• Building a Classroom Community Series Part 3: The Science Classroom
    Aug 19 2025

    In this episode, Erin continues her conversation with middle school science teacher Char Ritchie. Char explains how she builds on the community building practices discussed in the last episode to build a science routines that contribute to a safe classroom community.

    More Resources:

    • Episode 121: Respect Agreements
    • Check out Char’s resources on Teachers Pay Teachers

    More Resources:
    Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?
    Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. She’ll send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access the video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.


    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

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    28 Min.
  • Building a Classroom Community Series Part 2: Respect Agreements and Community Circles
    Aug 11 2025

    In the second episode of our 3-part series on building classroom community and expectations, Erin shares conversations with two special guests — Bailey and her 8th grade science teacher, Char Ritchie.

    They reflect on their experiences with Respect Agreements (also called Community Agreements) and Community Circles — what worked, what was challenging, and how these practices shaped their classroom community. From both the student and teacher perspective, this episode offers practical insight into building mutual respect and trust in the science classroom.

    More Resources:

    • Episode 121: Respect Agreements
    • Check out Char’s resources on Teachers Pay Teachers

    In the final episode of the series, we’ll share strategies for putting these ideas into action in your own classroom.

    More Resources:
    Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?
    Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. She’ll send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access the video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    35 Min.
  • Building Classroom Community Series Part 1: Interview with Erin's Daughter
    Aug 4 2025

    In this first episode of our 3-part series on building classroom community and expectations, Erin interviews a special guest — her daughter! Together, they reflect on the things that helped her feel seen, supported, and respected throughout middle school. From small gestures to classroom routines, this conversation offers a unique student perspective on what actually matters during those first few weeks of school.

    In the next episode, we’ll dive into Respect Agreements (aka Community Agreements) from her point of view and from the perspective of her 8th grade science teacher.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons?
    Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. She’ll send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access the video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    33 Min.
  • "Start Small" Series: Deepen Learning By Reducing Tasks
    Jul 28 2025

    In the third episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares some ways we can deepen learning by replacing *quantity* with *quality* in our science classrooms.

    More isn't always better, and while it can sometimes feel counterintuitive, cutting back on the amount of work we assign can open the gateway for richer discussions, natural differentiation as opportunities to extend and reteach emerge, and better student learning. Let's invite our students to move away from the "I just need to get it done" mentality to focus on the actual content and skills they are learning!


    More Resources:

    • Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook


    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    15 Min.
  • "Start Small" Series: Quick Strategies To Get Your Students *Thinking*
    Jul 21 2025

    In the second episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares a few strategies to create a better THINKING science classroom -- you know, the kind where students actually NOTICE that the bird isn't giving its energy to the worm or that it just doesn't make sense for a pencil to measure 8 meters!


    More Resources:

    • Why You Need Vertical Whiteboards In Thinking Classrooms
    • Building Thinking Classrooms For Mathematics (Don't let the math scare you away! There really are some great ideas that can be applied to science classrooms, too!)
    • Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook


    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    16 Min.
  • "Start Small" Series: Building Simple Routines With 3D Practices
    Jul 14 2025

    In the first episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares three ideas to consider implementing this fall that will engage your students in three-dimensional learning in a way that builds skill through consistency and practice -- all without eating up huge chunks of class time OR creating a sense of overwhelm for you or your students.

    1) Notice and Wonder Warm Up -- with ideas for extensions that deepen learning and connect to your content!

    Relevant Links

    • iExploreScience Blog: Classroom Procedures (Science Starter)
    • iExploreScience: Notice & Wonder Curiosity Kickstarter (Winter Theme)
    • iExploreScience Notice & Wonder Intro Activity (TpT - Free!)


    2) What's Going On In This Graph?

    Relevant Links:

    • NY Times
    • iExploreScience Blog: 3 Ways To Incorporate Data & Data Analysis Strategy Guide


    3) Crosscutting Concepts Interactive Bulletin Board

    Relevant Links:

    • Crazy Science Lady (Side Note: I hope she has found more value in the NGSS since writing this post, but either way, I love her idea!)


    More Resources:

    • 111 Rethink Your Classroom Management Plan Now
    • Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    30 Min.
  • Erin's ADHD Diagnosis
    Jul 7 2025

    Erin discusses her recent ADHD diagnosis. She recorded this episode in hopes that it may potentially help other people who suspect they have ADHD or who want to know more about what its like having ADHD.

    In this episode:

    • Deciding to be assessed - 4:25
    • Being a kid with ADHD - 9:45
    • Struggles as an adult and in the classroom 22:00
    • Deciding on medication - 30:15
    • Things that have helped at work and home 34:40

    Recommendations:

    • Book - ADHD 2.0 (affiliate link)
    • Book/Planner - The ADHD Focus Friend (affiliate link)
    • Planner - Future ADHD

    Other episodes:

    • Podcast: Your ADHD Bestie
    • Season 10 Episode 2: Things we want teachers to know about ADHD
    • 122 Rethinking That Class: What to Do When Classes Feel like a Challenge
    • 111 Rethinking Your Classroom Management Plan
    • 101- The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    50 Min.
  • 5 Things We Want Teachers to Know About ADHD
    Jun 30 2025

    Both Nicole and Erin are parents of children with ADHD. Erin was recently diagnosed as having ADHD herself. In this episode, they share the things they've learned in the last year that they wish they would have known.

    More Resources:

    • 122 Rethinking That Class: What to Do When Classes Feel like a Challenge
    • 111 Rethinking Your Classroom Management Plan
    • 101- The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement

    Support the show

    You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.

    Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.

    Support the show

    Connect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTassel
    Instagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScience
    Website: Sadler Science // iExploreScience

    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    43 Min.