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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Interactive Notes?
- What's the difference between free science lessons and
high-quality science lessons?
- Will these lesson plans work on my Mac/PC?
- What grade level are these for?
- Why did you write out every word exchanged between the teacher and student in the lessons?
- Can I make any changes to the
science lessons?
- What's with all the drawing in the Interactive Notes?
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A set of Interactive Notes consists of four demonstrations that students themselves do. After each demonstration, students take notes that summarizes the event and applies it to the science. It's an experience that students and teacher both find rewarding- students love doing the demonstrations, and teachers enjoy seeing every student interested, involved, and listening.
You also have the flexibility to do the demonstrations any other way you want- in larger or smaller student groups, or as something you perform for your students. With or without notes. Whatever works best for you!
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Yes, free lessons are abundant (and best of all- free), but they don't offer near as much quality. Here are some of the advantages of our lessons:
- Solid Lessons- Each science lesson stays focused on, and builds around, standards that students are expected to understand. So our activities won't just keep students busy without making any meaningful connections. The strength of our lessons also comes from the fact that all of them have been used for at least two years in a real classroom with real students (and most have been “simmering” longer than that).
- Strong Teacher Notes- We feel that since you’re the one presenting the lesson, it’s crucial that you understand it and be fully prepared. Far from being bare-bones, our teacher notes are thorough because each
set of notes was written the same day the lesson was actually taught. That means every moment and detail is preserved. Then the teacher notes were revised until they were clear enough to be taught “right off the page”. If they look and read simplistic then we feel we’ve done our job.
- PowerPoints- Most lessons include a custom-made PowerPoint that will guide you and your students through the lesson. They illustrate things that can be confusing to explain, visually reinforce key words and sentences, and set a pace that keeps everyone together. Without the worry and frustration of figuring out what to do, students can relax, listen, and learn.
- Numbers- Think differently, and expect more in a
science lesson. Combined, our 34 lessons include 175
pages of Teacher Notes, 320 pictures and drawings, 200
PowerPoint slides, 79 student-performed interactive
demonstrations, and an average of 16 hours poured into every
single lesson. .99¢ per lesson suddenly seems
like an incredible value, doesn't it?
- Extra Goodies- Many lessons include "Accessories" that you can choose to customize your lessons with, additional homework assignments, answer keys, quizzes and tests, and other suggested resources. And they all include copies of every image used, should you need them for any reason.
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Yes, all the lessons will work on both a Mac and a PC.
Most of the documents are PDF, which Macs open automatically. Windows users will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free by clicking
here
(but most of you already have it installed). Google Docs is another nice option.
You will also need PowerPoint. If you don't have it, you can download a free version of the PowerPoint Viewer
at:
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All of the lessons were designed for and used with 8th grade students. But they can easily adapt upward or downward in grade level. If your grade level is lower, then do more and talk less. If your grade level is higher, then use the demonstrations as beginnings of longer discussions and more notes (see next question).
If you are an elementary teacher, do the demonstrations along with a short explanation, and allow your students' curiosity and questions let you know how much more to talk.
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At first it probably does seem a little strange. It wasn't done with the assumption, or the expectation, that this is the only way it has to be done. The intent was to give you the feel and flow of the lesson as it was intended.
Most other lesson plans only include a dull "do this, do that" procedure. But that's only half of what happens during the actual lesson. The most important part of a lesson comes after the demonstration, when it's time for you to speak.
Our science lessons, though based on curiosity and interactive principles, are not over-stimulating. (Ever try to talk to a class after one of those?) The whole point is never just to do the activity. Rather, the activity is used to engage the student (you might even say to tease them), and to deliver you a room full of students giving you their undivided attention for a few precious minutes.
You are welcome to use as much (or little) of the suggested discussion as you like. If you like the way it reads and want to use some or all, you are welcome to do so. But don't be so tied to the talking points that you become mechanical and unresponsive to the natural flow each class has. Go into class knowing what major points you need to make, and use leading questions and student observations to get you there.
And in case you're wondering- yes, every word written is based on actual class discussion. Our science lesson plans are so descriptive because each was written the same day it was presented... something else you won't find in almost any other education product.
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Yes, you absolutely can! When you think of how many different science teachers and science books there are, you begin to realize that there are many ways to teach one topic. There's no assumption here that these lessons cannot be changed.
So if you come across a more suitable demonstration or would rather word something differently, then by all means make that change so you're more comfortable. But for reasons of copyright protection it is expected that you will not share or re-sell any lessons or images, revised or not, with anyone else, without written permission from the author (visit our
Contact page).
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 During a set of Interactive Notes students do a demonstration, sketch a drawing of it, and then take notes and discuss the event. Having students make a drawing calms them down at a very crucial point in the lesson. Without it, they would be going directly from the demonstration right into discussion, and they would not be as attentive.
Drawing also help everyone focus, because during the minute or two of drawing they're focusing on the discrepant event, wondering more and more about it as their hand draws the lines. And that leads to another benefit- their interest increases. By the time they're done drawing their minds are "primed" and ready for the notes and discussion. Drawings also help students' minds relax by adding more to the notes than just words, and is very appealing to your artistic students.
No drawing ability is required, although every student should try their best. (And, believe it or not, the creator of these drawings has very little artistic ability! Each was painstakingly traced by hand from a photograph). Make it clear the first few times you do this that you aren't concerned with how well they draw, because you really aren't. What you're getting out of the drawing is a room full of attentive students.
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Purchase the CD-ROM now for just
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