It's been a while! Tune into this quick update to learn more about where we've been, what's ahead, and how you can keep learning with us.  ? New Podcast! Sincerely Yours, Intentional TeachApple PodcastsSpotifyJoin The Podcast Community:iExplore Teaching & Learning Lab You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement ..read more

In this episode, Nicole shared three commitments she made in her classroom as she transitioned back into the classroom this fall -- as well as strategies that she utilized to keep those commitments.  "I’m not working [much] outside contract hours." "I’m not rushing through my curriculum to get it covered." "I’m not relying on grades as motivation." She also shared a life update as she takes on a new role in her school and what's ahead for Erin, Nicole, and the Teaching Science In 3D Podcast in 2023. More Resources:  Amplify Authentic Engagement (iExploreScience Short-Course ..read more

In this episode, Nicole shares an aha moment she recently experienced as she was prompted to reflect on her thinking about the strategies and approaches she utilizes in her classroom. So often we seek out the "one right way" to do something, hoping it to be a "fix" for whatever challenge we are experiencing in the classroom. But the reality is, all of our strategies, approaches, materials, tricks... they're all just *tools* -- not fixes. Explore this idea more in this thought-provoking episode. More Resources:  Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook Are you looking for a qu ..read more

In this episode, Nicole (iExploreScience) shares a few ideas for moving from whole-group instruction to stations-style, small-group learning. Small group activities create the opportunity to work with students individually, scaffolding and extending learning as needed. Because you can interact on a more personal level, it's a great way to meet students' needs academically while also strengthening student-teacher relationships. Moreover, small group learning keeps all students actively engaged (versus more passive whole-group approaches), reduces "chatter challenges," and as Nicole explains, ju ..read more

What is your start-of-class routine? Is it working? In this episode, Nicole shares her bell-ringer routine -- a transition time that can make-or-break a smooth class experience. She digs into the actual structure of her routine, how she holds students accountable for the tasks, and how she integrates curiosity-building, student-empowering, three-dimensional activities into those first few minutes of class. More Resources:   109 Improving Your Classroom Culture After a Break 111 Rethink Your Classroom Management Plan Now Building Classroom Culture With Respect Agreements (iExploreSc ..read more

We win any time we can incorporate literacy in science into our daily lessons and activities. One low-prep strategy that I love to use is to ask students to analyze authentic science texts… but let’s be real, those are HARD to understand. Luckily, there are several organizations who do the amazing work at adapting real science work to a student reading level. More Resources:  Three Easy Ways To Support NGSS-Aligned Literacy (iExploreScience) Text Annotation Strategy Guide: Student Key & Rubric (Free Download) Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook Explore student-driven ..read more

In this episode, Nicole shares how she teaches students to annotate texts, a strategy they can pair with any reading task in the science classroom. Text annotations increase student engagement and comprehension when working with science texts, and they provide the educator a better peek into student understanding of text-based tasks. Plus, text annotations make for a simple, low-prep substitute plan. But of course, you have to teach students the art of annotating texts, and in this episode, you'll get Nicole's step-by-step strategy to build student competence in this life-long learning skill ..read more

In this episode, Nicole shares her personal reflections on the "labels" we may (inadvertently) assign to classes and how that can impact our relationships, classroom culture, and teaching practice. She shares how this label developed with student block in her own classroom and what she is doing to "rethink and reset" her experiences with this group of students in order to bring more joy and ease back into their work of learning. More Resources:  Join The iExploreScience Weekly Newsletter 91 The Importance of Building Relationships in the Science Classroom S1 E13: How to Use Relationship ..read more

In this episode, Nicole (iExploreScience) shares how she has used respect agreements to establish a positive classroom culture and prevent (and address) behavior challenges within her classroom. What are respect agreements? In short, respect agreements are an effective classroom management strategy that create a stronger community culture than top-down rules and consequences. Through the agreement development process, all students are given a voice in the establishment of our classroom norms and are therefore held more easily accountable to adhering to them. More Resources:  Amplify Au ..read more

Wonder where we have been?  Listen to this quick update to find out about the next episode of the podcast.    We would love to answer your questions on the podcast.   Please submit them at teachingsciencein3d.com/quesitons.   Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download.  Support your own and your studen ..read more