As a middle school science teacher, I always love teaching the scientific method to my students. There are so many routes you can take with teaching it, and I’ve tried many of them. If you’re gearing up to teach the scientific method, then you might benefit from reading this post. (See what I did there?) You probably have many questions. When should I teach the scientific method? What all should I include in my unit? What order should I teach the topics of the scientific method? How do I go about teaching the scientific method? In this post I’ll share what’s worked for me. Plus, you’ll find some links to FREE resources to help get you started. When Should I Teach the Scientific Method? I want my students to have a good handle on lab safety before getting started with the scientific method because it involves labs, tools, and sometimes harmful chemicals. The scientific method is important for studying science in general, so I teach it as early in the year as possible. It is my second unit (right after lab safety). I bring the scientific method up throughout the year, whenever we have labs. After winter break I have a week-long review to brush up on the more difficult aspects of the scientific method. What Should I Include in My Scientific Method Unit? In What Order Should I Teach the Topics? Obviously, all groups of students are different. My seventh graders always come in with very, very little experience with the scientific method. Knowing that, I start with the basics and go over everything I think they need to know to successfully use the scientific method. I recommend giving your students a preassessment before the unit to gauge what topics you can skip and which you need to hammer into your students’ skulls. Here are the topics I always include in my scientific method unit and the general order in which I teach them: The Steps of the Scientific Method Independent and Dependent Variables Scientific Questions Hypotheses Observations and Inferences Research and Procedures Constants/Controlled Variables Analyzing Data/Graphs Scientific Conclusions How Do I Go About Teaching the Scientific Method? In my class, each of the nine topics listed above starts with interactive notebook notes in combination with a PowerPoint. (See the video below of the interactive science notebook pages I use. They're all available in my store and you can get the INB pages in my Scientific Method Interactive Notebook Pages Bundle.) After introducing the topic via notes and a PowerPoint, the students get practice in the form of stations, activities, and/or worksheets. Lastly, I assess each topic with an exit ticket to determine if we need to keep working on the current topic or if we’re ready to move on to the next. The single most important scientific method resource I have is my Scientific Method Stations. I use them at least three times in the unit because they’re so versatile. They give students practice identifying variables, writing good hypotheses, designing procedures etc. I just post them around the room at the beginning of the unit and they stay there until the day of the unit test. I truly believe they are a great resource for the middle school science classroom. They are one of my most loved and best selling resources, so I decided to make a second set. I added my Scientific Method Stations V2 to my store in September 2023! But Really, What Do You Do for Each Topic? The Steps of the Scientific Method: I go over what the scientific method is, what it’s used for, the order of the steps, and what each step might look like. Independent and Dependent Variables: I go over the definitions of independent and dependent variables and how to identify them in an experiment. Then we practice. And practice. And practice some more. Eventually it clicks and then my students HAVE GOT IT DOWN. Scientific Questions: Students learn about what a good scientific question needs to have. We review variables again while examining good and bad scientific questions. Group work and games can be fun with this. Hypotheses: Students learn what a hypothesis is and how to write a good hypothesis. Even my best students need to learn the If/then version of writing a hypothesis because they have only been taught the “I think blah blah blah will happen” version. Hypotheses typically need a lot of practice. Here is a free coloring worksheet to help your students write good hypotheses and identify independent and dependent variables. Observations and Inferences: Students learn the definitions of qualitative and quantitative observations and how to use those to make inferences. Here is a free observation activity you can use in your class. Research and Procedures: Research is straightforward so we briefly discuss where to find accurate information. For procedure, we learn what it is, why it’s important, and what happens if a procedure is poorly written. Constants/Controlled Variables: This is hands down the hardest part of the scientific method for my students. We go over what constants are, why they are important, and how to identify them in experiments. Students need TONS of practice with this. Here is a free exit ticket to check if your students have mastered constants. Analyzing Data/Graphs: I go over where independent and dependent variables go on graphs, what good graphs include, and types of graphs. Then we practice interpreting graphs. I try to include as much data analysis throughout the year as possible because my students always need practice with this. Here is a free data analysis worksheet and a free data analysis Boom Deck. Scientific Conclusions: Students learn what should be included in a good conclusion and practice writing a good conclusion using a data table and graph from an experiment. I hope this post gives you a good starting point for planning your scientific method unit. I love teaching the scientific method and have created many resources for my students. You can find my scientific method resources here, including interactive notebook pages, activities, worksheets, and assessments. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to post a question below or message me. Thanks for reading and have a great school year! You can get another free scientific method resource just for signing up for my newsletter. Sign up for my newsletter here. I added an option in my store to get all of my scientific method resources in one discounted bundle: Scientific Method HUGE Bundle.

Are you taking the leap into the wild and wonderful world of teaching elementary science? Congratulations! 🎉 From making science notebooks your best friend to transforming your classroom into a curiosity-filled lab (minus the lab rats), we’ve got tips and tricks that even Albert Einstein would high five us for! Ready to become the next superhero ... Read more

Virtual dissections can be a huge help in teaching science, biology, physiology and anatomy. Here are some of the best resources for your lessons and labs.

Once upon a time, I was a boring science teacher. Back to school science activities consisted of stale icebreakers, rules, procedures, lab safety and “getting to know you” worksheets. I…

If you are like me, you have gone down the rabbit hole of searching for resources, ideas, and strategies to bring the science of reading and structured literacy into the classroom. Your eyes are glazed over and you have some great ideas... but just don't know where (or how) to start. Here are some simple tips that can help you get going on your science of reading journey in your classroom of older students. Tip #5 is my favourite!

Looking to plan a comprehensive cells unit for your middle school class? Get all the worksheets, presentations, quizzes and tests you need in PDF format!

Find the latest teaching resources and ideas for the elementary and middle school classroom. Interactive notebooks, classroom management, and more

Collaboration is great, isn’t it?! It brings students together and not only enhances their learning, it builds those critical social skills students are in desperate need of. Here are my 5 favorite strategies I use in my middle school classroom to encourage collaboration. They are step by step, ea

Science vocabulary is crucial in science teaching, and as a teacher, It’s super important to do things to increase students’...

Too many classroom icebreakers require students to take big social risks with people they barely know. Or they don't really help students get to know each other. Or they are just plain cheesy.

Science curriculum doesn't have to be expensive. A good portion of what we've used for science over the years has been free resources!

For this mystery solutions puzzle, your middle school science students will attempt to solve a chemistry puzzle while simulating that they are 500 miles apart!

I have a confession to make. During my years in the science classroom, I was never able to sustain a long-term warm-up or bell-ringer routine with my

Have you ever looked through your pacing guide and the middle school science topics that you need to teach and just said, I have no clue...

Some days you just need a break from the monotony! Preparing for exams, transitioning to a new unit, days when half your students are gone for a basketball tour

Harmful and Beneficial Microorganisms Sort - digital and printable This engaging activity allows students to examine multiple microorganisms (microbes) and decide if it is harmful or beneficial. The printable version is a cut, sort, and glue activity with the answer key provided. Now included for Digital Learning and 1:1 schools - A Digital Google Slides version of the sort. Students drag and drop pictures into the correct columns. This is easy to assign and grade digitally. It also works well in Google Classroom. Customer Tips: Earn TPT Credits for future purchases • Go to your “My Purchases” page and click on the “Provide Feedback” button. To learn about future sales, new products, and FLASH FREEBIES: • Click the green star next to my store logo. If you need to contact me, please send me an email at [email protected] If you love this product, take a look at my other Science resources: • Plant and Animal Cells Bundle • Plant and Animal Cell Comparison • Microorganisms Word Wall Vocabulary Cards • Water Cycle Bundle

Home page for ALL's free teaching resources on underage drinking and its effects on the brain, including primers, curriculum plans, and videos.

End the school year in middle school science with fun and memorable projects! In this post, I'm sharing some engaging project ideas!

"Check out these free STEM websites for kids: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They are designed for grades 6-12, and I have personally used many of these resources to help me get through school! As technology is ruling our society, STEM has been growing over the past few years and computers are more important than ever. STEM websites can help enhance learning!"

Started finding a lot of links for Minecraft curriculum. What could be better than homeschooling with Minecraft?

Give your students a taste of adventure with over 20 free digital escape rooms to try at home or at school. Doing distance learning? These are perfect!

Whether you are in remote learning or in the classroom, you can spice up learning by incorporating science songs into your classroom. If you are distance teaching, I love the idea of starting the Google Meet or Zoom session by playing one of these songs to get your students motivated and engaged for science class. ... Read more

Phase change activities are some of the most engaging things you can do in the classroom. Phase changes is something you see in everyday life, and they are

The Jigsaw Strategy is a collaborative learning strategy that works well for teaching Trends in the Periodic table. Learn how to implement this strategy in your general science or chemistry classrooms.

Fun and engaging force and motion experiments, project ideas, demonstrations, book lists and more! Great for the classroom and home!

Balancing Chemical Equations How To - Do your students completely freak out when there is any math involved in their science content?....

Teaching your hydrosphere unit and looking for ocean currents activities? I got you! There are so many neat things that you can do that will bring the WOW

Movement in the classroom is beneficial for many reasons. First and foremost, getting up to move in the classroom might help anxious students relieve stress.

Quiz & Worksheet Interaction of Light & Matter from matter and energy worksheet , image source: study.com

Whenever I teach freshmen or sophomores, I always begin the school year with a short story unit. I use this unit to introduce literary elements to my

Earth's Layers activities you can try with your middle school science students to review the core concepts while maintaining engagement.

You are probably familiar with Kahoot as a review game, but my favorite way to use this website is a BLIND Kahoot. The game structure is the same only instead of reviewing a concept, you use it to introduce it! Check this out as a way to mix up your lesson plans, introduce content, and engage your students!

Here's a simple way to teacher less than, greater than: with toys! Free printable included.

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I am sharing tips for using Cornell Doodle Notes to teach in your middle school science class!

Students will learn all about the five different energy types with this Forms of Energy Printable. It can be printed in color or black and white. You may choose to project it during a lesson or print it for student notebooks and/or your bulletin board. Forms of Energy Printable

15 exit ticket ideas for any subject or grade level!

Perfect for getting older kids to know each other when the new school year begins.

Differentiation and scaffolding can help students better understand and learn. Here are teaching ideas and tips to use in class.

Creating a middle school syllabus shouldn't be intimidating, but I know from experience how hard it is to condense all of your classroom guidelines and

This FREE parallel lines cut by a transversal coloring activity doubles as a colorful reference poster or student notebook reference. Now includes a link to an interactive GOOGLE Slides version for online learning and teaching.