What Science Junkie, Kid-Loving, Education Nerd Wouldn't Love This Place?!? Science is a compilation of facts and evidence, but at the very basic core of each scientific endeavor lies imagination, exploration, discovery, and passion.  All of this can be found at the Hill Country Science Mill. When I first found out about the Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City, Texas, my inner science nerd came out!  To have a place where middle school and high school kids can go and get excited about the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math was a rare find.  They ar ..read more

I recently found out about a new FREE app that I think all middle school teachers and chemistry teachers would love- the Elements 4D app by Daqri. In addition to the free app, the site also provides free lesson plans for teachers of elementary students, middle school students, and high school students.  It is an augmented reality app in which students discover the properties of various elements (available via interactive blocks that are printed and assembled into cubes by the teacher prior to the activity - also free to download from their site.)  CLICK HERE to be taken directly to ..read more

For years, I have been using data to drive my instruction.  Tests (summative assessments) were entered into a program (Eduphoria) that aggregated the data for me and I used it religiously to make adjustments in my teaching and lesson planning.  This is how I discovered the concepts that my students were understanding, not understanding, and what teaching strategies and methods were most effective.  If a particular lab or activity really seemed to drive the point across and the test data supported it, then I definitely made note of that and was sure to continue it in the followi ..read more

As secondary educators, our list of responsibilities seems to grow exponentially every year.  More paperwork, more tasks, more meetings... Why do we view communication as such a daunting task?  I believe it has a lot to do with the amount of time it can take.  On several occasions, I've contacted a parent at the beginning of my conference period, only to have the BELL end the conversation!  There went my entire conference period and I got none of the work completed that I really needed to.  UGH!  But what if there were quick and simple tools at our fingertips t ..read more

The days of organizing my task cards in these little plastic file folders from the Target Dollar Spot (or was it Dollar Tree?...I can't remember) are over!  Bottom line... they cost a dollar and I'm so glad I didn't spend much more than that.  Whew!  They got so bulky and I was constantly having to go through them all to find the cards I was looking for. Now they are so organized!  I love the rainbow colors that coordinate with everything in my classroom and for the first time, I can quickly glance at the boxes and find the set of cards I am looking for...heaven for t ..read more

As most teachers around the country head down the final stretch, this is the time when you are tempted to "check it in, "let things slide," or "just sit back and relax."  But now, more than ever, I encourage you NOT to do that.  Just like the end of a race, this is the time that you must dig deep and work hard until the end. Yes, you are worn out. For some of you the state assessments are complete. The kids are ready to quit. But who said that this job was easy? Who said the end-goal was some state assessment? And since when do lazy students drive what we do in the classroom? We a ..read more

Since I can never seem to be content with what I already have created and have ready to go, in typical "Shayna fashion", I've completely re-vamped my STAAR review.  In the past, my school has always implemented a "STAAR Boot Camp" in which we stopped all regular classes for 2 days, pulled in all of our science and social studies teachers (in addition to some generous math and elective teachers) and held intense, focused cram sessions based upon our weaker TEKS as a whole grade level.  Students would rotate from a science room to a social studies room doing fun, interactive activitie ..read more

Next Monday and Tuesday, my students will be taking the 2015 Grade 8 Released Science STAAR Test.  The data collected from this test will be used to focus my review sessions and decide how I can best help each student be successful. But I feel that this cannot be a task that only I take on....I must give ownership and responsibility of the test to my students.  They need to understand how the test is laid out, what the state of Texas says they should know at this point, and what they need to work on before the testing date in May. I have created an updated Student Analysis page w ..read more

Are you a total science nerd like me? Do you love totally cheesy pick up lines? Then you've got to check out my Instagram account and join in on the February Fun! Each day, until Valentines Day, I will be posting a nerdy pick up line that is science related.  My 8th graders really love them and look forward to what completely off-the-wall thing I will post next.  And who knows... this might be just what you "single folks" have been missing!  You're welcome (in advance).  :)    Click on my image below to be taken directly to my Instagram page.  Join me and ..read more

INPUT vs. OUPUT The Interactive Notebook has become a large part of many classrooms around the country.  It is typically divided into two sides (left side and right side).  •The right side of the notebook is used for INPUT.  This side is for the student to record notes and “testable” information.  It is typically information that is provided by the teacher, such as class notes.  But it can also be diagrams or maps, vocabulary, graphic organizers, handouts, etc.  •The left side of the notebook is used for OUTPUT.  This side is for students to process new ide ..read more