Category Archives: Ms. Mentor

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Have a question for Ms. Mentor? E-mail her: msmentor@nsta.org.

Examples of science assessments

By Mary Bigelow | Published: June 19, 2013

Last year I gave a pretest to my classes, consisting mostly of vocabulary. I’ve decided to change the assessment and focus more on determining how students think. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, I’m looking for existing tests or test items I could use or adapt. —Melissa, Wilmington, Delaware I’ve been involved in several [...]

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At the end of the school year…

By Mary Bigelow | Published: June 6, 2013

My mentee just finished his first year as an elementary teacher. I’d like to give him some suggestions for how to reflect on his experiences and plan for next year. –—Cindy, Coral Springs, Florida A beginning science teacher had a similar question a few years ago. Here are my suggestions to her (with some updates): [...]

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Interacting with NSTA colleagues

By Mary Bigelow | Published: May 28, 2013

I am the only science teacher at my school and I do not have anyone to ask for help. How can I post a question to all the members of NSTA? (I became a NSTA member in September.) I see there are forums and [e-mail] lists, but I do not know how to participate. For example, right now I’m [...]

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Science and families

By Mary Bigelow | Published: May 4, 2013

Communicating with parents and other caregivers is important for student success. The topic of parental involvement has been addressed in NSTA blogs and publications, with ideas for parent conferences, back-to-school nights or open houses, summer activities, and family science events. Here’s a quick look  at some of these ideas: From the Ms. Mentor blog Facilitating [...]

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Test make-ups

By Mary Bigelow | Published: April 21, 2013

I am a student teacher in sixth grade earth science. My question is about makeup exams.  I have several ideas, but can you suggest other systems or procedures for allowing students to make up exams? —Dawn, San Jose, California Student absences are a given. It’s frustrating when students miss a class (or two or three) [...]

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Comprehending science text

By Mary Bigelow | Published: April 4, 2013

I’m incorporating several strategies this year to help my life science students understand written information. I provide study guides with questions to answer, graphic organizers, and quizzes on the information, but they still don’t seem to comprehend what they read. Do you have any other suggestions? —Mary, Abilene, Texas For many of our students, reading [...]

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Are my tests “unfair”?

By Mary Bigelow | Published: March 29, 2013

When I return tests, the students look at their grades, complain the test was unfair, and don’t pay much attention when we go over it. How can I deal with this? I teach ninth grade earth science. —Ava, Lexington, Kentucky Unit assessments can provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned by asking [...]

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Arranging a science classroom

By Mary Bigelow | Published: March 22, 2013

I’m student teaching now at an elementary school, and I want to emphasize science. In the classrooms I observe, I see many different layouts and arrangements, but what is the best way to organize a classroom? When I get my own classroom, where do I start? —Alexander,  Albuquerque, New Mexico I’ve been in dozens of [...]

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Getting the most from the NSTA conference

By Mary Bigelow | Published: March 2, 2013

Are you attending the NSTA conference in San Antonio this spring? At this point, you should be registering, making arrangements for lodging and transportation, and thinking about your lesson plans for the substitute (if you haven’t done so already). If this the first time you’ve attended the national conference, it can be overwhelming at first. [...]

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Science teacher “wish list”

By Mary Bigelow | Published: February 28, 2013

I’m newly credentialed as a principal and looking for a position at a middle school. I’m currently an English teacher, so I’m not familiar with the needs of other subject areas. What should I expect to see on a science teacher’s “wish list”? —Tyson, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania It’s difficult to balance the roles of building management [...]

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