Science Fact or Fiction?

If you have a few minutes left of class, this game is fun to play!

*Borders by Lindy du Plessis and fonts by Kimberly Geswein

1.  Divide students into teams.

2.  Read a question. Players have to decide whether the answer is Fact or Fiction.

3. The 1st team to say the correct answer earns a point.

Does your school use PLC's?

Our school does and it can be a challenge!  

I was inspired by this blogpost that summarizes industry research and the experiences of the educators, and gives guidelines  to implement PLCs.

I have been a part of a PLC for many years so I skipped down to "Author Tips" for establishing norms. These are a great example to start from:

(1) Be present and engaged. Laptops and multi-tasking are allowed as long as we make sure to be active in collaborations.
(2) Come prepared with materials and ideas. Be ready to work.
(3) Work hard until 4pm. Make sure to allocate one short break around 3pm.
(4) Open to all voices and opinions. Honor all “directions.”
(5) We are the leaders. We take ownership. Ask ourselves “what else can WE do?”
(6) Rely on one another for support and guidance.
(7) We remember Q-TIP (Quit Taking It Personally).

The other "Author Tip" that is important to keep in mind when working with PLC is that “Successful PLCs should use data to talk about and share teaching strategies."  

PLC's are not about one person planning - it is about everyone collaborating😊

Earth Moon & Sun Review

To help students review the seasons, moon phases, tides, eclipses and other information on the Sun, Earth and Moon we  played board games and completed a "Find Someone Who"

Show What You Know - I used this as the warm-up and then we played the board game.

Sun, Earth & Moon Review Game 

(click for free download)

Print directions

To make poster size (16x20) select:
File -> Print-> Poster -> Tile Scale: 200
*it prints on 4 pieces of paper, glue or tape it together and laminate

You need dice, game pieces (I use novelty erasers from the Dollar Store) and the Sun Earth & Moon Game Cards. I print these double sided on card stock.

Genetics and Heredity Review

We are reviewing for our state test.
Student's have a hard time remembering the vocabulary from the Genetics & Heredity lessons so here is a quick review:

Scale Model of the Solar System

Have you made a "Pocket Solar System?"

Register/adding machine paper is sooooo expensive!

I made a printable model for students and it worked great!

I included it and directions in a product on TPT

Scale Model of the Solar System

Cellular Respiration Notes/Graphic Organizer

I had a hard time finding a resource for my middle school students.  Most of what's available is designed for high school.

Our standard requires students to describe and investigate how cellular respiration breaks down food to provide energy and releases carbon dioxide.

I like the Photosynthesis flap notes from Farrah at Think Share Teach (see my blog post here) so I tried to model it.