More and more people are earning advanced degrees and then abandoning a pursuit of a tenure track professorship. When I completed my PhD, I gave myself a time limit: I could pursue a "Tenure Track" job for my final year plus one, then I was going to jump ship and pursue an alt-ac (alternative academic) … Continue reading Teaching High School Science after a PhD
pre-service teachers
Science through Children’s Literature
Every year in my course for teachers, we have a book fair. Each participant (and yes, everyone participates) has to bring at least one book and describe how that book could be used to teach science at their chosen grade level. There's the easy stuff: the encyclopedias, Eyewitness books, Magic School Bus... but what else? … Continue reading Science through Children’s Literature
Gardening with many kids
Watching seeds grow with small children can be particularly enlightening for them. Some kids just don't get to see the start of life, or understand what that means. Some good things to do are sprout seeds in baggies or grow them so they can be taken home. Scaling up to make this cost effective can … Continue reading Gardening with many kids
Science and the ELA Common Core
No, the common core for science has not been approved. Apparently, there is some controversy swirling around the Common Core in English. Many teachers are changing their English and Literature courses by removing some fiction and poetry to make room to teach students to read "informational text" according to this article by Lyndsey Layton at the … Continue reading Science and the ELA Common Core
Better Science Teaching 