Useful Resources for a Beginning Teacher

My background is in Physics but I am becoming a science teacher.  Below are the first few science standards for sixth graders along with some ideas that I have gathered together to teach them.

Standard: 6Sa: The student will demonstrate an understanding of technological design and scientific inquiry, including process skills, mathematical thinking, controlled investigative design and analysis, and problem solving.
AND
Standard: 6Se: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the law of conservation of energy and the properties of energy and work. (Physical Science)

Create a marble roller coaster that includes one loop.  Potential and kinetic energy must be labeled.

The first step to creating the marble roller coaster is to design it.  This portion may be done on paper or on a computer depending on the resources available.  The teacher that came up with this idea actually had each student design, share and vote to decide which model would actually be built.  The models were to be simple enough for the students to create by themselves within a few hours.

Standard: 6Sd: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between Earth’s atmospheric properties and processes and its weather and climate. (Earth Science)

Science Reading: www.newsela.com

Here are a few ideas:
Create a diorama of the water cycle or a 3D model.

 Have the students take pictures of all of the different portions of the water cycle and put it together.
This helps tie the water cycle into their personal lives.

Create a terrarium.  While this can contain a water cycle, it can be tricky for the students to see each part as they can observe it only during the short time they are actually in your class.

Have them create their own barometer, rain catcher and anemometer. (This also helps fulfill standard 6Se)

That's all for now!  Good luck teaching!