Recently, I was asked a question that stopped me in my tracks: What’s one thing you wish you’d done differently in the classroom? My first answer came fast...I thought too much of myself and carried the weight of everything on my shoulders. But the more I thought about the question, the more I realized there were several things I would do differently! In this episode, I’m sharing four regrets from my early teaching years, four things I would do differently now after years of growth (and becoming a mom), and four classroom practices I’d do again in a heartbeat.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode234

Resources Mentioned:

• INRS Units
• INRS Full Year Curriculum
• FREE podcast playlist for NEW high school science teachers
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 91, My Top 5 Classroom Management Routines and Procedures for High School Science Teachers
• Episode 130, First Year Teaching? 5 Things I Wish I Had Known
• Episode 195, A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication with Guest Mandy Farrar
• Episode 206, Prime Times® - Everything You Need to Know

Why does it feel like I start every week organized, then somehow end it with a mile-long to-do list and lesson plans that still need fixing? In this episode, I’m answering a listener’s relatable question with six practical strategies that helped me stay ahead of planning in the classroom. We’re talking batch planning, overplanning, classroom routines, pacing with confidence, protecting your planning period, and reflecting now so next year feels easier. If lesson planning always feels like a moving target, this episode will help you create systems that lighten the load!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode233

Resources Mentioned:

• INRS Units
• INRS Full Year Curriculum
• LAST CHANCE TO APPLY TO BE A GUEST!!!
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 62, 5 Ways to Instantly Make Your Planning Period More Productive
• Episode 92, 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science Classroom
• Episode 139, Sunday Scaries - How I Use Friday Planning to Prevent Them
• Episode 208, 5 Tips for How to Lesson Plan While Managing Constant Disruptions

Chemistry can be one of the most rewarding courses to teach, and in this episode I’m sharing why! I walk you through the scope and sequence I use in my yearlong chemistry curriculum, how I break down major topics so students build confidence step by step, and why I prioritize depth over rushing through standards. We’ll also cover the big themes that connect chemistry all year long, plus what makes my curriculum especially supportive for teachers through flexible labs, differentiation, and intentional organization.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode232

Resources:

• Chemistry FULL YEAR Curriculum
• Chemistry curriculum on TpT (see all the 5 star reviews!!)
• Chemistry Units
• Chemistry Scope and Sequence Blogpost
• FREEBIE - Get the Chemistry Pacing Guide
• Be a guest on the podcast! Apply here.
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 127, Teaching AP Chemistry with Zach Matson
• Episode 140, 5 Tips for Teaching Chemistry
• Episode 190, Student Mastery, Switching Schools, and Teaching Chemistry with Heather Bonanno
• Episode 209, Anatomy Scope and Sequence: How and Why I Teach Anatomy the Way That I Do