Bringing Science to Life: Designing High School Lessons That Inspire Real-World Career Aspirations

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Bringing Science to Life: Designing High School Lessons That Inspire Real-World Career Aspirations:

Research shows that students are more likely to retain information when they see its practical applications.  Student engagement also improves when lessons are tied to real-world scenarios, survey's show 75% of students find such lessons more interesting. These real-world applications also foster critical thinking skills and strong career aspirations. 

Science lessons shouldn't just teach theories-they should ignite curiosity, connect knowledge to the real world, and open doors to exciting career possibilities.  By integrating real world career scenarios into science lessons, educators can provide students with a glimpse into the practical applications of what they're learning, motivating them to explore fields such as engineering, healthcare, environmental science, and more.

How many times have you heard your students or children say, "when am I ever going to need this in real life?"  

If you are an educator or a parent chances are you have heard this many times and it is frustrating, because you want so badly to be able to explain how they will need science, math, language arts, history, and other courses to gain knowledge and be successful in college and in their chosen careers.

Step 1: Identify Relevant Career Connections:

Start by brainstorming professions and industries that aligns with the topic you are teaching-for examples:

    -Teaching genetics: Connect it to careers in biotechnology or genetic counseling

    -Exploring energy sources: Introduce roles in renewable energy engineering or environmental policy

    -Investigating Ecosystems: Highlight careers in wildlife biology or conservation science

Step 2: Create a Hands On Activity or Simulation: Bring the career to life with engaging, interactive lessons-for example:

    *Biomedical Engineer Simulation: Design and test prosthetic limbs using basic materials (popsicle sticks, rubber bands etc...)

    *Environmental Scientist Investigation: Analyze water samples to measure pollution levels and discuss strategies for remediation

    *Astronomer Challenge: Use astronomy software to identify planets or stars and describe their significance in space exploration careers

Make the activity realistic, fun, and tied to skills used in the career.  Having students journal afterwards about what they learned and how it will affect their career choices is a great reflection tool.

Step 3: Incorporate Technology or Real-World Tools:

If possible, use industry standard tools to enhance the experience.  For instance, introducing coding software for data analysis, or show students how geographic information systems (GIS) are used in environmental studies, or obtain real weather measurement tools for observing weather statistics such as barometers or wind vanes.  Connecting classroom work to professional tools makes the lesson feel authentic and relevant. 

Step 4: Include a Reflection Component:

Encourage students to reflect on their experience, as mentioned above, journals are a great way to achieve this. You could also have them answer questions in their journal to guide their reflection such as:

    <What did you learn about this career?

    <What skills do you think are most important for someone in this field?

    <Can you see yourself pursuing a job like this in the future?

    <Which college courses do you think you will need to obtain a role in this field?

Conclusion: 

Real-world, career-focused science lessons empower students to dream big and envision their future. By tying scientific concepts to hands-on activities and career connections, educators can inspire the next generation of innovators, scientists, and problem solvers.

Do you have ideas for connecting careers and real-world scenarios to science lessons?  Leave a comment and tell us your ideas!  We would love to hear your thoughts on this engaging way of teaching science.  

Connect with our email club for ideas, inspiration, newsletters, and special offers at curriculumlab365@gmail.com.

A Solid 5 Star Review for The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

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I recently downloaded The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides to my Kindle and I am so glad I did.  A solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s and highly recommended read!

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides:

I enjoyed reading every word of The Silent Patient. Michaelides writes with such a poetic prose; every sentence seems almost lyrical. His descriptions of things such as the weather are not just mundane fillers, but they actually add to the tone and emotions of the novel and characters. His character development is strong, and the narrator has a way of gripping you from the beginning of the book. Theo is a complex emotional character that relates his hardships well to the reader, giving him a life-like appeal, as if he were a buddy you met in college or the brother-in-law that became your best friend. He was all at once the main character, narrator, and protagonist, playing several roles throughout his storytelling. Alicia Berenson the main character, antagonist, and subject of Theo's obsession, is a silent character, yet she speaks volumes through her eye contact, body language, and journal pages. Finally, the ending was a true twisty surprise that I didn't see coming! I thought I was going to be disappointed by the way it was shaping up to end, but the last chapter had me stunned and raving for Alex Michaelides! As soon as I read the last line, I downloaded another book by Michaelides, The Maidens, and I am devouring it as we speak!

Have you read The Silent Patient?  What are your thoughts?  We would love to hear from our readers, leave a comment and tell us how you would review The Silent Patient or if you plan on reading it! 

Our Three Star Review for One Dark Night

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One Dark Night by Hannah Richell was another win from Goodreads Giveaways!  I get so excited to read and review these advanced copies, but I admit I have fallen behind posting them to the blog.  I have plenty of reviews on the Goodreads site if you want to check them out I would love if you added me to your following on Goodreads Michelle Antoinette’s 'giveaways' books on Goodreads (6 books) Here is a link to the Giveaways I have won and their reviews, however I have many other books in my read category with some great insights!  

On to the review: ⭐⭐⭐One Dark Night by Hannah Richell:

A Hauntingly Beautiful Story but Lacking in Pacing...

I was honored to win an early release copy of Hannah Richell's One Dark Night through Goodreads Giveaways!

This is a novel with undeniable beauty in its prose and a rich exploration of family dynamics. The setting is vividly described, and the emotional depth of the characters is engaging. However, while the premise is intriguing, the pacing felt uneven at times. Some parts of the story moved a little too slowly, making it difficult to stay fully immersed. Additionally, certain plot twists were a tad bit predicable, which took away from some of the suspense.

That said, the story's heart and Richell's gift for capturing raw emotions still shine through in One Dark Night. While it may not have entirely lived up to my expectations, it is a thoughtful read that will resonate with readers who enjoy a slow-burn family drama.

We would love to hear our readers thoughts on our book reviews!  Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

A Four-Star Review for My First Goodreads Giveaway Win!

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A Four-Star Review for My First Goodreads Giveaways Wins!  Buried Lies by Steven Tingle.

I am finally getting around to writing some reviews on the blog.  I have been writing them on Goodreads, so I wanted to catch up here as well.  If you follow Curriculum Lab365 then you know I enter Goodreads Giveaways all the time! Steven Tingle's Buried Lies was the first on my wins.  I have now won a total of five books!  I highly recommend the Goodreads blogs, book logs, and giveaways.  

The Review: ⋆⭐⭐⭐⭐ Buried Lies by Steven Tingle:

Thank you to Steven Tingle and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy of Buried Lies that I received as my first Goodreads Giveaway wins! This was the first I am hearing of Tingle, and I am so glad I did! Buried Lies didn't sound like a book I would normally read as I am more into dark thrillers and psychological twisters, but I was hooked by this book from page one. I was immediately impressed by Tingle's prose, which is outstanding, blending his knack for vivid descriptions and clever turns of phrase. His writing style is a mix of sharp humor, a strong sense of place, and creative character development. I love when the setting of book adds to the story and Tingle crafts small town southern atmosphere with precision, immersing readers in the setting and its quirky inhabitants. The main theme of the novel kept me guessing while literally laughing out loud. Tingle crafted the perfect dynamic of humor and mystery that will no doubt keep any reader hungrily turning page after page. I highly recommend Buried Lies by Steven Tingle even if the synopsis doesn't sound like your usual cup of tea, you will not be disappointed.

What are your thoughts on our review of Steven Tingles Buried Lies?  Comment and share we would love to hear from our readers. 

Follow the blog, follow us on Goodreads, and join our email club for exclusive offers, newsletters, and much more.  curriculumlab365@gmail.com

Elevate Your Teaching: A Guide to Interactive Lesson Planning

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Elevate Your Teaching: A Guide to Interactive Lesson Planning:

Engaging students in the learning process is a key challenge for educators. Traditional lecture-based teaching methods typically fall short in maintaining student interest and fostering deep understanding.

• What is interactive lesson planning: Interactive lesson planning involves creating learning experiences that actively involve students in the learning process.  This approach encourages participation, hands-on-activities, peer group engagement, and real-time feedback, making learning more enjoyable and effective.
• Benefits of interactive lesson planning: 

1. Enhanced engagement: Interactive lessons capture students' attention and keep them involved.
2. Deeper understanding: Active participation helps students grasp complex concepts better.
3. Improved retention: Engaging and discussions aid in long-term memory retention.
4. Development of critical skills: Student develop much needed skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking.

• Key elements of interactive lesson planning: 

1. Learning objectives: Clearly define what students should achieve by the end of the lesson.
2. Active learning activities: Incorporate activities such as group discussions, hands-on experiments, role-playing, interactive simulations, and real-world scenarios.
3. Technology integration: Utilize digital tools and resources such as interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and online collaboration platforms.
4. Assessment and feedback: Implement formative assessments and provide timely feedback to gauge student understanding and progress.

• Steps to create an interactive lesson plan: 

1. Identify learning goals: Start with clear and achievable learning objects.
2. Design engaging activities: Plan activities that align with your learning goals and cater to diverse learning styles.
3. Create real-world scenarios: Studies show when students can relate what they are learning to something they will actually use in life, college, or their career, they become more engaged and develop deeper understanding.
4. Create lab sessions: Labs are not just for science class!  Create writing labs where students can collaborate and practice writing for college or life scenarios, reading workshops where students can collaborate and share about their favorite books, authors, and characters, and math labs where students use hands-on materials to perfect their math skills, such as money, tools of measurement, and building materials.
5. Use engaging technology: There are so many resources now that educators can use to engage students using technology.  Interactive website where students can conduct experiments, play games, participate in discussions, and watch educational videos, are just a few examples.  See our other blog posts regarding our top 10 educational websites, and our top 10 online resources for teaching science.

• Examples of interactive activities: 

1. Thank-pair-share: Students think about a question, discuss it with a partner, and then share it with the group.
2. Jig-saw groups:  Students will study to become an "expert" on a certain topic, then teach their peers about it.
3. Digital storytelling: Students create and share digital stories related to the content.
4. Interactive quizzes: Use tools such as Khoot! or Quizlet.
5. Learning labs: Create learning lab sessions where students focus on topics and conduct experiments or use them in a real-life scenario.  Have students keep a journal about what they are learning and the progress they are making on the topic.\
6. Learning in nature: Find a designated spot on campus where students can learn outside.  This is great for all types of topics and subjects including science, nature, social studies, geography, weather, and more!

Conclusion: Interactive lesson planning is a powerful tool for educators seeking to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment. By incorporating active learning strategies, technology, and thoughtful assessments, teachers can inspire students to take an active role in their education and develop essential skills for the future.

Comments or questions?  Please comment on this blog post, we would love to hear from you!  Join our email club at curriculumlab365@gmail.com.  For more tips and tricks for your lesson planning see our past blog posts and look out for future posts to assist you on your educator journey.

Need some interactive lesson plans for your classroom, but you aren't sure where to start?  Curriculum Lab365 offers innovative, engaging, and interactive lesson plans for all grade levels and subjects.  Just email your needs and we will customize a plan that works for you and your unique students!  

Another Goodreads Giveaway Win!

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I won another Goodreads Giveaway!  An early release of One Dark Night by Hannah Richell.  

I am very excited about this one!  It is the second Goodreads Giveaway I have won.  Granted I have been entering to win a TON of them, but that is only because I love books oh so much!

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell seems like it is going to be right up my ally.   With a ghost story tied into a murder mystery and then add the setting of a little village in England, and I am hooked.

I received my advance copy of the novel last week in the mail and this time it is a soft cover with a solid cover design.

The synopsis for One Dark Night:  Exerts from the back of the book:

"On Halloween, a group of teenage students meet in the woods near Sally in the Wood, a road seeped in local lore and rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a murdered girl.  By the end of the night one student will be dead.

Rachel, the school guidance counselor, is trying to keep a handle on her increasingly distant teenaged daughter, Ellie, while students and parents panic and mourn.  Her ex-husband and detective Ben, dealing with a personal crisis of his own, has concerns about his daughter's safety as he investigates the death.  Meanwhile, Ellie is keeping secrets from both her parents, including one about where she was that night. 

Told from multiple perspectives and with Hannah Richell's distinct 'atmospheric and ever-twisting prose' (Emylia Hall, author of the Shell House Detective Mysteries) One Dark Night is a white-knuckled and suspenseful thriller about urban legends, privilege, and how the past continues to haunt us." ~From the back of One Dark Night by Hannah Richell.

I can't wait to start reading this English haunt with an investigative twist.  Look out for my review of my second Goodreads Giveaway win. 

To enter set up an account at goodreads.com and start building your bookshelves.  You will find a page dedicated to giveaways you can enter, and you will even receive emails when a book on one of your shelves is up for a giveaway!  You can follow your favorite authors, your friends and family, and even me! 

Please follow our blog, join our email club, and comment your thoughts on our book reviews, writing prompts, and educational content.  We can't wait to hear from you! 

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3 Stars for Jenny Milchman's The Usual Silence

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⭐⭐⭐'s for Jenny Milchman's The Usual Silence:

Let me just start by saying I wanted to love this book. Its synopsis sounds like an intriguing thriller with a missing child, a psychologist, and a boy that is autistic leading the storyline.  

Arles Shepard is a psychologist with a haunting past.  When she finds a way to track down the real person from a photograph from her childhood, she finds out the woman has an autistic son that has gone through many unsuccessful therapies.  This leads Arles to open up a family centered inpatient therapy she calls FIT.  

However, Arles and her mysterious motives for the woman and her son is not the only plot within the novel.  There is a 12-year-old girl named Bea that goes missing one dreary day up in Main.   Milchman takes us back and forth from giving us tidbits about Arles and what has made her seek out this stranger and her child, to the parents of the missing girl and the depths of their despair and also gives us sneak peeks into Bea's abduction.

While The Usual Silence seems to hold everything I love about a good thriller novel, the two storylines seem like they will never truly cross and they are so very different in subject, tone, and atmosphere, that I felt as if I was reading two different novels, and I wasn't completely satisfied with either one.

When the two stories' do finally intersect, it is at the end of the book.  While it is an AH-HA moment, I don't feel like it was much of a surprise.  Overall, I feel like some sections dragged on longer than what was necessary to get the same outcome out of the writing. 

On the plus side, Milchman's characters are all very different, easy to imagine in your mind, and very personable.  The little boy at the center of the novel and the intrigue, is Geary, who has never spoken and started showing signs of autism at 2 years old.  I found myself routing for Geary and his dedicated mother Louise.  While everyone else has given up on trying to understand him and his needs, Louise fights every day to figure out what her son needs and who he is trapped in the state he is in.  Arles becomes a key factor in drawing out what is really going on with young Geary.  

Milchman is a solid writer and masterly crafts an atmosphere of tension and dread.  She portrays the sheer devastation and hopelessness that young Bea's parents feel after her abduction, with detailed ease.  

Despite the minor short comings, The Usual Silence is a great read for fans of psychological thrillers.  The vivid descriptions and attention to detail create an immersive experience. The book's exploration of themes such as loss, community, childhood trauma, and the quest for justice adds depth to the novel and makes for some excellent book club discussions. 

Check out Jenny Milchman's The Usual Silence for a unique, intertwining plot, and entertaining suspense.  

Have you read The Usual Silence?  We would love to hear your thoughts on the experience.  Comment on this blog post or email us at curriculumlab365@gmail.com and tell us how you feel about the book.  

Do you have suggestions on any other titles by Jenny Milchman?  Comment to let us know what they are.

Stay tuned for our next book review that will feature the first Goodreads Giveaway that I have one entitled Buried Lies by Steven Tingle.  On that note, I WON another Goodreads Giveaway and received the book in the mail last week, more to come on the details of that win.  Stay tuned for our future blog posts on those books and so much more!