Secondary Science Simplified™

By Rebecca Joyner, High School Science TeacherScience Education Self-Improvement How To

Secondary Science Simplified™ episodes

October 05255. Being a Department Chair, Teaching Earth Science, and Veteran Teacher Tips With Jaime Gratton
How do you stay passionate about teaching after 24 years and multiple science preps? Veteran teacher and department chair Jaime Gratton is sharing her tricks of the trade. We’re talking about engaging students in 90-minute blocks, creating hands-on science experiences, mentoring new teachers, and building a supportive department culture. We also get into AI, classroom routines, grading, and Jamie’s reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is give ourselves a little grace and remember that it gets better!
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode255
Resources Mentioned:
Chemventory
INRS Chemistry curriculum
AP teacher episode playlist
Contact Jaime: [email protected]
Jaime’s Amazon Resource List
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Related Episodes:
Episode 238: Department Chairs: How to Lead Your Team Well
Episode 212: 6 Preps, EOC Review, Biology and Work/Life Balance With Guest Macee Huseman
Episode 191: Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That Rock
Episode 163: What I Wish I Knew in My First Year of Teaching High School Science: 5 Simple Tips
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
53 min
September 28254. New Year, New Boundaries: PARENTS
Parent boundaries can make a huge difference in your school year, especially when you set them early! In this final episode of my 3-week boundaries series, I’m breaking down three key areas: availability and access, respect and care, and knowing when to bring in support. We’ll talk about setting clear expectations, using proactive communication to build stronger parent relationships, and bringing in admin when things get tricky. When you feel confident partnering with parents while still protecting your time (and sanity!), you can focus on what matters most: your students.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode254
Resources:
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes:
Episode 70: “It Isn’t an Attack on You”: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach Matson
Episode 195: A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy Farrar
Episode 207: Dealing With Combative Parents – 6 Tips and 2 Warnings

If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
14 min
September 21253. New Year, New Boundaries: STUDENTS
Teaching is your job, NOT your whole life, and that means setting healthy boundaries with your students, too! In week two of my New Year, New Boundaries miniseries, I'm sharing five boundaries to establish this school year around availability, respect, workload, consequences, and grading. The goal? To empower students to become more independent, hold the line in your classroom, and still have a life outside of teaching.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode253
Resources:
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes:
Episode 123: What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students Do
Episode 155: How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom
Episode 202: What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test
Episode 223: What to Do When Students Simply Won’t Do Their Work
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
13 min
September 14252. New Year, New Boundaries: EMAIL
A new school year calls for new boundaries, and it’s high time we stopped letting email rule our lives. Teaching is your job, not your whole identity, and nobody should expect you to be available 24/7! In this episode, I’m kicking off a 3-week mini-series on boundaries by tackling one of the biggest struggles for teachers: constant digital access. I get personal about my own journey with becoming unavailable, why these boundaries matter, and how they can help us teach others to become independent problem-solvers. I’ll also address the biggest pushback I get and share five practical tips for holding the line and responding to email strategically instead of reactively.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode252
Resources:
Inbox When Ready (Chrome Extension)
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes:
Episode 70: “It Isn’t an Attack on You: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach Matson
Episode 195: A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication with Guest Mandy Farrar
Episode 199: How to Not Take Work Home (In Your Head, or in Reality) This School Year
Episode 207: Dealing With Combative Parents - 6 Tips and 2 Warnings
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
20 min
September 07251. Back to Basics: 5 Life Skills to Teach High School Students
Teaching science is about more than getting through the standards! In this episode, I’m sharing five critical life skills I want you to intentionally teach this school year. I’ll share practical ways to build these skills into what you’re already doing while helping students become more capable, confident, and resilient humans...not just successful science students!
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode251
Resources Mentioned:
Life Skills PDF (FREE!)
RADAR Signs (FREE!)
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes:
Episode 47. 2 Ways That Learning Happens and How to Create a Classroom Culture That Fosters It
Episode 136. Building a Team Mindset Into Your Classroom Culture
Episode 145. How to Build Resilience in Students Post-Pandemic
Episode 147. Content Coverage - How to Get Through All of the Standards
Episode 155. How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom
Episode 175. How and WHY I Teach Students to Take Notes
Episode 219. Study Guides for High School Science Classes
Episode 244. Sanity-Saving Systems, Self Checks, and Starting a TA Program With Katie Dupuie
Episode 246. Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
36 min
August 31250. Ask Me Anything! Coworkers, Motivation, Biblical Integration, and More!
To celebrate 250 episodes of Secondary Science Simplified, I’m answering listener questions covering everything from coworker relationships and classroom organization to block schedules and student connections. I’m sharing practical strategies for balancing direct instruction and inquiry, navigating scripted curriculum, managing a season when you don’t have the time or energy to do everything, and integrating faith into a science classroom.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode250
Resources Mentioned:
FREEBIE: Anatomy of a Class Period (never lecture more than 15 min!):
Individual lab supplies in shoebox lids (12 for $28)
AP Science Teacher Playlist
Grading Playlist
Curriculum Design 101 Starts Here! (Episode 80)
Christianity and Evolution blog post
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes and Blog Posts:
Episode 71, “I’m the Problem, It’s Me”: Working with Difficult Coworkers and Admin with Guest Zach Matson
Episode 149, Teaching on a Block Schedule - Why It’s Not as Bad as You Think
Episode 246, Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
40 min
August 24249. Board Points: A Simple Whole Classroom Management Strategy
I’ve mentioned Board Points on this podcast more times than I can count, but somehow I’ve never given them their own episode. Today, we’re finally fixing that! I’m sharing how I started using Board Points, why they became a game-changer for one challenging class, and exactly how I use them to build teamwork and reduce individual behavior management. I’ll walk you through my simple system, answer common questions, and share creative ways to use points, class competitions, and rewards to keep students motivated and create that “we’re in this together” mentality.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode249
Resources Mentioned:
Bell
INRS Units
INRS Full Year Curriculum
Classroom Management Podcast Playlist
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes and Blog Posts:
Episode 90, Classroom Management Philosophy for Secondary Science Teachers
Episode 91, My Top 5 Classroom Management Routines and Procedures for High School Science Teachers
Episode 93, Simple Strategies for Classroom Management
Episode 246, Grouping and Engaging Students with Popsicle Sticks
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
24 min
August 17248. Last-Minute Prep Thrown on Your Plate? Here Is What to Do
Getting handed a brand new prep just days before school starts can feel like every teacher's nightmare. I've been there, and in this episode, I'm sharing five practical tips to help you tackle a last-minute course assignment without putting impossible expectations on yourself. We'll talk about how to advocate for the support you deserve, when to lean on existing curriculum instead of reinventing the wheel, and the simple mindset shifts that will help you survive (and even thrive!) when you've been "voluntold" to teach something new.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode248
Resources:
INRS Units
INRS Full Year Curriculum
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes:
Episode 185, When is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?
Episode 229, Balancing Unrealistic Admin Expectations
Episode 235, Advocating for Yourself with Admin
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
17 min
August 10247. Physical Science Scope and Sequence - Why I Teach Physical Science the Way That I Do
Teaching physical science completely changed my perspective as an educator. It started out as the course I least wanted to teach, and somehow became the one I'd request if I ever returned to the classroom full-time! In this episode, I'm sharing why I fell in love with teaching physical science, the scope and sequence I used in my own classroom, and the big-picture goals that shaped every lesson. I'll also take you behind the scenes of the newly revamped It's Not Rocket Science® Physical Science curriculum, packed with new inquiry activities, engineering challenges, and classroom supports. Whether you're teaching physical science for the first time or looking for new ideas, this episode will leave you feeling excited and ready to make this one of your favorite courses to teach!
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode247
Resources:
Physical Science FULL YEAR Curriculum
Physical Science curriculum on TpT (over 400 5-star reviews!!)
Physical Science Units
Physical Science Scope and Sequence blog post
Supplies Spreadsheet for INRS Physical Science curriculum
FREEBIE - Get the Physical Science Pacing Guide
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes:
Episode 209, Anatomy Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Anatomy the Way That I Do
Episode 220, Biology Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Biology the Way That I Do
Episode 232, Chemistry Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Chemistry the Way That I Do
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
36 min
August 03246. Grouping and Engaging Students With Popsicle Sticks
One simple classroom tool has completely changed the way I manage my classroom, build relationships, and keep every student engaged…and it costs just a few dollars! In this episode, I'm sharing how I use popsicle sticks to create fair participation, build meaningful classroom discussions, and make sure every student feels seen. I'll walk you through how I make and use them, simple ways to reduce participation anxiety, and an alternative system from a fellow teacher that might be the perfect fit for your classroom!
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode246
Resources Mentioned:
Popsicle sticks
RADAR posters
RADAR Blogpost
INRS units
INRS Full Year Curriculum
Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
Send me an email: [email protected]
Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.
Related Episodes and Blog Posts:
Episode 141, First Day of School Tips + What I Cover in My First Units of the Year
Episode 143, My Top 5 Favorite Teacher Hacks for the New School Year
Episode 225, What to Do When Your Class Won’t Talk With You
If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/
26 min

About Secondary Science Simplified™

From the publisher's feed

Secondary Science Simplified is a podcast specifically for high school science teachers that will help you to engage your students AND simplify your life as a secondary science educator. Each week…