This document outlines strategies for teaching middle school science virtually. It includes an agenda covering stimulating the virtual entrance room, reviewing teaching strategies and adaptations, and reviewing handouts and lesson plans. Effective teaching strategies like direct instruction, multiple intelligences approaches, differentiation, inquiry learning, cooperative learning, graphic organizers, and the 5E learning cycle are described along with virtual adaptations. Integrating common core standards and 21st century skills into lessons is also discussed. The presenter's learning objectives are to develop engaging virtual activities and design lessons incorporating 21st century skills and standards.

1. Middle School Science–
Strategies to engage students in
a virtual classroom
Presenter:
Jessa Hershner

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
I can…
• Develop engaging and rigorous activities
that are implemented via virtual
classrooms or venues.
• Design engaging lessons for science that
incorporate 21st century skills and
common core standards.

3. Agenda:
1.Stimulate Virtual Entrance
Room
2.Pass out Handouts
3.Review of teaching strategies
and virtual adaptations
4.Review Handouts & Lesson
Plans
5.Closing

4. Effective Teaching and Learning
Strategies:
Traditional Setting Virtual Adaptation
Direct instruction Earth’s Cycles Presentation
Multiple Intelligence
Approach
Photosynthesis and Respiration Comics
Differentiation Moon Phases Lesson
Inquiry/ Discovery Learning –
Interactive experiment
Freddie the Fish
Cooperative learning
Web quest
Jigsaw
Biomes Using Inspiration
Ecological Footprint
Biomes Reading Passages
Story writing Rock Cycle Short Story/Poem
Graphic Organizer Tides Lesson
5E Learning Cycle Portfolio – Unit 4
Interactive reading passage The Grouchy Ladybug
Backwards Design Myth Busters for Earth and Space Science
Flipped Classroom Abiotic/Biotic Factors

5. Direct Instruction
• Use a PowerPoint
• Monitor with questions
• Using poll questions and
chat pods are great
formative assessment tools
Earth's Cycles Presentation

6. Multiple Intelligences
Photosynthesis & Respiration Comics

8. Inquiry/Discovery Learning
Freddie the Fish

9. Jigsaw – Biomes Reading Passages
Reading Passage
Instructions for
Students
Students Take Notes
Student Chat

10. Cooperative Learning – Biomes with Inspiration

11. Web Quest – Ecological Footprints

12. • Provide explicit directions
– Keep directions posted the entire duration of the
activity

13. • Provide an
exemplar
– Show students a
creative sample
• Create one
yourself or find a
neat sample
online
– There is no need
to re-create the
wheel! 

14. Using Graphic Organizers

15. 5E Learning Cycle
Engage with Demo
Student tries experiment
independently
Student Explains
the Data
Conclusions
Elaborate on
Experience
Student & Teacher
Evaluate Work

16. Interactive Reading Passage
The Grouchy Ladybug, by Eric Carl

17. Backwards Design – Myth Busters

18. Flipped Classroom Approach
• Create a recording and
send to students
through email
• Recordings are typically
more direct instruction
• Use class time to complete
webquest or other higher
level activities
– Debates
– Presentations
– Story writing
– Group Work

19. Integrating Other Skills
Common Core Standards
• Writing stories/poems
• Reading passages
• Vocabulary review
• Reading Comprehension
• Math Applications
• Examples:
• Fast Fingers Vocab Review
• The Grouchy Lady Bug
• Rock Cycle Story/Poem
• Comic Strips
• Biomes Reading Passage
• Calculating Ecological Footprint
21st Century Skills
• Cooperative learning
• Inquiry
• Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Working in small groups
• Self-direction & responsibility
• Leadership
• Examples:
• All of them!

20. Questions? Comments?
• I can…
• Develop engaging and rigorous activities that are
implemented via virtual classrooms or venues.
• Design engaging lessons for science that
incorporate 21st century skills and common core
standards.