All Biology resources

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: Uncovering Young Children’s Concept of a Plant

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue uses the “Is It a Plant?” formative assessment probe, which was developed to elicit primary students’ initial ideas about plants and the characteristics they us...

Early Childhood Elementary Biology Assessment

Journal Article

Science 101: How Do Amphibians Breathe?

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month’s issue discusses how all animals breathe, including amphibians....

Elementary Middle School Biology Life Science Professional Learning old

Blog Post

Using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Strategy to Improve Student Learning

This past school year, I used claim, evidence, reasoning (CER) statements to show three-dimensional learning in my classroom. Several tools are available for doing this, but the one my students like is the CER Graphic Organizer and Transition Words L...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Biology Chemistry Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Earth & Space Science Evolution General Science Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

You Teach What? I’m So Sorry! Building a Better Body and Building Better Argumentation

I am always amazed at the looks on people’s faces when I tell them I teach middle school. They seem to pity me for having a position I chose and love! They inform me that middle school “tween-agers” are argumentative, stubborn, and at times, ad...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School High School Biology Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices STEM Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

My ‘Phenomenal’ Journey in Elementary

I am the type of educator who gets very excited about new strategies, new and innovative technology, and new activities for students. However, I was more nervous about than excited about to choosing phenomena for my science units. I felt tremendous p...

By Cindy Workosky

Biology Climate Change Environmental Science General Science Inquiry Instructional Materials Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Blog Post

Introducing Crosscutting Concepts in the Elementary Grades

Four years ago, I moved from teaching middle school science to teaching grades 2–5 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) labs. One of the biggest challenges I faced was limited lab time in our elementary school. Because we ...

By Cindy Workosky

Early Childhood Elementary Preschool Biology Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Multilingual Learners Equity General Science Inquiry Labs Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science Literacy New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Journal Article

The Early Years: Exploring Biodiversity

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. The objective in this month’s issue is to introduce children to the diversity of plant life in a given area through a plant scavenger hunt, and to guide chi...

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Biology Life Science

Journal Article

Science 101: Does the Weather Affect Your Body?

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month’s issue focuses on three major weather factors and how they affect the human body—temperature, humidity, and air pressure....

Elementary Middle School Biology Life Science Professional Learning old

Journal Article

Food and Energy for All: Turning a Demonstration Into an Inquiry Activity

Explore the reactants of photosynthesis to explain that they are raw materials and not food....

Middle School Biology Life Science Inquiry