Ms. Sam

Concept Maps: A Tool for Strengthening Background Knowledge and Boosting Comprehension - Scientists in the Making Explore the importance of background knowledge in learning and discover how concept maps can effectively build it. Learn practical strategies for incorporating concept maps in the classroom to enhance...

If you want to learn more, check out my blog post where I explain how I taught my students to build their own concept maps.

scientistsinthemaking.com/concept-maps...

Loved this podcast episode!

In my experience teaching high school chemistry at a Title I school, many of my students encounter concept maps for the very first time in my classroom. While they are very useful, teaching students how to use them effectively takes modeling and a good deal of practice.⬇️

S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction In this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—science teacher, cognitive science enthusiast, and blogger of Scientists in the Making. Marcie shares the origin story behind her innovative classroom …

As a longtime listener, it was surreal to be on the other side of the mic! Thanks @mrzachg.bsky.social for the opportunity to discuss science education and how teachers can balance explicit instruction with NGSS. Check it out below ⬇️

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/28/s...

Today's letter features a high school chemistry teacher who upended her inquiry-based lab procedure with cognitive science learning principles. The result? Her students improved in the quality of their evidence and reasoning. And their grades improved. hollykorbey.substack.com/p/is-the-lou...

Is the 'Louisiana Miracle' next? Plus a new Tools for Practice A chemistry teacher uses the science of learning for a better lab experience

So honored to be featured in @hollykorbey.bsky.social The Bell Ringer's Tools for Practice! This month's piece explains how to incorporate explicit instruction and cognitive science principles to conduct science labs.

hollykorbey.substack.com/p/is-the-lou...

I like this by James Clear:

“In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version. Adaptability is the way of consistency.”

Rather than taking on gargantuan feats of effort (which mostly fail) we should be adaptable.

I do this when it comes to the gym. There are days I don't want to go. But then I tell myself to keep it easy and only do half the workouts. So I still go and only do half. Other times, I go like "Eh. I'm already here. Might as well go all out." It keeps me consistent! It's really good advice.

Teaching Organization: The Hidden Curriculum Every Student Needs - Scientists in the Making Discover a powerful folder system designed to keep students organized, reduce clutter, and enhance focus in the classroom. Ideal for teachers wanting to improve student organization, minimize lost ass...

7. If you want to learn more about this system, check out my blog post where I explain in more detail how to implement these practices:

scientistsinthemaking.com/teaching-org...

6. Pair this with an "Absent Binder” (a system where students who miss class can quickly access missing handouts) and you no longer have to worry about catching students up. They can use the Table of Contents (which is also in the binder) to see what they are missing.

5. This makes it easy for students to find the resources they need to complete assignments. This frees up working memory which can then be used to understand the lesson.

4. In my classroom, we have the Two-Pocket Folder System. The left pocket keeps the essential resources (for my class: calendars, periodic table, hall passes). The right pocket keeps the classwork and homework, organized with a “Table of Contents.”

3. To solve this issue, you need to teach and incorporate organizational skills into your daily lessons. A simple, structured system can work wonders.

2. Disorganization forces students to waste a lot of mental energy searching for materials and assignments. This takes up space in their working memory (which is already limited) and leaves little left over to understand the actual lesson.

1. Imagine trying to cook in a messy kitchen. You spend more time searching for tools and ingredients than actual cooking. This makes the process stressful and irritating. The same thing happens in a classroom when students are disorganized.

After watching Ep 1 & 2 of this documentary (AMAZING WORK. Highly recommend.), I can’t help but notice how organized students are. It’s a skill that is often overlooked but important for students to succeed. Here’s why (and how) to incorporate organization into your daily lessons. 🧵

Can interleaved retrieval practice enhance learning in classrooms? The unequivocal answer here is yes, especially when it comes to longer term retention. The results demonstrate a cost-effective strategy to promote classroom learning. #EduSky
doi.org/10.1177/0956...

«I am deeply concerned about the so-called “low” and “at-risk” students in our schools who have been let down by a system that favors minimally guided approaches over evidence and common sense»,

5 Reasons My Class Begins with Retrieval Practice (Almost) Daily - The Effortful Educator For the past six or seven years I have started my class (almost) every day the same way…with retrieval practice. This is usually a quick review of information covered from the last class meeting or of...

Five Reasons My Class Begins with Retrieval Practice (Almost) Daily

theeffortfuleducator.com/2024/10/16/5...

ChoralosophyThe home for content and extra material related to the Choralosophy Podcast with Chris Munce!Episode 228: Skip the Education Fads and Stick With What Works with Marcie Samayoa Fads like “learning styles,” “restorative justice,” “inquiry based learning” and more, versus Cognitive Load Theory, Explicit Instruction etc. Marcie Samayoa&#82…

"Learning styles are a myth." 🚨
@sciinthemaking
joins #ChoralosophyPodcast to challenge fads in education and share evidence-based strategies that actually work.

Teachers, don't miss this! 🎙
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/Choralosophy...
#Education #TeacherBurnout #EdTech

Engage, Assess, and Transform Learning with Mini Whiteboards - Scientists in the Making …

6. Want to learn more? Check out this blog post for detailed tips on how to use mini whiteboards effectively: scientistsinthemaking.com/engage-asses...

5. For students, this feedback is equally valuable. Seeing their own mistakes immediately helps them learn more effectively. Instead of waiting for a graded assignment, they can correct errors while the content is still fresh in their minds.

4. This real-time feedback allows you to adjust your instruction on the spot. For example, if a good number of students shows a common misunderstanding, you can pause to reteach or clarify before moving forward.

3. One of the most powerful features of mini whiteboards is how they instantly make student thinking visible. When students write their answers and hold up their boards, you can quickly identify who understands the material and who needs additional support.

2. This also shifts the focus from “who’s brave enough to answer” to “what everyone is thinking.” Students no longer feel pressure to compete for attention or worry about public mistakes. Instead, they engage in low-stakes practice.

1. Instead of asking for volunteers, pose a question and have every student write their answer on a mini whiteboard. When students hold up their boards, everyone’s voice is “heard” simultaneously, creating a more inclusive classroom environment.

Mini whiteboards are one of the most effective tools for real-time formative assessment. They make learning visible, foster participation, and allow for immediate feedback. Here's how they can transform your teaching. 🧵⬇️

On Wednesday's Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works, Dr. Sarah Oberle will discuss how her research in the Science of Learning has influenced her classroom practices and her dedication to disseminating her findings. @sarahoberle.bsky.social @lindarhyne.bsky.social

www.tesscg.com

Working memory is limited in capacity, so learning is most effective when cognitive load is optimized. When working memory is overloaded, it can create a bottleneck that restricts the flow of knowledge into long-term memory

#edusky #ukteaching