All Middle School resources
NSTA Press Book
Instructional Sequence Matters, Grades 6–8: Structuring Lessons With the NGSS in Mind
Instructional Sequence Matters shows how to make simple shifts in the way you arrange and combine activities to improve student learning. It also makes it easy for you to put the NGSS into practice. After explaining why sequencing is so important, au...
By Patrick Brown
Blog Post
Modeling in Science Instruction
With the shift toward three-dimensional teaching and learning that the Next Generation Science Standards requires, the Crosscutting Concept of Modeling has become a major focus of my instruction. I use a process that involves revisiting the sam...
By Cindy Workosky
Journal Article
Citizen Science: Be a Zombee Hunter for Science
This column highlights formal and informal science research projects that students can join and contribute to by gathering and sharing data. Celebrate National Honey Month this September with honeybee citizen science. ZomBee Watch, a project in par...
NSTA Press Book
Packaging Design, Grade 6: STEM Road Map for Middle School
Packaging Design outlines a journey that will steer your students toward authentic problem solving while grounding them in integrated STEM disciplines. As are the other volumes in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, this book is designed to meet the...
NSTA Press Book
Improving Bridge Design, Grade 8: STEM Road Map for Middle School
What if you could challenge your eighth graders to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure by designing bridges that last longer? With this volume in the STEM Road Map Curriculum Series, you can! Improving Bridge Design outlines a journey that wi...
Journal Article
Science 101: How Do We Best Teach and Learn Science Concepts?
This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. In this issue the author discusses the method he uses to explain a science concept or concepts....
Journal Article
Integrating Technology: Depth of Knowledge and Conceptual Understanding
This column shares how teachers use technology for assessment, student learning, or classroom management. This article shows how an engaging, interactive online density simulation allowed students to predict, manipulate, and analyze data effectively ...
Blog Post
Global Thinking Inside and Outside the Classroom
Dynamic Equilibrium. These two words represent what is essential in teaching Earth science: the idea that forces are constantly working against one another, but often do so in ways that nearly counteract one another....
By Cindy Workosky
Blog Post
Cereal to Stream Tables: Putting Stability and Change in Students’ Hands
Stability and Change is one of the seven Crosscutting Concepts (CCs) that can be difficult to convey in a lesson. Other CCs like Patterns, Cause and Effect, and Systems and System Models can be easily incorporated in the structure of a lesson. With a...
By Cindy Workosky
NSTA Press Book
Designing Meaningful STEM Lessons
Sure, there are lots of cool STEM activities you can use in class. But do they really help your students learn science? This book shows you how to take lessons you’re already familiar with and, through small changes, do what the title says: Design ...
By Milton Huling, Jackie Speake Dwyer