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The Sunday Scoop

I love peace and quiet some days. Today, while my family is watching the Packer Game, I get the computer, a quiet room, and time to just blog and hop. I have  The Crayon Box Learning Blog as one of my favorites and as I was visiting her new post I came across a fun new linky for me! The Teaching Trio has this fun Sunday linky when I have a bit of time to play along. Yea!

So here goes...The Sunday Scoop!


Scoop 3: I have so many things to do to get ready for me week. In my district, we have day 1-5, not Monday-Friday. It can be confusing. So, Monday, is a day 5 and my prep day. Seeing over 400 K-5 kiddos is awesome, but to prep...time consuming. I need to get the stations and sheets ready for groups that need some review or easier activities to show me what they know.  After blogging, I will need to get down to business.

Scoop 2: I was so good this summer, I made over 12 new products on TPT. I have a few more to finish up on that I really need to finish so that I can use them. I started testing some of the sheets on my first grade kiddos and I noticed they aren't quite ready to write sentences or follow too many directions. Scale it down...is on my list, but the new NGSS science standards are not easy by any means. Is anyone else out there using the Teach Scape model of evaluation? Yikes. SLO's, PPG's, Rating scales using 4 domains. Entering evidence. OMG. TMI. Too many acronyms.  I can't keep up. I have to do that today to. I am putting that off. Let me know if you are also under the same model. I won't feel so alone.

Scoop 3: I have been running all week. I wanted to just sit. I got the chance today! I am happy to do that. I only was bothered two times by two different kiddos. They are working on their Christmas lists and wanted to share. I guess I have to start on Scoop 3 and 2 pretty soon. TTYL.

Peek at My Week...9/15/14

Time for Peek at My Week hosted by Mrs. Laffin's Laughings.


K=Kinders will learn the five senses... we will focus on learning all five (through song, and focus on sight this week). Using the smartboard document helped focus on the review...The 5 Senses Smartboard Activity
using SMARTBOARD exchange. For each sense I had an activity. For example: smell we passed around a scented candle to guess the smell and then vote if we liked it or not. For sight I put 8 items on a tray of various colors and shapes and we looked at them and then I covered the tray. I also revealed pictures for them to make the sound of what they saw. We made the sound of drums, frogs, baby chicks, a phone, and fire truck. After that, I passed around objects for the kiddos to feel. I passed around dear antlers, a teddy bear, pumpkins, a ball, and a cucumber. We wrote down descriptive words to share. Last, but not least we tried cucumbers from our school garden. We talked about how they tasted. We made a graph to show if we liked it, didn't care for it, or were not sure.

1st=Students will be introduced to the five vertebrate. We will learn what a mammal is and compare us to other mammals. I started my lessons with what would happen if all the baby animals got out of their cages away from their mothers? We described what the mother would look like it it was: a panda bear, a bat, a snake, a turtle, a frog, and a flamingo. We then made a chart to classify them. Hair or fur, shell (which is a type of scale), scales, moist skin, wings, and feathers. Even though bats have wings, they have fur, so we put it with the panda. I read the book, 
Image result for are you my mother

I challenged them to think about how they look like their family members and how we could fit into one of the groups we listed before. We made the connection that we are  mammals which was really hard for some to grasp. We drew our favorite animals and played a riddle game after listing the 5 vertebrate along with other clues. We then hung up the pictures under our categories to start making connections. We finished by playing the Animal Characteristics Game that we will play each week until our unit is done.

2nd= Students will learn about air through bubble experiments and answer the question, "How do we know air is there." We used the FOSS unit and the scientific process to prove that Air is there, Air is matter, Air takes up  space, and Air can be captured. Kids love water. Kids love amazing discoveries. Kids don't always like to write and reflect. We are working on that one.


3rd= Students will demonstrate the use of  the metric system to measure length, weight, and volume.
Students in third grade have not measured too much so far. When I asked them to recall what tool I would use to measure my weight, three out of the four classes replied, "a ruler." I was worried. However, after setting up stations for volume, mass, and length it got a bit better. Here is a freebie for you to use that I made to remind them of tools to use... We used this Measurement Flip Book to help us write down the definitions and tools inside the book.

We then completed stations that I placed on the smartboard. Here are some of the ideas: length and weight of the scissors and marker at your table. The length and weight of the block at your table. Show me the following volumes with your syringe: 17 ml, and 35 ml. We finished up with this free worksheet I found on line at math salamanders


4th= Students will answer the question, "what objects are attracted to magnets" and determine a pattern. Students will be introduced to new vocabulary that coincides with answering the question. We used the FOSS lesson to help us go through the scientific process. We finished up with our vocabulary reflections in our science notebooks: discoveries, observations, and vocabulary.

5th=Students will learn the difference between dependent, independent, and controlled variables through experimentation and demonstration. I started off by asking them what is a variable. No one knew. I then proceeded to have them follow the directions to make a paper airplane. I continued to use the words variable and control in context as kids struggled with the directions. When we were all finished I once again asked what a variable and control is. They got it. I defined the three types. Then I asked the students how can we change the airplane? We had to remember only change one thing and then test it. We practiced on my model airplane and found we could determine a dependent variable, an independent variable, and the controls. I showed them a power point of pictures of pendulums. I asked what they had in common and to define pendulum. I showed them a bird bobber, swing set, perpetual motion balls, a hypnotist's necklace, and a grandfather clock. I told them they were now in clock repair school because time flies when your having fun in science. My clock was going way to fast and I needed help fixing it. We first had to build a control which was this week. We build our controlled pendulum and then tested it. We all got the same results. Wallah, a control. We wrote in our science notebooks once again to wrap up.

Take a look at my littles building...measuring...and sharing!


Stay tuned for next's weeks...peek at my week!

Measuring Up In The Garden

It is that time of year, harvest time and a bit of frost coming our way, however that doesn't stop us from getting out in the garden with kids. Today, our third graders practiced measuring in the garden after...OMG...first off learning that a ruler isn't for weighing things. Yes...my friends...starting from ground level ZERO. Well, I guess all we can do is go up from there. I first created stations for the indoors. Did I tell you that I have a smartboard! I put up the stations on the smartboard and they wrote their answers down after checking their partner's work.

Station 1: Length...measuring with a ruler, measuring with the metric system, and practicing measuring scissors, markers, and our pencil box.

Station 2: Weight...measuring in grams the scissors, markers, and an item that fits in the cup.

Station 3: Volume...measuring in ml 25 ml, 50 ml, and 32 ml.

Now, out to the garden to practice length, weight, and volume.

length...the circumference of our pumpkins and tomatoes.
Tomatoes...our September Harvest of the Month

















weight...10 cherry tomatoes in grams








Volume...40 ml of water to water a plant.


A garden of knowledge was happening today! Measuring up is our goal. Next week, a quick quiz and then back to our garden. Active learning is where it is at. You can not believe the retention of information in our outdoor classroom!

Peek At My Week

Well, another year has successfully started! I am excited about the new and endless possiblilities with my new Encore staff members. We have to PLC with our "specialists" in music, PE, art, science, and library and we have two new ladies that joined our team! How exciting to get to plan new events and share ideas! Here is a peek at my week thanks to Mrs. Laffin's Laughings...



This week in Kindergarten...

Kindergarten in the garden...being scientists!
I am teaching what is science. Really, they do not know. The are so little. We read the book and then went outside in the school garden to observe and be scientists with hand lenses. We shared what we could learn on our chart. With only 30 minutes it goes by quickly.


1st graders...
Are learning what a scientist is. We read Everyone Is A Scientist and shared the power point from Kindergarten, Kindergarten which is a great first start. We also made a web to show what scientists could learn, went out in

the garden to investigate, and then finished with a picture of what we would want to study as a scientist. Next week, being zoologists.
Firsties finding animals in the garden...animal unit to follow next week...

2nd graders...
We started off with learning about air with our FOSS unit so we started talking about science is all around us even if we can't see it. We discussed what scientists do to learn...by asking questions, forming a hypothesis (I think), conducting experiments, making observations, and then coming to a conclusion. We used the FOSS air bags to test how air takes up space and air moves things. We finished off with a balloon send off.
Air is matter. Air takes up space. Air moves things. 

3rd graders...
We started off our year with measurement so that they will be ready for our Earth Materials unit. We started off with a smartboard presentation on measurement in customary standard unit. Then, we worked on why scientists use the metric system. We practiced using a ruler and measuring in cm. We finished off with a sheet from the Science Penguin that shares how scientists use tools that keep them safe, help them observe, and help them measure. We followed that sheet with a decimeter scavenger hunt in our garden.

4th and 5th graders...
We started off with discussing the scientific process and what that would look like now that they are "big" kids at school. We practiced the process by teams working together to save Fred. I got this great idea from Smart Chick on Teachers Pay Teachers. The kids love this! As they finish up they work on the sheet that is included and then the scientific process science notebook sheet. Great start to the new school year!
Saving Fred! Working as a team! Learning the Scientific Process!

Fred just might be saved! 
It has been a great first week so far. Now, if it could stop raining so we can get outside tomorrow...life would be perfect!

Currently...September!

It is my birthday month people...I have 16 days and then...45. That sounds SO old. I love the Currently September three trips section of Farley's Oh' Boy 4th Grade! I always think about how lucky we were as a family to have traveled with our 4 kids. We went to the Alamo, Houston, Disney 3 times, Hershey, Gettysburg, Williamsburg, South Dakota, down to Kentucky, and even Sanibel to just sit on the beach. Yes, we drove for most of them, we had 3 free tickets to Ft. Myers so we could drive to Sanibel, and we even had 6 vouchers to fly to Houston. We know how to work a deal, but now that times are a bit tighter...it is hard to help our kiddos as they are in and almost in college. Often times, we as parents, put our kids first...that is why my three trips have to deal with trips I wish I could take with my hubby. Italy, Hawaii, and for me...VEGAS! I look at all of the fun that is happening each year in Las Vegas, and as a blogger I want to be part of the amazingness! I have to go...I NEED to go. I WILL go next year!  REALLY! I continue to grow as a creator of units thanks to those of you amazing bloggers that have shared what you have learned...thank you!

Currently, I am preparing for another rain storm...covered the boat, secured the bean bag toss game...and covered with a blanket as I pretend to watch a boy movie with my boys. Happy Labor Day! May your September be full of student learning and success stories!

Ready...Set...Go

Tuesday is the first day of  school. I am so excited to see the kiddos again. I have been in my classroom for the second year, so this year I made it a bit more of my own. I am getting things lined up for the new school year.  I am using some great TPT. I have also worked super hard to make some of my own lessons to go with our FOSS units. I am set with my trusty activities for my Kinders.
I am using this wonderful book and then a drawing of us as scientists. You really need this one...it is a great intro to what is science...
We will also make a great graphic organizer to send with the kinders to their rooms!

Now, onto first grade...I am going to be taking the next step...what is a scientist. I have been working hard to create a new unit that works with our animal unit, but this unit fits more in line to the new NGSS science standards. We typically use the five vertebrates and do some fun arts and crafts, but we need to really step it up. I will be publishing my Animal Adaptations unit soon, I am going to test it out myself first. Here is a freebie.

                               Animal Adaptations Freebie
I am going to be using this sheet with the fun book, Are You My Mother?


For my third graders, we start our year with measurement. I still have to make my mock rocks, people, but it doesn't stop us from measuring in the garden. Yes, the garden. First, however...we will be learning to measure in the room. That seems to be something our kiddos forget. I am using some great sheets from the Science Penguin.

As for our 4th and 5th graders, I am working on team building and working together to persevere over a hard experiment. This is what we are doing...thanks to the Smart Chick I am using Can You Save Fred? It's a freebie. Yea!

So, there you have it...my week in a nut shell. If you want to know what I have been doing last week, well trying hard to finish my summer projects, some TPT units. Here is a peek...
This is what I am starting after our first week with my kinders. I am so excited! Force and Motion on TPT
My kinders will follow with a five senses unit...5 Senses Science on TPT... then....


We will finish up with Weather and Climate. I think I now have the new NGSS science standards covered.
Weather and Climate

I am working on finishing my variable unit to add to my FOSS lessons. My goal is next week so that I can use it. It is good to goal set. I learned that from some great TPT authors. Wish me luck on my start of the new school year. The pressure is on to improve our test scores...so October's focus will be on our 4th graders studying for the WKCE tests.

Happy Labor Day!

Tailgating Tales...Go, Pack, Go!

I was a young girl of 16 the last time I went to a Packer game. I remember how cold it was way back when... however Friday, I got to go to another Packer game 28 years later. This time, I got to go with my son who has never been to a game yet and he is a BIG Packer Fan and loves to play football, and my 14 year old daughter and my dear husband.

 My oldest, knows someone with a skybox that couldn't use the tickets, so let's just say we went high class. No lines at the bathroom, free popcorn for us, and air conditioned room.   It is a tradition to start off by tailgating. We headed in for the game...which we WON! Went to the rooftop to look out over the field, amazing view! We even finished off the night with a little PDA. He held my hand!

Our two youngest...tailgating before the game...Packer Tradition!

A few goodies before the game! Grillin' and Chillin'

This was how close our parking spot was! It is good to know people!


From our box seats...indoors...I have to say outside is where the action is at though...but I am NOT complaining...we ended our summer well!
Good times! Good times! Now...back to school next week. My days are numbered!

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