I’ve worked in several middle school settings in which 7th grade is the start of the middle school years, while 6th grade is still part of elementary school. This structure is changing as the NGSS science standards and other subject standards group 6th grade as part of middle school curriculum, but for many school districts, … Read more

The Cell Unit Overview Before launching into cellular respiration, photosynthesis, or even a discussion on the microbiome, I spend a few weeks focusing on the cell by itself. I don’t dive into each and every organelle as students will revisit the cell in high school biology and become well acquainted with these at that point. … Read more

I’ve written often about my love for project-based, inquiry instruction in the middle school science classroom. Letting students explore and discover in the same way scientists do, by asking questions and experimenting, is definitely a rewarding and highly valuable way for students to engage in the science curriculum. But, I want to argue in this … Read more

Taking time to teach your middle school science students about the metric system can save you time in the long run.

Use 5 simple guidelines to introduce lab and activity safety procedures to your middle school science classroom.

Discover how to set up collaborative group roles in your middle school science classroom.

Although not the most accurate model of the atom, Bohr diagram models are highly useful when teaching middle school science students about atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions.

Students complete an engineering challenge as they work to understand the parts of the ear and their function, and the interaction of sound waves and sensory receptors.

Viewing the stomata under the microscope is an incredibly simple, truly awe-inspiring lab to do with your middle school science students. Easy setup and everyday items make this lab a must do for any life science class!