's resources on their blogs: 

• Erin's blog: Sadler Science 
• Nicole's blog: iExplore Science

📬 Stay Connected

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

Wonder where we have been?  Listen to this quick update to find out about the next episode of the podcast.   

We would love to answer your questions on the podcast.   Please submit them at teachingsciencein3d.com/quesitons.  

📬 Stay Connected

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

In this episode, Nicole and Erin help you craft a game plan for returning after a break -- from actually taking a rest to making the transition back to teaching in a way that sets you and your students up for success.

More Resources: 

• Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

📬 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/