Don't get me wrong...I like FOSS. I really do. It helps with an organized lesson plan and after 19 years of FOSS in our district, we have added a few updates of our own...
Whether it be lapbooks...my new favorite for my upper grades 2nd-5th grades to study their FOSS concepts, but I have firsties for an hour isn't always fun filled with just the FOSS kit. Pebbles, Sand, and Silt is one that could...in my book use a few fun fillers. I am using this unit now...
So...perfect timing to making some fun fillers! Here is what it is filled with...
Pebbles, Sand, and Silt FOSS extra sheets that go with lessons...
And extensions that are just plain fun...fossils, volcanoes, and dinosaurs!
This is how we prep for our different rock size vocabulary. We make it a game. I take pictures of the sorted rocks, cover the word cards with stickies, then have the kids see if they can match the correct word with the different rock pictures. It really is a fin way to learn their vocabulary.
Now...it's time to sort. We have the papa bear screen...then the mama bear screen...finished with the baby bear screen. Another fun...and easy way for the kiddos to remember which screen to use...when.
I read the same version of the Gingerbread Man this year as I did last year. I started each grade level off today by talking about what a tradition is and the importance of them. I shared my family traditions both holiday and not. I get to see each grade level...each year...so over 410 kiddos are stuck with me for their whole schooling...fortunately for them, I am cool!
I love that I do Gingerbread Man traps both in Kindergarten and first grade. Conceptually, that one year really changes their ability to think outside the box. They have one more year of schema and one more year of engineering know how. I think it is so important to see that as a teacher...that we set the groundwork for someone else at times. That as they add more information to their brains, some of it sticks. Sometimes you don't even get to see it! Take a look at both kindergarten traps vs. first grade traps....
"Look...he'll go in here"...kinders
"He will walk in here and not get out"...kinders
"He will take the path and as he steps on the one step, he will fall through"...first grade
"This is in a tree and will lower on the gingerbread man"...first grade
I just love to see the development...traditions are important in their growth as a learner. This evidence is so amazing to see.
A solution is a type of mixture that is homogeneous...same throughout...
It is the best mixture between two or more substances...can be separated...
Solutions are made up of a solute and a solvent. Solvent does the dissolving the solute is lesser it is the substance gets dissolved... Let's sing it kids...
Great way to start the best way to remember vocabulary...let's sing and take notes!
Here is a link to a sheet I made reviewing the song and an experiment separating a mixture with a screen, filter, and evaporation. FOSS friendly! Mixtures and Solutions Sheet. Another FREEBIE for you!
This is a great way to remember solute...solvent...the three ways we separate a mixture...screen...filter...evaporation. FOSS review for you! And a song to wrap it all up in a bow!
Who doesn't love the story of the gingerbread man? I even love gingerbread! This seems to be the week for a lot of different classrooms tying that sassy little runaway into our classrooms. I am one of those teachers.
I personally love to read the story and change my voice. So, this is the version I have been using...
Here is the plan...
Kinders= gingerbread sink and float 1st graders= Build a trap to catch the Gingerbread man 2nd graders= Gingerbread Solids and Liquids 3rd graders= Gingerbread Water Lesson...Engineering a Boat 4th graders= Gingerbread bone connections 5th graders= Christmas Stations This is my newest addition to my week before Christmas fun! I am using this with my 3rd graders!
I also am using this kit with my classroom teachers. I gave them a copy that they could use...K-2.
We have one more week of school...people. One more and then...TWO WEEKS OFF! That...my friends is much needed! This week...in the Science School Yard...Gingerbread! Almost each grade level in some capacity.
Kinders= gingerbread sink and float
1st graders= Build a trap to catch the Gingerbread man
2nd graders= Gingerbread Solids and Liquids
3rd graders= Gingerbread Water Lesson...Engineering a Boat
4th graders= Gingerbread bone connections
5th graders= Christmas Stations
So here's the scoop... with a fun linky with the Teaching Trio.
I am using my Gingerbread Post FREEBIE, Gingerbread STEM Pack and Christmas Holiday StationsWinter/Christmas Stations for all of my classes. So here is the scoop...I am so glad for TPT it has made me more creative and my kids love science! HOHOHO...Merry Christmas...blogger friends.
This week, I used two great picture books to tie in science and engineering...and presto...bammo...
two new freebies for you! I read the book, set the mood and tone of the project...even went on a coaster ride with kiddos...both projects were FAB...U...LOUS! Check out my Science School Yard TPT Store for both sets today!
In the meantime...check them out in action!
They are on a roller coaster ride...once done they saw the ride as a bystander...one little asked..."Is that us on there?"
Roller coasters go up, down, fast, and change directions!
Our art teacher made these last week and we both read the story! What a cool connection!
