Secondary Science Simplified™

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - the reason I do this podcast is for you! I love sharing ideas, strategies, activities, and curriculum with you that help make your science classrooms more successful. This is why I reached out to you to hear what questions you had for me or for your science classrooms. So, for the next few months, I’ll be answering all your questions, starting today. This important question that was mentioned a lot revolved around increasing retention and how to get students to remember dense topics in your science curriculum. Instead of thinking this is your fault, I first want you to know it’s not. I share my own personal reasons why students have worse retention than ever before. But really, I share very practical tips that you can begin implementing in your classroom. Although they’re most effectively introduced at the beginning of the school year, there are still ideas you can start using today. Each tip requires you to reflect on your current practices, sequence, and instructional activities in order for students to increase their retention of dense topics. Sometimes, students struggle to retain information in general, let alone difficult content, so it’s important to find ways to increase that retention in any way possible. Whether you start using these tips now or get a jump start on how to structure your science course for next year, these practical ideas will increase the retention of dense science topics in your students! Resources Mentioned: Biology Curriculum Chemistry CurriculumSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode119

If you’ve been in education long enough, you know that new acronyms and ideas are constantly being tossed out there. Once these ideas are presented, schools and districts want them implemented, which results in teachers stressing about incorporating them into their lessons. But in reality, teachers are already doing a lot of these ideas; they’re just called something different. This is exactly what happened with CER. So, in today’s episode, I’m explaining what CER is and why you’re already doing this in your science classroom. For those that don’t know, CER is an acronym for claim evidence reasoning. When this came onto the scene a few years ago, my inbox was flooded with questions on how to implement this and if it was incorporated into my curriculum resources. My response has always been the same - you’re already implementing this in your classroom because science is all about making claims and backing them up with evidence and reasoning. With that being said, I’m sharing how to be more intentional about using the language so your students learn to expect this type of response to any question. Although the term CER is new, the structure for how students construct an explanation is not. I know the stress and pressure of implementing something new in your classroom that your school is promoting, but I hope that this episode encourages and reinforces that you’re already doing this in your science classrooms despite it having a new name. Resources Mentioned: It’s Not Rocket Science Complete UnitsSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode118

We’ve all had someone who isn’t trained in our subject area be a substitute in our class before, but only for just a day or two, and we survived. But when it’s for an extended period of time, that’s when planning can get challenging. This episode is more than for those going on maternity leave. Most of us don’t anticipate when we need to go on extended leave, but it’s critical to think about and plan for it. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing how you can effectively plan for a long-term substitute who isn’t trained to teach science.  In my years of teaching, I’ve encountered this situation twice in my career, so I’m familiar with the plans you need to make. Because, in reality, you need to prep for students to learn for an extended period of time without someone in the room to help them with the content. With this in mind, I have six tips on what you can do to prepare for a long-term sub who doesn’t teach your content. Each idea asks you to examine your plans, find alternative ways for students to learn content, and how to have your substitute grade assignments. It’s difficult to find substitutes who are trained in what we teach, especially in the subject of science. So when you need to be gone for an extended period of time, planning needs to go into it. In order to give yourself peace of mind and your students the best learning experience possible, implement my six tips for when your long-term substitute doesn’t teach science. Resources Mentioned: It’s Not Rocket Science Complete UnitsIt’s Not Rocket Science ProjectsIt’s Not Rocket Science YouTube ChannelDownload your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode117

No matter what subject or grade you teach or how long you’ve been teaching, you have been behind schedule at least at one point in your career. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it is stressful! Especially if you have an end-of-year test that you’re preparing for. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, in today’s episode, I’m sharing ways to assess why you’re behind schedule and providing practical ways to prevent it from happening in the future. When we start to get behind schedule, our natural reaction is to either rush students or cut instructional resources. However, I caution you to do either of those, for it can bring down student enthusiasm and change your demeanor as a teacher. Instead, I give you four questions to ask yourself where you can begin to assess why you’re behind, which can be eye-opening to what you find important and how much instructional time you actually have. Then, after assessing, I share practical ways you can get back on track or prevent you from being behind schedule in the future. It’s natural to get behind schedule when you have so much science content to teach, but it’s so important to learn where it’s coming from and how to fix it. So, if you’re struggling to fit all of your content in before a big test or the end of the year, this episode is for you! Resources Mentioned: Free Lab AuditAnatomy of a Class PeriodDownload your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode116

If you’re a beginning teacher or teaching a new prep for the first time, everyone’s advice is always to fake it till you make it! We’re conditioned to believe that you need to project confidence to show your students that you’re qualified to be their teacher. But is that narrative what’s best for your students? I’ve had many conversations with teachers about how to act confident when you don’t feel that way, and my answer may surprise you. It’s normal to want to display a sense of confidence towards your students when you’re in charge of the classroom. But I want you to think about the benefits of being honest and humble with your students instead. Being able to humanize yourself, show your flaws, and share your mistakes with them lets them know it’s okay for them to do so as well. However, I do share the two things you should feel confident about and how to stay firm in those beliefs. It can be intimidating to stand in front of students for the first time and act like you’ve been there before. Although my answer on how to project confidence when that’s not how you feel may not be the answer you were looking for, I promise it’s exactly what you’ll need to be confident for your students. Resources Mentioned: Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode115 

Have you ever made a mistake in your classroom? Or handled a situation differently that caused more problems or regretted how you handled it? I am raising my hand high in the air! Even though it feels like you’re the only teacher something like this has ever happened to, in reality, you’re not alone. I received an email a few months back that resonated with me, and I knew it would resonate with y’all as well. It was from a second career teacher who shared her struggle with this exact topic. But how can you bounce back? Since I knew this was something every teacher could relate to, I wanted to make it a podcast episode to share some encouragement. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing my advice for when you make a mistake in the classroom and some ways to be proactive in the future. Even though we try everything to avoid it, making a mistake in the classroom is inevitable, but it’s how you bounce back that makes all the difference. While I offer words of encouragement and share my own mistakes from when I was in the classroom, I also provide advice. This advice includes a three-step process on ways to admit when you’re wrong, identify ways it could’ve been prevented, how to make it right, and, most importantly, move on and learn from it. It can be a defeating feeling when you’ve made a mistake, or a negative situation has happened in your classroom. Trust me, I’ve been there. However, it shows more about who you are as a teacher on how you bounce back than the actual mistake. So I’m here to remind you that trials and mistakes will happen, but use them as an opportunity to grow and learn from them to be better as an educator.  Resources Mentioned: Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode114

If you are anything like I was in the classroom, this time of year is when I often felt the most drained, with little energy. The excitement of break seems so far away; it’s dark, and the days seem never-ending. And while I can’t change any of those things for you, I can give you some encouragement to make it through. Similar to last week’s episode, where I shared five systems for the home, in today’s episode, I’m sharing five truths for the classroom. Y’all know how much I thrive off a routine or system, which is exactly what I was going to share today. However, knowing the level of energy you possibly have, I decided on disclosing truths for the classroom instead. In seasons where you are the most drained, you actually need support the most. In the five truths I share, each gives you permission to be yourself, allows you grace, and focuses on what’s important, such as the connection you have with your students. Sometimes, hearing the truth can be difficult. It’s usually the things we don’t want to hear that we need to hear. In this case, these truths give you an opportunity to breathe until you regain your energy. So, if you’re struggling and need support during this season of your life, make sure you take to heart the five truths for the classroom. Resources Mentioned: Download your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode113

With the demands of teaching, we often come home with no energy but are faced with the demands of our home life as well. And just like we have routines put in place to make things easier at school, we can do the same when we’re at home. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing my best systems for the home that will help you maximize your energy from the day. Each of the systems for the home that I share helps you manage the daily tasks of running a home, how to build in more time for yourself, and ways to relax and boundaries for a better mindset. Even though each of the five systems might not work for everyone, I encourage you to take what serves you, particularly depending on where you are in your season of life. I know this is a deviation from the normal topics we discuss on this podcast, but I believe it’s something that’s going to help you optimize your time at home. So, if you didn’t have enough time to recharge or get that energy boost over break like you had wished, implementing these systems for the home (and systems for school in next week’s episode) will help transform your life! Resources Mentioned: Meal Planning NotepadDownload your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple PodcastsShow Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode112 

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you were able to unplug over this winter break and recharge so you can tackle the last semester of the school year. Since the start of a new year is the perfect time to hit the reset button, I really wanted to start the year off by assessing where you are in life, what your priorities are, and the types of boundaries you should have. During today’s episode, I want to introduce you to what it means to be living in your current season and how to honor that with your priorities and boundaries. Different seasons require different things from us, so it’s important to find ways to make it through based on what your needs are and what matters in your life during your current season. One of the best ways to do that is by naming your priorities and defining boundaries. Your priorities filter through every decision you make during that time, which is why being selective with what matters most is so essential. Additionally, I discuss how to choose certain boundaries that align with your priority and that serve whoever is involved or connected to your priority. I want you to remember that seasons aren’t forever, and it’s going to require you to pick and choose or give and take during certain moments of your life. But by naming your priorities and defining your boundaries, you can make it through your current season. So, I want to encourage you to assess where you’re at so you can have a fresh start in this new year and end the school year strong! Resources Mentioned: The Lazy Genius WebsiteThe Lazy Genius Way BookThe Lazy Genius PodcastThe Lazy Genius on Instagram: @thelazygeniusDownload your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode111

It’s officially the last week of 2023, so I wanted to end the year with the most listened to episode from the year. It was no surprise to me that my interview with Casey was the top episode because of his approach to teaching, his philosophies, and his outlook on how to interact and connect with his students. Adapting to teach in a post-pandemic world, Casey shares his approach to classroom management post-COVID and how you can implement his ideas. Post-pandemic, a lot of teachers have had to adapt their management and increase student motivation. These times have presented many challenges for teachers and students, so how can you experience success? My conversation with Casey spans from reaching apathetic students, finding new ways to motivate students, and his effective no-hassle cell phone policy. There’s so much I personally took from our conversation, but the general theme was finding ways to meet students where they’re at in this post-pandemic world. Casey has a great perspective on teaching and classroom management, and I encourage you to reflect on your own philosophies as you jump into 2024! Resources Mentioned: Grab the Anatomy of a Class Period FREEBIEDownload your FREE Classroom Reset ChallengeSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.comFollow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode110