Secondary Science Simplified™

Rebecca Joyner, High School Science Teacher
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Secondary Science Simplified is a podcast specifically for high school science teachers that will help you to engage your students AND simplify your life as a secondary science educator. Each week Rebecca, from It's Not Rocket Science, and her guests will share practical and easy-to-implement strategies for decreasing your workload so that you can stop working overtime and start focusing your energy doing what you love - actually teaching! Teaching doesn't have to be rocket science, and you'll learn exactly what you need to do to simplify your secondary science teaching life so that you can enjoy your life outside of school even more. Head to itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge to grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

  1. 4D AGO

    208. 5 Tips for How to Lesson Plan While Managing Constant Disruptions

    Are constant disruptions messing up your perfectly planned weeks? You’re not alone! When I taught at small schools in particular, it often felt like every week held a new disruption. Between spirit weeks, fire drills, and field trips, I sometimes wondered if I’d ever get a “normal” week with my students! In this episode, I'm sharing five practical tips for lesson planning that will keep learning moving even when weeks don’t go as planned. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode208 Resources Mentioned: Desktop Paper CalendarDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend 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 51, 5 Alternatives to Traditional Midterm ExamsEpisode 116, Behind Schedule? What to Do and How to Prevent It in the FutureEpisode 149 Teaching on a Block Schedule - Why It’s Not as Bad as You ThinkEpisode 152, Absences - How to Deal With ThemEpisode 185, When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?

    24 min

  2. NOV 3

    207. Dealing With Combative Parents - 6 Tips and 2 Warnings

    No matter how far we are into the school year, those dreaded surprise parent emails can still hit your inbox, often full of big emotions and even bigger accusations. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most challenging parts of teaching: handling combative parents with confidence and professionalism. I’m sharing six practical strategies (plus two important warnings) to help you stay calm, protect your peace, and respond in ways that preserve relationships without sacrificing your boundaries. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode207 Resources Mentioned: Relationships Mini Virtual PD Course INRS Full Year CurriculaDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 70, “It Isn’t an Attack on You”: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 114, How to Bounce Back After You Mess Up Episode 195, A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy FarrarEpisode 202, What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test

    31 min

  3. OCT 27

    206. PRIME TIMES® - Everything You Need to Know

    Today’s the day! I’m finally doing a deep dive into my number one classroom procedure: PRIME TIMES®. I share the origin story, why they’re essential for classroom management and formative assessment, and practical strategies for making them work in any secondary science classroom. You’ll learn how to overcome common challenges like missing papers, time limits, absences, and accommodations, plus tips for adapting Prime Times® to fit your schedule and students’ needs. This episode is your complete guide to implementing a simple five-minute routine that can transform your classroom! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode206 Resources Mentioned: Prime Times® in my resource shopPrime Times® on TpTMy favorite utility cartDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend 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 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)Episode 152, Absences - How to Deal With ThemEpisode 205, A Cell Phone Policy for High School StudentsPrime Times®: The Secondary Classroom Procedure You Can’t Live Without

    50 min

  4. OCT 20

    205. A Cell Phone Policy for High School Students

    Cell phone policies are one of the most debated topics for secondary teachers, and for good reason! They’re tough to get right. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest experiences with different approaches, what’s worked (and what’s totally failed), and the key factors to consider before setting your own rules. We’ll talk about how your personality, classroom values, and admin support all play a role, plus why engaging, purposeful learning is the best deterrent to constant phone use. You’ll also get practical tips for setting expectations, building student buy-in, and using phone moments to teach digital responsibility...so that managing phones feels more doable and a lot less stressful. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode205 Resources: Secondary Science Simplified episodes by topicCulture PD Mini-CourseDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 69, Admin Support - Why You Need to Ask, How to Ask, and What to Ask ForEpisode 89, Classroom Management in a Post-COVID World with Guest Casey O.Episode 92, 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science ClassroomEpisode 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)

    25 min

  5. OCT 13

    204. Serving English Learners in Your Science Classroom With Risa Woods of Every Teacher

    Once the school year is in full swing, meeting every learner’s needs can feel impossible, especially when it comes to supporting English learners. In this episode, I sit down with Risa Woods from Every Teacher for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and encouraging. Together, we dig into common misconceptions about who English learners are, why translation isn’t always the answer, and how focusing on academic language can be a total game-changer. Risa shares simple, actionable strategies that make a real difference. This episode is your reminder that serving every student doesn’t require a million new lesson plans - just small, intentional steps that truly work! Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode204 Resources: Risa's InstagramRisa's websiteAI tool: ChatGPTDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Related Episodes: Episode 157, Serving ELLs with AI and More with Guest Alyse of Keystone ScienceEpisode 168, Differentiation in Your Science Classroom - Simple Tips to Decrease OverwhelmEpisode 171, Differentiating Within One Class Period (And How to Not Make it Obvious) Episode 172, Content-Specific Differentiation TipsEpisode 191, Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science with Becca of Science Lessons That Rock

    49 min

  6. OCT 6

    203. Who Makes up the Deficit? How to Respond When Students Are Behind

    One of the toughest realities for teachers is realizing that your students are already behind before the year even begins. That’s exactly what we’re tackling in this episode. Last week, we talked about how to handle things when students fail a test at the end of a unit, but this week, I’m flipping the script (thanks to another great listener question!) and asking: what do you do when you realize that your students don’t have the background knowledge or skills they need to be successful in your class? I share how to respond when you realize students are starting the year behind, how to decide what’s your responsibility versus theirs, ways to get practical support from colleagues and tools like AI, and more. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode203 Resources Mentioned: INRS Complete Units Balance PD Course Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend 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 ForEpisode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your StudentsEpisode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-PandemicEpisode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom

    35 min

  7. SEP 29

    202. What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test

    Raise your hand if you've been called “the mean teacher” for holding firm on test policies! In this episode, we dive into what to do when students fail a test, from deciding on retakes or corrections to analyzing trends in student performance and reteaching where needed. You’ll hear practical tips for breaking down assessments by concept, setting up your gradebook to support real learning, and keeping clear boundaries that help students succeed without sacrificing your sanity. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode202 Resources: Assessments virtual PD courseINRS complete unitsNEW: Secondary Science Simplified episodes by topicDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Related Episodes: Episode 103, Authentic Assessments: How to Ass Students in a Way That Actually Matters Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students DoEpisode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-PandemicEpisode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom

    22 min

  8. SEP 22

    201. AI Literacy for Science Teachers With Guest Amanda Bickerstaff of AI for Education

    AI is everywhere right now, and if you’ve been feeling both curious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, a former high school biology teacher and co-founder of AI for Education, for a conversation about AI in the classroom. We explore why AI literacy is becoming a core skill for both teachers and students, how it’s reshaping traditional assignments like lab reports, and the surprising ways it can actually spark more creativity and inquiry. Amanda also shares practical strategies for science teachers, from lesson inspiration to formative assessments. If you’ve ever wondered how to make AI work for you, this episode will leave you feeling excited for what’s ahead! ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode201 Resources: AI for EducationAn Essential Guide to AI for Educators: FREE 2 hour courseDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Connect with Amanda: LinkedInInstagramYouTubeTikTokTwitter/X: @AIforEducation Twitter/X: @Amanda_AIforEdFacebookRelated Episodes: Episode 94, How to Deal with Cheating in Your High School Science ClassesEpisode 154, AI and ChatGPT with Guest Mitch WielandEpisode 173, 9 Quick Ways to Use AI to Simplify Your Life as a TeacherEpisode 174, 7 Ways to Teach Your Students to Use AI Productively

    39 min
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5
out of 5
112 Ratings

About

Secondary Science Simplified is a podcast specifically for high school science teachers that will help you to engage your students AND simplify your life as a secondary science educator. Each week Rebecca, from It's Not Rocket Science, and her guests will share practical and easy-to-implement strategies for decreasing your workload so that you can stop working overtime and start focusing your energy doing what you love - actually teaching! Teaching doesn't have to be rocket science, and you'll learn exactly what you need to do to simplify your secondary science teaching life so that you can enjoy your life outside of school even more. Head to itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge to grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Joyner, High School Science Teacher
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    209
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Secondary Science Simplified™
  • Show Website
    Secondary Science Simplified™

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