If you are anything like me, you probably spent the few days before Earth Day trying to find a quick and easy lesson (or set of lessons) you could do with your class that would be meaningful but not too time consuming.  I mean, with THE TEST only a week away, I wanted to acknowledge the day but still have some worthwhile rigor thrown in there.  So here is what we did to make sure that is exactly what happened. We started the day watching the Earth Day BrainPop .  It was free on April 22, which was perfect for my needs.  It gives a little history and insight into how the day came to be.  Then we watched the BrainPop Jr video about reducing, reusing, and recycling.  (this one is also free to access without an account.)  That helped my kids to see ways that they personally could reduce their waste.  We made a list of all of the different things we heard and ways we could reduce, reuse, and recycle.  Next, I read the kids The Earth Book by Todd......

One of the units we study in 3rd grade science deals with the climate zones around the globe.  We started learning about the by using the Mystery Science lesson on the very subject.  It is SUCH a great lesson because it takes the kids step by step through the process of completing a world map showing the different zones around the world.  It also taught them all about how location on the globe has a huge effect on the weather and climate.  After we were done with that lesson, which took a few days and was well worth it, I felt like the kids needed just a bit more work with the zones.  So we set about researching them.  Now, depending upon where you do your research, there are anywhere from 3 to 11 different zones :)  That is just too many to tackle, so when we were discussing them, we focused on the following: polar, temperate, tropical, desert, and Mediterranean.  We are really focusing heavily on using sources to gather information for our own ......

One good thing that is coming out of distance learning is that my creative juices for engaging lessons has been reignited.  Not that it was ever completely gone, but the desire to really get my learners fully engrossed in our 30 minute a day lesson opportunities, and have them coming back day in and day out (when it would be easier not to) has made me really try to think outside the box in my lesson planning.  And teaching about force and motion (as well as my social studies lessons) was a great place to start. I have been super into "field trips" on Zoom.  I upload a background of a place I would like to visit and use the green screen to make my teaching space look like that.  For this particular "field trip" we were in the science lab at our school.  There, I showed the students the Mystery Science lesson on Force and Motion .  (it is free right now during the shut down)  Now, this particular lesson focuses on the ideas of gravity and friction bei......

One of my goals as a teacher is to bring out the creativity and joy of learning out in students.  I like to pose questions, get them to think, and have them create.  I mean, that's what all of us want to do, right? But, honestly, it seems as though somewhere along the lines, the inquiry and ingenuity that kids should intrinsically show has disappeared.  They simply want to be TOLD what to do at all times.   I understand why.  In an age of testing and dog and pony shows and the need to "get stuff done", it has become easier for me everyone to just tell the kids what to do and be done with it.   But here is my problem.  The kids that sit in front of me have become regurgitators.  They wait for ME to give them directions.  They wait for ME to show them examples.  They wait for ME to lay everything out on the table for them.  Notice how it is ME that is doing all the work.  The kids need ME to do their thinking. ......

The systems of the human body, and how they all function together, is a key standard for our fifth graders in science.  So, as we wrapped up our unit, I wanted my students to put all the information they learned together into one, all encompassing presentation.  So I broke out my trustee computer and created an easy to use template for my kids to help guide them in reviewing all of the information they had learned throughout the course of our unit. The form I created was simple.  It required the students to research the function of all major body systems we learned about (digestive, circulatory, excretory, and respiratory) as well as detail the basic form and how the system works from beginning to end.  I also added a picture of each system for the students to label. Easy peezy.  Right?  Um.  No.  The kids really had a lot to think about, even with the form at hand!  First, they had to figure out how to label it all since it was on ......

This year, my class welcomed a new addition that I have NEVER EVER done before....a fish tank.  I have to tell you, while my students were (and are still) amazingly excited about the whole thing, I, on the other hand, was (and still am) quite nervous about it all.  I mean, there is a living, breathing ecosystem in my room that needs specific attention to ensure all of those living, breathing beings do not end up belly up.  Honestly, it is a huge undertaking that I just didn't think I could do.  But you know what?  It is working! I thought I would use this post to share with you all how I got my tank up and running and how we are incorporating it into our 5th grade class. The Set Up So, I cheated a *little* bit here and bought a10 gallon aquarium kit.  It was a little more expensive than just getting a 10 gallon tank, but all of the accessories (like a filter, water de-cholorinator, thermometer, heater, fish food, etc..) came with it and I wante......

My second grade son recently brought home a note from his teacher asking him to bring in an apple so they could make applesauce in honor of Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26.   So, me being the history lover that I am, decided to do a little bit of research on Johnny Appleseed and discovered that there was a lot there for my fifth graders to work with too.  So this week, I teamed up with my partner teacher, Susie the  Panicked Teacher , to have a little fun and learn a little bit about Johnny Appleseed at the same time. We began the day reading two paired texted about the man who came to be known as Johnny Appleseed.  The first was a legend that was filled with lots and lots of legendary notes about him.  My students picked up on the fictional facts immediately.  As one of them said, "No one on earth can possibly walk across a whole state in one day!  Especially not if he is planting apple seeds.  That takes time!"  When we were ......

As our colonial unit continues on, we begin to talk about life during the mid-1700s for the colonists.  One aspect we always settle on is that much of what the people living in the colonies needed for everyday life was created by them.  And each of those things had a basis in scientific principles....specifically physical and chemical changes.  It just so happens that one of our big units in science is based around the very same topic (funny how that happens ;)) So, to peak my students' interest in this idea that the colonists used science too, I began with this lesson about how butter was made .  Be sure to read it first, then come back here.  The kids LOVED this lesson (and named me best teacher EVER ;) ) The next day, I broke the students into 5 separate groups.   In the groups, they read informational articles similar to what they read for the butter.  Again, they were looking for evidence of physical and chemical changes.  Since ......

Well, it is official.  My kids think I am the best teacher on the planet. OK....that is a little exaggeration, BUT we did have a great time exploring colonial times and physical/chemical changes, while working on reading for evidence.  So, what did we do that put me on track to be voted into the hall of fame of teaching?  We made butter.  Yes, you heard me.  Making butter in class is the equivalent to winning the Super Bowl.  But I am ahead of myself.  Let me run you through the lessons so that you too can be the best thing since sliced bread. We are in crunch time before the big TEST, so reviewing all of our past science standards is a must.  Physical and Chemical changes is a big standard that is so hard for the kids to really grasp.  So we began our lesson by watching the StudyJams video on Physical and Chemical Changes.  We discussed and took notes, all the while jogging their memory to what they already knew.  Using the ......