iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
By Nicole VanTassel
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Episodes: 157
Description
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem is for upper elementary teachers — especially grades 3–5 —who want to make elementary science and math more engaging, without adding more prep or overwhelm to their day. If you’re looking for practical ways to bring STEM and hands-on learning into your classroom while still meeting standards like NGSS, this podcast is for you.
Each week, you’ll get (ideally) short, (always!) actionable episodes (about 15–30 minutes) filled with classroom-tested ideas you can actually use. From simple STEM challenges and low-prep science activities to math routines, lab management, and neurodivergent-friendly strategies, everything is designed to help you keep students thinking, moving, and engaged—especially during the most challenging times of the year.
You’ll also hear honest reflections from real classroom experiences, with a focus on what works (and what doesn’t) in my 5th grade science and math classroom — no perfection required.
I’m Nicole, and I share practical, hands-on science and math ideas designed specifically for upper elementary teachers who want engaging, rigorous lessons without the overwhelm.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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17 Crafting Connection and Building Trust In Your Upper Elementary Classroom
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Aug 03, 2026 |
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16 Why Your Students Can't Learn Until They Feel Safe
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Jul 20, 2026 |
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15 The Reason Some Students Struggle With Science Questions (And What to Do About It)
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Jul 06, 2026 |
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14 Vertical Whiteboards In Science & Math
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Jun 29, 2026 |
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13 How To Get Students Asking The Questions (Instead Of Just Answering Yours)
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Jun 22, 2026 |
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12 Criteria and Constraints: The Two Things That Make It Real Engineering
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Jun 15, 2026 |
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11 The Engineering Cycle: What It Actually Looks Like in a Real Classroom
|
Jun 08, 2026 |
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10 Take It Outside: 3 Easy Ideas for the Final Stretch
|
Jun 01, 2026 |
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09 3 Science Topics That Make Kids Forget It's June
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May 25, 2026 |
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08 How To Make Every Kid Feel Seen Before Summer
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May 18, 2026 |
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07 5 STEM Challenges Using Only Paper, Tape, and Cardboard
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May 11, 2026 |
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06 How To Run a STEM Challenge Without the Chaos
|
May 04, 2026 |
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05 From Crafts to Thinking: What Makes an Activity Actually "STEM"?
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Apr 27, 2026 |
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04 STEM Bins for Slow Morning Starts
|
Apr 20, 2026 |
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03 The Week After Testing: Why It Falls Apart and What To Do Instead
|
Apr 20, 2026 |
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02 Ideas for the Week(s) of Testing
|
Apr 13, 2026 |
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01 Why I Started iExploreScience: STEM in Elem (And What's Coming)
|
Apr 13, 2026 |
|
A Note for Longtime Listeners — What's Coming Next
|
Apr 10, 2026 |
|
Building a Classroom Community Series Part 3: The Science Classroom
|
Aug 19, 2025 |
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Building a Classroom Community Series Part 2: Respect Agreements and Community Circles
|
Aug 11, 2025 |
|
Building Classroom Community Series Part 1: Interview with Erin's Daughter
|
Aug 04, 2025 |
|
"Start Small" Series: Deepen Learning By Reducing Tasks
|
Jul 28, 2025 |
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"Start Small" Series: Quick Strategies To Get Your Students *Thinking*
|
Jul 21, 2025 |
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"Start Small" Series: Building Simple Routines With 3D Practices
|
Jul 14, 2025 |
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Erin's ADHD Diagnosis
|
Jul 07, 2025 |
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5 Things We Want Teachers to Know About ADHD
|
Jun 30, 2025 |
|
Where have we been for the last two years?!?
|
Jun 30, 2025 |
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129 Three Commitments I Made (And Mostly Kept) This Fall
|
Dec 19, 2022 |
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128 It's A Tool, Not A Fix
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Dec 12, 2022 |
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127 Establishing An Anchor Phenomenon Routine
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Dec 05, 2022 |
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126 From Whole Group To Small Group Learning
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Nov 28, 2022 |
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125 A Bell Ringer Approach To Start Class Smoothly
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Nov 21, 2022 |
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124 Your New Favorite Places To Find Authentic Science Texts Adapted For The Classroom
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Nov 14, 2022 |
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123 Teaching Text Annotations - Your New Favorite Literacy Strategy
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Nov 07, 2022 |
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122 Rethinking THAT Class - What To Do When Classes Feel Like A Challenge
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Oct 31, 2022 |
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121 Establishing A Positive Classroom Culture With Respect Agreements
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Oct 03, 2022 |
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120 Informal Writing In Science Class
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Aug 29, 2022 |
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119 The Best Strategies For Teaching Science Vocab
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Aug 22, 2022 |
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118 Bringing Nature Journals Into Your 3D Teaching
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Aug 15, 2022 |
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117 How to Improve Observation Skills in Your Science Classes
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Aug 08, 2022 |
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116 Why You Shouldn't Teach An Intro Unit
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Aug 01, 2022 |
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115 How Can You Use Science Notebooks And Interactive Notebooking?
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Jul 25, 2022 |
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114 What To Do When Your Science Curriculum Isn't Built for 3D
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Jul 18, 2022 |
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113 Incorporating Student-Centered Science Stations
|
Jul 11, 2022 |
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112 What's The Difference Between Evidence And Reasoning?
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Jul 04, 2022 |
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111 Rethinking Your Classroom Management Plan
|
Jun 26, 2022 |
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110 How to Start Teaching Science in 3D - 2 Simple Strategies
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Jun 20, 2022 |
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Spring 2022 Update - What's Happening Next?
|
Apr 18, 2022 |
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109 Resetting Your Classroom Culture After Break
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Dec 20, 2021 |
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108 How Your Students CAN Do This!
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Dec 13, 2021 |
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107 Helping Your Students Engage In Authentic Learning
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Dec 06, 2021 |
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106 Five Strategies For NGSS Implementation In Elementary School
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Nov 29, 2021 |
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105 Are There Fewer Labs With NGSS?
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Nov 22, 2021 |
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104 What To Do With A Chatty Class
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Nov 15, 2021 |
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103 Understanding The SEP Progression
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Nov 08, 2021 |
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102 Create "Common Language" And Improve Communication In Your Science Class
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Nov 01, 2021 |
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101 The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement
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Oct 25, 2021 |
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100 What We've Learned About 3D Teaching
|
Oct 18, 2021 |
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99 Six Examples To Use Crosscutting Concepts In Your Classroom
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Oct 11, 2021 |
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98 How To Teach The Crosscutting Concepts
|
Oct 04, 2021 |
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97 Start Your Science Unit With These Accessible Activities
|
Sep 27, 2021 |
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96 How To Start Your Phenomenon-Based Science Unit
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Sep 20, 2021 |
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95 What You Need to Know About Building Prior Knowledge in Your Science Class
|
Sep 13, 2021 |
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94 What To Do With Student Questions in Science
|
Aug 30, 2021 |
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93 Getting More Out of the SEPs
|
Aug 23, 2021 |
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92 Building Community Support For 3D Learning
|
Aug 16, 2021 |
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91 The Importance of Building Relationships in the Science Classroom
|
Aug 09, 2021 |
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90 What To Avoid When You Head Back To School
|
Aug 02, 2021 |
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89 Three Mistakes You Are Making With Your NGSS Assessments
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Jul 26, 2021 |
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88 Using Performance Expectations to Build Units
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Jul 19, 2021 |
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87 Choosing Better Phenomena
|
Jul 12, 2021 |
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86 3 Pain-Free Science Teacher Prep Tips for Summer
|
Jun 07, 2021 |
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85 Colleagues, Administrators, and Creating A 3D Teaching Culture: An Interview With Biology Teacher Nicole H.
|
May 31, 2021 |
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84 3 Easy Ways to Add Purpose to Your Science Investigations
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May 24, 2021 |
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83 3 Reasons You're Afraid to Ditch the Recipe-Style Science Labs
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May 17, 2021 |
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82 Flip Your Lesson For Discovery
|
May 10, 2021 |
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81 Expanding Our Understanding Of The "Explore" Phase
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May 03, 2021 |
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80 "Still In The Middle, But Moving Closer": An Interview With Middle School Teacher Mercedes G.
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Apr 26, 2021 |
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79 NGSS Curriculum: Why One Size Doesn't Fit All
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Apr 19, 2021 |
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78 Five Easy Strategies To Improve Scientific Arguments
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Apr 12, 2021 |
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77 All About Anchors
|
Apr 05, 2021 |
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76 Rethink How You Bundle Your Standards
|
Mar 29, 2021 |
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75 [TT] Learning In Fits And Spurts
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Mar 25, 2021 |
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74 Your Next Step: Elevating Engineering In Your Science Class
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Mar 22, 2021 |
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73 [TT] Too Much, Too Soon?
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Mar 18, 2021 |
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72 How Well Are You Integrating Engineering?
|
Mar 15, 2021 |
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71 [TT] Making Space For Social Learning
|
Mar 11, 2021 |
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70 Using National Parks as Phenomena
|
Mar 08, 2021 |
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69 [TT] Write Down What You Are Already Doing
|
Mar 04, 2021 |
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68 Using Demos Effectively for NGSS Teaching
|
Mar 01, 2021 |
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67 [TT] Who Is Doing The Talking?
|
Feb 25, 2021 |
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66 Engaging Students in Constructing Explanations
|
Feb 22, 2021 |
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65 [TT] Starting With Something Simple
|
Feb 18, 2021 |
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64 Quick Wins With The Crosscutting Concepts
|
Feb 15, 2021 |
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63 Reaching Students In The Virtual Classroom With Dr. Salina Gray
|
Feb 08, 2021 |
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62 [TT] The Good You Might Be Missing
|
Feb 04, 2021 |
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61 Science Extension Activities With Purpose
|
Feb 01, 2021 |
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60 [TT] Inviting Interactions With "I Wonder Why"
|
Jan 28, 2021 |
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59 Creating A Culture Of Engagement And Connection: Interview With Middle School Teacher Debbie J.
|
Jan 25, 2021 |
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58 [TT] Relationships AND Rigor
|
Jan 21, 2021 |
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57 Three Mindset Shifts For Science Teachers
|
Jan 18, 2021 |
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56 [TT] When Your Students Reach The "Highest Tree In The World"
|
Jan 14, 2021 |
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55 Three Things Holding You Back From 3D Learning
|
Jan 11, 2021 |
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54 [TT] The Problem With Multitasking
|
Jan 07, 2021 |
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53 [TT] Setting Not-SMART Goals For 2021
|
Dec 31, 2020 |
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52 [TT] Sitting With 2020 Before Diving Into 2021
|
Dec 24, 2020 |
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51 [TT] When Our Students Are Already Full Of Ideas
|
Dec 17, 2020 |
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50 [TT] It Should Have Been Where I Started
|
Dec 10, 2020 |
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49 [TT] The Key To Getting Your Kids Ready To Learn
|
Dec 03, 2020 |
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48 [TT] Grateful For Today
|
Nov 26, 2020 |
|
47 [TT] Relationships: Not Just Your Classroom Management Fluff
|
Nov 19, 2020 |
|
46 Bringing Student's Whole-Selves To The NGSS Classroom
|
Nov 16, 2020 |
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45 [TT] Struggling To Make Learning Stick
|
Nov 12, 2020 |
|
44 When To Start An NGSS Storyline
|
Nov 09, 2020 |
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43 Making The Shift To NGSS
|
Nov 02, 2020 |
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42 Balancing Writing And Exploration
|
Oct 26, 2020 |
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41 Developing And Using Models For NGSS
|
Oct 19, 2020 |
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40 How to Prevent Cheating On NGSS Assessments
|
Oct 12, 2020 |
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39 Effectively Using Synchronous Time
|
Oct 05, 2020 |
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38 Making The NGSS Accessible For All Students
|
Sep 28, 2020 |
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37 Does The NGSS Do Enough To Prepare Students?
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Sep 21, 2020 |
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36 Is It Time To Let Go Of "The Scientific Method?"
|
Sep 14, 2020 |
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35 Interactive Notebooks for NGSS
|
Sep 07, 2020 |
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34 How Your Students Can Do Science Activities from Home
|
Aug 31, 2020 |
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33 How Do You Facilitate Student Discussions Online?
|
Aug 24, 2020 |
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32 How to Teach NGSS Online
|
Aug 17, 2020 |
|
31 Summer 2020 Podcast Updates
|
Jun 26, 2020 |
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30 How To Differentiate For Gifted Learners
|
Apr 20, 2020 |
|
29 How To Integrate The Crosscutting Concepts
|
Apr 13, 2020 |
|
28 How to Navigate Remote Learning
|
Apr 06, 2020 |
|
27 How To Use The SEPs Together
|
Mar 30, 2020 |
|
26 How To Prep For A Science Conference
|
Mar 23, 2020 |
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25 How To Write Objectives (Or Not!?)
|
Mar 08, 2020 |
|
24 How To Write 3D Formative Assessments
|
Mar 02, 2020 |
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23 How To Go From Hands-On To Minds-On
|
Feb 24, 2020 |
|
22 How To Increase Student Independence
|
Feb 17, 2020 |
|
21 How To Accommodate All Students
|
Feb 10, 2020 |
|
20 How To Use Standards Based Grading With The NGSS
|
Feb 03, 2020 |
|
19 How To Teach Vocabulary In Your NGSS Classroom
|
Jan 27, 2020 |
|
18 How A Teacher Transformed Her Classroom
|
Jan 20, 2020 |
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17 How To Use Student Questions To Build Storylines
|
Jan 13, 2020 |
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16 How To Get Your Questions Answered
|
Jan 06, 2020 |
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15 How To Incorporate More Exploration
|
Nov 25, 2019 |
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14 How To Build An NGSS Storyline
|
Nov 18, 2019 |
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13 How To Use Relationships To Support The NGSS Classroom
|
Nov 11, 2019 |
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12 How The NGSS Will Change Your Content
|
Nov 04, 2019 |
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11 How You Can Evaluate Student Learning
|
Oct 28, 2019 |
|
10 How You Can Teach For Student Discovery
|
Oct 21, 2019 |
|
9 How You Can Be Brave With The NGSS
|
Oct 14, 2019 |
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8 How To Really Use The 5E Model
|
Oct 07, 2019 |
|
7 How You Can Incorporate Phenomena
|
Sep 30, 2019 |
|
6 How To Make Sense Of The SEPs
|
Sep 23, 2019 |
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5 How You Can Ditch The Scientific Method
|
Sep 16, 2019 |
|
4 How You Know It's Not NGSS
|
Sep 09, 2019 |
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3 How to Teach the NGSS Today
|
Sep 02, 2019 |
|
2 How The NGSS Changes It All
|
Aug 26, 2019 |
|
1 How We Got Started With The NGSS
|
Aug 14, 2019 |