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What is Artificial Intelligence? A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding AI
By Trilby If it feels like everyone is talking about artificial intelligence right now, you’re not imagining it. Students are using AI to help with homework. Schools are rushing to create AI policies. New AI tools seem to pop up every week. As teachers, it’s easy to feel like we’re
Teaching the Responsible Use of AI in the Classroom (What Students Actually Need Right Now)
By Trilby AI isn’t coming… It’s already here. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had at least one moment this year (or this week) where you thought: Studies show students are already using AI, whether we teach them how or not. According to a recent report from RAND
4 AI Lessons for the Classroom: What to Teach (and How to Get Started Without Overwhelm)
By Trilby Let’s be honest for a second. How often are you teaching explicit AI lessons and skills? As teachers, we’re used to adapting to new tools and technology, but AI has moved from “something to be aware of” to something our students are actively using every day. They’re asking
The Power of CER Science Writing in Your Middle School Classroom
By Trilby Hillenbrand Are you looking for a great way to get your students thinking like scientists? Do you want to improve your students’ discussion and argumentation skills? Maybe you’re a science teacher tasked with supporting a school-wide focus on reading and writing… Either way, we’ve got a game-changer for you
How to Write Safety Science Rules That Students Will Actually Remember
By Trilby Middle schoolers are capable of amazing things in the science lab, but only when safety comes first. The tricky part? Keeping safety science rules short, simple, and sticky enough that students (and teacher) actually remember them beyond the first week. Long lists of dos and don’ts may look
My Favorite Beginning of Year Science Activities (That Actually Work)
By Trilby There’s nothing quite like the first week of school in the science classroom: fresh notebooks, clean lab tables, and curious (and slightly nervous) new students. Whether it’s your first year teaching or your fifteenth, starting strong makes all the difference. Over the years, I’ve created a handful of
An Easy (& Useful) First Day of Science Class Activity
By Trilby If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably stood at your classroom door on Day One, clipboard in hand, scanning a sea of unfamiliar faces and wondering, “How on earth am I going to learn all these names and get through attendance, materials, and rules before the bell rings?”
5 Easy & Fun Syllabus Activity Ideas
By Trilby Let’s be honest… Going over the syllabus isn’t exactly the most thrilling part of the back-to-school season. But it is important. Students need to know how your class works, what you expect, and how to succeed. A well-planned syllabus activity can help you cover everything students need to
Tips for Teaching Science Lab Safety Rules Without Putting Your Students to Sleep
By Trilby Let’s be real. Science safety lab rules might not be the most thrilling part of science class, but they’re one of the most important. And in middle school, where curiosity sometimes comes with a side of chaos, setting clear expectations for lab behavior is essential. Short on time?
