We're adding more topics!
Looking to see all of our topics? Please see our Unlectured Series topic listing on our Google Sheet.
Looking to see all of our topics? Please see our Unlectured Series topic listing on our Google Sheet.
Amoeba Sisters Unlectured Series Q&A
What is the Amoeba Sisters Unlectured Series?
Our Unlectured Series is an alternative to traditional lecture and notes in class and places more emphasis on discussion, student questioning, and student creation. Check out the video below to learn more.
What is in the Amoeba Sisters Unlectured Series?
The series is made up of individual topics (such as “mitosis” or “protein synthesis”).
Within each topic zip folder, you will find:
1) An annotated video script template which contains our edited video script with space for students to make their own sketches, highlight key information, identify vocabulary, and write their own questions about the content. Students use this template after they watch our short video clip (all of our videos are under 10 minutes). [All of our videos come from our Amoeba Sisters YouTube channel]
2) A slideshow that features questions and memorable comics that are meant to be discussed by the students and teacher together in class. Students can lead these discussions. These are not traditional slides, because they do not have any text information on them. Visuals and questions only! There is always a slide that focuses on, "Why does this information matter?" There is also an optional slide that prompts students to create a product that demonstrates their learning. The slideshow also prompts students to share their own questions from the annotated video script template and an extension built in for students to research questions that still need answers. The slideshow questions/images are not editable so that there will not be formatting issues if used in other tools; however, you can always add on to the slideshow.
3) A facilitation guide for the teacher that explains how to use all of the items and has suggestions of discussion points for each slide.
4) Our freebie "Unanswered Questions" template which works great as an extension (plus any other freebies that we may choose to include which will be noted in the product description).
Within each topic zip folder, you will find:
1) An annotated video script template which contains our edited video script with space for students to make their own sketches, highlight key information, identify vocabulary, and write their own questions about the content. Students use this template after they watch our short video clip (all of our videos are under 10 minutes). [All of our videos come from our Amoeba Sisters YouTube channel]
2) A slideshow that features questions and memorable comics that are meant to be discussed by the students and teacher together in class. Students can lead these discussions. These are not traditional slides, because they do not have any text information on them. Visuals and questions only! There is always a slide that focuses on, "Why does this information matter?" There is also an optional slide that prompts students to create a product that demonstrates their learning. The slideshow also prompts students to share their own questions from the annotated video script template and an extension built in for students to research questions that still need answers. The slideshow questions/images are not editable so that there will not be formatting issues if used in other tools; however, you can always add on to the slideshow.
3) A facilitation guide for the teacher that explains how to use all of the items and has suggestions of discussion points for each slide.
4) Our freebie "Unanswered Questions" template which works great as an extension (plus any other freebies that we may choose to include which will be noted in the product description).
What do I need to use your Unlectured Series? (Technology? Classroom Materials?)
• Access to YouTube as our Unlectured Series do use our short (most are 7-8 minutes) YouTube videos. YouTube is an online platform so the teacher needs to be sure they are able to access the video that the Unlectured Series utilizes.
• Highlighters or Colored Pencils for annotation on the Annotated Video Script template.
• A classroom environment where students know they will be asked to communicate (and where students may do more of the talking than the teacher).
• The slideshow portion is in a PowerPoint format, but it can be used in a variety of technology tools (as many will accept PowerPoint files as an input). Remember, our slides are designed with cartoons/comics and discussion questions on them---they do not contain text information.
• The "create" activities at the end of each topic may vary: it might be making a comic, a script for a podcast, acting out a concept in a skit, etc. While some create activities may have options that would need manipulative material (such as playdough) or technology access for students to create a product--- you can choose to exclude those options if those resources are not available. We include alternative suggestions in those specific cases.
• There are a few topics that have a "create" activity where internet connection for students would be absolutely necessary (example: body systems topic) for researching. In those cases, it is specifically mentioned in the product description. An internet connection for students overall can be useful with other topics in addition.
• Highlighters or Colored Pencils for annotation on the Annotated Video Script template.
• A classroom environment where students know they will be asked to communicate (and where students may do more of the talking than the teacher).
• The slideshow portion is in a PowerPoint format, but it can be used in a variety of technology tools (as many will accept PowerPoint files as an input). Remember, our slides are designed with cartoons/comics and discussion questions on them---they do not contain text information.
• The "create" activities at the end of each topic may vary: it might be making a comic, a script for a podcast, acting out a concept in a skit, etc. While some create activities may have options that would need manipulative material (such as playdough) or technology access for students to create a product--- you can choose to exclude those options if those resources are not available. We include alternative suggestions in those specific cases.
• There are a few topics that have a "create" activity where internet connection for students would be absolutely necessary (example: body systems topic) for researching. In those cases, it is specifically mentioned in the product description. An internet connection for students overall can be useful with other topics in addition.
If my students are used to the traditional method of taking notes from a PowerPoint lecture, will they find this alternative challenging?
We think it is more that it will be something different and outside of an expected activity. The tradition of taking notes from a teacher's lecture, which has been around for a very long time (far before the internet), can be very comfortable. For many students though, it can also be a passive activity, as Petunia mentioned in the video with her personal student experience of being in "note taking autopilot" in her high school courses. For Pinky, she found her students bored by it, although it is often considered a "school" activity.
While traditional notes and lecture may be in a student's comfort zone, there is something to be said for growth occurring outside of that comfort zone. We think it’s important to show the “Statement for Students” slide at the beginning of each Unlectured Slideshow and to talk about how this topic is going to be explored a bit differently, along with the reasoning. Students are still receiving the content. They are visualizing and hearing the content in the short Amoeba Sisters video (note: all of our content videos have subtitles to increase accessibility)----reading the script, sketching concepts, and coming up with their own questions on the video script template to personalize it to them----and discussing the material in class in a format where students will do more of the speaking than the teacher. The Unlectured Series places an emphasis on why this information is important in our world because that makes it worth learning. It also builds in time for students to research their questions, which can then be shared with the class. The optional create activity at the end (or you may have an idea to substitute) allows students to make the content meaningful and relevant to them. We have a very thorough facilitation guide to help with all of these components.
If you are concerned about how the transition may be for students, you can still provide a link to your old slides to your students as a reference tool that they can consult it if they individually need to. Also, did you know there are FREE, peer-reviewed OER (open educational resource) textbooks that you can link to for your students to use if they want an additional reference? You will find them online with a quick search.
While traditional notes and lecture may be in a student's comfort zone, there is something to be said for growth occurring outside of that comfort zone. We think it’s important to show the “Statement for Students” slide at the beginning of each Unlectured Slideshow and to talk about how this topic is going to be explored a bit differently, along with the reasoning. Students are still receiving the content. They are visualizing and hearing the content in the short Amoeba Sisters video (note: all of our content videos have subtitles to increase accessibility)----reading the script, sketching concepts, and coming up with their own questions on the video script template to personalize it to them----and discussing the material in class in a format where students will do more of the speaking than the teacher. The Unlectured Series places an emphasis on why this information is important in our world because that makes it worth learning. It also builds in time for students to research their questions, which can then be shared with the class. The optional create activity at the end (or you may have an idea to substitute) allows students to make the content meaningful and relevant to them. We have a very thorough facilitation guide to help with all of these components.
If you are concerned about how the transition may be for students, you can still provide a link to your old slides to your students as a reference tool that they can consult it if they individually need to. Also, did you know there are FREE, peer-reviewed OER (open educational resource) textbooks that you can link to for your students to use if they want an additional reference? You will find them online with a quick search.
Tell me more about the suggested "create" activity at the end of the slideshow?
In a world where information is at our fingertips, application and the ability to be creative are indispensable skills. There is learning in the process of creating! We include a suggested "create" activity at the end of each of our Unlectured Series topics. It is outlined for students on the last slide of each Unlectured Series topic, and there is always information for the teacher on the facilitation guide. You can get a general idea of the creation type by topic on our Google Sheet here.
We want to let you know that our "student create" activities:
We want to let you know that our "student create" activities:
- Call for students to demonstrate their learning by creating a product.
- Student product types in our series include, but are not limited to: comics, infographics, GIFs, skits, student created vocabulary wall illustrations, song lyrics, student created vocabulary clue puzzle templates, children's book design, etc. We also try to integrate choice whenever possible.
- The product types occasionally overlap among different topics. For example, there is more than one topic that suggests comic creation. We try to suggest certain create types for different topics, and there is occasionally overlap. One of the best things about creating though is, unlike a worksheet, end products are always unique. Additionally, creations will definitely not be the same when topics are completely different.
- Some topics have a specific "create" prompt which students will address, while other topics ask for students to create a product to explain the topic to someone who has not yet encountered the material.
- A very important part in creating is providing a way for students to share their products with each other. We often suggest gallery walks as a way for students to see creations and to gather feedback.
- These products can be created with or without technology. Sometimes, technology can allow for more options for collaborating and design. However, we always have a paper option. It's the creating that matters! A few "create" activities require something special such as scissors or student access to the internet. It will always mention that on the product page with the specific topic.
When a topic is purchased, how is it licensed? Can my school or district purchase licenses? Can a school or district use purchase orders?
In our TpT store, one purchase is designed for a one teacher license (for use with all of their students).
However, a school or district can purchase multiple licenses at a discount for multiple teachers. A school or district can also use a purchase order (PO). However, it is possible that TPT is not an approved vendor for your school/district. Contact TpT here for support.
More Info to Check Out:
Check out TpT for Schools!
TpT Information about Licenses (Schools/districts may want to inquire about the possibility of transferable licenses)
TpT: How to Use Purchase Orders to Purchase
TpT Point of Contact*
*We do not handle any transactions, but you can definitely contact us with questions about our resources (see last question)!
However, a school or district can purchase multiple licenses at a discount for multiple teachers. A school or district can also use a purchase order (PO). However, it is possible that TPT is not an approved vendor for your school/district. Contact TpT here for support.
More Info to Check Out:
Check out TpT for Schools!
TpT Information about Licenses (Schools/districts may want to inquire about the possibility of transferable licenses)
TpT: How to Use Purchase Orders to Purchase
TpT Point of Contact*
*We do not handle any transactions, but you can definitely contact us with questions about our resources (see last question)!
What topics do you cover? What standards do they support?
Please see our Google Sheet here for a list of topics and standards that can be supported.
Regarding the standards, we want to emphasize that this alternative to traditional lecture and notes cannot be all inclusive of any standard (neither would lecturing), because we know a strong lab foundation in the course is critical to fully addressing these science standards. One of our favorite attributes of the Unlectured Series is that it is discussion based so the conversations can focus on and build on your specific content standards. The best way to determine whether our topics will support discussions that are relevant to your course's standards is to view the short, free Amoeba Sisters video on the topic first. Our Unlectured Series is designed to focus on the content of our videos, so if the video content is not relevant to your course's standards, it will not be a good fit.
Regarding the standards, we want to emphasize that this alternative to traditional lecture and notes cannot be all inclusive of any standard (neither would lecturing), because we know a strong lab foundation in the course is critical to fully addressing these science standards. One of our favorite attributes of the Unlectured Series is that it is discussion based so the conversations can focus on and build on your specific content standards. The best way to determine whether our topics will support discussions that are relevant to your course's standards is to view the short, free Amoeba Sisters video on the topic first. Our Unlectured Series is designed to focus on the content of our videos, so if the video content is not relevant to your course's standards, it will not be a good fit.
Can I, or my school/district, purchase all 18 topics in one bundle? Do you do custom bundles?
Yes! We have a 18 topic bundle which includes the 18 topics from our first series. It is offered at a discount from purchasing them all separately. We additionally offer custom bundles as well for our Unlectured Series. A custom bundle is made up of selected of our Unlectured topics that an individual educator is interested in purchasing. We create a bundle with the specific topics they are interested in and also apply a similar percentage discount off that we use with our 18 topic bundle. You can contact us to request a bundle.
Click above image to see our bundle that contains our 18 topics from or 1st series.
What are the terms of use for this product?
After purchasing an Unlectured Series on a topic, all components of the zip file can be used by a single teacher for all of his/her students. However, like most TPT products from teacher creators, no part of the Unlectured Series can be available publicly online. This would make it impossible for us to continue to support ourselves and our work. If used online, it is paramount that the user ensures it is only accessible by their students (i.e. not being available on a public website or public shared folder).
Our videos, however, will always remain free and openly accessible on YouTube- for everyone.
Our videos, however, will always remain free and openly accessible on YouTube- for everyone.
Would a teacher who is new to this content be able to use the Unlectured series?
If you are new to the content (perhaps a new teacher or an experienced teacher who has changed the type of science that you teach), there is a thorough facilitation guide with each topic that has suggested points with each topic. In addition, viewing the associated video on the topic in advance will be very helpful.
However, we do want to emphasize what this series is not.
•This series is not ideal if you are wanting a traditional slideshow of information (you will not find that in this resource)
• This series is not ideal if our free Amoeba Sisters videos on YouTube do not cover concepts that could be useful for your course's content.
However, we do want to emphasize what this series is not.
•This series is not ideal if you are wanting a traditional slideshow of information (you will not find that in this resource)
• This series is not ideal if our free Amoeba Sisters videos on YouTube do not cover concepts that could be useful for your course's content.
How much time does an Unlectured topic take in class?
This can really vary based on how much discussion you have in class. We have a facilitation guide with each topic that can support the class discussion, but you may find the timing varies even among different class periods. Each time can be a bit different. If you view the below graphic, you can see the steps we have in the Unlectured Series.
|
Below is an estimate of a range of time this may take in the suggested sequence (bolded numbers below correspond to graphic):
1- Most of our video clips are between 6-9 minutes. The annotated video script template is used afterwards, which requires students to read, make annotations, sketch, and make their own questions from the script. The time of reading and annotating the template is estimated to be between 15-30 minutes. 2, 3, 4 - The slideshow portion of memorable comics/cartoons with discussion questions has an estimated range between 20-45 minutes depending on the amount of discussion. There is a very thorough facilitation guide that helps greatly with facilitating this discussion. In addition to the estimated time, the slideshow offers an optional extension as one of the later slides prompts students to research their own questions from their annotated video script templates (this can make a great exit ticket activity), which can later on be shared with the class. 5- The student create activity is a separate activity that, if done in class, would be estimated to take 1-2 class periods of 45 minutes each. However, please know that the student create activities vary by topic. The create activities may be comics, podcast scripts, skits, etc. and due to that, it varies more in timing than any other component. Limited on in-class time? The 'create' activity at the end of the slideshow can also be modified or shortened. Also, some portions of the sequence above could be done outside of class as one may do in a flipped classroom. This could include shorter components such as viewing the video clip, completing the annotated video script template, or finishing up the 'create' activity. If this is the case, however, we highly encourage limiting it to portions that are under 25 minutes. This series is not designed to be used as lengthy homework. |
|
Do your free handouts have anything to do with this series?
When using our handouts in our suggested way (see our handout page), they can complement the Unlectured Series. However, the free handouts are certainly not a necessary component. Our free handouts are designed in a table format so content is arranged in a grid, and our suggested use on our handout page is to utilize 1-2 boxes on the handout per day as classroom exit tickets. Those last 5 minutes of class, which don't always get used as effectively as we all want, can be amazingly powerful when exit tickets are used! In 2 weeks, that's 50 minutes of time!
Where can I see purchaser reviews to see what other educators have thought about your Unlectured Series?
Please click on any of the individual topics on our Google sheet, and you will be taken to the product listings on TpT. On TpT, you are able to see reviews left by educators that purchased the product.
If you purchase one of our topics, please consider leaving a review on TpT! We are excited to know how it worked out for your class(es)! Reviews on TpT allow others to benefit from your experience and suggestions. Just a thought- since the time it takes in class to complete one topic can greatly vary as mentioned above, fellow teachers may also appreciate hearing about how long it took your specific class(es).
If you purchase one of our topics, please consider leaving a review on TpT! We are excited to know how it worked out for your class(es)! Reviews on TpT allow others to benefit from your experience and suggestions. Just a thought- since the time it takes in class to complete one topic can greatly vary as mentioned above, fellow teachers may also appreciate hearing about how long it took your specific class(es).
Where can I see your free YouTube videos that are designed to be used with each topic?
Please see our Google Sheet here for a list of each Unlectured topic as each one has the YouTube video link provided.
Just to add, if you're ever looking for a listing with all of our videos (over 75 videos now!), this is a link for our entire YouTube Biology playlist.
Just to add, if you're ever looking for a listing with all of our videos (over 75 videos now!), this is a link for our entire YouTube Biology playlist.
UPDATED 2021: Can the Unlectured Series be used in a completely virtual environment?
While our Unlectured Series was originally designed for an in-person experience, we do think they can be useful in a virtual environment. However, we do think there would need to be some adjustments in how they are used if completely virtual, which we will place below. We have a few reviews mention some of the topics have been used in distance or virtual learning (for example, we noticed the DNA Replication Unlectured Series topic and the Cell Transport Unlectured Series topics have a review that mentions “distance” or “virtual” learning). Here are some suggestions below to consider for adjustments for the different components of the Unlectured Series.
Regarding the Slides:
The slides in the Unlectured Series are meant to start discussion, but we know discussion can be a bit challenging will be set up differently than a classroom meeting in person. In this case, the discussion would need to be virtual. While we know some schools are using Zoom or Skype, and those tools do have "share screen" capabilities where each slide with questions could be displayed, some schools do not permit Zoom or Skype. Our Unlectured Series slides themselves, which facilitate the discussion, are "flattened" and have been tested to work in Google Slides. When we’ve tested them, we wish to make sure that pictures do not get cut off as sometimes that can happen when importing regular PowerPoint slides. If you have a Google Classroom where you can share the Google Slides with your students and do a live teaching session, this is an option for the Unlectured Series slides. The facilitation guide will mention that the optional "spinner" may not work if converting our slides to Google Slides. However, we've enclosed the actual video file of the optional spinner as well. In addition, Google Chrome itself has a free number generator that can be used if searching "number generator" in Chrome, which would accomplish a similar goal.
Regarding the Annotated Video Script Template:
This in a PDF format; however, there are some great PDF writing tool extensions that work with Google products. We often mention that we hear a lot of positives about DocHub (not affiliated) for our PDFs and searching “DocHub for Teachers” will pull up a lot of websites on this tool. However, we know that tools such as DocHub may depend on what tools the district permits. The district may have some recommendations of tools they permit to be used to have students write on PDFs. While technically Google Docs will convert PDFs, we do not recommend it for our PDF resources because it can distort portions (so it will not look as nice) and, in the case of annotated video script templates, we find it difficult for students to easily annotate and illustrate. Instead, apps that allow direct annotating on PDFs (like DocHub) tend to be much easier for students to use.
Regarding Collecting Student Questions:
At this point when it mentions collecting questions in the facilitation guide, instead of using the included freebie handout to collect student questions, student questions could be collected within Google Classroom.
Regarding the "Create" Part at the end, which is usually used as an extension:
The optional "create" portions vary in each Unlectured topic as we try to select something that works well for that particular topic. Some topics have a "create" portion that work very well virtually, while other topics may need to be modified to work well in a virtual environment. To learn more about the specific "create" portion for a topic, please feel free to contact us!
Regarding the Slides:
The slides in the Unlectured Series are meant to start discussion, but we know discussion can be a bit challenging will be set up differently than a classroom meeting in person. In this case, the discussion would need to be virtual. While we know some schools are using Zoom or Skype, and those tools do have "share screen" capabilities where each slide with questions could be displayed, some schools do not permit Zoom or Skype. Our Unlectured Series slides themselves, which facilitate the discussion, are "flattened" and have been tested to work in Google Slides. When we’ve tested them, we wish to make sure that pictures do not get cut off as sometimes that can happen when importing regular PowerPoint slides. If you have a Google Classroom where you can share the Google Slides with your students and do a live teaching session, this is an option for the Unlectured Series slides. The facilitation guide will mention that the optional "spinner" may not work if converting our slides to Google Slides. However, we've enclosed the actual video file of the optional spinner as well. In addition, Google Chrome itself has a free number generator that can be used if searching "number generator" in Chrome, which would accomplish a similar goal.
Regarding the Annotated Video Script Template:
This in a PDF format; however, there are some great PDF writing tool extensions that work with Google products. We often mention that we hear a lot of positives about DocHub (not affiliated) for our PDFs and searching “DocHub for Teachers” will pull up a lot of websites on this tool. However, we know that tools such as DocHub may depend on what tools the district permits. The district may have some recommendations of tools they permit to be used to have students write on PDFs. While technically Google Docs will convert PDFs, we do not recommend it for our PDF resources because it can distort portions (so it will not look as nice) and, in the case of annotated video script templates, we find it difficult for students to easily annotate and illustrate. Instead, apps that allow direct annotating on PDFs (like DocHub) tend to be much easier for students to use.
Regarding Collecting Student Questions:
At this point when it mentions collecting questions in the facilitation guide, instead of using the included freebie handout to collect student questions, student questions could be collected within Google Classroom.
Regarding the "Create" Part at the end, which is usually used as an extension:
The optional "create" portions vary in each Unlectured topic as we try to select something that works well for that particular topic. Some topics have a "create" portion that work very well virtually, while other topics may need to be modified to work well in a virtual environment. To learn more about the specific "create" portion for a topic, please feel free to contact us!
UPDATED 2022: I have been using your Unlectured Series and have found it very helpful! When you will expand it?
Yay! We're moving into some Unlectured Series topics on individual body systems for our second series. February 8, 2022 marks the release date of some of those second series topics. You will find the newest 2nd series topics towards the bottom of our Google Sheet.
