Secondary Science Simplified™

These days, I'm all about doing things now that serve my future self. In last week's episode, I shared five principles I do in my business that serve my future self and how they can translate to the classroom. However, since those principles might serve you next month, quarter, or even school year, I wanted to share an immediate benefit for your future self. In today's episode, I'm sharing how Friday planning can be used to prevent Sunday scaries. If you are anything like I was in the classroom, I couldn't wait for my weekend to start and then felt the dread and overwhelm creep up on Sunday when I realized all I needed to do for the upcoming week. I hated this feeling so much that I created a process to prevent Sunday scaries from ever happening. Although you don't have to choose Friday to be the day you plan out your next week, make copies, and stay a little later, I'm going to share why I think it's the best day for it, how it'll make you feel, and my process for what it looks like and how to do it to maximize the prevention of Sunday scaries. Nothing dampens your Sunday like the realization of the papers you need to grade, copies you need to make for the lab the next day, or the number of emails you have to respond to sitting in your inbox. But by taking some time on Friday to plan your upcoming week, you will have eliminated the Sunday scaries and can enjoy your weekend without thinking about work!Resources Mentioned: Virtual PD Courses for Science Teachers WaitlistDownload 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/episode139

I frequently think about how much the principles I've learned from running a business (and parenting) have changed my perspective on teaching. This got me thinking about what I would implement based on what I know now if I ever return to the classroom. And whenever I realize something useful and helpful, I want to share it with y'all! So, in today's episode, I'm sharing five ways you can serve future you with what I've learned in business that would apply to the classroom. As teachers, we all live busy lives. We're constantly doing everything we can for our students while also having a busy personal life. So one way to work smarter and not harder is by doing things to serve future you. Each of the five ways includes performing tasks with a strategic plan, grouping similar items together, and being diligent about doing things correctly the first time. I also provide examples of how I'd use these ideas in the classroom. One of the best things you can do to save time in the long run is to give a gift to your future self. With key ideas I've learned from working on my business, I wanted to share how these tactics can be applied in your classroom to be more efficient and effective. So be sure to take a listen on ways to save time with five ways to serve future you! Resources Mentioned: It’s Not Rocket Science PD WaitlistDownload 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/episode138

As teachers, we know how hard it is to manage and balance our work and personal lives. But when you add being a new mom and an AP teacher to the mix, it makes that even harder. We’re always looking for tips and secrets to find that balance. My guest on today’s episode, Kimberly Leary, just might have figured it out! In today’s episode, Kimberly is sharing her knowledge and experience on a variety of topics, including how to prepare for maternity leave as an AP teacher, advice for teaching AP Environmental Science, and how to achieve a work/life balance as a new mom. Being an AP teacher, especially in the discipline of Environmental Science, which covers a wide variety of topics, has its challenges, and Kimberly has faced them all. She credits her detailed personality for keeping pace and not deviating while teaching and how she handled substitute plans during her maternity leave. Teaching a discipline that most people aren’t familiar with required her to be thoughtful, intentional, and detailed with the plans she left while she was on leave. She shares how this helped the many teachers covering her classes and how that impacted her students once she returned. Once Kimberly became a mom, she knew setting boundaries that created a better work/life balance was necessary. Even though this required her to change her mindset and set realistic expectations for herself as it pertained to her workload and grading, she eventually found the right balance. She shares how she did it and the priority shift she had to make. It’s very natural to want to be the best mom you can be while still being passionate about your teaching career. That’s why creating a work/life balance the best you can is critical to your success at both. So take a listen and get advice from Kimberly, a first-time mom and AP teacher, on how to have it all! Resources Mentioned: National APES teachers Facebook groupAPES Teachers Unleashed Facebook groupMr. Smedes - APESvsEVERYBODYDownload 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/episode137

When I was a classroom teacher without any kids, I had no idea of the correlation or commonality that being a parent and a teacher would have. Now, being a parent, I would do some things differently and have a different lens on, which is why I’ve loved doing this series on things I’ve learned from parenting that can apply to teaching. In this episode, we’re wrapping up this series on ways to build a team mindset into your classroom culture. Classrooms and families are very similar in that they’re both run as a community or unit. Even though each person has individual roles, everyone needs to function as a whole. I know that building a positive and inclusive classroom culture is so important, but I’m also discussing ways you can build a team mindset, get your students involved, and have them get to know each other. Being the leader of your classroom, you will show them how and explain why it’s essential in building a classroom culture. Managing your classroom isn’t just about disruptive behaviors or challenging students. It’s also about how your classroom functions and the feelings students have within your four walls. Personally, I want my classroom and home to be a safe place with positivity and inclusion. So, if you want to create the same in your classroom, make sure you build a team mindset into your classroom culture! Resources Mentioned: Virtual PD Courses by It’s Not Rocket Science WaitlistDownload 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/episode136

If you’ve been listening each week, you know that this month, I’ve been doing a special series where I’ve reflected on things I’ve done and learned as a parent and how they can transfer to the classroom. I’ve been surprised by how much is transferable and have loved hearing your responses to these ideas as well. Today’s topic is something I’ve talked about with another friend relating to parenting but practiced while in the classroom. That is anticipatory conversations. So, in this episode, I’m sharing what anticipatory conversations are, what they can look like, and how to use them in the classroom. I’ve always been a fan of finding ways to be proactive rather than reactive, and that’s exactly what anticipatory conversations do. They help lay the guidelines, expectations, and potential consequences before an event or activity takes place. This helps diffuse any potential chaos that could arise since students or kids already know what’s expected of them. I share examples of how I’ve used this with my own kids and ways I used it in the classroom before labs, tests, or any other activity where chaos could happen. In using anticipatory conversations in my life, I’ve found that repetition is key, along with other key tips that help make this strategy more effective. Providing expectation reminders helps you be proactive in certain situations rather than reactive during the heat of the moment. Likewise, students and kids know what’s expected of them ahead of time. So be sure to use anticipatory conversations to alleviate potential chaos in your personal and work life!  Resources Mentioned: Virtual PD Courses by It’s Not Rocket Science WaitlistIt’s Not Rocket Science Complete UnitsCall BellsDownload 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/episode135

As you all know, my outlook and perspective on life are usually black and white. Especially when it came to teaching, I gave clear rules and procedures that needed to be followed in my classroom. However, when I became a parent to three children, my perspective started to shift and change. This got me thinking about how what I’ve learned through parenting would affect me as a teacher and all the ways these lessons would transfer to the classroom. In the last episode, I discussed refrains to use in the classroom or at home. In this episode, I wanted to focus on a personal refrain: prioritizing relationships over being right. In my black-and-white world, I always wanted to be right, make my point, or show someone how something should be done. I ran a tight ship in my classroom, which honestly is beneficial at times, but that doesn’t outweigh the relationships and bonds you form with your students. So how can this refrain of prioritizing relationships over being right translate to the classroom? I share how I first used this with parenting, then discuss how to apply it to your teaching, particularly when it comes to classroom management. Should you always pick the relationship over the efficiency of your classroom? Or is there a way to establish rules, procedures, and routines before establishing relationships? I’m diving into all of this and more! Resources Mentioned: Virtual PD Courses by It’s Not Rocket Science WaitlistDownload 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/episode134

If you openly ask your students, What’s something I say often? You might be surprised by their answers or know exactly what they’d say. I know when I was in the classroom, there were certain phrases that I was known for saying and that I repeated to emphasize certain behaviors or life skills I wanted my students to learn. Now as a parent, I’m doing the same thing and have quickly learned that saying certain refrains can be beneficial and make a big impact in the classroom or in the home. So, in this episode, I’m sharing five refrains that you can use when teaching or with your children at home. Without realizing it, the refrains used in my classroom were memorable and often something students mimicked to each other. This reason, along with a few others, is why I love them and have become intentional with how I use them for different scenarios in my classroom. The five refrains that I share are ones that I’ve used in my classroom, at home, or even both. With each refrain, I provide the context in which they’re used and how they help my students and children learn life skills and reflect on their own ability to do something. I even have a few bonus refrain to use when teaching specific science disciplines.  I didn’t go into teaching wanting to use specific refrains when teaching, but once I did, I saw the benefits and impact it had on students and their ability to problem solve and rely on themselves rather than others. As a bonus, I learned that certain refrains can be used when parenting my own children, which I’ve now started using as well. I hope the episode encourages you to think about your own refrains, how they’re benefiting your students, and a challenge for you if you’re already using them in your classroom! Resources Mentioned: Virtual PD Courses by It’s Not Rocket Science WaitlistPrime Time Bell RingersAre My Kids on Track? by Sissy Goff and David Thomas Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by Sissy Goff and David ThomasRaising Worry-Free Girls by Sissy Goff and David ThomasDownload 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/episode133

I love taking the time to reflect both professionally and personally because it helps me grow as a teacher and as a person. So when I was in the classroom, I made it a habit to spend some time at the end of the school year to reflect on how the year went. In last week’s episode, I had you reflect on your instructional resources in order to help prepare for next year, so now I’m going to ask that you reflect as a whole and think about how the year went. In today’s episode, I’m sharing six end-of-year reflection questions to ask yourself in order to be more effective as a teacher next school year. When it comes to the six end-of-year reflection questions, I want you to designate time to think, reflect, and take the space you need to answer them honestly and thoroughly. The questions range from what you did well, what didn’t go well, what you want to do more or less of, and how to improve your work-life balance. Even though your answers are going to be personalized and geared towards your individual needs and teaching experience, I do provide you with example answers to the questions to help spark your own ideas.  As you approach the end of the school year, the long list of content you taught, activities you tried, labs you did, and so many more daily tasks can sometimes get lost in the transition to summer. However, I encourage you to find the time to ponder my six end-of-year reflection questions that are so valuable to your growth as a teacher, a way to close out the year while starting fresh with a new school year in the fall. Resources Mentioned: Free Lab AuditBell RingersDownload 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/episode132

With the end of the school year quickly approaching, your mind is on summer, relaxing, and taking a break from school. The last thing you probably want to do is start thinking about next school year. However, that’s exactly what I want you to do! While everything is still fresh in your mind, it’s important to take the time to reflect on the year and do an end-of-year audit. In the first episode of this two-part series, I’m going to share how to do an end-of-year audit as an assessment of your instructional resources and why that’s going to help you have a better year next school year. I love wrapping up the school year with an end-of-year audit because it truly helps serve me and my students in the future. It’s so important to have the right instructional resources in order to improve your student’s understanding and teach them the content in an effective and efficient way. Since I want this to be helpful for you, I’m going to walk you through how I do this resource audit with examples and questions to fully give you all the information you need to conduct an audit yourself. Even though you have a million things to do to wrap up the school year, take some time to do an end-of-year audit. Remember that instructional resources are the tools for connecting content with students and making it make sense for them, which is why this resource audit is so important and valuable. By doing it now, you will have the best opportunity to have a successful school year for you and your students when you return to school in the fall! Resources Mentioned: Lab Audit FreebieBiology Scope and SequenceChemistry Scope and SequenceAnatomy Scope and SequencePhysical Science Scope and SequenceDownload 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/episode131

Something that I remember so vividly is my first year teaching. I was bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and couldn’t wait to have my own classroom and make it my own. I had wanted this for so long that I was ready to jump in and do all that I could to be the best teacher I could be. And while that sounds like the right thing, it actually made me tired, stressed, and overwhelmed. So whether you’re fresh out of college, coming to teaching as a second career, or a veteran teacher wanting to learn from others, this episode is for you. To help out all three groups, I’m sharing five things I wish I had known in my first year of teaching. Each of these are lessons I learned the hard way or from others along the way in my teaching career. The lessons range from creating a work-life balance, developing effective systems, and learning not to do everything on your own. Your first year of teaching is exciting and new, and you’re so eager to try new things. But it can also be overwhelming, difficult, and a struggle to manage a whole classroom on your own. Therefore, if you keep in mind the five things I wish I had known during my first year of teaching, you will be more prepared to take on the challenges that teaching brings but also enjoy the joy it brings as well. 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 Podcasts Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode130