As science teachers, or teachers in general, we tend to have the mindset of doing things in our classroom the way we were taught, the way our department runs things, or what our colleague down the hall does. But if you really think about the reason behind what you’re doing, what you normally do might change. That’s exactly what happened with formal lab reports in my classroom. In this episode, I’m sharing why I ditched formal lab reports and how that decision impacted me and my students.
When I started to examine why I was assigning formal lab reports, I realized I was doing them for all the wrong reasons. So, when I finally made the decision to ditch them altogether, it greatly benefited my students and me. The pressure was off, and labs started to become enjoyable again, along with many other positive benefits. And since students weren’t getting critical thinking and scientific writing skills from the formal lab reports, I incorporated supplemental activities that provided students opportunities to practice those skills.
I’m aware that some science teachers feel very strongly about doing formal lab reports, and this might be a controversial episode, but for me, they didn’t serve a purpose in my classroom anymore. By ditching formal lab reports, it transformed the culture on lab days while still finding ways for students to practice skills that will help and support them later in their educational career. So whether you continue to do formal lab reports in your science classes or not, I hope this episode encourages you to make appropriate changes that are best for you and your students!
Resources Mentioned:
Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode105
13. Combating Senioritis Part 2: Using Student-Centered Activities
12. Combating Senioritis Part 1: Getting Students Outside and Changing up Lecture
11. Balancing Multiple Preps with Sam Holcomb of Engineer Does Education
10. Balancing Multiple Preps: How to Manage Grading
9. Balancing Multiple Preps: How to Lesson Plan
8. Balancing Multiple Preps: Where to Focus Your Energy
7. Making 1D Lessons 3D with Skipper Coates of Real Ms. Frizzle
6. Engaging Students in Lecture
5. Engaging Your Students - Without Exhausting Yourself
4. Engaging Your Students - In the First 5 Minutes of Class
3. Midyear Reset Part 2
2. Midyear Classroom Reset Part 1
1. The Story of It's Not Rocket Science®️ and Secondary Science Simplified™️
Welcome to Secondary Science Simplified!
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Navigating Life After 40
Science of Reading: The Podcast
How To!
The Minimal Mom
The Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast: Pass the Bar Exam with Less Stress