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Modeling Digestion in the Mouth
This lesson and assessment are part of a larger project-based learning (PBL) experience on human body systems. The driving question for...
erinplukas
Dec 6, 20223 min read
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Helping Teachers Shift to Inquiry-Based Learning
While working for the Dayton Regional STEM School Training Center, I collaborated with some of my colleagues to develop a two day...
erinplukas
Apr 4, 20221 min read
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Thematic Units
In 2018, my colleagues and I designed an integrated unit around the theme of skin color for our 8th grade students and we have continued...
erinplukas
Apr 4, 20221 min read
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Project-Based Learning Essentials & 21st Century Skills
One of my greatest growths as a teacher was when I shifted my planning and instruction to a project-based learning model. It is now one...
erinplukas
Apr 2, 20221 min read
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Skin Color Project: Student Videos
Below are some examples of videos that my 8th grade students wrote, filmed, and edited for the Skin Color Project, an integrated project...
erinplukas
Apr 1, 20221 min read
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2020 Digital Plate Tectonics Models
In the fall of 2020, my school went completely virtual and teachers and students all worked from home. I couldn't do the typical 3D Plate...
erinplukas
Mar 30, 20221 min read
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3D Plate Tectonics Models
Below are some example of the 3D dynamic models that my students designed and built for an integrated project my colleagues and I...
erinplukas
Mar 30, 20221 min read
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Queues: An easy, fair strategy to manage student needs
Once I started using queues, I couldn't stop! This is the easiest, fairest way I have found to manage the needs of a classroom full of...
erinplukas
Mar 28, 20221 min read
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Lesson Plan: Guess That Matter!
This lesson puts students' deductive reasoning skills to the test! I designed this lesson and its associated materials for inquirED, a...
erinplukas
Mar 27, 20221 min read
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Lesson Plan: Conservation of Matter
Scientific evidence is more compelling when you can SEE, FEEL, and HEAR the evidence! I designed this lesson and its associated materials...
erinplukas
Mar 27, 20221 min read
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Lesson Plan: Modeling States of Matter
Science is more engaging when you are moving around and modeling concepts! I designed this lesson and its associated materials for...
erinplukas
Mar 27, 20221 min read
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Teaching Forces and Motion Through Soap Box Derby Racing
I designed a project-based learning experience for my 8th grade students with the driving question: How can we use our knowledge of...
erinplukas
Mar 24, 20221 min read
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Supporting Students with 3D Product Engineering
I've designed many learning experiences where students engineer a 3D product to demonstrate their learning. Two examples of these...
erinplukas
Mar 24, 20222 min read
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