K12Science

The National Science Teaching Association in collaboration with the Children's Book Council released the 2021 list of the Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students. In this podcast we look at the 12 books recommended for Middle School Students.

• Condor Comeback
• Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table
• Old Enough to Save the Planet
• Darwin's Rival: Alfred Russel Wallace and the Search for Evolution
• Return From Extinction: The Triumph of the Elephant Seal
• Sea Otters: A Survival Story
• The Big One: The Cascadia Earthquakes and the Science of Saving Lives
• Blood and Germs: The Civil War Battle Against Wounds and Disease
• Born Curious: 20 Girls Who Grew Up to be Awesome Scientists
• Changing the Equation: 50+ US Black Women in STEM
• Plasticus Maritimus: An Invasive Species
• To Fly Among the Stars: The Hidden Story of the Fight for Women Astronauts

I was recently reading the January/February 2021 issue of "Science Scope" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the "From the Editor's Desk" column written by Patty McGinnis. Her article was entitled "Learning for All."

The changing demographics of our classrooms require differentiation strategies to ensure all students are working toward the performance expectations outlined in the NGSS. One resource that you may find useful is the Universal Design for Learning framework, in which the teacher thoughtfully analyzes the learning environment and plans for all learners by removing barriers to learning.

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "The Science Teacher" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the "Career of the Month" column written by Luba Vangelova. Her article was entitled "Meteorologist."

Meteorology is a branch of atmospheric science. It emphasizes the study of atmospheric chemistry and physics, with the aim of forecasting weather. Maureen McCann is the featured meteorologist in this podcast. She is a meteorologist at Spectrum News 13, a television station in Orlando, Florida.

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "The Science Teacher" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the "Editor's Corner" column written by Ann Haley Mackenzie. Her article was entitled "Why Science Teachers Must Employ Interdisciplinary Science Methods to Save the World."

Interdisciplinary science is when two disciplines come together to broaden the portrait of the concepts being uncovered by their students. Climate change, cancer, overpopulation, food deserts, pollution, and other critical topics benefit from individuals ingaging in collaborative interdisciplinary science. It is a way to help students see the interconnections of the natural world.

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "Science & Children" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the "Formative Assessment Probes" column written by Page Keeley. Her article was entitled "The Day-Night Cycle: Adding Models to Probe Explanations."

As you select formative assessment probes to use with your lessons, consider ways to have students use a model to support their explanation. In this example, students use the Earth's motion and position in relation to the Sun to explain the day-night cycle and why it seems to us from an Earth perspective, that the Sun appears to rise, move across the sky, and set. Models, such as a globe and a flashlight representing the Sun are used to explain the pattern of day and night.

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "Science and Children" a publication of the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read the "Editor's Note" column written by Elizabeth Barrett-Zahn. Her article was entitled "What a Year."

As we move toward the early winter of 2020 we look back at schools following a patchwork of face-to-face, hybrid, and virtual models of instruction. All teachers, at whatever grade-level, have been returned to their "rookie year" of teaching as they struggle to find ways to meet the needs of learners in their physical classrooms and on screens.

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "Science Scope" a publication for middle school teachers from the National Science Teaching Association.

In this issue, I read the "Citizen Science" column written by Jill Nugent. Her article was entitled "Count Birds for Science This Winter with Project FeederWatch."

You can feed birds from the comfort of your classroom or your home this winter and contribute to real world scientific discovery with Project FeederWatch! For more information, visit their website at:

https://feederwatch.org

As the holiday season approaches, I am reminded of some of the songs that I recorded with the group, Science Explosion. All of the songs that we sang were written by group member Fred Ribits. Many of the songs were written to familiar tunes and some of them were written to the tunes of traditional Christmas songs.

In this podcast I will share three of the songs. If you enjoy them and want to share them with others, just visit:

http://k12science.net/scienceexplosion/songs

There you will be able to listen to and download the vocal and instrumental tracks for the songs. You will also be able to download a Science Explosion songbook that includes the lyrics, critical thinking questions, and mind-mapping opportunities for each song.

The three songs are most appropriate for elementary and middle school students.

1. The first song will be a life science song entitled "Energy Flow" (1:13) written to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

2. It will be followed by another life science song, "Natures Way" (1:00), written to the tune of "Jingle Bells."

3. The final song is a science practices and concept song entitled "Creative Expression" (1:14) written to the tune of "What Child Is This?"

Happy Holidays!

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "Science Scope" a publication for middle school teachers from the National Science Teaching Association. In this issue, I read "The Online Teacher" column written by Denise Wright. Her article was entitled "Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World."

This is the third in a three-part series on the three strategies for conducting science labs in the virtual world.

Part 1 — Virtual Simulations

Part 2 — Science at Home

Part 3 — Use of Data Sets

Data sets are a great way to get students to analyze scientific data. Online science courses can contain virtual labs that can be applied to real life applications. In the online world, students have the opportunity to create their own experiments, analyze data, and participate in meaningful learning.

I was recently reading the November/December 2020 issue of "Science Scope" a publication for middle school teachers from the National Science Teaching Association.

In this issue, I read "The Online Teacher" column written by Denise Wright. Her article was entitled "Conducting Science Labs in a Virtual World."

This is the second in a three-part series on the three strategies for conducting science labs in the virtual world.

Part 1 — Virtual Simulations

Part 2 — Science at Home

Part 3 — Use of Data Sets

Teachers can include labs in online learning by using science experimentation at home with an emphasis on safety and family involvement. In this environment, don't forget that flexibility can be provided by allowing digital options, which allows for student choice and equity. The results of these experiments can be shared on a virtual bulletin board. When conducting at-home science experiments, follow National Science Teaching Association guidelines and require parent supervision.