What I Learned Making Over 1000 Teacher Resources
- olivershearman
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Hi there, I am Oliver... I like science and teaching, both quite a bit. Back when I first started creating teacher resources for my own middle and high school science classes, I honestly had no idea how the journey would unfold. Over time, however, I’ve learned a lot about resource design, classroom needs, and the entrepreneurial side of selling teaching materials. If you’re an educator looking for innovative, classroom-ready materials—or someone aspiring to create your own—here’s what I’ve discovered along the way. Hopefully it might help you either with inspiration or possibly connecting with a fellow teacher-entrepreneur.
1. Refining Quality Through Experience
In the beginning, I made random printables and worksheets based on daily lessons. These early resources were functional but lacked the polish that comes with experience. As I created more, I learned the importance of clear instructions, clean design, and engaging content. Each new resource built upon the last, reflecting student feedback and classroom realities. This continuous cycle of trial, feedback, and revision helped me develop materials that better support diverse learners, especially in science, where complexity can sometimes be a barrier.
2. From Science Articles to Engaging Comprehension Passages
One of my first attempts at a versatile resource was a simple but effective science article that students could read and answer a few questions about. While these worked well in my classroom, I soon realized they served a bigger purpose as science comprehension reading passages with questions. Rebranding them highlighted the intent: helping students practice reading comprehension while deepening their understanding of scientific topics. Clarity in naming also attracted more teachers looking for exactly that format, showing me how crucial precise and engaging titles can be.
Some examples of these are shown below. You can click and get them right away!
3. Exploring Science’s Boundless Horizons
As I created more resources, I delved into different areas—biology, chemistry, Earth science, environmental studies, physics, and beyond. Science is an incredibly broad and fascinating field, offering countless ways to spark curiosity. Expanding into new topics kept things fresh for me as a creator and allowed me to cater to a wider range of student interests and grade levels. This is especially relevant for me as a science teacher since there is much very fantastic science in our world from earth science to physics to biology and health / medical related topics.
4. Pushing the Limits With Project Templates & Critical Thinking Frameworks
Next, I branched out into science research project templates—often called webquests—where students investigate real-world applications of science. Realizing that students needed structured ways to develop problem-solving abilities, I then introduced a five-level critical thinking framework. This framework breaks down complex reasoning into manageable steps, supporting learners at various skill levels and gradually guiding them toward advanced, independent thinking. Watching students grow more confident in their analytical skills has been one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
Some examples are shown below with a selection of both kinds of resources.
5. Branching Out With Interactive Activities
More recently, I’ve been experimenting with new, interactive materials. This includes top trumps–style card games focusing on various science topics, strange but true fact sets paired with two truths and a lie activities, hexagonal thinking maps for collaboration, plus traditional worksheets, presentations, case studies, and science stories. My goal is to offer a wide range of engaging options so that teachers can pick and choose what works best for their students.
6. Keeping Prices Accessible While Giving Back
I’m currently working on complete units that bundle many types of resources together, providing a one-stop shop for educators at an affordable cost. Although my ultimate goal is to earn a sustainable salary from this work, I’m well aware it won’t make me wealthy. That said, I keep about 10% of my resources free to give back to the teaching community and support those who might not have the budget to purchase every material they need. For example below is my first complete unit on atoms, isotopes & the periodic table below which has a mix of free and paid resources.
7. Looking Ahead
My journey as a teacher entrepreneur has taught me the value of dedication, continuous improvement, and a willingness to explore new ideas. I’m committed to creating a positive impact by offering diverse, high-quality resources tailored to the needs of middle and high school science educators. If my work resonates with you, I invite you to explore my store, try out some free samples, and consider investing in resources that will engage and inspire your students. Every purchase and recommendation helps me continue this path—and, in turn, support teachers and learners in classrooms everywhere.
Thank you for reading, and for being part of the journey! If you find these ideas helpful, feel free to share this post or recommend my resources to colleagues. Together, we can enrich science education for students around the world.
Thanks for reading
Cheers and stay curious
Oliver - The Teaching Astrophysicist
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