MARCH 2023
WHAT'S GOING ON IN SECONDARY SCIENCE?
JORDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
UPCOMING IN MARCH
Welcome to March! Get ready for St. Patrick's Day and Spring Break, not to mention the end of 3rd Quarter. I hope this month is fantastic!
CONTACT YOUR SECONDARY SCIENCE SPECIALIST
I am happy to support any science instruction you may need!
TORI JOHNSON
VICTORIA.JOHNSON@JORDANDISTRICT.ORG
801.567.8466
UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
FACE 2 FACE EVENTS
One week long, face to face courses available to teachers. Courses are focused in content, 3D science, and pedagogy.
Courses start in June 2023.
You can visit the website by clicking the button below for more information or to register for USU Physics Day at Lagoon!
*Note: Their site security certification has lapsed and they are working to get it fixed. To circumvent this, in Google select Advance Options from the error and say it OK to connect to the site. If you don't receive an email within a week after registering, send an email to physicsdayusu@gmail.com.
TEACHER SPOTLIGHTS
7-8th Grade: Gayle Dowdle
8TH GRADE SCIENCE | FORT HERRIMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
"Gayle is at the heart and soul of our school. She works as one of our instructional coaches, as well as teaching her own science students. She is always helping her colleagues improve their practices all while giving her own students rich educational experiences in her own classroom."
Tim Heuman, Principal, FHMS
"I have worked with Gayle Dowdle since coming back to teaching 9 years ago. Working with Gayle that first year was a lifesaver! She patiently worked with us every day to help us make our classes the best they could be for our students. She has so much love for her students and is an inspiration every day. Gayle and I have also worked together on the SEEd Storylines for Davis School District and Jordan School District Exemplar Units. She is so great at creating activities that are engaging for the students and it has been an honor to work with her."
Susan Larson, 8th Grade Science Teacher, FHMS
What do you love about science teaching or what made you want to be a science teacher? I love that in science I get to have students DOING things! I try to make my class fun and exciting because if I don't I'm bored so I want to be having fun which means my students need to be having fun too. I love the need for creativity for making new ideas and activities and labs and ways to make science awesome.
What are some of your hobbies and/or how do you like to spend your time outside of teaching? I am an award winning cosplayer where I hand make costumes and then act as that character (hence the Queen Elizabeth Ist photo) I compete at FanX and other conventions. I have an Esty shop where I sell pouches and purses for renaissance fairs but mostly I make costumes and cosplay as those characters. If you come to the state renaissance faire I'll be there as queen Elizabeth!
What's the best advice or mantra you live by for your teaching? Students learn most when they enjoy the experience of learning, in contrast students don't learn when they hate the experience of learning. They learn from things they enjoy and that is what makes lifelong learners. Teaching them that learning is fun is half of the battle!
9-12th Grade: George Pettus
PHYSICS | RIVERTON HIGH SCHOOL
"George has such a connection with the students and he makes learning fun! He is such a wonderful addition to our faculty at RHS."
Tamra Rossiter, Science Department Head, Riverton High School
What do you love about science teaching? I love sharing the magic of the natural world and helping others see how it works and what makes it beautiful.
What are some of your hobbies? My hobbies include playing Dungeons & Dragons, watching Anime (right now I'm watching One Piece), and Jiu-Jitsu.
Whats the best advice or mantra you live by for your teaching? Have Fun, Be Safe, & Drink Water. For teaching (and life) being prepared, having empathy, and making the content accessible and engaging. The easier it is for them to buy in and produce high-quality work, the more likely they are to do it.
Anything else? I couldn't be half the teacher I am without the incredible support from my amazing mentors and PLC. Special shout out to Bekah Whitham and Rene Bair for helping me and teaching me so many good things!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
7-8TH GRADE SCIENCE
No upcoming Professional development... yet
We don't have any professional development coming up for 7th and 8th-grade science, but if you would like to meet with your team for a day of planning we would love to help make that happen! Just email Tori Johnson (victoria.johnson@jordandistrict.org) for more information.
9-12TH GRADE SCIENCE
Continuing Teacher Collaboration Days
We are continuing to host collaborations and provide substitutes for teachers to get together to plan, build, and work on various aspects of teaching science content. If you are interested in attending any of the collaboration days, please email Tori Johnson (victoria.johnson@jordandistrict.org).
CONTENT RESOURCES
7-8TH GRADE SCIENCE
Writing Protocols for Science!
Do you find yourself struggling with implementing writing into science? Our friends at G&C Science have created the Writing Protocols to help science teachers scaffold writing in your classroom. These could work great for CER write-ups and more!
Support students' science learning through conversation
This STEM Teaching Tool is focused on how to encourage and facilitate science learning through sensemaking conversations (discussions). This Teaching Tool contains resources and helps for improving discussions in your classroom.
9-12TH GRADE SCIENCE
TUVA Data Stories
TUVA allows students to work with data in a clear and easy way. You can use TUVA data for starters or lessons! Pre-created lessons are available for science on the platform too!
The platform resembles testing like RISE or ASPIRE and would be good practice for your students. Sign up for free to use in your classroom!
The Wonder of Science
The Wonder of Science is a resource of assessments, phenomena, videos, and more that will help you to teach and understand 3D science. The Wonder of Science was created by Paul Anderson who you may know from the Bozeman Science videos.
Quick Links to curriculum resources
SCIENCE TEACHER STRESS RELIEF
Teacher Survival Resources
The Brain on Meditation and Mindfulness
Meditation and mindfulness are becoming increasingly popular, but is it really effective and worth your time? Science says yes! Meditation and mindfulness can help you manage the day-to-day stresses that come with teaching! Check out the resources below to try it!
Mindfullness & Meditation Resources:
Mindfulness & Meditation Research:
Lack of sleep affects health
Would you like to decrease your cravings for sweet, salty, and starchy food? How about increasing your immunity and your life span? Or decreasing your risk for colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or even a cold? Guess what? There is a wonderful medication that will cover all of this!
We call it sleep.
Sleep Helps & Resources:
Science Teacher Funnies
