New to teaching elementary science? I’ve been there, and now I’m sharing my favorite ideas and resources that I WISH I’d had as a new teacher.
1. Love Science 💙
Kids arrive with innate curiosity. With hands-on lesson plans, you can ✨ spark their love for science and make your classes the highlight of their day. I’ve had students who struggled with ELA and math who really found their groove with science.
2. Get to Know Your Students 👩🎓
Discover the secrets hidden within your students’ scientific interests and knowledge by utilizing our Science Interest Inventory, a valuable resource that will help you tailor your teaching approach to their unique curiosities and passions.
Find it in the Science Penguin Free Resource Library. If you’re not signed up, you’ll definitely want to after reading this post!
3. Interactive Science Notebooks 📓
Consider incorporating science notebooks in your classroom.
4. Know Your Resources 🔬
Time to do some detective work! Understand what curriculum resources, technology, lab materials are available to you. Regardless of what you have on hand, we offer adaptable lessons that make use of basic materials.
5. Familiarize Yourself with Your Standards 🗺
Take a moment to analyze your state’s science standards and plan your roadmap for the year ahead. Fourteen states use NGSS , while others have their own science standards, like the Texas TEKS. Make sure you know what standards you use and what topics you are expected to teach.
6. Prepare to Teach Vocabulary 💬
Vocabulary is HUGE in science. Students will likely learn over 200 new domain-specific science terms this year. Get ready for action.
7. Invest Time in Setting up Your Classroom 🪴
Organization is everything for science classrooms. Color-code what you can and find storage solutions. I love a cute room, but a room that serves our educational needs matters more.
8. Plan for the First 2 Weeks ✏️
These pivotal weeks set the stage for the rest of the academic year, and our carefully curated resources will set you up for success.
We’ll even send you our day-by-day planning guide if you like.
9. Promote Cooperative Learning 🗣
How do you want to handle cooperative learning and group labs? Have some ideas to try out in the early weeks.
10. Reflect on Your Teaching Style 🙋♀️
Take some time to answer these questions about how you want your class to function.
- How will you assess your students?
- Does your district have required testing?
- Do you want to use project-based learning?
- How can you integrate literacy skills?
- Will you give homework?
- Do you know if students will complete a warm-up?
- Would you like to use the 5E Model?
- Do you want to have science stations?
- How will you provide accommodations to students with special needs?
- How will you enrich your high achievers?
- What will you do with any extra time?
Sign up for the Free Resource Library
This is an exclusive library of 40+ science printables, labs, activities, and games for grades 3-6. Sign up and check your email for immediate access.
