Science is a unique subject to teach. It incorporates all aspects of teaching, plus the special challenge of juggling group work while using materials and equipment that may be fragile, messy, and sometimes harmful. As a science teacher, you have to figure out how to teach science concepts, monitor students, design a classroom layout conducive to teaching science, find equipment and supplies, and incorporate hands-on activities to match the lesson.
All of these factors can be stressful for a new science teacher to manage. However, good classroom management, planning, and organization will help any science teacher, old or new, rise to the challenge and successfully manage a science classroom.
So, let’s take a look at the tips below.
TEACHING TIPS
Design a classroom layout that is conducive to doing labs and group work.
A good classroom design will allow students to gather materials and perform activities easily. Both you and the students should be able to move around with ease. Of course, the size of your room and the type of desks/tables available will directly impact your design.
Label your groups and individual seats.
Labeling is helpful when you need to assign tasks to individual group members. Group names or numbers make it easier to call on groups as a whole. You can use names, colors, numbers, or letters as labels in your classroom.
Decide how you will teach the topic or concept.
- Figure out what type of group work or labs are required.
- Determine if you need to do a lecture to teach the lesson.
- Find videos that will explain the concept well.
- Gather all the necessary materials.
- Estimate how much time it will take for students to master the concept.
Determine how students will be graded on each task.
- As a group
- Individually
- Rubric, points, or percent correct out of a total
Don’t be afraid to incorporate technology into your lessons.
Cameras, tablets, computers, and projectors are all useful tools to use during your lessons, labs, and demos.
Science videos are a great way to explain concepts visually.
Science videos are a great resource for teaching content. They offer visuals for concepts that may be hard to teach. Plus, there are times where students would rather watch a video than listen to the teacher. It breaks the monotony.
Teach students the rules, procedures, and expectations for group work.
- Teach them at the beginning of the year before they participate in any labs or group activities.
- Restate the rules before they begin an activity as a reminder.
- Be consistent and reinforce the rules each time.
- Give roles to each group member.
- Monitor progress, time, and noise levels.
Teach students proper lab techniques.
They should be taught how to properly handle and use the equipment before they perform a lab. This prevents mistakes and accidents. Don’t assume they already know how to use the equipment. Teach basic lab equipment at the beginning of the year. Give them a reference sheet with pictures to place in their notebooks or journals.
Teach lab safety.
This is a crucial step. Teaching lab safety prevents accidents and makes them aware of proper lab procedures. It helps labs run smoothly. Therefore, spend a few days at the beginning of the year teaching lab safety. Be sure to practice and reinforce lab safety rules and procedures throughout the year.
Use visuals to teach concepts.
Pictures, posters, or models are all useful when teaching various science concepts.
Teach or review the steps of the scientific method (scientific inquiry).
Teach this at the beginning of the school year. Have them use the scientific method during lab activities. This gives them practice using the process properly.
Teach students how to write a lab report, gather data, create charts, and write a conclusion.
This step involves teaching the scientific method before they do any lab reports.
LAB TIPS
Gather supplies in advance.
This is a critical step for any science teacher to follow because there is nothing worse than planning a lab activity and not having all of the materials required to complete the lab. Therefore, check to see if enough materials are available. Also, make sure they work if the lab requires it. This should be done at least two days in advance to give yourself time to set up the lab or make alternate plans if there aren’t enough materials available.
Set up supplies for activities in advance.
Early set up makes it easier for students to gather materials and get straight to work. Less time is wasted because students don’t have to search for supplies. So, set up each lab station or group basket in advance to save time and be more efficient.
Organize your supplies.
This is a useful tip because organizing your supplies makes it a lot easier to find what you need in the future. You can organize supplies by placing them on shelves, in bins, or cabinets. Group supplies together based on topic, activity, or grade level for easy access in the future.
Practice the lab before you present it to students.
There is nothing worse than planning an experiment, and it doesn’t work the way you intended. That’s why you need to do the lab to make sure it works the way it is supposed to. In addition to knowing if the experiment works or not, doing the lab ahead of time helps you work out any issues before the students make their attempt. Finally, if any problems arise while students perform the lab, you can assist them because you have already done the lab yourself and know what to expect.
Review lab instructions and check for understanding before they begin the activity.
This will provide clarity for students. It also enables them to complete the activity more efficiently. Don’t assume they will read and comprehend the lab on their own.
Designate roles for group members.
When roles are designated, every group member is clear about what they are expected to contribute to the activity. Additionally, the group, as a whole, can complete the assignment more efficiently. Some roles are materials manager, recorder, reporter, and group leader.
Monitor students during group activities.
- Set a timer.
- Walk the room during the activity to make sure students are on task.
- Make sure they are following directions.
- Make sure they are following proper lab safety procedures and rules.
- Make sure they are handling materials properly.
- Listen for accountable talk.
Do lab demos when necessary.
- Do a demo if you don’t have enough materials, but you still want students to see the concept in action.
- If you feel the lab isn’t safe for the students to perform by themselves, do a demo instead.
Review the results of the activity before they submit their work.
This is a good way to check for understanding. It also allows students to compare results with other groups and draw the correct conclusion.
Make sure students and parents understand that every science concept will not have a lab component.
Explain that some scientific info is theoretical. Therefore, it may just require paper, pencil, and problem-solving. Everything will not result in an explosion.
Running a science classroom can be challenging at times, but with a little planning, organization, and patience, your science class can be a fun place to learn and explore. Using the tips outlined in this post will definitely make it a whole lot easier.
Which tips do you find useful? Tell me in the comments below.
BONUS: For more educational tips and tricks for teachers and parents, check out my other website The Modern Schoolmarm.
