I wanted to challenge my older students to some STEM stations that would lead into our FOSS Levers and Pulleys Unit. I came up with two great ways for for 5th graders to test their engineering skills using St. Patrick's Day themes the pulley and the conveyor belt. I did the conveyor belt lesson today because I won't see these kiddos next week because they are off to our school forest.
Here is how we made magic happen...lessons and all...
First, I asked them what a conveyor belt is. They weren't really sure. So I showed them my favorite Lucille Ball skit...
The kids loved it. We followed up with what is a conveyor belt? They now were able to come up with a list that helped them make sense of what they were going to build. Pizza ovens at Dominoes, the grocery store check out, the airport flat transporter (love that one...they didn't have a name for it...it is actually called a moving walkway), and my favorite at the beer tour we took were a few of my favorites!
I then showed them several quick videos that helped them see their examples in action. I then gave them time and tools to build a conveyor belt. First...they designed...then executed. Many had to modify and adjust. Then, we finally shared! They turned out awesome! Here is a quick movie to show you our final products!
Amazing team work and collaboration!
Here is the pack if you are interested in St. Patrick's Day STEM fun! Find it at my TPT store HERE.
It is currently March 5th and I forgot...almost that it was a new month. Yikes. I am working hard to goal set and use my time more wisely in all aspects of my life. So Currently I am teaming up with Oh Boy It's Farley to take a look at March!
Currently, I am really focusing some of my extra time to learn about the world of TPT. I love the great resources that everyone is making and sharing! There are some great videos out there to watch to learn new ideas!
This weekend...basketball is over....there is no volleyball game today (tomorrow though....) and I am enjoying some time to just sit and focus on me. It is refreshing and needed.
I am hoping for peace and harmony at school. I love my students, but sometimes adults aren't always doing things for the right reasons. I hope I can work through the negative vibes at school and find peace within my own classroom walls as I work to help all of my kiddos succeed.
My hope for the future...
I am going to the TPT conference and am set with my ticket...check! I now have a sweet roommate who I connected with from Texas...so excited to meet her...check! I now have to book a flight which I am hoping to do once I connect with another WI teacher this weekend...would be great to get on the same flight together....in progress! I am getting excited to put faces to the wonderful teachers on
blogs...IG....facebook...and TPT!
Have a great weekend...my doggie needs some lovin'! She is pawing my computer!
We are learning about the weather in Kindergarten. This week, we discussed how we protect ourselves from weather.
Here in Wisconsin, we get tornadoes. We practice tornado drills. We practiced to remind ourselves why we take shelter. We talked about lightening and rain and how we protect ourselves. We then focused on the sun and the many ways we protect ourselves from getting too hot or sunburned. We read the EPIC Book...
Two major NGSS standards can be met with this activity in a simple science way!
K-PS3-1. Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
2. Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.
Here is what we did...We made sun protection for our Beanie Babies! I love their creativity! I set up the STEM Store at our supply table with the following:
*straws
*styrofoam cups and bowls (they are easy to poke a hole in)
*pipe cleaners
*milk cartons (easy to get at school)
*masking tape
*toilet paper and paper towel tubes (ask the janitor to save them for you...)
*Beanie Babies (I have small ones that McDonald's had...they work great!)
*I also put out a bucket of sand on blue paper so it looks like it is at the beach! They put their protectors in the sand then for the full effect!
STEM supplies at the STEM Store!
One of the many sun protectors that were made!
This is a fun and easy way to add non-fiction reading, NGSS standards, and a STEM project to your day!
I was fortunate enough to write a grant and get a large set of Hot Wheels and tracks! I have been finding ways for my littles to work with them as they learn about energy. Here are some simple ways to add science into your school day!
1. Find a fun race car book. I used a non-fiction book found on EPIC books called Machines as Work: Race Cars. (Free for teachers!) I asked them what they know about cars in motion. What makes them go? What makes them stop? How do they go fast and slow?
2. I then introduce the race car book along with race car sounds in the background.
3. When we are done with the story, we discuss what we will test as we build and create.
Our focus is on learning about motion. I use a sticky easel sheet to write and take along with us in the hall. We write down:
*What do we observe when our car is pushed slowly?
*What do we observe when our car is pushed fast?
*What happens when two cars collide?
*What happens when a car goes up and down a hill?
*How can we show that gravity is working on our cars?
*How can we show that force is a push and pull?
4. We then go in the hall to do our experiments (can't do much in a teacher's lounge classroom...just no room). I let each team get two buckets, two cars, two cardboard pieces, and 6 tracks with connectors.
Drive on over to my TPT store to take a look! I know not everyone has Hot Wheels, but I will leave you with one final thought...you can use simple supplies to help your kiddos build their own race cars! It will drive them crazy with excitement!
Milk cartons, string, wheels, straws, tongue depressors all make great car parts!
When we are all finished we start our engines...race to the checkered flag...and wrap up out day with a reflection sheet!
It is Sunday again...time for reflections...time for goals and planning! I was so very lucky to have my second daughter and her boyfriend home for the weekend! With that being said...sometimes life gets a bit behind, but I am all set for the week and I have my goals in check! So here is my Sunday Scoop...
Alright...so I have been really trying to learn some new things...I think you can teach an old dog new tricks...I am trying to learn how to follow periscope and to follow people. I have learned a lot from some really great teachers! So, I have been goal setting better and trying to use my time more wisely at home and at school. Even though I love to talk a bit in the morning...I am really trying to use that time better for setting up for things like my fifth grade kitchen chemistry activities that I need to prepare for!
I also need to finish some projects that I started a while back...those three little kittens and Jack and his beans are waiting for me and planting time is around the corner so I really better get "growing"...I mean going!
I kept up with laundry this week...I know how we add that to our to do list, but I am all good! I am going to give vlogging a whirl soon. That means my blog posts will get a video explanation and a tour of the lesson so that you can make science simple, too! Stay tuned! Until then...
I am having a little Leap Day Sale over at my Science School Yard TPT Store!
Happy Leap Day, tomorrow. I am hopping on over to the coffee shop tomorrow to enjoy some tea with my coffee drinking friend! Here is the poster that has inspired my leap day efforts...
My little kinder buddies are learning about Space in our next unit. It seems pretty far fetched for them to understand, but I think they kind of get it!
Let's pretend that our nose is your hometown. We use a big ball to represent the sun!
Next, we lean toward the sun and we check out where our nose is...Summer time in your hometown!
Now, we straighten up...Fall! Followed by leaning way back...Winter! Finally, Spring is straight up and down again!
We discuss the seasons and why it is cold now in Wisconsin. I let them figure it out by redoing our leaning in and out!
Now, we have to learn day and night! That sun is still in the middle of our circle. We jump our noses to the outside of the circle. Jumping is so much fun! Then we jump back to face the yellow ball! Day and night. We now add waking up...when we eat...when we go home...when we sleep. Again, they seem to get it!
I love EPIC books! I use their Sun book to project and read. We then add what we learned to our anchor chart!
Finally, our half hour finishes with a quick art project with chalk and a tissue and a sentence to trace...The sun is a star! Next week...we will connect the sun to the weather and seasons. NGSS standards for kindergarten focus on
We always wrap up with this fun video...
Keep warm my friends! It sure is nice when the sun peeks its way out of the clouds in winter in Wisconsin...
It is almost time for Read Across America! Time for reading...and science! Time for Oobleck! This simple science activity is sure to get them excited about both! I am so thrilled to share one of my favorite lessons that works perfectly with my FOSS Solids and Liquids Unit. We spend a lot of time trying to add engaging activities to our school day and this one seems to really surprise and amaze my students. The book Oobleck is a fun Dr. Suess book that links science into your classroom!
Fun with Non-Newtonian Fluids!
Here is my hour long lesson plan...
1. We start with the characteristics of a solid and a liquid
2. I then share with them that today we are going to learn about something that acts like a liquid and a solid. I then share with them it is all because of King Derwin of Didd. I then share with them the book. It is a long book...but reading it and changing your voice keeps them engaged!
3. We then use the the Oobleck sheet that has them see how Oobleck acts...Is it a solid or liquid?
4. We continue our experiments with five objects that either sink or stay on the top. The students are amazed as to how it acts.
5. We wrap up by writing the recipe for Oobleck and understand a non-Newtonian fluid by filling in the blanks.
6. I they get done early I have them add to our classroom graph...Do You Like Oobleck?
I have each table set up before they come in and they meet me at the carpet for the intro and book. This helps when my time is limited...
