Creating and Effective Middle School Science Classroom

Course Description:
Science teachers, like all teachers, want to start the year off on the right foot.  They put together seating charts, organize materials, plan systems of management and think about the latest inquiry activity to help students with understanding. Although the above things are important to the success of a classroom, there are many other things that can help to make your classroom a positive and supportive environment.  Check out the following module to gain some insight on some additional mindsets and procedures to get you started on that right foot.

Topics Addressed:  This module is organized into 4 different sections:
  1. Effective Mindsets for teaching middle school science
  2. Helpful Pedagogy and Approaches to teaching
  3. Organization and Management that is developmentally appropriate
  4. Highlighted Resources to get you started in the school year

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Knowledge: 
  • Teachers know there is a difference between an effective classroom and ineffective classroom. 
  • Teachers are knowledgeable about the role they  play in creating the “culture of the classroom”
  • Teachers have a tremendous amount of power in creating a safe and tolerant environment for students to learn
 
Skills:
  • Organize and manage a classroom that works to support middle school students
  • Develop lessons that are rigorous and engaging
  • Create a classroom environment that is supportive and compassionate. 
 
Mindset:
  • There are specific strategies to create an effective classroom regardless of the population you teach and the resources available.
  • Teachers believe in the “growth’ theory of brain development and not the “fixed” theory.  
Science teachers, like all teachers, want to start the year off on the right foot.  They put together seating charts, organize materials, plan systems of management and think about the latest inquiry activity to help students with understanding. Although the above things are important to the success of a classroom, there are many other things that can help to make your classroom a positive and supportive environment.  Check out the following module to gain some insight on some additional mindsets and procedures to get you started on that right foot.