Are you unsure if you want to teach in a public school or a private school next year? In my experience, there are definitely differences between the two and pros and cons to both and finding which school is the best fit for you is so important. So today, I am sharing tips that I have learned from my experience in both public and private schools to help you wherever you end up next year.

I want to help you THRIVE and not just survive in whatever school you teach at so I am sharing my best advice for teaching at private schools and public schools. In this episode, I am giving you 10 tips for teaching in a private school, 10 quick tips for teaching in a public school, and how these tips helped me while teaching at different schools.

No matter where you end up teaching next year, I truly believe the most important thing about your happiness and job satisfaction is the support you receive. I hope you find a school that you have good support from your admin, parents, and coworkers and that fits well with your current season of life!

Be sure to follow the Secondary Science Simplified podcast on your favorite podcast player! We have some amazing episodes coming up that you do not want to miss!

Resources:

• FREE Parent Communication Log
• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• Send me a DM on Instagram:@its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com 
• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode66 

Contract season is quickly approaching, meaning soon, you’ll have to decide if you will return to the same school next year or look for someplace new. If you’re unsure if you will sign or not, I want to help you make this decision. I am sharing 10 things to take into consideration when you are deciding whether to stay at your current school or look for a new school.

We are all aware that every school has its issues and that no school is perfect. We also know that every school is very different. That is why I think it’s important to reevaluate whether to stay or move on every couple of years so you can decide if where you’re at is serving you and what’s most important to you in your current season.

All schools have their downfalls but I think it’s so important to find a place where you feel supported in your current season of life. That means it may be time to look at your family and priorities and weigh the positives and negatives of staying or leaving your school. 

If you have any specific questions about this conversation or need support in this decision-making process, PLEASE REACH OUT on Instagram or by email! I am here for you!  

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com 
• Grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge!
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode65

Quarter 3 is a doozy! There is definitely an energy shift after winter break and both students and teachers feel it. Everyone is just drained. So how are we going to get through the rest of the school year and re-engage our students? I’ve got 5 tips to help re-engage your students and YOU in quarter 3.

Spring break and the end of the school year seem so far away. We and our students are likely just going through the motions at this point in the school year which means now is the perfect time to make some changes and get them engaged and excited for your class again. 

You may be thinking that you just don’t have the time or energy to figure out ways to re-engage them but the good news is that you can get them enthusiastic without a ton of extra work on your part.In this episode, I am sharing why you should be connecting with them on a personal level, how a change of scenery can be beneficial, the importance of giving them autonomy, and how to get inspired to do what is FUN!

If you tune in and like what you hear on the podcast, I would be so grateful if you would leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s so encouraging to me to read your reviews and it helps other science teachers find the show!

Resources Mentioned:

• Physical Science Independent Research Project
• Biology Independent Research Project
• Anatomy Independent Research Project
• Ecosystem in a Bottle Project: An Inquiry-Based Ecological Investigation
• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• Flinn Scientific (POGIL)
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com 
• Grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge!
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode64 

Students and teachers with ADHD have unique struggles and challenges when it comes to work and school tasks. Whether you are a teacher who has ADHD or you have students who have ADHD, understanding how different strategies may help can be incredibly beneficial. I am no expert in ADHD so I am so grateful that Bri Plyler is joining us today to share some amazing information on ADHD in the secondary science classroom.

We all likely know someone who has ADHD, diagnosed or not, so having a better understanding of how it may affect people and strategies to help is so important. In this episode, Bri is sharing her career history and background, some ADHD markers, actionable tips for teachers and students with ADHD, and recommendations specifically for helping secondary science teachers tackle everything on their plate.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• ADHD Symptom Checker
• Classroom Visual Timers
• TimeTimer
• Check out Michelle Brosseau’s grading video
• Loop Earplugs
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com 
• Grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge!
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode63 

How are we supposed to have a work/life balance when we have a million things to do on a daily basis and a 45 minute (or 90 minute if you’re lucky!) planning time to get them all done? Finding ways to have the most productive planning period possible is essential to working only your contracted hours and having a life outside of work. If you’re not sure where to start, I’m sharing my 5 best tips for optimizing your planning period so work can stay at work.

At one point, I was working about 60 hours a week. 60 hours! Once I figured out how to maximize the effectiveness of my planning period, I was able to cut down my working hours to only my contracted time and finally have the work/life balance I needed.

If you’re ready to take control of your planning period and use the little time you have to the fullest, I have some tips for you! I am giving you 5 specific things you can do TODAY to maximize the effectiveness of your planning period. I am sharing how to shut out external distractions, what to do to avoid wasting this time on things that will throw off your focus, how to force yourself to focus on what needs to be done, and what to do to ensure you are getting everything that needs to be done, done. These tips are super easy to implement and can help you be more productive right away!

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• Weekly Planning Note Pad
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscience.com  
• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode62 

Many of us are looking ahead to the end of the school year because we are just burnt out. The last thing we want to think about is coming up with or preparing demos for our classes. I get it! That is one of the reasons I am so excited to have who I consider to be the “Demo Queen” joining us today. Prepare to be inspired, brecause Dr. Erica Colón, from @nittygrittyscience, is here to share her tips and insights with us about demos and so much more!

Erica has so much great advice for new and veteran teachers. In this episode, she is sharing her background and experience, why she started Nitty Gritty Science Jr., misconceptions about demos, advice on rethinking demos, and what she wishes she could go back and do differently as a new teacher.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• FREEBIE: Valentine’s themed high school science activities 
• A category in my store of ALL my complete units
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscience.com 
• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode61

It’s almost Valentine’s Day so I knew I needed to share with you all about love at first sight! It may be a bit cheesy, but when I was first introduced to teaching with packets, I knew it was love at first sight and I’ve never looked back.

In this episode, I am sharing all the information you need to decide if teaching with packets is something you want to try with your classes. I am diving into what packets are and what is included in these packets, what teaching with packets looks like, ten reasons I absolutely love teaching with packets, and what resources can help you to create your own packets.

Be sure to grab your FREE Valentine’s Day themed high school science activities! These activities are perfect for engaging your students in a fun and worthwhile learning experience. There is one activity specifically for each subject - biology, anatomy, physics, and chemistry. Grab them today and send me a DM or email me at rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com when you use them with your students! I love to hear from you all when you use these free resources!

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• FREEBIE: Valentine’s themed high school science activities 
• A category in my store of ALL my complete units
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscience.com 
• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode60

We hear about teacher burnout all. the. time. You may even be feeling burnout and exhaustion right now. You are not alone, teacher friend! Whether you feel completely burned out or if you’re just feeling a little blah at this point in the year, our guest, Amber Harper of the Burned In Teacher is here to help!

We’ve been talking about scheduling rest and aligning your expectations with your current season of life but maybe you are still feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. You are not alone and there are ways that you can navigate your way out of burnout.

Amber is so encouraging to those of us feeling burnout and really challenges us to think more deeply about where we are. She is sharing her burnout story, what led her to leave the classroom and come back, what it means to be a Burned-In teacher, and advice for how to take action to change yourself and navigate your way out of burnout.

Amber Harper is a long-time educator, author, speaker, and podcaster. She’s the founder of  www.burnedinteacher.com and author of Hacking Teacher Burnout which gives struggling teachers a path to follow as they navigate their way out of burnout. Amber is a Teacher Burnout Coach working with educators to help them grow through their burnout and take their next, best steps toward what they want from their career in education and in life.

If you find yourself feeling burned out and overwhelmed, join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist. I created this course specifically for the overwhelmed and burned out teacher and would love to have you next time the course opens so we can help you reduce the overwhelm.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode59 

Oh, the second half of the school year. Making it to the end of the school year may seem like a daunting task to you. I get it! But what if you spent the next few months thriving instead of just surviving? Today, we are doing some midyear reflections by taking a look at the expectations we have for ourselves as teachers and digging into four areas of our work life that we can reset to make the rest of the school year the best it can be.

In this episode, we are talking about why you need to be reflecting on your current season, how to look at your classroom procedures and revamp them if needed, why you should give your teaching space a reset, what a time audit is and why you should do one, and how to look at your grading practices and determine if they need to be changed. Now is a great time to make changes in your work life and I challenge you to reflect on what you are currently doing and see if it aligns with your current season of life!

Don't forget to download the free Classroom Reset Challenge to help you make the most of your midyear reflections!

Resources Mentioned:

• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Episode 4. Engaging Your Students - In the First 5 Minutes of Class
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode58 

As we are getting into the second half of the school year, are you noticing a difference in your energy and priorities compared to the beginning of the school year? Maybe there’s something new going on in your life or you’re entering a different phase with parents or your children. As we move from season to season, it is so important to recognize where we’re at and respect how living in that season may look different than just a few months before.  

You know I love “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi and have shared some great takeaways from the book in previous episodes. One thing she really focuses on is living in your current season and giving it all your attention without rushing through. This really hit home last year as me and my family went through new seasons every few months as we added another baby to the family. This idea is something that really helped me and I knew I needed to share it with you!

Whether you are moving, pregnant or coming back from maternity leave, having a spouse start a new job, or are going through other changes within your family, taking a look at your current season will help you determine reasonable expectations for living in this season. In this episode, we are looking at what to consider in your current season, how to live with respect to nature’s seasons, and why it’s so important to match your expectations with your current season. 

Resources:

• “The Lazy Genius Way” Book
• The Lazy Genius Podcast
• The Lazy Genius on Instagram @thelazygenius
• The Marriage Journal
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode57

Do you actively schedule time for rest or are you running at full speed 24/7? We often get so caught up in doing as much as possible and having everything scheduled out that we don’t leave any time to rest. Let’s be honest, that isn’t healthy or sustainable. So today, we’re talking about why you need to schedule rest and how to actually do it when you feel like you have absolutely zero time.

I’ve previously shared how much I took away from reading “The Lazy Genius Way” by Kendra Adachi. One thing she discusses is scheduling rest and I think this is so, so important! We aren’t meant to be going nonstop with no time to recharge. I want to be sure you’re taking the time you need to rest so I am sharing why it is so important to actually schedule rest, how to schedule rest, and what to consider when you are scheduling time to rest into your schedule.

• “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” Book
• “The Lazy Genius Way” Book
• The Lazy Genius Podcast
• The Lazy Genius on Instagram @thelazygenius
• The Marriage Journal
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode56 

We are one year into the Secondary Science Simplified podcast and I am SO GRATEFUL for each and every one of you! To wrap up year 1 of the show, I wanted to do a recap of favorite episodes from 2022. 

We’ve covered so many different topics this year and have had some amazing guests on the show! There were a few episodes that were my absolute favorites that I knew I needed to share with you all again and, luckily, my favorites were listener favorites as well! Today, we are looking back at five personal and listener favorite episodes of Secondary Science Simplified. We are revisiting the “Best Episodes of 2022” including episodes on the importance of Prime Times, advice for new science teachers, mistakes to avoid at the beginning of the year, keeping things in perspective when teaching, and a beginning of the year pep talk. 

I absolutely love hearing from you about the show and getting requests on topics to cover. Please keep the feedback and requests coming by sending me a DM on Instagram!

Be sure to join my email list because next week starts the Cheer for the New Year event! This is a week of daily deals on It’s Not Rocket Science resources EXCLUSIVELY for my email list. It is the only sale I do outside of the quarterly sitewide TpT sales and this event gives you the biggest discounts of the year. So join the list and be sure to watch your email every day starting January 1st for some incredible deals on resources.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the email list for access to the Cheer for the New Year event!
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode54

Did this year fly by for anybody else? I cannot believe it’s winter break and we’re already at the end of 2022! Winter break is a time to rest, recharge, and have fun. One of my best friends, Lauren Tingle of the Counselor Clique, is here today and bringing great advice and some laughter to all of us to wrap up the year. She is talking life hacks, self-care, teacher-counselor partnerships, and so much more! 

You know how much I love giving you tips to help simplify your life inside the classroom so I thought it would be perfect for us to share ways to simplify your life outside of the classroom as well. In this episode, Lauren and I are talking a bit about school related topics like what it’s like working with friends, why teachers should partner with counselors, Lauren’s best and worst experiences with teachers, and the importance of setting boundaries. 

Since most of you are on break right now, we wanted to share tips to help you rest and recharge during breaks, life hacks that will serve your future self, and 3 things that are saving our lives right now and may help simplify your life as well!

Resources Mentioned:

• Lazy Genius Podcast
• Beef Liver Vitamins
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode53 

Confession time: One of my biggest regrets from my time spent in the classroom is assigning homework over school breaks.

Not only did I assign homework over breaks, but sometimes I would even assign projects to cover things we couldn’t get to in class (cringe!). As I spent more time in the classroom, I started to really reflect on my teaching practices and realized assigning work over breaks was not beneficial to me or my students. Today, we’re digging into why you should not assign work over breaks. 

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: Winter Activities for High School Science
• Genetic Disorder Research Project
• Grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge!
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode52

Winter break is quickly approaching! Unfortunately, that means that midterm exams are as well. Most of us are required to give some sort of midterm exam and although scantrons are fast and easy, as we’re thinking of all the exams we have to grade, there may be alternatives that better serve our students. Today, I am sharing 5 ideas for using an alternative midterm exam with your secondary science students.

At this point in the year, you (and your students) are likely feeling pretty burned out. The thought of a long midterm exam is exhausting to everyone. This is the perfect time to try an alternative midterm exam that will assess your students’ learning in a fun and authentic way!

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: Winter Activities for High School Science
• Biology Midterm and Final Exam
• Anatomy Midterm and Final Exam
• Physical Science Midterm and Final Exam
• FREE Design a Children’s Book Project
• Teach the Class! Project
• Biology Independent Research Project
• Anatomy Independent Research Project
• Physical Science Independent Research Project
• Energy Flow Unit
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode51

It’s finally here! It’s the 50th episode of Secondary Science Simplified and to celebrate, I’m answering all of your burning questions. I am so excited to answer every single question you sent in. 

I absolutely love connecting with you all and answering your questions. That is why I knew I needed to do an “Ask Me Anything” episode and you all did not disappoint! In this episode, I am answering all your questions from what I’m currently doing, curriculum writing, advice for first year and student teachers, classroom management, labs, and maternity leave, to who my favorite Instagram follows are and my most regrettable fashion choices.  

I am so grateful to share the 50th episode of Secondary Science Simplified! To celebrate, we are doing a GIVEAWAY! The lucky winner will receive a $100 gift card to the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop! To enter, leave a  review for the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, take a screenshot, and DM it to me on Instagram @its.not.rocket.science. Winner will be selected on December 1st, 2022.

Don’t miss out on saving up to 25% on It’s Not Rocket Science resources in my resource shop or in the TpT store. The Cyber Monday sale runs Monday, November 26, 2022 and Tuesday, November 27, 2022. Go grab the resources you’ve been eyeing up to help simplify your science classes!

Resources Mentioned:

• Shop the sale in my resource shop
• Shop the sale on TpT
• Join the SECONDARY SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED™️ Professional Development Course Waitlist
• Follow Naptime Kitchen on Instagram
• Follow Busy Toddler on Instagram
• Follow Created Colorful on Instagram
• Follow The Car Mom in Instagram
• Follow Kalin Sheick on Instagram
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode50

Going through different seasons of life and experiences will definitely change your perspective on teaching. From teaching in a classroom with no windows, sinks, or up-to-date posters to display to taking maternity leave during a sub shortage, our guest today has had a wide range of experiences that have influenced her mindset around teaching. I am so excited to have @the_weird_science_teacher, Rachael Lasky, with us today!

Rachael has such great experience when it comes to teaching middle school science and is sharing amazing wisdom on using visuals for teaching, work/life balance, and so much more! This episode is full of excellent insight, especially for middle school science teachers. Rachael is sharing why she loves teaching middle school science, her experiences and advice for taking maternity leave at the beginning of the school year, how she uses visuals in her lessons, and advice for middle school teachers. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Science Scaffolded Notes/Anchor Charts: DNA and Genetics
• Anchor Charts: Identifying Variables
• SECONDARY SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED™️ Professional Development Course
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode49

It seems we never have enough time to do what we want to do in our class periods. How are we supposed to get labs, demos, lectures, assessments, and more squeezed into a 45 or 90 minute class? The answer: Reclaim your precious class time! You may be wondering how in the world you can do that, so today, I am sharing 5 simple changes you can make so you can cover all that you need to.

If you are looking at everything you need to get through and aren’t sure when you’ll have time to do it all, this episode is for you! I am giving you practical and simple changes you can make in your classroom to reclaim your valuable class time. I am sharing the three places time is most often wasted, how procedures are key to reduce wasted time, why you should have an agenda on your whiteboard, the power of timers and bells, and how an efficient turn-in system is a game-changer.

It is amazing how much time you can reclaim by implementing these five tips! I want to hear about what you try and how it goes. Send me a message on Instagram and share what changes you are making and if they are helping you!

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: Anatomy of a Class Period Lesson Plan
  
• Purchase the Bell I Use Here
  
• SECONDARY SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED™️ Professional Development Course
  
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode48

STEM is so important to teach our students to create lifelong learners and problem solvers. Integrating STEM into secondary science classes doesn’t need to be overwhelming or stressful thanks to @Science.Bae, Dr. Sarah Habibi! She is joining us today to give us some insight on STEAM and how we can teach it in our classes.

We are so lucky to have Dr. Sarah Habibi join us today to share her experiences and knowledge! She is sharing all about her unique career journey, why we should teach STEM to our students, how to integrate STEM and STEAM into our secondary classrooms, why she loves teaching on social media, and simple ways to incorporate STEM at home. 

Sarah is so enthusiastic and encouraging when it comes to teaching STEAM! You’ll walk away from this episode feeling fired up and inspired to incorporate more STEAM in your classroom and at home.

Dr. Sarah Habibi is a molecular biologist, educator, digital content creator, and new mom to her son Noah. Sarah uses the power of social media to promote experimentation in STEAM and enhance student learning, through her popular page Science Bae on Instagram and TikTok. Sarah uses her 4+ years of teaching and curriculum development experience, Bachelor of Education Degree, PhD in molecular biology, and Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) designation to make her teaching educational, accessible, and engaging.

To celebrate the 50th episode of Secondary Science Simplified, I am doing an “Ask me Anything” episode! This is your chance to ask me any question at all! Submit any question you have by DM-ing me on Instagram or send me an email to rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com with the subject line “Questions for Episode 50” before NOVEMBER 8th.

Resources Mentioned:

• FREE STEM Activity Package: www.sarahhabibi.com/free
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode46

Using phenomena is a great way to engage your students but it can be so overwhelming trying to figure out what to do or how to get started. If you’re using NGSS or other standards that utilize phenomena, but are struggling to incorporate them in a meaningful way, I’m going to break it down for you! In this episode, we’re diving into engaging students through phenomena.

Resources Mentioned:

• Next Generation Science Standards
• It’s Not Rocket Science Units
• Biology everyday phenomenon: Cancer Statistics 
• Biology anchoring phenomenon: Comparing Genetics
• Ecosystem in a Bottle investigation
• Support and motion unit 
• Anatomy everyday phenomena: Wellness Trends
• Anatomy everyday phenomena: Heart Health
• Antibiotic Resistance Lab
• Matter Unit
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

I want to hear from you! We are coming up on our 50th episode! To celebrate, I am doing an “ask me anything” episode where no topic is off limits. Submit any question you have by DM-ing me on Instagram or send me an email to rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode45

Managing large classes can be a challenge but engaging small classes can be equally as difficult. If you are struggling with engaging your small class, you’re not alone! I’ve been there twice (teaching class periods with only 6 students!) and today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about engaging small classes.

Trying to keep the excitement and energy up in a small class isn’t easy and finding ways to do activities without enough students is challenging. 

So in this episode, I am sharing my four BEST tips for helping you engage your small classes. We are covering why you should lighten up when you’re teaching a small class, the power of discussion and how it helps build a culture that encourages questions, how to use unique rewards as a means of motivation, and what to do when you just don’t have enough bodies for labs.

Don’t forget to grab your Halloween-themed FREEBIE for biology, anatomy, chemistry, and physics!

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: Halloween-themed resources
• Photosynthesis Activity - Class Relay
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode44

If you’re looking at your class roster and feeling absolutely overwhelmed by the crazy numbers you are seeing, you’re not alone! I am seeing so many teachers saying they have 30+ students in their science classes and they have no idea how to make teaching, let alone labs, with that many students, work.

If you are one of the teachers that has too many students in your science class, this episode is for you! I’m sharing six tips I’ve learned on how to manage large class sizes. We are going to cover why you should arrange desks into pods, how seating charts are crucial to managing large classes, why you need to include small group work into your lessons, how to use stations for labs with large classes, the importance of procedures, and how to use my favorite whole-classroom management strategy. Plus, I am giving you practical ways to incorporate each one of these tips!

Don’t forget to grab your Halloween-themed FREEBIE for biology, anatomy, chemistry, and physics!

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode43

Are you stuck teaching a class or a grade that you absolutely hate teaching? You’re not alone! I’ve been there and so have many other teachers. 

It can be such a struggle to make it through the year when you don’t want to teach the classes you’re assigned to teach. But perspective and a plan can make getting through the school year a little easier.

In today’s episode, I am talking all about what to do when you hate what you’re teaching. I’m covering my experience teaching a grade that I hated, four pieces of advice for what to do, why talking with admin is so important, and what to do if admin isn’t willing to work with you on what you want to teach. I’m also covering what to look for in great admin and three things you can do to help make it through this school year.

This episode was inspired by an email I received from a teacher and I would LOVE to do an episode on a topic that would benefit you or that would answer a question you have! If you are struggling with something or have a question, chances are there are many others who do as well. DM me on Instagram and let me know what you want to hear!

Resources Mentioned:

• FREEBIE: Halloween-themed resources
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode42

You know that building relationships with your students is crucial. You know it leads to more memorable learning experiences but you aren’t quite sure how to build that relationship with all of your 100+ students. Today, I am giving you some of my favorite tips for building solid relationships with students.

We all know building relationships is foundational for reaching every learner but building these relationships doesn’t have to be exhausting! In this episode, I am sharing four practical tips to start building relationships with your students today, how to easily and realistically implement these tips, and how I found time to support students in extracurriculars pre and post-kids.

Looking back, my most memorable learning experiences were the ones where I knew my teachers cared about me as a person, not just my grade. Building strong relationships shows our students that we care about them, we want them to succeed, and we are rooting for them!

Do you have a tip on how to keep every learning engaged that you would love to share on the podcast? I have decided to keep the submission form open and would LOVE to hear your tips! You can find all the details for submitting your tips here.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode:

https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode41

As teachers, we know how important it is to reach every student that walks into our classroom. But how do we go about doing that when there is such a diverse group of students in every class? Today, I am sharing 4 tips on how to reach every learner in your high school science classes.

Reaching every single one of your students can seem overwhelming but I am here to help give you practical tips to help you do just that. In this episode, I am sharing the importance of getting to know every student as a person, how eliminating homework can benefit you and your students, why you should use a variety of assessments, and the importance of checking your test questions for bias. 

Our students come to us with so many different backgrounds, home lives, experiences, and preferences but there are simple things we can do in our classrooms to make sure we are reaching them all and making an impact. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Complete Secondary Science Units 
• Biology Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
• Anatomy Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
• Physical Science Midterm and Final Exam Review and Test Pack
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode40

Do you LOVE organizing your space or does the thought of it send you running the other way? Are you thinking there’s no way you can “organize” when you aren’t in a science classroom, you have no storage, or you’re a floater who only has a cart?

You all know how much I love all things organization and I am sharing some of my favorite tips and recommendations with you to help make your teaching space (whatever that space may be) efficient and welcoming.

I have spent time teaching in several settings and have learned so much about how to best use the space I have. Today, I am sharing some of the things I’ve learned with you! We are looking at how to use the front of your classroom most effectively, suggestions for having an organized turn in area, how to make class necessities easily accessible, and some advice specifically for floaters.

PLUS, I’m sharing two bonus recommendations on how to help manage cellphones in the classroom and how to organize YOUR files.

Need some help getting your classroom reset, organized, and ready to go? Grab my FREE Classroom Reset Challenge where I walk you through 5 tasks to help get your classroom in order.

Resources:

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Natural Selection Lab
• Turn in bins
• Utility Cart
• Shoebox storage containers
• Phone caddy
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode39

The school year is approaching and we could all use a pep talk, especially after the past 3 years! We know this school year is filled with more unknowns and we’re running on empty before the year even starts. But I’m here to pump you up and get you excited for the start of school!

This is a much-needed pep talk, not only for secondary science teachers, but for all teachers! I am sharing why teaching is a job and not your whole life, why you don’t need to be on-call all the time, the importance of giving yourself and students grace, and why we should take this year one day at a time. 

You are valuable and what you are doing is valuable! So this year, focus on showing your students that you care about them and you care about what you are teaching. You’ve got this, Teacher-Friend!

Know a teacher who could really use a pep talk? I’d love for you to share this episode with them and pass on the encouragement and pump each other up for another school year!

Resources:

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode38

Does the thought of teaching physics for the first time stress you out? Do demos and labs seem overwhelming? My special guest, Michelle Brosseau, is here to give some great advice to new physics teachers!

Today, I am joined by an amazing secondary science teacher, Michelle Brosseau. Michelle is sharing 4 tips she has for first year physics teachers, what to do if you’re intimidated by demos and labs, and how she makes grading labs more manageable. She’s sharing some changes she's made throughout the years to engage her students and set them up for success.

Michelle Brosseau is a high school Science teacher, specializing in Physics, Earth & Space Science, and making learning FUN. Whether it’s teaching the physics of bubbles, demonstrating drag forces with indoor skydiving, or wearing her astronaut costume (or her velociraptor sweater, or her molecules dress, or her fossils blouse…), Michelle embraces her nerdiness to energize her students’ learning. Michelle has a Professional Master of Education degree, with a Classroom Specialist focus. Michelle weaves her love of Art, Science, and all things nerdy into her educational resources.

There is still time for you to submit a 30 second clip on tips to keep every learner engaged in science classes for a chance to be featured on an upcoming episode of Secondary Science Simplified. Check out the details here!

Resources:

• How to be on the SSS podcast
• Michelle’s Instagram
• Michelle’s TeachersPayTeachers
• LIFT OFF! Free workbook for new Physics (or new-to-Physics) teachers 
• Physics Teacher Community
• Mission Control: Planning and Pacing Guide for Physics
• Pendulum Painting Lesson
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode37

Wouldn’t it be nice to get some honest insights and tips from an amazing chemistry teacher with an INSANE amount of experience? Lucky for us, my high school chemistry teacher is joining me today to do just that! Zach Matson is sharing the great insight and knowledge he has gained in his 20+ years of teaching. We cover a little bit of everything and you are definitely going to walk away with some great tips and feeling more encouraged to take on whatever is thrown your way!

In this episode, we are covering everything from what Zach wished he knew his first years teaching to AP Chemistry tips. Zach is sharing his background and how he got into teaching, his advice for new chemistry teachers and what he wished he did differently his first few years teaching, the importance of building rapport for classroom management, tips for doing demos and implementing lab days, and so much more!

Zach Matson has been teaching since 2001 and is  certified in secondary chemistry, physics, and mathematics. He holds a BS in Chemistry, a BA in Spanish, a BA in Computer Science, an M.Ed from Valparaiso University, and an M.S. in Engineering. He has spent the past 19 years teaching all levels of chemistry in Lexington, Kentucky. If you’re interested in checking out some of the videos Zach mentioned, you can find them on his YouTube channel.

Resources: 

• Matson Chemistry YouTube channel

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode35

Whether you know what classes you are teaching next year already or if you are waiting for your schedule, I am here to help! In the upcoming weeks, our episodes will be content-specific to help YOU walk into this school year with confidence. We are starting today with my personal favorite course, BIOLOGY!

In today’s episode, I am sharing four things you should NOT do when teaching biology. We are talking about why you shouldn’t teach macromolecules in an isolated biochemistry unit and what to do instead, why teaching biochemical reactions only on a micro level is challenging to your students, what to do instead of teaching mitosis and meiosis together, and why addressing misconceptions when teaching evolution is important.

Secondary Science Simplified has reached over 10,000 downloads and to celebrate, I am giving away a $100 gift card to the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop and an It’s Not Rocket Science RTIC mug! To enter, just share your favorite Secondary Science Simplified episode on Instagram and tag me before August 15th! It’s that easy! Thank you all so much for your support and for tuning in!

Resources: 

• My biology curriculum
• Biology scope and sequence
• Biology Basics unit
• Ecology Unit
• Energy Flow Unit
• Cells Unit
• Genetics Unit
• FREE Evolution Pre-Survey
• Class set of clipboards
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

Setting up for a successful school year starts on day 1. I have made my fair share of mistakes when it comes to starting the school year that made the year much more challenging than it should have been. Learn from my mistakes, teacher friends!  In this episode, I’m going to help you avoid the mistakes I have made in the past. I am sharing what I wish I would have done from the beginning of the year that would have made things much easier!

I want to help you learn from my mistakes so you can have a more simplified back to school season. Today, we are looking at the most important procedure to have in the secondary science classroom, a simple change that can help you reclaim your time, how to block off time to accomplish your to-do list, and a huge mistake to avoid so you don’t feel drained and overworked.

I want to celebrate with YOU! We have reached over 10,000 downloads and to celebrate, I am giving away a $100 gift card to the It’s Not Rocket Science resource shop and an It’s Not Rocket Science RTIC mug! To enter, just share your favorite Secondary Science Simplified episode on Instagram and tag me before August 15th! It’s that easy! Thank you all so much for your support and for tuning in!

Resources: 

• Ready-made bell ringers

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode33

Are you thinking that shifting to student centered pedagogy sounds great, but way too time consuming and overwhelming to do this year? If you are ready to make an easy change in order to help your students take more control of their learning and practice critical skills they can use their entire lives, this is an episode you do not want to miss!

In the previous 3 episodes, we focussed on what student centered pedagogy is and why you should shift to this type of teaching, as well as practical ways to implement student centered teaching. Today, I am giving you the ONE THING you can easily implement this school year to make your teaching more student centered without added overwhelm, stress, and time.

In this episode, we are looking at what project-based learning is, why it is important to use PBL in high school science classes, and how you can get started implementing PBL more easily than you may think. If you just don’t have the time or energy to prepare for PBL, I’ve got you! I have 3 awesome resources for you to simplify your planning!

If you are feeling overwhelmed with trying to prepare for back to school, be sure to grab my FREE Classroom Reset Challenge that will walk you through 5 different things you can do to prepare and be ready for the school year!

Resources: 

• Biology year long independent research project
• Physical Science year long independent research project
• Anatomy year long independent research project
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode32

Do you feel overwhelmed when thinking about shifting to student centered pedagogy? Does the thought of redoing EVERYTHING stress you out? This episode is for you! I am breaking down how simple it can be to shift your current lessons and teaching to be more student centered and I’m sharing tons of tips to help along the way!

In today’s episode, I am giving you the ins and outs of how to transition to student centered pedagogy. We talk about 4 changes you can make to your current resources and lessons to make them more student centered, questions to ask yourself to see which changes would work for what lessons, and how to handle parent and student push back when you are making students take charge of their learning. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about all that needs to be done when you go back to school, check out my FREE summer classroom reset challenge to help you get a head start on preparing for the school year.

Resources:

• Anatomy and Physiology Curriculum
• Discovery Stations Bundle
• Rubric for “Teach the Class” project

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode31

Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

Better serving your students while less is required of you? Sounds amazing, right? If you’re ready to make that happen, today’s episode is for you! We are continuing our new summer series on revamping our pedagogy to make it more student centered and this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

We have all heard that students learn best by doing, not by hearing. I know it can seem overwhelming to make the shift from lecture-style, teacher-centered teaching to student centered teaching, but it can have such a huge impact on both students and teachers. In today’s episode, we are looking at how to prevent opposition and student apathy, the importance of equipping our students to be independent learners and critical thinkers, and how taking us out of the center stage leaves more room for us to better serve our students.

We will be covering how to shift our pedagogy in the next 2 episodes. Until then, check out my FREE classroom reset challenge that walks you through five tasks you can complete to help you be more prepared for the school year.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode30

Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

Ready to get off the stage and be in the audience with your students during your classes? That’s what we’re diving into in this new series focusing on student centered pedagogy. We’re talking about everything you need to know about shifting your pedagogy to be more student centered.

Today, we are looking at what student centered pedagogy is and what it isn’t. We revisit transforming our teaching from one dimensional to three dimensional and becoming more of a facilitator than a lecturer in our lessons. We break down common misconceptions and address some fears you may be having about letting students take more control of their learning. 

I give you some examples of how I implement student centered pedagogy while still having structure and a plan - because we all know how much I love planning ahead! If you’re wondering how to move your students from passive to active learning so the content can be more meaningful to them, this episode is for you!

Don’t forget to grab your free Classroom Reset Challenge and check out my TpT store for resources to help you simplify your life as a secondary science teacher!

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode29

Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

Summer is here which means you can finally rest after the long and demanding school year! We know the routine - hurry, stress, and go, go, go all school year so when summer comes, we just want to relax, recharge, and unplug. And we should! But if you’re anything like me, you need something to work on to keep you in some sort of routine.

In this episode, I discuss how to make the most of your restful summer by setting small, manageable goals so that you can be more prepared going back to school. I give you 3 easy to work on goals that will help cut down on the stress that fall often brings. You’ll hear about using your increased mental clarity and creativity to make adjustments for next year, completing a task that you just don’t have time for during the school year, and checking a must-do task off your list that is low pressure and doesn’t require much energy from you.

If you’re interested in PD in the summer, I have my own professional development course that I have created specifically for secondary science teachers. Enrollment has ended for this year’s summer session but I would love for you to join the waitlist so you know when I offer it again. You can sign up for the waitlist here.I would love to see you there! In the meantime, check out my other resources to help simplify your school year.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode28

Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

“Do it! What are you waiting for…it’s a game changer! It’s made my life so much easier.” This is the message today’s guest, Rachel Carter wants to share with everyone who is considering enrolling for the Secondary Science Simplified Course, which is now open for enrollment!

This month, I’ve shared secrets and habits I learned the hard way in my teaching career that I wish I had known when I first started teaching. These experiences formed the foundational lessons in the Secondary Science Simplified Course. After learning from my mistakes, I truly love all things related to simplifying our jobs and lives, and I am passionate about sharing how to do that with other teachers.

In today’s episode, I’m interviewing Rachel Carter, one of the teachers who took the course with me last summer after her 2nd year of teaching. You’ll hear how taking the course impacted her as a newer educator in the field. If you’re wondering how the course has impacted a more experienced educator, be sure to listen to episode 24 where I interviewed Nikki Pryor, who has been teaching for 14 years. 

If you’ve been on the fence about enrolling for the Secondary Science Simplified Course, these 2 interviews provide a lot of insight into the benefits of the course and the supportive community we have created. The course only opens once a year in the summer, and the last day to sign up is June 23, 2022, so be sure to check it out!

Join the Secondary Science Simplified Course

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode27

During my first few years as a teacher, I developed some bad habits simply because I had so much to learn that could not be taught in a teacher certification program. There’s only so much you can learn about theories or even from shadowing other teachers. Eventually, you just have to jump in and learn things the hard way, doing the best you can to manage all of the things. 

On top of figuring it out as you go, you have an audience of teenagers judging you along the way. I created survival mechanisms just to get by during those first years, and they became bad habits that I had to break. Thankfully, I learned some things through experience and the wisdom of other teachers. In each episode this month, I’ll share a teacher habit that I’ve learned along the way that I wish I had started my first year.

In today’s episode, we talk specifically about the importance of proactivity and how being proactive as a teacher can save you so much time and energy in the long run, especially when it comes to interactions with our students and their parents and guardians. We’ll talk briefly about lab day prep. Then we’ll spend the majority of the episode talking about proactivity with parents. 

There’s still time to sign up for my FREE live virtual professional development workshop called 3 Secrets to Stress-Free Lab Days happening this summer. Be sure to reserve your seat!

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode25

Like many teachers who have been in the classroom these last few years, today’s guest is a passionate educator who found herself exhausted at the end of a long and trying school year. When Nikki Pryor heard me share about the Secondary Science Simplified Course I was offering last summer, she knew it was exactly what she needed. She was ready to take a proactive approach and find a way to simplify her life and stop “chasing her tail.” 

Now, Nikki is here a year later to discuss how taking the course last summer impacted her. She shares how this course is different from any other professional development she has taken in her 14 years of teaching. She’ll talk about her favorite parts of the course, and some of the things she implemented during the school year that completely changed the dynamics of her classroom. Nikki is currently in her 14th year, teaching science in the public school system of Oklahoma. In addition to being an educator, she's a small business owner, mother of two, and a proud military wife.

The Secondary Science Simplified Course opens its doors for enrollment in mid-June, and we’d love to have you join! The enrollment window is only open for 2 weeks, so be sure to join the waitlist so you don’t miss it. I created the course to help teachers practically simplify their jobs so that they could have work-life balance. This is a virtual professional development course where you work at your own pace. While you’re waiting for the doors to open, you can join me for a completely FREE course I’m offering called 3 Secrets to Stress-Free Lab Days. This 1-hour virtual training is all about how to prepare and manage lab days specifically so that you can enjoy them as much as your students do. This free training gives you a chance to experience my teaching style and to see what virtual professional development with me as your teacher is like.

Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode24

We are wrapping up this month’s "Ending the Year Strong" series with my favorite strategy…how you can set up rocks and boundaries for yourself this summer. In each of the first three episodes of this series, I have given you a simple challenge that can have a big impact and set you up for success next school year. Whether you’re a teacher who has a hard time unplugging from work for the summer, or you’re a teacher who leaves all your schoolwork behind and goes into the new school year feeling behind, today’s challenge will benefit you.

Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode23

Believe it or not, the end of the school year is the perfect time to reset your classroom! After a busy school year, chances are your classroom is a mess. While it’s tempting to wait till the start of the new school year to take inventory and reorganize, your future self will thank you if you do it now. I know…I know…you’re ready to leave it all behind and start your summer break, but hear me out.

In today’s episode, we are continuing our series on how to end your year strong. In episode 20 and episode 21 I challenged you to reflect on your classroom management and lesson plans this past school year in order to end the year strong and set yourself up for success for next school year. Today we’ll take a mental break and focus on the physical space you teach in with the Classroom Reset Challenge. I’ll give you the step-by-step process you need to walk through every corner of your teaching space and storage areas so that when you return to your classroom next fall, you’ll be relieved rather than overwhelmed.

Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode22

What can you do now with a little bit of effort that will serve “future you” 5 times over? Summer is almost here, and this month’s episodes are dedicated to sharing specific and simple strategies you can do now so you can end your year strong and go into next year rested and ready to go. 

Like most teachers this time of year, you may be feeling totally exhausted, but if you can channel the little bit of energy you have left into completing the challenge I’m giving you today, it will have a huge impact on saving you time and energy next year.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how and why auditing your lesson plans for next school year is so important, even if you don’t know what you’ll be teaching.

Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode21

What if I told you it’s possible to end the year strong and prepare for the year ahead so that when you come back in the fall, you can start the year ready and rested rather than overwhelmed and stressed? That’s exactly what we’re talking about in this month’s podcast episodes.

This series is designed to equip you with specific and simple things you can do each week in small chunks as you end the school year. These actionable steps will set you up for success next year so you can actually unplug from work this summer and recharge before entering another school year. I’ll share one practical challenge per episode that you can do now to serve “future you” and your students next year. 

In today’s episode, I challenge you to take some time to reflect on your current year and the procedures you had in place. Whether you have a few weeks or a few months left in this school year, it’s really important to do this now while this school year is fresh in your mind. Join me as I lead you through some thought-provoking reflection questions and give you some tips for brainstorming changes you can make to improve things for next year.

Join the waitlist for Secondary Science Simplified Professional Development Course: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/waitlist/

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode20

What do you do with that awkward, random amount of time you have after end-of-year testing is over? Whether you have 3 days or 3 weeks left till the last day of school, energy this time of year is at an all-time low, and senioritis is running rampant, even if you don’t teach seniors! 

This last year has been especially challenging for so many teachers, and I totally understand if you’re just ready to breathe a sigh of relief that the testing is over and summer break is almost here. 

You and your students have worked hard to get here, and you all deserve to rest and relax. If you’re not ready to throw in the towel yet and want to maximize every last day of the school year, this episode is for you.

Today I’m sharing 4 ideas for meaningful, yet fun things you can do after testing with your students that will keep them engaged and learning right up to summer break. These are simple, no-prep and low-prep ideas that don’t put pressure on you or your students.

For the month of April, I'm doing podcast episodes all based on your questions and requests. I love making episodes that are helpful to you, so if there’s something you want to hear about on the podcast, shoot me a DM on Instagram and let me know! Last week, in episode 16, I covered one of the most requested topics, how to write sub plans for secondary science. Be sure to go back and listen if you missed it!

Today's episode is all about celebrating Earth Day in your secondary science class. We’ll cover why you should take time to celebrate with your students and exactly how to do that in simple yet effective ways.

Grab your FREE Earth Day resource: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/earthday/

Over the next few weeks, I'm doing a series of episodes based on listener requests. I love hearing from you and providing content that is relevant. So…what was the most requested topic? How to best write sub plans for secondary science! 

It’s really no surprise. How many jobs do you know of where it is actually so much harder to be out of work than it is to actually just be there? Writing sub plans as a secondary science teacher specifically is almost always worse than just powering through your dreaded seasonal allergies or actually making it to your bi-yearly dentist appointment. 

In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing my 5 best strategies with a simple action item for each one that you can take and implement right away to set yourself up for success. I am a huge advocate for using all of your personal days and your sick days as you need them every year, despite the hassle of finding a sub and writing sub plans.

I’ve saved the best for last! In episode 12 and episode 13 I shared tips for combating senioritis as it creeps up in our classrooms this year. If you missed those episodes, be sure to go back and listen. It is possible to keep your students engaged and keep yourself energized so you can finish the year strong as a high school science teacher. 

In today’s episode, I will be sharing my number one strategy for setting yourself up for future success, so senioritis won’t be something you dread every year. Now is the perfect time to reevaluate your core sequence and your pacing guides for next school year to set yourself up for success with combating senioritis and spring fever a year from now and every year after that.

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode14

Fighting students for their attention is the last thing you want to do when combating Senioritis. The more choices we can provide for our students, the better our chances for finishing the year on a positive note and avoiding the symptoms of Senioritis. It is possible to provide choices to students without spending tons of time prepping and exhausting yourself as a teacher. When you shift as many activities as possible to be student-centered, you take most of the prep-work out of your own hands and put the responsibility for learning back on the students. 

Whether you teach seniors or not, most students (and teachers) suffer from Senioritis, so it’s important that we find ways to change things up to keep our students engaged and learning through the end of the year. If you missed Part 1 of this series, be sure to check out Episode 12 where I shared my first two strategies for combating Senioritis in your students. 

Today, I’m sharing two more strategies that will keep your students engaged and fight off Senioritis. And best of all, these strategies require very little prep on your part. So if you’re feeling tired and dragging at this point in the school year, be encouraged to try these simple ideas with your students to bring some fun and engagement back into the classroom without exhausting yourself.

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode13

As the weather starts changing and the days are getting longer, Spring Fever starts to set in. I call it Senioritis, and whether you teach seniors or not, this condition does not discriminate based on student age. To be perfectly honest, Senioritis hits me as well. I get just as antsy as my students do for Spring Break and feel myself longing for summer days where I can escape the four walls of the classroom.

This month, I’m doing a 3-part series all about combating Senioritis. I’ll be sharing specific suggestions for keeping your students engaged until the end of the year, despite the weather changing and the countdowns to summer break. In today’s episode, I'm sharing two simple strategies you can implement to shift the mood in your classroom drastically right away.

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode12

I am so excited to introduce today’s guest, Sam Holcomb. Sam is sharing tips and strategies from her own experience balancing up to 7 preps at a time! She struggled during her first year trying to do it all, but soon, she began to implement the strategies she talks about today to simplify her life. Now she enjoys helping other teachers eliminate the overwhelm and stress that so many face.

Sam Holcomb was an engineer who specialized in lean, efficient systems and project management until jumping headfirst into a lifelong goal of teaching science. After an overwhelming first year as a department of 1 with 7 preps and no education background, she was exhausted. Realizing this overwhelm was extremely common, she knew something had to change. Now, Sam takes her engineering background and helps secondary science teachers create efficient systems, templates, and freedom to enjoy science again!

Balancing multiple preps can be one of the most challenging things for a secondary science teacher to do, but it’s possible to simplify and reduce the stress of balancing multiple preps.

Two of the biggest struggles for balancing multiple preps are lesson planning and grading. In episode 9, I shared my 5 best tips for how to lesson plan for three or more preps. Be sure to go back and catch that episode because it will save you so much time and make your life with multiple preps so much easier.

In today's episode, we're going to specifically address struggle number two, which is grading for all of those preps.

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode10

Being strategic with your time is always important for teachers who want to maximize their energy, but when you have 3 or more preps, it is more important than ever to be strategic so you can save time in every way possible. Having a system in place for managing lesson plans can have a huge impact on your effectiveness and efficiency in the classroom.

In today’s episode, we are going to talk specifically about how to lesson plan for all those preps. I’m going to share with you my five best tips for managing it all through lesson planning when you have 3 or more preps. When you have three or more preps on your plate, you cannot possibly do it all perfectly, and that’s ok. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to do your job so that you can do your best to love your students and provide engaging lessons that will support their success.

Grab your FREE Valentine's Day resources: bit.ly/inrsvday

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode9

How do you do all the things you want to do as a secondary science teacher while balancing multiple preps? I get it. You want to do it all and be it all, but you are only one person with so much time. On top of that, your energy levels vary from season to season. Teaching multiple preps can be an overwhelming task, and the solution is not to start working 60-70 hours a week. 

In today’s episode, we are going to talk about where you need to focus your energy so you can survive and thrive during this busy season. When you’ve got multiple preps to teach, it is not the time to try all of the new things. I’ll share how to be strategic and pick one prep to focus your creative energy on while putting your other preps on cruise control.

Grab your FREE Valentine's Day resources: bit.ly/inrsvday

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode8

What’s the difference between a 1-Dimensional classroom and a 3-Dimensional classroom, and how does a 3D classroom benefit our students? That’s what we’re talking about in today's episode. I’m interviewing my very first guest (yay!) and she is an expert in helping other teachers transform their classrooms from 1D to 3D with simple shifts.

Skipper Coates started teaching in February of 2008, when a teacher left a note on his desk saying that he was never coming back. A biology major, she was suddenly thrown into the world of Earth and Space Science. It was only a few years later that Skipper started writing her own Earth and Space Science curriculum for Teachers Pay Teachers. She is the mother of three cute kids, and she forces them to do science experiments together for family time.

Check out the show notes for all the resources in this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode7

In this episode, I’ll share why I still lecture, and I’ll give you my five best strategies for making lectures engaging for your students.

GIVEAWAY: I’m celebrating the launch of the podcast this month with a giveaway! Two winners will be selected at the end of this month to receive their choice of $100 in store credit to the It’s Not Rocket Science Resource Shop OR an It’s Not Rocket Science Custom RTIC Tumbler and a $30 TpT Gift Card. To enter the giveaway:

1. Share the podcast somewhere on Social Media with your teacher friends
2. DM me on Instagram with a screenshot of your post 
3. BONUS ENTRY: Leave a review on Apple podcasts

Check out the show notes for more resources from this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode6

Do you find yourself wishing that teaching science could be fun without being exhausting? It's absolutely possible! Labs are one of the main ways we can engage our students in learning, but they require a lot of teacher prep. There are many other ways to get students involved in learning that are highly effective and take some of the workload off of you.

In this episode, I share seven simple, low-prep ways to engage students without exhausting yourself. Of course, these are not meant to replace labs, but they are great tools to break up your teaching and keep the learning student-centered. The key to saving time is to put the work back on the students and keep it simple.

GIVEAWAY: I’m celebrating the launch of the podcast this month with a giveaway! Two winners will be selected at the end of this month to receive their choice of $100 in store credit to the It’s Not Rocket Science Resource Shop OR an It’s Not Rocket Science Custom RTIC Tumbler and a $30 TpT Gift Card. To enter the giveaway:

1. Share the podcast somewhere on Social Media with your teacher friends
2. DM me on Instagram with a screenshot of your post 
3. BONUS ENTRY: Leave a review on Apple podcasts

Check out the show notes for more resources from this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode5

Can the first 5 minutes of class really set the tone for the entire period? Absolutely! I believe the first 5 minutes are the most important part of each and every class. In today’s episode, I’m sharing exactly what I do during those first 5 minutes to get my students focused and moving in the right direction from the moment they walk in the door.

GIVEAWAY: I’m celebrating the launch of the podcast this month with a giveaway! Two winners will be selected at the end of this month to receive their choice of $100 in store credit to the It’s Not Rocket Science Resource Shop OR an It’s Not Rocket Science Custom RTIC Tumbler and a $30 TpT Gift Card. To enter the giveaway:

1. Share the podcast somewhere on Social Media with your teacher friends
2. DM me on Instagram with a screenshot of your post 
3. BONUS ENTRY: Leave a review on Apple podcasts

Check out the show notes for more resources from this episode: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode4

In episode two, I discussed ways to reset the physical classroom space and the way you relate to and manage your students. In today’s episode, I’ll give you two ways you can reset the year personally and professionally and how you can simplify your job so you can enjoy your year both in and out of the classroom.

Kick-off the New Year with me by celebrating Cheer for the New Year during the first week in January! Join my list so you don’t miss out on the major deals, fun giveaways, and free resources I’ll be offering during this week: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge/

Check out the show notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode3

Have you ever had one of those school years where you wanted to start the summer countdown in January? Trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve experienced this myself, but  I’ve got good news! There is no student, class, or school year that is too far gone. You can recover! Implementing a mid-year reset in your classroom is a game-changer.

You can do a classroom reset anytime, but implementing it during December or January is the perfect time! From bad habits that have been formed, to a class that is impossible to manage, to running at an unsustainable pace, there are 4 strategies you can use to hit the reset button for a fresh start to any classroom. 

In this episode, I share two of those strategies with you and give you practical actions you can take today to change your classroom dynamic. In episode number three, I will share two more strategies for a successful mid-year reset. Be sure to follow so you don’t miss out.

Kick-off the New Year with me by celebrating Cheer for the New Year during the first week in January! Join my list so you don’t miss out on the major deals, fun giveaways, and free resources I’ll be offering during this week: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge/

Check out the show notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode2

Welcome to the very first official episode of Secondary Science Simplified! To kick things off, I’m sharing a bit about who I am, my unexpected journey to becoming a secondary science teacher, the story behind It's Not Rocket Science, and my vision for Secondary Science Simplified.

Throughout my years as a teacher, I quickly learned how demanding the job is and how difficult it can be to balance your work and personal life. Now I’m here to show you how you can simplify your life with practical and easy-to-implement strategies! In this episode you’ll hear more about my vision for this podcast, and how you can request episode topics and guests.

Kick-off the New Year with me by celebrating Cheer for the New Year during the first week in January! Join my list so you don’t miss out on the major deals, fun giveaways, and free resources I’ll be offering during this week: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge/

Check out the show notes: itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode1.

If you're drowning in lab reports and struggling to find time for anything besides work, I've got some great news for you. Teaching doesn't have to be rocket science AND it doesn't have to consume your entire life. This podcast will be your go-to resource for finally creating a sustainable work-life balance. 

Tune in every Monday for practical and actionable strategies that you can begin implementing right away. Are you ready to simplify your life?

Head to itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge to grab your FREE classroom reset challenge!

Show notes for each episode can be found at itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/podcast. 

If you have a topic that you would love to hear on the podcast, send me a message on Instagram @its.not.rocket.science.