CRUSH SCHOOL

I blog on Brain-Based Learning, Metacognition, EdTech, and Social-Emotional Learning. I am the author of the Crush School Series of Books, which help students understand how their brains process information and learn. I also wrote The Power of Three: How to Simplify Your Life to Amplify Your Personal and Professional Success, but be warned that it's meant for adults who want to thrive and are comfortable with four letter words.

Filtering by Tag: kids

5-minute High Impact Tools For Teachers

I recently started including a 5-minute HIT—a low effort, easy-to-implement classroom strategy—in my free newsletters.

HITs or High Impact Tools for Teachers are 5-minute, easy to use classroom activities that leverage science-based learning strategies such as retrieval practice, dual coding, spacing, interleaving, elaboration etc. to improve learner concept retention and understanding.

Check out “No Notes, Just Brain” above.

Each HIT includes 2 sections: How It Works and Why It Works.

How It Works gives you simple directions to give to students to follow.

Why It Works explains the science behind why using this strategy is more effective than traditional learning.

HITs can be used anytime during the course of a regular class, but are best for the first or the last 5 minutes of any class, regardless of the subject matter.

I plan on sending one on Wednesday (the week edition) and one on Sunday (the weekend edition).

Sometimes, the HIT will be accompanied by a new article.

I hope you enjoy and use them to help your students learn, review, and understand better.

Here’s the Weekend HIT:


BOOKS & TOOLS

Earth Science: 7-Day Weather Report Project (NGSS) HS-ESS2
$4.00

Save planning time with this Atmosphere Unit, 5-day Honors Earth and Space Science Project in which students research, design, create, and present a 7-day weather forecast for a specific city in the US or abroad.

Student Performance and Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain how weather data is collected and interpreted.

  2. Explain how weather patterns may be affected by geography (mountains, plains, valleys etc.).

  3. Explain the atmospheric conditions (pressure, moisture etc.) necessary for different weather (sunny, windy, rainy etc.).

What's included:

  1. 16 slides (Google Slides link for easy use and editing to fit your purposes)

  2. Learning Objectives

  3. Group Roles / Jobs (up to 5 with detailed description of jobs)

  4. Detailed Project Directions / Requirements

  5. Materials/Web Resources List

  6. Link to a "Wheel of Names" containing city names - students spin and receive their assigned city.

  7. Link to a grading rubric for student and teacher use (printable doc).

The project follows the guidelines set by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).


Questions?
Email me at oskar@crushschool.com. I’m happy to answer your questions.

Fair Use
Feel free to share and use this resource with your students.

Please do not share it with other parties or use for profit. All rights by crushschool.com.

EQUITY Poster
$1.50

Equity-Promoting Classroom Poster. What does EQUITY in the classroom look like?

  • Everyone has a different start and finish line

  • Quality is more important that quantity

  • Understanding that diversity makes us stronger

  • Inclusion despite beliefs, appearances, and circumstances

  • Thoughtfulness lowers barriers and reduces biases

  • Yesterday's mistakes are today's learning agenda

You can teach your students about equity and make it a daily classroom practice using this inspirational poster, which also includes images that accompany the equity description. You can discuss each letter characteristic with your students as a way of introducing your inclusive classroom and display it prominently as a reminder that diversity makes the classroom community stronger.

Classroom Posters Bundle of 8
Sale Price: $5.00 Original Price: $8.00

8 digital, printable, size 11 x 17 classroom posters:

  1. “Welcome” in multiple languages

  2. “Hi” in multiple languages

  3. Three Equity posters

  4. Classroom Rules: Be Open, Be Kind, Have Fun

  5. “Classroom of Champs”

  6. “Kindness”

ON SALE until August 30th.

[Earth & Space Science] Cosmic Scene Investigation: A Case of the Kilonova
$4.00

In this 50 - 70 minute, CSI-style investigation, designed for a high school Earth and Space Science classroom, students investigate a space phenomenon of kilonova. The investigation is set up so students do not know a kilonova occurred. Rather, they are given five case files on a major phenomenon that occurred in a fictional galaxy V57-1. The case files contain information they will have to interpret and research online to first understand the clues each file contains to later be able to arrive at the correct conclusion that a kilonova, caused by a collision and merging of two neutron stars has taken place.

Why and how does this learning strategy work?

Rote memorization out; seeking answers and deeper learning in.

The CSI-style approach to learning is fun, engaging, and motivating for learners, because they are called upon, thus challenged to find answers based on evidence rather than given a list of facts to study about a topic; space in this case.

When students are allowed to act as investigators, they develop skills such as analyzing evidence from various sources to understand the world and how it works. They not only hone and apply Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), but also learn Earth and Space Science content while investigating a real-world (or real-space) phenomenon, which is what the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Analyze scientific evidence to arrive at a correct conclusion about the cosmic event that occurred in a distant galaxy. Synthesize multi-messenger astronomical evidence to draw conclusions about complex cosmic phenomena.

  2. Understand the role of various astronomical instruments in space exploration.

  3. Describe different types of data collected by these instruments.

  4. Explain how element emission spectra are used to identify space objects and phenomena.

What's included:

  1. 13 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and follow up activities

  3. A link to a student-only slideshow.

  4. Detailed student directions.

  5. 5 case files that contain data collected about the event for students to investigate

  6. Teacher answer key describing what conclusions students should make from each case file.

  7. Report File - guided Google Doc for students to fill out as they take note on each case file. data and generate their conclusions

  8. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  9. Debriefing activity and key talking points

  10. Follow up discussion questions and a next day bell ringer

Cornell Notes on Steroids Notebook Bundle of 6
$18.00

The Cornell Notes on Steroids Notebookis a 8.5"x11" 120-page academic notebook that contains an organizational method that improves on the Cornell Note-Taking System. BUNDLE & SAVE.

[Earth Science] Terraforming Mars: The Red Planet "Shark Tank" Innovation Challenge
$4.00

Are your students tired of just reading about Earth? Do they gaze longingly at the night sky, dreaming of a future beyond textbook pages? Excellent! Because today, we're not just learning about science; we're making science. We're launching them into the ultimate entrepreneurial challenge: Terraforming Mars: The Red Planet "Shark Tank" Innovation Challenge!

Forget your quaint little recycling programs. We're talking about taking a dusty, desolate rock and turning it into a vacation spot for humanity.

This isn't just a project; it's a desperate plea from the future (and a cunning way to keep them engaged). Your students will become "Terraforming Tech Startups," armed with nothing but their wits, some internet access, and a burgeoning understanding of how Earth actually works. Because, let's be honest, trying to make Mars habitable without understanding our own planet's life support systems is like trying to bake a cake without knowing what flour is.

Prepare for an explosion of creativity (hopefully not literal, on Mars or in your classroom) as they grapple with the fundamental cycles that make life possible. The competitive drive to secure that "virtual investment" (and bragging rights) will channel all their boundless energy into productive, scientific output. Just try to keep the "mad scientist" cackles to a minimum.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the Carbon, Water, Nitrogen, and Oxygen cycles.

  2. Apply your knowledge of the principles of these cycles to design an ecosystem on a different planet (e.g. Mars).

  3. Illustrate how biogeochemical cycles support life in a closed system (Earth, Mars colony, dome ecosystem etc.).

  4. Pitch your solutions to practice collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving/design.

What's included:

  1. 20 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Introductory popcorn reading activity

  3. Research Guide (G-doc link): Includes Note-taking space and links to reputable websites for students to use.

  4. Project timeline and detailed tasks for each day

  5. Group Roles explained in detail

  6. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and best practices

  7. List of materials

  8. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  9. Grading Rubric and Peer Evaluation Form

Earth Science: Create a Computer Simulation of an ESS Concept
Sale Price: $2.00 Original Price: $3.00

Save planning time with this introductory, 3-4 day Earth and Space Science engineering challenge in which students create a computer simulation of an Earth Science topic.

Includes 12 detailed slides (PDF and Google Slides link for editing) + detailed teacher directions (last slide) + a BONUS resource: Animation Guide for Google Slides.

The project follows the guidelines set by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and guides students in using Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs).

Student Performance and Learning Objectives:

  1. Design and create an informative computer simulation.

  2. Use computer animation to simulate a key ESS concept.

  3. Explain the key ideas of an ESS concept of your choice.

Climate Change Debate: The Earth Science Intellectual Thunderdome
$4.00

In this 3- to 4-day lesson, designed for a high school Earth and Space Science classroom, student groups are assigned and investigate 4 leading solutions to the climate change crisis our planet is experiencing. Then, they are called upon to debate against each other to try to convince others that their solution is the most viable and provide counterarguments against other solutions. It’s an intellectual thunderdome in which students are encouraged to use science to attacks each others points of view on climate change but not character.

Why and how does this learning strategy work?

Rote memorization out; seeking answers and deeper learning in.

The debate-style approach to learning is engaging and motivating for learners, because they are challenged to use real evidence and their wits to outmaneuver their opposition.

Not only do they act as investigators, developing communication, collaboration, and argumentation skills but they learn about viable solutions to the climate change conundrum we all find ourselves in. They learn Earth and Space Science content while investigating and debating solutions to a real-world phenomenon, which is what the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Research multiple, complex climate change solutions to discover that the world is more complicated than a single TikTok trend.

  2. Articulate scientific arguments with actual evidence.

  3. Listen to opposing viewpoints, to hone "social awareness" skills.

  4. Realize that climate change solutions are multi-faceted, messy, and require more than just good vibes.

  5. Describe and support with, not mere belief but actual evidence, the leading climate solutions proposed by, not the coven of online witches but the scientific community.

What's included:

  1. 24 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and follow up activities

  3. General Lesson flow for teacher to follow to make it all seamless

  4. A short and funny “hook” to increase student buy in

  5. Detailed student directions

  6. A list (research starter pack) of links to legit, scientific websites for students to use.

  7. Group roles (team jobs) with descriptions of what each entails.

  8. 4 climate change solutions to assign to 4 different student groups

  9. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  10. Detailed Grading Rubric to guide students and make assessment easy

  11. Debate Day introduction and format description

  12. Follow up discussion questions (reflection and debrief)

Discomfort + Confrontation = Growth

As adults, we tend to avoid even the smallest of confrontations. I know I do this a lot.

I know better, but I avoid, because feeling tough feelings is tough. So, I avoid the discomfort.

Think about a similar situation from your own life. Maybe your neighbor’s dog barks too loud and too much scrambling your brain cells to the point of homicide. But instead of saying something, you stay quiet.

We avoid the neighbor because we fear the friction. But without friction, nothing changes.

The same thing happens in our classrooms. When we let students “sit and get” the information, we are choosing the path of the quiet neighbor.

Listening to lectures and filling out worksheets quietly feels peaceful and productive, but obscured by the cloak of silence, we fail to see that no one’s growing.

Not us and certainly not them.

But just as eventually having that scary conversation proves that we are stronger than we thought, feeling and overcoming the discomfort induced by a hard math problem or a complex science concept proves to students they are capable of more than they realize.

And when they realize that they can do hard things, they become more willing to do more hard things.

Because feeling discomfort and confronting the problem leads to a solution, and all these things combined equal growth.

So we need to normalize the discomfort—expose students to it by challenging them to do things outside of their comfort zone, because

Safe is the Enemy of Growth

  • The Shared Root of Avoidance In both the neighbor scenario and the "sit and get" classroom, the goal is the same: emotional safety. We stay quiet about the barking dog to avoid the awkwardness of the talk, while students stay quiet during a lecture to avoid the “embarrassment" of being wrong or the mental strain of a hard problem.

  • The Cost of Silence: When you don't talk to your neighbor, the dog keeps barking and your resentment grows. When a student just "sits and gets," their brain stays in "low-power mode." In both cases, the lack of confrontation leads to stagnation.

  • The Resolution: The "scary" conversation with a neighbor usually ends with "My bad!" and a solved problem. In learning, the "scary" moment can be seen as productive struggle. When a student finally solves that hard problem after failing a few times, they experience an "Aha!" moment accompanied by relief, satisfaction, and most crucially, growth.

More Benefits of Overcoming Discomfort

When our students learn to handle hard things, they get better at school and life. Here’s how they level up:

  • Better Problem Solving: They learn how to find answers even when things are confusing and frustrating.

  • More Confidence: Every time they overcome a challenge, they realize they are stronger than they thought.

  • Resilience: They learn how to "bounce back" when things get tough.

  • Creativity: Friction forces the brain to look for new and different ways to do things.

  • Future Success: Jobs in the real world require people who can handle change and hard tasks without giving up.

So next time you or your students feel that "uncomfortable" sensation, don't run. That feeling is just the first step toward becoming someone better.

Because Discomfort + Confrontation = Growth

Can you recall a recent discomfort that helped you grow?


I hope you enjoyed these ideas from my upcoming book Unschooling School: Teaching Agency and Free Thinking in a System Built for Compliance and Conformity—scheduled for release in late August 2026.

The book is dedicated to every educator tired of the hollow quiet of a "sit and get" classroom; to every teacher who knows there has to be a louder, messier, and more meaningful way to growing young minds. If you’re ready to stop avoiding the discomfort of real learning and start engineering "Aha!" moments that stick, this book is your guide to building the future of education.

BOOKS & TOOLS

EQUITY Poster
$1.50

Equity-Promoting Classroom Poster. What does EQUITY in the classroom look like?

  • Everyone has a different start and finish line

  • Quality is more important that quantity

  • Understanding that diversity makes us stronger

  • Inclusion despite beliefs, appearances, and circumstances

  • Thoughtfulness lowers barriers and reduces biases

  • Yesterday's mistakes are today's learning agenda

You can teach your students about equity and make it a daily classroom practice using this inspirational poster, which also includes images that accompany the equity description. You can discuss each letter characteristic with your students as a way of introducing your inclusive classroom and display it prominently as a reminder that diversity makes the classroom community stronger.

Classroom Posters Bundle of 8
Sale Price: $5.00 Original Price: $8.00

8 digital, printable, size 11 x 17 classroom posters:

  1. “Welcome” in multiple languages

  2. “Hi” in multiple languages

  3. Three Equity posters

  4. Classroom Rules: Be Open, Be Kind, Have Fun

  5. “Classroom of Champs”

  6. “Kindness”

ON SALE until August 30th.

[Earth & Space Science] Cosmic Scene Investigation: A Case of the Kilonova
$4.00

In this 50 - 70 minute, CSI-style investigation, designed for a high school Earth and Space Science classroom, students investigate a space phenomenon of kilonova. The investigation is set up so students do not know a kilonova occurred. Rather, they are given five case files on a major phenomenon that occurred in a fictional galaxy V57-1. The case files contain information they will have to interpret and research online to first understand the clues each file contains to later be able to arrive at the correct conclusion that a kilonova, caused by a collision and merging of two neutron stars has taken place.

Why and how does this learning strategy work?

Rote memorization out; seeking answers and deeper learning in.

The CSI-style approach to learning is fun, engaging, and motivating for learners, because they are called upon, thus challenged to find answers based on evidence rather than given a list of facts to study about a topic; space in this case.

When students are allowed to act as investigators, they develop skills such as analyzing evidence from various sources to understand the world and how it works. They not only hone and apply Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), but also learn Earth and Space Science content while investigating a real-world (or real-space) phenomenon, which is what the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Analyze scientific evidence to arrive at a correct conclusion about the cosmic event that occurred in a distant galaxy. Synthesize multi-messenger astronomical evidence to draw conclusions about complex cosmic phenomena.

  2. Understand the role of various astronomical instruments in space exploration.

  3. Describe different types of data collected by these instruments.

  4. Explain how element emission spectra are used to identify space objects and phenomena.

What's included:

  1. 13 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and follow up activities

  3. A link to a student-only slideshow.

  4. Detailed student directions.

  5. 5 case files that contain data collected about the event for students to investigate

  6. Teacher answer key describing what conclusions students should make from each case file.

  7. Report File - guided Google Doc for students to fill out as they take note on each case file. data and generate their conclusions

  8. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  9. Debriefing activity and key talking points

  10. Follow up discussion questions and a next day bell ringer

[Earth Science] Terraforming Mars: The Red Planet "Shark Tank" Innovation Challenge
$4.00

Are your students tired of just reading about Earth? Do they gaze longingly at the night sky, dreaming of a future beyond textbook pages? Excellent! Because today, we're not just learning about science; we're making science. We're launching them into the ultimate entrepreneurial challenge: Terraforming Mars: The Red Planet "Shark Tank" Innovation Challenge!

Forget your quaint little recycling programs. We're talking about taking a dusty, desolate rock and turning it into a vacation spot for humanity.

This isn't just a project; it's a desperate plea from the future (and a cunning way to keep them engaged). Your students will become "Terraforming Tech Startups," armed with nothing but their wits, some internet access, and a burgeoning understanding of how Earth actually works. Because, let's be honest, trying to make Mars habitable without understanding our own planet's life support systems is like trying to bake a cake without knowing what flour is.

Prepare for an explosion of creativity (hopefully not literal, on Mars or in your classroom) as they grapple with the fundamental cycles that make life possible. The competitive drive to secure that "virtual investment" (and bragging rights) will channel all their boundless energy into productive, scientific output. Just try to keep the "mad scientist" cackles to a minimum.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the Carbon, Water, Nitrogen, and Oxygen cycles.

  2. Apply your knowledge of the principles of these cycles to design an ecosystem on a different planet (e.g. Mars).

  3. Illustrate how biogeochemical cycles support life in a closed system (Earth, Mars colony, dome ecosystem etc.).

  4. Pitch your solutions to practice collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving/design.

What's included:

  1. 20 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Introductory popcorn reading activity

  3. Research Guide (G-doc link): Includes Note-taking space and links to reputable websites for students to use.

  4. Project timeline and detailed tasks for each day

  5. Group Roles explained in detail

  6. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and best practices

  7. List of materials

  8. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  9. Grading Rubric and Peer Evaluation Form

Earth Science: Create a Computer Simulation of an ESS Concept
Sale Price: $2.00 Original Price: $3.00

Save planning time with this introductory, 3-4 day Earth and Space Science engineering challenge in which students create a computer simulation of an Earth Science topic.

Includes 12 detailed slides (PDF and Google Slides link for editing) + detailed teacher directions (last slide) + a BONUS resource: Animation Guide for Google Slides.

The project follows the guidelines set by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and guides students in using Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs).

Student Performance and Learning Objectives:

  1. Design and create an informative computer simulation.

  2. Use computer animation to simulate a key ESS concept.

  3. Explain the key ideas of an ESS concept of your choice.

Climate Change Debate: The Earth Science Intellectual Thunderdome
$4.00

In this 3- to 4-day lesson, designed for a high school Earth and Space Science classroom, student groups are assigned and investigate 4 leading solutions to the climate change crisis our planet is experiencing. Then, they are called upon to debate against each other to try to convince others that their solution is the most viable and provide counterarguments against other solutions. It’s an intellectual thunderdome in which students are encouraged to use science to attacks each others points of view on climate change but not character.

Why and how does this learning strategy work?

Rote memorization out; seeking answers and deeper learning in.

The debate-style approach to learning is engaging and motivating for learners, because they are challenged to use real evidence and their wits to outmaneuver their opposition.

Not only do they act as investigators, developing communication, collaboration, and argumentation skills but they learn about viable solutions to the climate change conundrum we all find ourselves in. They learn Earth and Space Science content while investigating and debating solutions to a real-world phenomenon, which is what the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Research multiple, complex climate change solutions to discover that the world is more complicated than a single TikTok trend.

  2. Articulate scientific arguments with actual evidence.

  3. Listen to opposing viewpoints, to hone "social awareness" skills.

  4. Realize that climate change solutions are multi-faceted, messy, and require more than just good vibes.

  5. Describe and support with, not mere belief but actual evidence, the leading climate solutions proposed by, not the coven of online witches but the scientific community.

What's included:

  1. 24 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and follow up activities

  3. General Lesson flow for teacher to follow to make it all seamless

  4. A short and funny “hook” to increase student buy in

  5. Detailed student directions

  6. A list (research starter pack) of links to legit, scientific websites for students to use.

  7. Group roles (team jobs) with descriptions of what each entails.

  8. 4 climate change solutions to assign to 4 different student groups

  9. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  10. Detailed Grading Rubric to guide students and make assessment easy

  11. Debate Day introduction and format description

  12. Follow up discussion questions (reflection and debrief)

The Tragedy of Performance Over Learning (Act I)

Act I. Scene I. — The Staff Meeting

(The setting: A fluorescent-lit high school library, projector humming quietly, displaying a “Raising Student Achievement” slide. Teachers sit in small groups, minds somewhere between the beach and denial.)

Characters:

  • PRINCIPAL KIM, mid-40s, energetic buzzword user

  • MR. KERMODY, a sarcastic teacher nearing retirement

  • MR. FRESH, young teacher pursuing his Master’s in Educational Leadership 

  • MS. LEHIGH, data specialist overly enthusiastic about tables and graphs

PRINCIPAL KIM: Welcome back everyone! I hope you are well rested and just as excited as I am to keep making our school great for our students! Because the data is in and our reading proficiency scores went up by 1.5% and math readiness increased by 1.1%! Today is all about deep diving into the test data and planning how we can level up even more! Take us through it Ms. Lehigh!

MS. LEHIGH: Alright, team, our state’s alternative pay system, Q Comp, is once again allowing teachers to earn extra pay for increasing our standardized test scores. Earlier, our school's administrative team met and decided to set a new goal of two percent increase in math and reading. We got this!

MR. KERMODY:  Why stop there? Let’s just shoot for a hundred. Really give them a show.

MR. FRESH: Technically, two percent is realistic if we implement new strategies like targeted formative assessments and tiered intervention cycles…

MR. KERMODY (interrupting): English, please.

MS. LEHIGH: If we disaggregate the subgroups, we’ll see our biggest gap is still students in the ‘approaching proficiency’ range. If we move just twenty seven of them to ‘meets,’ we can hit the target.

MR. KERMODY: So, we’re not teaching kids. We’re moving dots on a chart. Got it.

PRINCIPAL KIM: Come on, Kermody. You know data tells our story.

MR. KERMODY: If data told our story, it’d be a tragedy.

(MR. FRESH leans forward, defensive.)

MR. FRESH: We can’t just dismiss the data. It’s how we measure success.

MR. KERMODY: And by “success,” you mean how well they can eliminate wrong answers under pressure?

PRINCIPAL KIM: Alright, alright, let’s stay positive. We’re setting a goal of two percent growth. Now get in your PLCs and make it happen people.

MR. KERMODY (under his breath): Two percent increase in bullshit, coming right up.

(The projector blinks to black. The teachers shuffle out.)

End of Act I.


I hope you enjoyed this excerpt from my upcoming book Unschooling School: Teaching Agency and Free Thinking in a System Built for Compliance and Conformity—scheduled for release in late August 2026.

In it, I am experimenting with narrative nonfiction and elements of playwriting such as the scene above. But most of the book is filled with strategies that make the classroom more game-changing, because we all know schools at large—for all the wrong reasons—are taking their time with that.

BOOKS & TOOLS

EQUITY Poster
$1.50

Equity-Promoting Classroom Poster. What does EQUITY in the classroom look like?

  • Everyone has a different start and finish line

  • Quality is more important that quantity

  • Understanding that diversity makes us stronger

  • Inclusion despite beliefs, appearances, and circumstances

  • Thoughtfulness lowers barriers and reduces biases

  • Yesterday's mistakes are today's learning agenda

You can teach your students about equity and make it a daily classroom practice using this inspirational poster, which also includes images that accompany the equity description. You can discuss each letter characteristic with your students as a way of introducing your inclusive classroom and display it prominently as a reminder that diversity makes the classroom community stronger.

Classroom Posters Bundle of 8
Sale Price: $5.00 Original Price: $8.00

8 digital, printable, size 11 x 17 classroom posters:

  1. “Welcome” in multiple languages

  2. “Hi” in multiple languages

  3. Three Equity posters

  4. Classroom Rules: Be Open, Be Kind, Have Fun

  5. “Classroom of Champs”

  6. “Kindness”

ON SALE until August 30th.

[Earth & Space Science] Cosmic Scene Investigation: A Case of the Kilonova
$4.00

In this 50 - 70 minute, CSI-style investigation, designed for a high school Earth and Space Science classroom, students investigate a space phenomenon of kilonova. The investigation is set up so students do not know a kilonova occurred. Rather, they are given five case files on a major phenomenon that occurred in a fictional galaxy V57-1. The case files contain information they will have to interpret and research online to first understand the clues each file contains to later be able to arrive at the correct conclusion that a kilonova, caused by a collision and merging of two neutron stars has taken place.

Why and how does this learning strategy work?

Rote memorization out; seeking answers and deeper learning in.

The CSI-style approach to learning is fun, engaging, and motivating for learners, because they are called upon, thus challenged to find answers based on evidence rather than given a list of facts to study about a topic; space in this case.

When students are allowed to act as investigators, they develop skills such as analyzing evidence from various sources to understand the world and how it works. They not only hone and apply Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), but also learn Earth and Space Science content while investigating a real-world (or real-space) phenomenon, which is what the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Analyze scientific evidence to arrive at a correct conclusion about the cosmic event that occurred in a distant galaxy. Synthesize multi-messenger astronomical evidence to draw conclusions about complex cosmic phenomena.

  2. Understand the role of various astronomical instruments in space exploration.

  3. Describe different types of data collected by these instruments.

  4. Explain how element emission spectra are used to identify space objects and phenomena.

What's included:

  1. 13 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and follow up activities

  3. A link to a student-only slideshow.

  4. Detailed student directions.

  5. 5 case files that contain data collected about the event for students to investigate

  6. Teacher answer key describing what conclusions students should make from each case file.

  7. Report File - guided Google Doc for students to fill out as they take note on each case file. data and generate their conclusions

  8. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  9. Debriefing activity and key talking points

  10. Follow up discussion questions and a next day bell ringer

[Earth Science] Terraforming Mars: The Red Planet "Shark Tank" Innovation Challenge
$4.00

Are your students tired of just reading about Earth? Do they gaze longingly at the night sky, dreaming of a future beyond textbook pages? Excellent! Because today, we're not just learning about science; we're making science. We're launching them into the ultimate entrepreneurial challenge: Terraforming Mars: The Red Planet "Shark Tank" Innovation Challenge!

Forget your quaint little recycling programs. We're talking about taking a dusty, desolate rock and turning it into a vacation spot for humanity.

This isn't just a project; it's a desperate plea from the future (and a cunning way to keep them engaged). Your students will become "Terraforming Tech Startups," armed with nothing but their wits, some internet access, and a burgeoning understanding of how Earth actually works. Because, let's be honest, trying to make Mars habitable without understanding our own planet's life support systems is like trying to bake a cake without knowing what flour is.

Prepare for an explosion of creativity (hopefully not literal, on Mars or in your classroom) as they grapple with the fundamental cycles that make life possible. The competitive drive to secure that "virtual investment" (and bragging rights) will channel all their boundless energy into productive, scientific output. Just try to keep the "mad scientist" cackles to a minimum.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the Carbon, Water, Nitrogen, and Oxygen cycles.

  2. Apply your knowledge of the principles of these cycles to design an ecosystem on a different planet (e.g. Mars).

  3. Illustrate how biogeochemical cycles support life in a closed system (Earth, Mars colony, dome ecosystem etc.).

  4. Pitch your solutions to practice collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving/design.

What's included:

  1. 20 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Introductory popcorn reading activity

  3. Research Guide (G-doc link): Includes Note-taking space and links to reputable websites for students to use.

  4. Project timeline and detailed tasks for each day

  5. Group Roles explained in detail

  6. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and best practices

  7. List of materials

  8. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  9. Grading Rubric and Peer Evaluation Form

Climate Change Debate: The Earth Science Intellectual Thunderdome
$4.00

In this 3- to 4-day lesson, designed for a high school Earth and Space Science classroom, student groups are assigned and investigate 4 leading solutions to the climate change crisis our planet is experiencing. Then, they are called upon to debate against each other to try to convince others that their solution is the most viable and provide counterarguments against other solutions. It’s an intellectual thunderdome in which students are encouraged to use science to attacks each others points of view on climate change but not character.

Why and how does this learning strategy work?

Rote memorization out; seeking answers and deeper learning in.

The debate-style approach to learning is engaging and motivating for learners, because they are challenged to use real evidence and their wits to outmaneuver their opposition.

Not only do they act as investigators, developing communication, collaboration, and argumentation skills but they learn about viable solutions to the climate change conundrum we all find ourselves in. They learn Earth and Space Science content while investigating and debating solutions to a real-world phenomenon, which is what the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for.

Student Learning and Performance Objectives:

  1. Research multiple, complex climate change solutions to discover that the world is more complicated than a single TikTok trend.

  2. Articulate scientific arguments with actual evidence.

  3. Listen to opposing viewpoints, to hone "social awareness" skills.

  4. Realize that climate change solutions are multi-faceted, messy, and require more than just good vibes.

  5. Describe and support with, not mere belief but actual evidence, the leading climate solutions proposed by, not the coven of online witches but the scientific community.

What's included:

  1. 24 slides that introduce, explain, and guide the teacher and students

  2. Detailed teacher notes on prep, main lesson, and follow up activities

  3. General Lesson flow for teacher to follow to make it all seamless

  4. A short and funny “hook” to increase student buy in

  5. Detailed student directions

  6. A list (research starter pack) of links to legit, scientific websites for students to use.

  7. Group roles (team jobs) with descriptions of what each entails.

  8. 4 climate change solutions to assign to 4 different student groups

  9. Student Learning and Performance Objectives

  10. Detailed Grading Rubric to guide students and make assessment easy

  11. Debate Day introduction and format description

  12. Follow up discussion questions (reflection and debrief)

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