One of my favorite research projects is a "March Madness" style debate.  Here are some topic ideas: Who was the most influential Physicist of all time? (spice it up by removing Einstein and Newton as contenders) Which Physics technology has had the greatest impact (positive or negative) on society? (Or take a green angle and focus on the environment) Which global environmental issue requires the most funding/attention in next year? These are topics that can be easily switched up for Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, A&P, Environmental Science.   Students ch ..read more

 If you're a new Physics teacher, or a new-to-Physics teacher, you're probably wondering  Which units should I teach? What order should I teach the units in? Is there a unit I should start with? How should I order the lessons? What labs can be done in this unit? Are there demos I can perform? Where do projects ties in?   If you're wondering any of those things, I've developed a FREE resource to help you plan and pace your Physics course! It includes considerations for ordering units (some work great as introductory units, others, not so much) sample units orders less ..read more

To the new Physics teacher, or the new-to-Physics teacher: Welcome to teaching Physics.  I'm so happy you’re here. ? Teaching Physics has been an adventure for me, and I know it will be for you too. I wanted to share a resource I made for new Physics teachers (or new-to-Physics teachers).  It's a 67-page workbook that will help new Physics teachers:  1. feel more confident in their first years 2. plan and pace their course 3. prepare for labs by taking inventory. There's lots of other teaching tips and ideas included. I think it can be useful for Physical Science teac ..read more

  AnthroDesk Laptop Stand Review Note: AnthroDesk asked me to review the AnthroDesk Laptop Stand with Adjustable Folding Ergonomic Design Stand for Ultrabook, Netbook, or Tablet. This sponsored post contains my own opinions. During distance learning I needed to record videos for my classes.  While reviewing the footage, I was shocked at how different my energy and enthusiasm were when I was standing as opposed to sitting. Standing felt more like real teaching, and I was much more engaging - my videos made while sitting were less energetic. At home, I use a standing desk (a dual moto ..read more

Note: WeAreTeachers and PASCO asked me to review the Wireless Motion Sensor and MatchGraph! Software. This sponsored post contains my own opinions. Early in my Physics teacher career I wasted far too many hours graphing position-time graphs on a tiny graphing calculator screen to lackluster results. I had abandoned this activity for years until this small and mighty motion sensor found its way to me. This is the PASCO PS-3219 Wireless Motion Sensor. Combined with the (free) PASCO MatchGraph! software, you can track the position, velocity, and acceleration of objects, showing the graphed r ..read more

As Google Slides became most robust in its ability to compete with PowerPoint, the add-on Pear Deck sealed the deal for me.  I am convert!  All hail Pear Deck! Pear Deck is an easy add-on to use on Google Slides that allows you to 1) have students follow along with the presentation on their own devices (it's web-based so it works on both smart phones, Chromebooks and laptops). 2) have students answer questions throughout the lesson. In order to ask a question to the class, it is as easy an adding a new slide and typing your question.  Pear Deck allows you to ask multiple cho ..read more

In my last post, I shared how I create Doodle Notes for my Science classes, including some technical and design tips.   It's such a heartwarming feeling to know that my Doodle Notes have been used with thousands of students.  I have been prioritizing my time to create Doodle Notes for the subjects and topics that I love.  For me it started with the Law of Conservation of Energy and Forces, then an entire unit of Doodle Notes on Nuclear Energy - one of absolute favourite topics!  This led to an entire unit on Astronomy - my other top love, and Climate Change, whic ..read more

In my last post I explored the cognitive advantages to using Doodle Notes in the classroom.  Downsides to providing students with a sheet of blank paper and asking them to copy down your doodles is that you lose the time efficiency of a fill-in-the-blank note and their thought process and creativity might be stifled by your own.  For those reasons I created a scaffolding for the Doodle Notes, so that my class time was being used efficiently, students still had opportunities to infuse their own creativity and I could explain why I chose the images and paths that I did… and maybe part ..read more

I’m sure you can recall a meeting or professional development where you’ve been without pen or paper and your mind wanders.  This happens to our students too!  How can we engage their brain if it is wandering around during our lesson?  There are benefits to taking notes, but can we make them better? The solution I’ve found is Doodle Notes!   I thought in the past my notes were fairly efficient.  Most of my notes are a fill-in-the-blank style where the student will write the key terms, definitions and problem solve alongside with me on the document camera.  Sti ..read more

Here is a comparison summary of the planning, instruction and assessment considerations for the subject, learner and problem centered curricular designs.  Your feedback is appreciated.   A PDF version is available to download. Sources: Hayes, D. (2003) Making learning an effect of schooling: aligning curriculum, assessment and pedagogy, Discourse: studies in the cultural politics of education, 24(2), 225-245 McMillan, J. H. (2014).  Classroom assessment: Principles and practice for effective standards-based instruction (6th ed., pp. 1-20,  57 ..read more