FAQ
Browse this page for frequently asked questions and answers. Use the contact form to submit a question for additional support.
General Questions
I regularly update my resources to improve them. If I update a resource or add an activity to a bundle, you can redownload the bundle from your account to access the updated/new item.
Resources contain PDF, PPTX and/or DOCX files. The file types included with each resource are listed in the product description. Please read the description carefully to make sure you have the correct software to access the files.
Note: Most PPTX and DOCX files can be accessed with Google Applications as well as Microsoft Office products. Please read the product description for more detail.
Many of my resources are fully editable or include a fully editable version. Please read through the product description to know whether a resource has editable features.
Editable versions of resources (such as editable labs) are included as DOCX files or PPTX files. These files can be opened and edited with Microsoft Office products or Google Applications.
Presentations are fully editable PPTX files. The student notes and summative assessments are fully editable DOCX files.
Summative assessments and quizzes made with Google Forms are fully editable. Graphics included with Google Forms are not editable but can be removed at the user’s discretion.
Some resources are not fully editable and some graphics are not available with editable files. This is to protect the copyright and intellectual property of my own work and/or the work of dedicated artists that are included in my products.
My curricula were designed to support Next Generation Science Standards for Grades 3 through 5 and Middle School. The curricula include activities that combine the three dimensions of science learning – science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts – in order to support the Next Generation Science Standards.
Curricula content exceeds NGSS in order to satisfy state standards, to provide background information to NGSS and to enrich or enhance NGSS.
Refer to my free planning and pacing materials to best understand how my resources support NGSS. The planning and pacing materials provide information on the lessons and labs that address specific standards.
My curricula have not been evaluated for alignment with Next Generation Science Standards and Disciplinary Core Ideas for High School and primary grades (Kindergarten through Grade 2).
*Note: NGSS is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of my products and do not endorse them.
Email me at support@stephanieelkowitz.com with a PDF or link to your state standards and I will be happy to review them prior to you making a purchase.
Twenty states have adopted Next Generation Science Standards and twenty-four states have developed standards based on recommendations outlined in the NGSS framework (source: https://ngss.nsta.org/About.aspx).
If you teach in one of the states that has developed standards based on NGSS, my resources are most likely aligned with the grade 3, 4 and 5 science standards and middle school life, earth and physical science standards in your state. Please email me to confirm.
Many of my resources support high school Next Generation Science Standards. However, I have not reviewed my resources to assess how well they are aligned.
Some resources require students to have internet access to watch videos, conduct research or complete simulations. Notes in the product description will state if a resource requires internet access. SNAPs labs may require internet access. Resources that include Google Forms require internet access.
Most browsers are acceptable for internet activities but the Chrome browser tends to be most reliable.
Purchasing a curriculum is an investment and I want you to be confident in any purchase you make at my store.
I offer a free unit for you to sample all my resources. I highly recommend that you download the unit to review the quality of my work, even if the content is not fully applicable to your classroom. This way you can evaluate my style and ensure it is a good fit for you and your students.
Due to the nature of digital resources, I do not provide refunds. It is important to know exactly what you are buying before you do.
All resources come in print and digital formats to accommodate brick-and-mortar and digital classrooms.
Digital versions of resources are “fillable slides” with fixed backgrounds (that include directions and questions) and areas for students to edit and manipulate. Students are provided text boxes to record written responses and regions to draw diagrams or graphs or add content.
Lab activities are rated for their ease in a distance-learning setting. Refer to the Master Lab Skills List for an overview of how easily labs are performed independently or outside of a traditional science lab classroom.
For some time, I was a home instructor/homeschooling science teacher for families on Long Island. I also homeschool my son for two years.
I am fortunate to have had broad experience working as a public school teacher and as a homeschooling teacher and parent. My experiences have helped me design and revise my curricula into something that works incredibly well for both traditional classrooms and homeschool settings.
- My curriculum is inclusive and comprehensive – it includes a plethora of activities that you can pick and choose from so the science education for your child is just right.
- Textbooks are not required – reading passages are included to provide science literacy opportunities.
- Lab activities are budget-friendly; you can access the Master Lab Skills chart for an overview of reusable and consumable materials for all labs offered in my store.
I have received a lot of positive feedback at my TpT store about the successful implementation of my curricula and resources in a homeschool setting. I am confident that my curriculum will work wonderfully for your child or homeschool co-op. If you have questions or concerns, send me an email at support@stephanieelkowitz.com.
My resources do NOT require textbooks. Curricula and unit bundles include reading passages that provide informational text that can be used for science literacy in the classroom.
Prior to becoming a full-time teacher-author, I never had enough textbooks for all my students nor access to make copies of text for my students. I wrote my own text so my students had the experience of practicing science literacy.
If desired, you can supplement units and curricula or provide additional support with any textbook you choose. There are free online textbooks, my favorite being from CK-12.
SNAPs laboratories have the same general format but provide a variety of learning experiences and require varying materials. Some labs are more “traditional” and require students to make measurements and conduct primary investigations. Other labs are more “research-based” and require no materials outside of the lab itself. You can access the Master Lab Skills for an overview of reusable and consumable materials for all labs offered in my store.
I am unable to take custom requests or make changes to my resources as they are sold. Please read the resource description carefully to ensure that the resource meets your needs prior to purchasing.
If you have a suggestion for a resource edit, you can let me know by emailing me. I consider all suggestions but understand that not all suggestions will be accepted.
Yes! In addition to the bundles offered on my website and TpT store, I offer two custom bundlings options:
- You can create a custom curriculum by bundling seven or more unit bundles. A discount of 30% will be applied to your purchase.
- You can create a custom bundle of lessons and labs by bundling 25 or more lessons and labs. A tiered discount rate will be applied to your purchase depending on the number of resources purchased.
Custom bundles are only offered for unit bundles OR lessons and labs. They do not include other resources or bundles.
Custom bundles are only offered on www.stephanieelkowitz.com. Create your custom bundle HERE.
Purchasing Questions
My resources are sold in my resource shop as well as at TeachersPayTeachers. Resources in both shops are identical. In addition, the regular price is identical at each location. However, sales prices may fluctuate from location to location due to sales or coupons available.
My Boom Learning resources are exclusively sold at my Boom Learning Store. Boom Learning resources are not included in bundles or curricula due to the rules and regulations in how Boom Learning resources are sold/shared outside the platform.
It’s not really different at all! This is just another option for teachers and schools to purchase. You can choose to either purchase from here or TpT. All TpT purchases can be accessed from TpT and all purchases from this site can be accessed from your account here. I will continue to update and maintain all materials on both websites.
I am able to offer unique customer and product discounts in my own shop that TpT does not allow. For example, I can create a coupon code that provides a science department access to a multiple licensing discount but allow each individual teacher to access the resource and all future updates in an individual account. When multiple licenses are purchased on TpT, they are purchased through one account, and thus only that account has access to the resource updates for life.)
I am also able to provide zero-interest payment plans and custom bundling options.
I accept most major credit cards through Stripe, a secure credit processing company. I also accept payment through PayPal. Both gateways use SSL encryption.
I do NOT accept personal checks or money orders, but I DO accept purchase orders. You can read more about paying with a school or district purchase order HERE.
Yes, school purchase orders are accepted. You can read more about purchase orders HERE.
If you would like a quote before submitting your approved purchase order, email me:
1) the resource(s) you are interested in
2) how many teachers will be using each resource
3) any specific information you need from me
I will reply with a quote for you to use for the purchase order approval. Once approved, an invoice will be sent. Teachers will be able to individually download their materials directly from the site.
I offer zero-interest payment plans for large purchases at my site store. These plans allow you to access your purchase immediately while paying for your purchase with 12 month installments.
A payment plan is NOT a subscription service or membership – you own the resource as though you made a single, one-time payment. You own a license to the resource with lifetime access to your purchase once you have paid for the resource in full.
A payment plan is a legal agreement and must be paid in full. A payment plan cannot be canceled for any reason. Payments are automatically charged each month for the duration of the payment plan.
Read more about my Payment Plan Policy.
Currently, my shop sells items to all countries except those in the European Union (EU). Customers in the EU may purchase items from TeachersPayTeachers.
Read my entire Refund and Return Policy.
Due to the downloadable nature of digital products, once a resource is purchased, it cannot be returned or refunded.
Please ensure that you look carefully at what you are buying and read the description underneath each resource before you make a purchase.
I encourage you to read through my feedback on TeachersPayTeachers. My resources have over 30,000 five-star ratings.
Your satisfaction means a lot to me and I am more than happy to answer any and all questions prior to your purchase so you can be confident in investing in my resources. If you have a question or concern about your order, please contact me at support@stephanieelkowitz.com.
Yes! Before purchasing the curriculum on my website, send me an email at support@stephanieelkowitz.com. Please provide the following information in your email:
- The email associated with your account
- The unit you purchased
- The curriculum you want to purchase
I will create a custom coupon code to use when making your curriculum upgrade.
Note: I can only provide this service on www.stephanieelkowitz.com. I cannot provide a “curriculum upgrade” on my website for a unit bundle you purchased on TpT and vice versa.
All your purchases are stored in your account. You can access the receipts by logging in to your account and clicking Order History.
Sometimes my emails land in your junk or spam folder, especially if it’s the first time you have purchased me. If you don’t see an email you’re expecting, check there first.
If you find the email in your spam or junk folder, mark it as “not spam” or move it to your inbox. You can also then add my email address to your contacts. This will help future emails arrive correctly.
Check your account to see if your purchase was completed. You should see a receipt in your orders tab and the purchase will be immediately available in the download tab.
Also check the email on your account to make sure your email address was entered correctly. If entered incorrectly, amend your email so you will receive communication about your purchases in the future.
If you still cannot locate the email, contact me at support@stephanieelkowitz.com.
This website uses an encrypted connection with HTTPS and an SSL certificate to protect data transferred from the website to your computer and vice versa. It also employs a web application firewall (WAF), automatic security patching, and daily malware scans. Additional layers of security in place to protect users and my digital assets.
Payments are processed through Stripe. Millions of companies and online shops use Stripe as their payment gateway because it provides secure and reliable software for customers and merchants.
Customers who choose a payment plan will make payments with Stripe with their Partial.ly account.
Reach out for Additional Support
Use the form to send me an email with questions or concerns. Attach a screenshot to show me the error message you are receiving. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response. Most messages receive a response in less than 24 hours.