If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to make earth science engaging and hands-on, this episode is for you! I’m joined by Becca from Science Lessons That Rock, a veteran teacher with over 15 years of experience and a passion for turning abstract concepts into meaningful, accessible learning experiences. Becca shares creative ways to teach everything from planetary distances to landforms using simple, affordable materials—plus practical tips for lab prep, grading, and boosting student engagement.

We also talk about supporting ELLs, teaching in Title 1 schools, and building classroom buy-in. Whether you’re new to earth science or just need some fresh inspiration, you’re going to love getting to learn from Becca. I’ve known her online for nearly a decade, and I’m so excited you get to know her now, too!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode191

Resources:

• Climate Change Ice Core Lab
• Igneous Crystal Size Lab Activity | Rock Cycle Experiment
• Landforms Stop Motion Video Project
• Rewordify
• Vocaroo
• 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.

Connect with Becca:

• Instagram: @sciencelessonsthatrock
• Website

Related Episodes:

• Episode 126, Teaching AP Environmental Science with Ashton Allgood
• Episode 157, Serving ELLs with AI and More with Guest Alyse of Keystone Science
• Episode 189, True Life: I Grade Everything and Because of It, I Have No Life
• Episode 190, Student Mastery, Switching Schools, and Teaching Chemistry with Heather Bonanno

Have you ever met a teacher who just gets it—who knows how to challenge students, meet them where they are, and do it all with purpose and empathy? That’s exactly who you’ll hear from in this episode. I chat with Heather Bonanno, a high school chemistry teacher from Pennsylvania who recently returned to the classroom after a five-year break.

Heather shares how she navigates 40-minute class periods, makes chemistry relevant through real-world connections, and uses labs to spark inquiry from day one. We also dive into her flexible approach to grading, classroom management tips, and strategies for keeping students engaged, even when the content gets tough. This episode may be about teaching chemistry on the surface, but trust me, it’s so much more than that!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode190

Resources Mentioned:

• Chemistry Curriculum - FULL YEAR BUNDLE
• Chemistry Bell Ringers or Exit Slips - FULL YEAR BUNDLE
• 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.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 35, Competency, Classroom Management, Teaching Chemistry and More with Guest Zach Matson
• Episode 127, Teaching AP Chemistry with Zach Matson
• Episode 140, 5 Tips for Teaching Chemistry
• Episode 186, True Life: I Am a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs

If grading has taken over your life, this final episode in the True Life Teacher Confession series is here to help. I’m unpacking the hidden costs of grading everything, challenging the belief that every assignment needs a grade, and sharing mindset shifts and practical strategies to help you reclaim your time. From setting clear grading boundaries to building a classroom culture where students stay accountable without constant grading, this episode is your first step toward a more sustainable teaching life!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode189

Resources:

• Culture Mini-Course
• Secondary Science Simplified Bundle
• 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.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 64, How to Re-Engage Apathetic Students (And Manage Your Own Apathy!)
• Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students Do
• Episode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-Pandemic
• Episode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom
• Episode 160, 4 Proven Tips to INSTANTLY Decrease Your Grading Time
• Episode 187, True Life: I’m Drowning

“Help! I teach a course with a high-stakes test that I do not care about at all, but I need to care about it. How can I make myself care?” If you've ever felt this way, this episode is for you. In this True Life: Teacher Confessions episode, I'm sharing what to do when you're stuck teaching a test-heavy course but feel totally unmotivated by the exam itself. I’ll give you permission to care less and practical strategies to help you care more if you need to—like embedding test prep into your weekly rhythms with FRQ Fridays, bellringer questions, review days, and more.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode188

Resources Mentioned:

• 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.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 60, Teaching with Packets - What They Are, Why I Love Them, and How to Use Them
• Episode 72, Review Strategies for EOC, Benchmark, and AP Exams
• Episode 185, When is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?
• Episode 186, True Life: I’m a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs
• Episode 187, True Life: I’m Drowning

Are you juggling multiple preps across several grade levels, trying to run labs every week, and still show up for your family? Feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic admin expectations and a lack of student accountability? If it all feels like too much, that’s because it is too much. In this "true life" episode, I’m talking about what it really means to teach inside a broken system, why so many teachers are feeling burned out, and practical ways to keep showing up—without losing yourself in the process.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode187

Resources Mentioned:

• Balancing Multiple Preps Podcast Playlist
• Secondary Science Simplified course
• Labs When Limited Free Mini-Course
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 69, Admin Support - WHY You Need to Ask, HOW to Ask, and WHAT to Ask For
• Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students Do
• Episode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom
• Episode 156, What to Do When You Are Micromanaged by Your Admin or District
• Episode 185, When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?
• Episode 186, True Life: I Am a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs

Do you find yourself absolutely dreading lab days? If so, you’re in good company. I’m kicking off a new series of Teacher True Life Confessions, and today’s episode is inspired by several of you who were brave enough to admit that you HATE lab days. I’m sharing why labs feel so overwhelming and practical ways to make them less chaotic and more effective. You’ll learn how to select labs for quality over quantity, build in breathing room, train your students for smoother experiences, and simplify grading!

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode186

Resources:

• Labs When Limited Free Course
• Labs Virtual PD Mini-Course
• Secondary Science Simplified Course Bundle
• Ecosystem in a Bottle
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 74, My #1 Way to Simplify Future Lab Days
• Episode 105, What Happened When I Stopped Assigning Formal Lab Reports
• Episode 131, End of Year Resource Audit

Feeling torn between getting ahead on lesson plans and fully embracing summer break? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. Inspired by a thoughtful listener question, I’m sharing a realistic and flexible approach to summer planning for teachers that helps you make progress and prioritize rest. You’ll hear tips for setting intentional goals, deciding when it’s actually worth planning ahead, and how to give yourself permission to recharge—without the guilt. Whether you’re a planner, a napper, or a little of both, this episode will help you find your summer balance!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode185

Resources Mentioned:

• INRS Complete Units
• Labs When Limited
• 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.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 80, Strategizing Your Sequence: Curriculum Design Part 1
• Episode 182, End the Year Organized: Your Resources
• Episode 183, End the Year Organized: Your Classroom
• Episode 184, End the Year Organized: Your Management

In this final episode of the “End Your Year Organized” series, we’re wrapping up by reflecting on the classroom management methods you used this year. I’m walking you through six simple but powerful reflection questions to help you evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and how to set yourself up for a smoother classroom experience next year.

We’ll look at the difference between whole-class and individual behavior challenges, and I’ll share tips for improving routines, building stronger relationships, and being more intentional with your approach. Thinking through your classroom management methods now will make a big difference for your future self!

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode184

Resources Mentioned:

• Classroom Management Spotify Playlist
• Core Values Mini-Course
• Relationships Mini-Course
• Culture Mini-Course
• Secondary Science Simplified Virtual PD Bundle
• Subscribe on YouTube
• Follow me on TpT (and leave a review to score credits!)
• 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.

Related Episodes and Blog Posts:

• Episode 35, Competency, Classroom Management, Teaching Chemistry, and MORE with Guest Zach Matson
• Episode 41, 4 Practical Tips for Building Relationships with Your High School Students
• Episode 134, Prioritizing Relationships Over Being Right
• Episode 182, End the Year Organized: Your Resources
• Episode 183, End the Year Organized: Your Classroom