Teaching Science In 3D

Teaching science in a three-dimensional learning environment often feels overwhelming. Many teachers ask us where to start. Here's our answer: It depends.

Each teaching situation is unique. There are differences in time constraints, demographics, resources and so much more. Therefore, your strategy for approaching 3D teaching and learning also needs to be unique. 

In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss two main strategies for getting started.  And, they list several episodes that you can listen to once you've decided which approach to use.   To get a full list of episodes that accompany this episode, check out the FULL Episode recap here.   

View Erin and Nicole's resources on their blogs: 

• Erin's blog: Sadler Science 
• Nicole's blog: iExplore Science

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

Wonder where we have been?  Listen to this quick update to find out about the next episode of the podcast.   

We would love to answer your questions on the podcast.   Please submit them at teachingsciencein3d.com/quesitons.  

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

In this episode, Nicole and Erin help you craft a game plan for returning after a break -- from actually taking a rest to making the transition back to teaching in a way that sets you and your students up for success.

More Resources: 

• Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

What do you do when you feel like your students can't do something? In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss steps that you can take to move your students forward when they are struggling.   

More Resources: 

• Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

Authentic learning requires our students to step up and truly engage, truly join the process. But in truth, that's easier said than done... for our students. Learning is scary! It makes us vulnerable. There is a real risk of failure, of embarrassment, of challenging the good things we think about ourselves and reinforcing the bad things. So how can we support our students in taking this leap? How can we scaffold exploration and discovery? In this solo episode, Nicole shares a few ways you can support students as they embark on their authentic learning journey.

Referenced Resources:

• Spark Subscription
• 101 The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement

More Resources: 

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

The NGSS completely changed the world of science education.   As a result, the NGSS can feel completely overwhelming for elementary teachers.  However, most of the changes are actually easy to implement.   And, they lead to major improvements in students' understanding of the nature of science.   

In this episode, Erin provides 5 simple steps that you can use to begin meeting the intent of the NGSS in your classroom.   

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

In this episode, Nicole and Erin answer the listener question, "Are there fewer labs with the NGSS?"  Like many things with the NGSS, there isn't a simple answer.   Get their take on NGSS and lab activities.   

More Resources: 

• Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

If you are a teacher, chances are you've been overwhelmed by students talking at least once in your career. And, we have all had those classes that are SUPER chatty. It feels like you can't get a word in edgewise. So, what do you do about it? 

In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss what to do when your students never seem to stop talking. They explore common assumptions around student talk. Then, they provide strategies to help you deal with your chatty class. 

Other Episodes to Check Out

• How to teach for student discovery
• The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement

More Resources: 

• Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

One of the common mistakes that teachers make with Science and Engineering Practices is that they teach students the practice at the wrong grade band level. Written as a progression from kindergarten through 12th grade, the practices become more complex as students get older. The idea is that students have the opportunity to get more proficient as time goes on, carrying out each practice at a more sophisticated level. We've talked a lot about this progression on the podcast, but in this episode, Erin outlines in detail how to use the progression -- as well as some common mistakes teachers often make.

More Resources: 

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
• Download the NSTA Matrix for the SEPs here.  

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

In any community, communication is key. Your classroom is a community, and establishing effective communication practices is vital to success and "smooth sailing." But communication is HARD. Whether it's expressing directions or expectations, or digging deep into feelings and advocating our needs -- communication is not easy. In this podcast, Nicole shares the 5 Point Scale strategy you can use to improve communication in your science class -- both from teacher-to-student and from student-to-teacher (and for student-to-student!). The 5 Point Scale can also help build self-awareness and provides opportunities for students to practice metacognition when applied to their own learning.

More Resources: 

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

When things aren't working, sometimes you need to come back to the basics. In this episode, we look at the brain science behind student engagement (or lack thereof) in the classroom. In the midst of a global pandemic, the "stuff that gets us by" might not be effective enough to "get us by" -- so we may find value in returning to the foundations of authentic engagement and successful 3D teaching: strong classroom relationships, safe community, and routines. This episode (the first of a short series) digs into what's going on in your students' brains as the first step to understanding what you can do to meet their needs right now while paving the way for more successful learning in your classroom moving forward.

Click here for the full episode recap.

Referenced Resources:

• Spark Subscription
• Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain*

More Resources: 

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

*affiliate link

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

Nicole and Erin have learned so much in the last 100 episodes! In this episode, they recount what they have learned about 3D teaching in the last 100 episodes.  They talk about where they are now and how it is different from where they started.  They discuss their wins as well as their challenges and mistakes.   

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

Now that you've taught your students about the Crosscutting Concepts, it's time to use them in your classroom.   The more often that students make connections to the CCCs, the more valuable that they become.  In this episode, Erin provides you with 5 easy-to-implement Crosscutting Concept examples to use in your classroom.   

Click here to see the full episode recap.   

Also, before listening to this episode, make sure that you have heard episode 98: How to Teach the Crosscutting Concepts

More Resources: 

• FREE Download - 55 Ready-to-Use Crosscutting Concept Questions
• Buy Erin's Crosscutting Concept Reference Sheets and Graphic Organizers
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

Even though the Crosscutting Concepts are a vital part of student understanding of science, they are often forgotten in the lesson planning process.  In this episode, Erin discusses how to evaluate your lessons and teach the Crosscutting Concepts.   

Check out the episode recap here.

Other Episodes: 

• 29: How to Integrate the Crosscutting Concepts
• 64: Quick wins with the Crosscutting Concepts

Resources:

• Get Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Planner Template 
• Buy Erin's Crosscutting Concept Reference Sheets and Graphic Organizers
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

When you are starting your unit, you want to make sure that your activities are very accessible for all students.  In this episode, we discuss activities that don't require a lot of prior knowledge to complete.  These will help lead your students into the unit in a meaningful and attainable way.   

Other Resources:

• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
• Get on the Waitlist for the Student-Driven Investigations Course by clicking here:  SadlerScience.com/investigate

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

What Should We Do (And Not Do) When Beginning A Unit? In this recording from a pop-up training the Spark Student Driven Science Learning Facebook group, Nicole shares three things she keeps in mind when beginning a phenomenon-based unit.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 17: Using Student Questions to Build Storylines
• Episode 87: How to Choose Better Phenomena 
• Episode 94:  What To Do With Student Questions

Other Resources:

• YouTube - Why Your Students Won't Ask Questions - By Nicole VanTassel
• Blog Post -  Using Student Questions in Your NGSS Storyline - By Erin Sadler 
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
• Get on the Waitlist for the Student-Driven Investigations Course by clicking here:  SadlerScience.com/investigate

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

As we head into this school year, we know students didn't get the same quality of schooling that they had in the past. So, what do we do about it? How important is prior knowledge in a science class? Do you need to build background knowledge for your students in order for them to be successful? In this episode, we talk all about prior knowledge and explain why you don't have to frontload information in your science units. 

This episode is part of the three-episode series that discusses meeting our students where they are when they enter our classrooms this year. Here are the other episodes in the series:

Episode 96 - Coming Soon
Episode 97 - Coming Soon

Other Resources

• Be Curious Community Cohort - Click here for application information.  
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the Waitlist for the Student-Driven Investigations Course by clicking here:  SadlerScience.com/investigate

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

Asking questions is one of the Science and Engineering Practices.  But what is the significance of the practice?  What do you do with those questions?  Find out in this episode.   

Read the full episode recap here.   

Related Episodes:

• Episode 10:  How to Teach for Student Discovery
• Episode 17: Using Student Questions to Build Storylines
• Episode 87: How to Choose Better Phenomena 

Other Resources:

• YouTube - Why Your Students Won't Ask Questions - By Nicole VanTassel
• Blog Post -  Using Student Questions in Your NGSS Storyline - By Erin Sadler 
• Be Curious Community Cohort - Click here for application information.  
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
• Get on the Waitlist for the Student-Driven Investigations Course by clicking here:  SadlerScience.com/investigate
• Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

An NGSS classroom is a unique learning environment. Sometimes, this leads to confusion.  So, it's important to create buy-in right away.  Learn how to get parent and admin support for the major shifts that come with the NGSS.

Related episodes: 

• 3 Mistakes You're Making with Your NGSS Tests
• How to Teach for Student Discovery
• What to Avoid When You Head Back to School

Other resources: 

• Click here to grab your FREE 3D Planner.  
• Click here to grab your FREE Storyline Starter and check out the Spark Subscription. 
• Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
• Submit a Question
• Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.

You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?  Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner.  Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class.  Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps.   Click here to grab this FREE download. 

Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience