Anatomy holds a special place in my heart, and in this episode, I share how I teach it and why I designed the It’s Not Rocket Science® Anatomy curriculum the way I did. I focus on sparking curiosity, weaving in three big themes, and prioritizing breadth over depth (hot take!). You’ll hear how this hands-on, student-centered curriculum engages learners with discovery stations, model-building, and real-world skills, all designed to make students fall in love with the human body.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode209

Resources Mentioned:

• Anatomy FULL YEAR Curriculum
• Anatomy Units
• Anatomy Discovery Stations Bundle 
• Anatomy Scope and Sequence Blog Post 
• FREE - Get the Anatomy 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 and Blog Posts:

• Episode 36, Teaching Anatomy: 5 Tips for the Best Year Ever!
• Episode 80, Strategizing Your Sequence: Curriculum Design Part 1
• Episode 99, How to Teach the Nervous and Endocrine Systems in Your Anatomy Class
• Blog Post: 5 Reasons It’s Not Rocket Science® Anatomy Curriculum Rocks!

Are constant disruptions messing up your perfectly planned weeks? You’re not alone! When I taught at small schools in particular, it often felt like every week held a new disruption. Between spirit weeks, fire drills, and field trips, I sometimes wondered if I’d ever get a “normal” week with my students! In this episode, I'm sharing five practical tips for lesson planning that will keep learning moving even when weeks don’t go as planned.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode208

Resources Mentioned:

• Desktop Paper Calendar
• 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 51, 5 Alternatives to Traditional Midterm Exams
• Episode 116, Behind Schedule? What to Do and How to Prevent It in the Future
• Episode 149 Teaching on a Block Schedule - Why It’s Not as Bad as You Think
• Episode 152, Absences - How to Deal With Them
• Episode 185, When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?

No matter how far we are into the school year, those dreaded surprise parent emails can still hit your inbox, often full of big emotions and even bigger accusations. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most challenging parts of teaching: handling combative parents with confidence and professionalism. I’m sharing six practical strategies (plus two important warnings) to help you stay calm, protect your peace, and respond in ways that preserve relationships without sacrificing your boundaries.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode207

Resources Mentioned:

• Relationships Mini Virtual PD Course 
• INRS Full Year Curricula
• 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 114, How to Bounce Back After You Mess Up 
• Episode 195, A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy Farrar
• Episode 202, What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test

Today’s the day! I’m finally doing a deep dive into my number one classroom procedure: PRIME TIMES®. I share the origin story, why they’re essential for classroom management and formative assessment, and practical strategies for making them work in any secondary science classroom. You’ll learn how to overcome common challenges like missing papers, time limits, absences, and accommodations, plus tips for adapting Prime Times® to fit your schedule and students’ needs. This episode is your complete guide to implementing a simple five-minute routine that can transform your classroom!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode206

Resources Mentioned:

• Prime Times® in my resource shop
• Prime Times® on TpT
• My favorite utility cart
• 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 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)
• Episode 152, Absences - How to Deal With Them
• Episode 205, A Cell Phone Policy for High School Students
• Prime Times®: The Secondary Classroom Procedure You Can’t Live Without

Cell phone policies are one of the most debated topics for secondary teachers, and for good reason! They’re tough to get right. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest experiences with different approaches, what’s worked (and what’s totally failed), and the key factors to consider before setting your own rules. We’ll talk about how your personality, classroom values, and admin support all play a role, plus why engaging, purposeful learning is the best deterrent to constant phone use. You’ll also get practical tips for setting expectations, building student buy-in, and using phone moments to teach digital responsibility...so that managing phones feels more doable and a lot less stressful.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode205

Resources:

• Secondary Science Simplified episodes by topic
• Culture PD Mini-Course
• 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 69, Admin Support - Why You Need to Ask, How to Ask, and What to Ask For
• Episode 89, Classroom Management in a Post-COVID World with Guest Casey O.
• Episode 92, 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science Classroom
• Episode 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)

Once the school year is in full swing, meeting every learner’s needs can feel impossible, especially when it comes to supporting English learners. In this episode, I sit down with Risa Woods from Every Teacher for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and encouraging. Together, we dig into common misconceptions about who English learners are, why translation isn’t always the answer, and how focusing on academic language can be a total game-changer. Risa shares simple, actionable strategies that make a real difference. This episode is your reminder that serving every student doesn’t require a million new lesson plans - just small, intentional steps that truly work!

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode204

Resources:

• Risa's Instagram
• Risa's website
• AI tool: ChatGPT
• 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 157, Serving ELLs with AI and More with Guest Alyse of Keystone Science
• Episode 168, Differentiation in Your Science Classroom - Simple Tips to Decrease Overwhelm
• Episode 171, Differentiating Within One Class Period (And How to Not Make it Obvious) 
• Episode 172, Content-Specific Differentiation Tips
• Episode 191, Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science with Becca of Science Lessons That Rock

One of the toughest realities for teachers is realizing that your students are already behind before the year even begins. That’s exactly what we’re tackling in this episode. Last week, we talked about how to handle things when students fail a test at the end of a unit, but this week, I’m flipping the script (thanks to another great listener question!) and asking: what do you do when you realize that your students don’t have the background knowledge or skills they need to be successful in your class? I share how to respond when you realize students are starting the year behind, how to decide what’s your responsibility versus theirs, ways to get practical support from colleagues and tools like AI, and more.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode203

Resources Mentioned:

• INRS Complete Units 
• Balance PD Course 
• 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 and Blog Posts:

• Episode 69, Admin Support - WHY You Need to Ask, HOW to Ask, and WHAT to Ask For
• Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students
• Episode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-Pandemic
• Episode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom

Raise your hand if you've been called “the mean teacher” for holding firm on test policies! In this episode, we dive into what to do when students fail a test, from deciding on retakes or corrections to analyzing trends in student performance and reteaching where needed. You’ll hear practical tips for breaking down assessments by concept, setting up your gradebook to support real learning, and keeping clear boundaries that help students succeed without sacrificing your sanity.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode202

Resources:

• Assessments virtual PD course
• INRS complete units
• NEW: Secondary Science Simplified episodes by topic
• 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 103, Authentic Assessments: How to Ass Students in a Way That Actually Matters 
• Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students Do
• Episode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-Pandemic
• Episode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom

AI is everywhere right now, and if you’ve been feeling both curious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, a former high school biology teacher and co-founder of AI for Education, for a conversation about AI in the classroom. We explore why AI literacy is becoming a core skill for both teachers and students, how it’s reshaping traditional assignments like lab reports, and the surprising ways it can actually spark more creativity and inquiry. Amanda also shares practical strategies for science teachers, from lesson inspiration to formative assessments. If you’ve ever wondered how to make AI work for you, this episode will leave you feeling excited for what’s ahead!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode201

Resources:

• AI for Education
• An Essential Guide to AI for Educators: FREE 2 hour course
• 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.

Connect with Amanda:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Twitter/X: @AIforEducation 
• Twitter/X: @Amanda_AIforEd
• Facebook

Related Episodes:

• Episode 94, How to Deal with Cheating in Your High School Science Classes
• Episode 154, AI and ChatGPT with Guest Mitch Wieland
• Episode 173, 9 Quick Ways to Use AI to Simplify Your Life as a Teacher
• Episode 174, 7 Ways to Teach Your Students to Use AI Productively

Can you believe it?! We’ve officially hit the 200th episode of Secondary Science Simplified AND crossed over 200,000 listens — what a milestone! I’m so grateful for every teacher who tunes in and makes this community so special. To celebrate, I’m bringing back one of my favorite formats: an “Ask Me Anything” episode where I answer your top questions about classroom culture, student engagement, meaningful labs, department dynamics, NGSS overload, and more.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode200

🥳 Help me celebrate 10 years of INRS by: 

• Following me on Instagram
• Following me on TpT
• Leaving a review for the SSS podcast on Apple

Resources Mentioned:

• Culture Virtual PD Mini-Course 
• FREE Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• RADAR: A Problem Solving Technique for Students
• Working on a Team at a High School: 4 Tips for Success
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Send me an email: [email protected]  

Related Episodes:

• Episode 71, “I’m the Problem, It’s Me”: Working with Difficult Coworkers and Admin with Guest Zach Matson 
• Episode 92, 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science Classroom
• Episode 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)  
• 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 156, What to Do When You Are Micromanaged by Your Admin or District
• Episode 162, 5 Essential Teacher Hacks for High School and Middle School Science Teachers
• NGSS Series: Episode 177, Episode 178, Episode 179, Episode 180
• Episode 189,  True Life: I Grade Everything and Because of It, I Have No Life