Series List

Welcome to Science Alive!

The inspiration for the creation of Science Alive began when I was teaching in a first and second grade classroom. One of the years I taught, the children had quite a bit of spare time, so we would have impromptu classes on the digestive system or whatever else I happened to field a question about. It didn’t take me long to begin recognizing that the children seemed to retain this style of learning almost better than what they considered work. I wished at that point to have a science curriculum that started out based more on input than output.

However, I didn’t really begin to do anything about this dream until I began to teach the Living Threads curriculum for history class. Then the lightbulb moment hit. I could use similar methods to teach science.

Since this curriculum is designed for multiple grades at the same time, you can guiltlessly hold a class that is amazingly distracting because they are all supposed to be involved. The curriculum is designed for grades one through three, with grade one skipping out on tests. They all take the same levels together and alternate levels for variety of learning. For example, the first-year grades one through three take level 1-2 together, the next year level 2-1. If you use this for three grades, first and third grade are a repeat level. The level is made to be taught three days a week for a 45-minute period for ½ of the term.

This curriculum is designed for the children to be paired up into partner teams. Generally, it works best to put an older child with a younger child for coaching purposes.

When teaching this class, there are a few basic structures I use to instill information. The first is constant review of facts you want them to have for life. There are a few extra pieces of information for the fast learners and for interest’s sake, but by and large, study the tests to know what they should master.

Use the experiments. If you have any that are bigger and more exciting to illustrate the point, use them. Practice the experiments before having class.

Vary the flashcard drill as inspiration hits. Let them practice together in pairs. Use your creativity.

Feel free to add or chop up lessons as needed. There are several books mentioned in this curriculum. While you may not have the exact book mentioned, the library often has good resources that will work just as well or better.

Enjoy teaching the amazing world of science!

The items below have been curated by The Dock's staff as being of particular value.

👥 The Teacher and Relationships

• Communicating with Parents

• Communicating with Students

• Parent Teacher Meetings

• Professionalism in Student Interactions

• Staff Meetings

🧾 Administrative Tasks

• Planning Field Trips

• Planning Programs

👩‍🏫 Managing the Classroom

• Classroom Culture

• Classroom Management

• Correcting or Disciplining Students

• Recess

• Seating Arrangements

• Setting Up the Classroom

💖 Character Development in Students

• Cheating and Academic Integrity

• Positive Attitudes Toward Learning

• Sportsmanship

• Student Relationships

• Study Skills

💯 Teaching with Excellence

• Asking Questions

• Board Work

• Grading

• Leading Class Discussions

• Lesson Planning

• Maintaining Student Engagement

• Using Powerpoints

📚 Book Recommendations

• For Teachers

• Must-Reads Book List

• Read Alouds

🧷 Miscellaneous

• Teacher Overload and Burnout

• Vision for Christian Education

🧠 Teaching Particular Concepts or Subjects

• Art

• Bible

• Civics and Economics

• Electives

• English and Grammar

• English Language Learners

• Gifted Students

• History

• Literature

• Math

• Music

• Reading

• Science

• Special Education and Learning Struggles

• Spelling and Vocabulary

• Writing

Recordings from Midwest Teachers Week 2025 are listed below.

Summary videos of Daniel Rutt's series on biblical integration from Teachers Week 2016.

This Biology course used a field test of Christian Light Publications' Biology textbook. Topics covered include: biochemistry, ecology, cytology, genetics, microbiology, botany, zoology, and human anatomy and physiology.

This series is a collection of recordings form Teachers Week 2015.

For more information about Teachers Week visit https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/teachers-week/

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. Ps. 145:4.

The Conservative Anabaptist School Board Institute is held annually to give school board members, principals, and members of the local ministry involved in the operation of our schools opportunity to meet for mutual encouragement, inspiration, and instruction. Its major purpose is to support school boards in their responsibility to be directors who can actually provide informed, purposeful direction for their schools. Some of the goals are: to help us keep a fresh, clear Godly vision for our schools to provide opportunity for school directors from different communities to meet one another for discussion on issues they face to address topics such as finances, finding teachers, maintaining parental support, and choosing appropriate curriculum.

CASBI 2025 was held at United Christian School on February 28 - March 1.

Sixteenth Annual Western Fellowship Teacher's Institute (WFTI)

Providing an organized way to edify, encourage, and equip Christian school teachers and school board members to give spiritual nourishment, provide academic excellence, and exercise proper administration in educating our children.

Christina School Administrators Institute (CSAI) is a single-day program for anyone interested in the Christian School, and especially for those who serve in an administrative role in our schools, including School Board members, Principals, and Church Leaders.

Recordings in this series include:

• A Compelling Vision for Christian Schools – Carson Baer
• What to Look for When Visiting – Elmer Wideman
• Serving as the School Treasurer – Shane Steckly
• Intentional Contributions of School Leaders' Wives – Verna Jantzi
• Shaping Minds Through Deliberate Reading Choices – Albert Brubacher
• Avoiding Communication Gaps – Panel Discussion
• Earning the Confidence of Parents – Vernon Hoover
• Unifying Board Opinion – Kelvin Plett
• Restoring Student Respect – Dwight Eby
• Resolving Staff Crises – Leon Weber
• Graduating: Beyond Academics – Carson Baer

CSAI 2025 was hosted by Shalom Christian School at Faith Mennonite Church on March 21, 2025. The Christian School Resource committee provides oversight for CSAI.

This series contains audio files recorded at the Conservative Anabaptist School Board Institute (CASBI) 2023 held at Pleasant View School in Arcola, Illinois on March 3 and 4, 2023.

The annual institute is planned for school board members, principals, and ministers - anyone involved with the overall planning and operation of our Christian day schools. For more information visit https://casbi.info/

This series contains audio files recorded at Teachers Week 2024 hosted by Faith Builders Educational Programs.

Teachers Week features main sessions, workshops, and breakouts on a range of subjects, including teaching, history, science, math, literature, spelling, Bible, and more. Held just before school starts, the event provides teachers with inspiration, practical ideas, and a vision for the year ahead, all rooted in biblical principles.

For more information about Teachers Week visit https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/teachers-week/

This series of documents is a Bible study course intended for use in high school. The collection includes:

• Bible Study Skills Syllabus
• Colossians Commentary Project
• Colossians Commentary Project Rubric
• Colossians Commentary Introduction Rubric
• MLOPP Paraphrase Instructions
• MLOPP Prayer Instructions
• Bible Study Skills End of Year Review 1
• Bible Study Skills End of Year Review 2

Pacific School Leadership Institute was held in October 2023.

This series contains audio files recorded at Teachers Week 2023 hosted by Faith Builders Educational Programs.

Teachers Week features main sessions, workshops, and breakouts on a range of subjects, including teaching, history, science, math, literature, spelling, Bible, and more. Held just before school starts, the event provides teachers with inspiration, practical ideas, and a vision for the year ahead, all rooted in biblical principles.

For more information about Teachers Week visit https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/teachers-week/

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This is the psychology section of Mr. Meyers’ worldviews class.

This series contains audio files recorded at Teachers Week 2022 hosted by Faith Builders Educational Programs.

Teachers Week features main sessions, workshops, and breakouts on a range of subjects, including teaching, history, science, math, literature, spelling, Bible, and more. Held just before school starts, the event provides teachers with inspiration, practical ideas, and a vision for the year ahead, all rooted in biblical principles.

For more information about Teachers Week visit https://www.fbep.org/attend/events/teachers-week/

In October, Faith Builders hosts a weekend conference for K-12 educators. Teachers Conference focuses on providing content and enrichment for long-term teachers serving conservative Anabaptist schools.