Daily Prompts or Class Starters
Google Slides – click here to access my Science Prompts from 2017-18 for my 6th graders. The slide # is the prompt #. For example, slide 14 is prompt # 14. These are the ones that I wrote – I deleted copyrighted material from other sources such as science starters from Science Spot.
Prompt Notebook Paper (Prompt Template pdf) – print 4 sheets double sided and place into 3 prong poly-folder or in student’s 3 ring binder, add more packets as needed
Sample Packet Cover – (Google Draw) each packet had a different cover depending on unit we were on
I start each class with a science prompt – which was assigned for homework the night before. On Monday, I post the prompts for the week and students are able to work on them for homework instead of at the start of class. They can do more than one each night, but we only go over one each day. I post a STOP sign image 🛑 in the slides so students don’t go too far ahead, and this allows me to add new prompts and rearrange the order depending on what we are covering in class. I found this to be a much better use of class time and started each class with a 5 minute review of skills and content.
When students come in, they place their prompt packet “promptly” on their desk for the ‘stamp’ of the day, write their homework in their planner, and once everyone has arrived, we go over the answers and discuss as a class. A stamp counts for 2 HW points. They have to follow the directions to earn 2 points, if they just write an answer, they only earn 1 pt, incomplete is 0 points. I do a quick spot check, but don’t make any corrections at this point. I randomly choose one student to answer each question (I had their names on index cards and shuffled for each question). Once we go over the answers, they can make corrections.
One of my goals is to increase visual literacy skills in addition to verbal literacy. Visual literacy include the skills needed to interpret photographs or drawings, extrapolating data from charts and data tables, watching a video and making observations, understanding and creating various types of diagrams, and being able to interpret and use symbols.
Our school used Google Classroom as our Learning Management System (LMS). On GC, I post the weekly homework as well as reference materials, such as slides, docs, & spreadsheets, via Google Drive. I post the slides on GC as a resource instead of a homework assignment so it is static and easy to find.
Because we go over the answers in class each day, LATE prompts will not be accepted. It is their responsibility to bring all of their work to class each day. If they are absent, ABS will be recorded in my grade book, and students can copy the correct answers from a friend since we all went over it together in class when they were not there.
Grading:
- 2 – Answers are recorded, good effort
- 1 – Incomplete effort, not all answers are recorded
- 0 – Incomplete OR prompt handout was not in class when we went over the answers
Middle School Science Lessons 