Properties of Matter with 2nd Grade

Why Do we Wear Clothes? is a Mystery Science lesson that always grabs the attention of 2nd graders. There are giggles and laughs but what a great introduction to properties of matter. We talk about attributes of materials and when we use various materials based on need. During the lesson we are stranded at sea on our cruise ship. We only have some miscellaneous supplies and we need to make a hat to protect us from the heat, water, and grueling sun. We needed to test which materials would be best and then use our creativity to build a hat with the best supplies to keep our heads and necks protected.

After we talk about which materials were soft as to not scratch our head. Which material was absorbent since we would sweat. Which material would extend past our heads so we could stop squinting. The reflection piece is my favorite tot hear their thoughts and what they would change next time. If they get stranded these 2nd graders know what to do.

You have heard that saying Could you really fry an egg on the sidewalk? This leads us into testing the cold and hot of various materials to be an insulator. What a great way to use water bottles, tin foil, socks, and styrofoam cups to test our best guess. The funniest is when you try to get them to put socks on their hands. Mind you these socks have never been on feet, they are only used for this experiment. The faces they make are priceless. Oh and trying to get them to close their eyes as their partner slides the hot or cold cup is tough for them, you know they want to be right. The lesson is on what makes the best insulator and they are having fun experimenting.

Our properties of matter unit ends with a challenge of making the tallest tower with only index cards and paper clips.  Every group receives the same materials and we quickly learn that folding and bending can make the card stronger.  With partners they are to build the tallest stack. I got to see teamwork, collaboration, problem solving, measuring and perseverance while their towers toppled over. They were a bit surprised how you could stack index cards by rolling them, folding them, or bending them.

2nd graders Lego Simple Machine kits

Our otters really enjoy Legos, from free builds to themes to working together with Lego Education kits. Thank you to FUTURES Foundation for helping fund the kits to supplement our learning of simple machines. I had 6 kits so most classes had 4 to a group. With kit building I found it was important to assign jobs for each student and then rotate those jobs so everyone was able to build, direct the group, find the pieces, and then check the build.

Let me share what I learned to work for our students during introduction of the kits to our 2nd graders. According to birth month each child was a 1-2-3-4. For the first session 1-was in charge of directions, getting the kit and returning the kit. 2-was the piece finder and placed the pieces on the lid for the builder. 3 was the builder and everyone groaned that was not a 3. It happens and that is why we rotate jobs. 4 was the checker and the first to try out the build. Procedures helped us to maximize our 45 minutes. Believe me 45 minutes is not long enough when you have a cart of Legos the kids want to get in to and build. The teamwork, kindness, patience, and support of one another was a beautiful thing to see. When we cleaned up we would talk about what went right and what we could improve upon. Of course everyone wanted to be the builder but then there were kids that liked finding the pieces and ones that really liked the group they worked with, and even one that said it was so fun they couldn't wait to come back to build again. Of course everyone then agreed with that student. These are skills adults use daily and I am so proud of our second graders for finding the positive with their roles and creating.

Wear a Cardigan Day-November 13

Have you ever heard of Wear a Cardigan Day? It is a tribute to the late Mr. Rogers from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood to celebrate World Kindness Day. When I was a child I watched television and I remember Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. He taught us about careers, sang songs, and was a kind man. He is famous for "There is not person in the whole world like you, and I like you just the way you are." He died in 2003 but is remembered fo the way he talked to children about feelings and life events. Teachers through school wore their cardigans on November 13th. #worldkindnessday

Next step and then wait to hear...

We tell the kids the truth and they are worried. Of course they have questions but we try to calm their fears the next step is a biopsy and then we wait.  The biopsy was alright. The nurses were calming and the technicians talked through each step and before you know it it is over. Then we wait to hear the results from my OB/GYN. So in true style I book fast passes for Hollywood Studios to celebrate after the doctor visit because I am that sure she is going to say everything is fine. We go in, wait and when walks in she asks how we are doing. We are alright just anxious waiting for the results. Then she says, "There is no easy way to say this, you have breast cancer." Tim and I look at each other and I am in disbelief at what I have just heard. No, I can't have breast cancer. I crossfit like 7 days a week most week. I eat healthy-ish most of the time. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I just had a mammogram last year. How can I have cancer? How are we going to tell the kids? I can't have cancer! What am I going to do about school and the kids? I can't have cancer! I need like another 30 years with Tim. What am I going to tell my mom and dad? I can't have cancer. I look at Tim and we hug and he tells me everything is going to alright. I cry a few tears and I have never loved him more.

Seriously I will schedule time to blog...

I have let life get in the way and days turn into weeks into months into years, well no longer here we go back to blogging and sharing my journey with the world.

This is my 4th year as the STEM special area teacher at Cypress Creek Elementary and it has grown in so many ways.  I can't wait to share with all of you and brag on these students and teachers here in Port Orange.  Before I get to that I am also getting back into blogging for a selfish reason to share my story, my why as Tech Ninja Todd would say.  You might not know him as Tech Ninja Todd but Todd Nesloney. He will always be a hero to me from way back to the Miami Device days.  He now podcasts Tell Your Story and you should subscribe it you don't already. I could listen to him all day.

My story changed in September when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 days before my 48th birthday.  I went in August for my annual mammogram and then they asked me back for a 2nd one.  I thought it was odd but alright they error on the side of caution right?  I was sitting there in the pink gown along with 2 other ladies waiting to hear if we needed an ultrasound next.  The nurse walks over to the first lady and tells her they are alright and will monitor at the next mammogram. Another nurse walks over to the second lady and tells her the same thing. In my mind I said oh great I am going to be the 1 in 3 that needs an ultrasound. Sure enough I get called back for an ultrasound, a closer look, still believing oh it will be fine.  I ask if my husband can go in with me and was told no so I had to lay on that table by myself. It was so scary and of course the technician cannot tell ou a thing but they click and click away taking images. Finally the radiologist comes in and says we are sending you in for a biopsy. I remember it is alright and make sure to breathe.

As I am riding home with my hubby all I can think about is how and what are we going to tell the kids.  Kaile is 18 and Carson is soon to be 16.  Kaile's best friend recently had a mom pass from breast cancer and another friend's mom was stage 3 rare strain and given 6-12 months to live.  She is my heart for sure, my first born, the strong young lady changing her college plans, another story another day. We are  going to tell them the truth and it will be fine.  We are doing what the doctors think is best and really I am healthy, work out daily, eat right, don't drink, and don't smoke so we will be fine.

Life Skills for a Lifetime

Over the years we came to focus on Life Skills.  Skills you would need to learn, model, and carry forth to be productive members of society.  We had inspirational posters made thanks to our photo company of our very own students demonstrating those life skills in every day situations.  Thanks to Mrs. Walker, who would not want anyone to know she was the behind the scenes designer, kids from all grade levels throughout Cypress Creek will have their photos up in the hallway reminding us of the the little things we need to keep in mind to be a good friend, child, sibling, and student.  I happen to love the perseverance poster the most since my little Carson is one playing the trombone in the photo.  Thanks Mrs. Walker and the photo company.  Just love this and all it represents.

Joshua's Heart

A small Act of Kindness can go a long way...

~Joshua

 While attending Miami Device I had the pleasure of listening to one of the closing keynote from Joshua.  This inspirational 13 year old totally had me in awe throughout his message. He started a foundation at the age of 4 with $20 from his grandma.  He doesn't want anyone to be hungry.  Seems so simple right.  Please take a moment to meet this inspirational young man.

His website can be found here: http://joshuasheart.org

Sharon Davison teaches K/1 in Vermont and they issued a challenge.  How can we help People that are Hungry? Watch their video here then we tweeted out how we helped @vermontkkids123


The stars aligned and the Wright's Rippers rose to the challenge.  Actually we challenged our first neighbors, Ms. Clutter's class-who can bring in the most can foods in 1 week.  Here we are with our cans.  Good looking group of firsties right...

Well we didn't win since Ms. Clutter's class collected over 150 cans.  Really the winners are all the families we helped with our joint donation.  What a valuable lesson that I hope they take with them as they grow up.  What passion is locked inside these kids as they go into 2015?  I hope I get to be a part of finding out...

What a way to end the year!

You are probably reading the headline and thinking wait, what?  It is only October where has the time gone? Exactly where has the time gone?  This is a post that is long overdue! Hopefully I won't get to emotional.  

My son Carson had the privilege to have Mrs. Spies and Mrs. Williams as teachers and the knowledge he learned will stay with him throughout his life.  I should know I strive to inspire like these 2 ladies do, some days I come close other days well you know teachers have dreams...  At Cypress Creek we talk about life skills and these are skills you use everyday to be a more productive human being.  Classes make skits and perform on the morning announcements, Otters of the Week awards are given out, and they are on display in classrooms.  These 2 classes headed a school wide campaign to collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house.  They measured and calculated class averages.  They gave updates and made public service announcements to promote their campaign.  They even collect supplies to donate on their field trip over as a culminating activity.  See one of the teachers has a family member that has been a recipient of stays at Ronald McDonald houses right here in Florida.  Can you image going to the doctor and the doctor saying your child has to be admitted right now and there is no time to waste.  But, but I need to find a place to stay, I need a toothbrush, I need... but wait I can't leave my child. In steps the Ronald McDonald house to provide a home away from home so you can be near your sick child.  

I can't imagine...

These kids worked so hard and they were moved to visit the house, donate the supplies, and even received a tour from Cameron himself! Thank you for helping collect those pop tabs and keep sending them in. 

After the tour we went over the Orlando Science Center for an overnight field trip, I know crazy right? I asked my hubby if he wanted to be a chaperone and he said it wasnt his skill set. haha mine though and what a time to look back to one day.  It was an incredible adventure and with the kids he has been in class with since 2nd grade.  See this was Carson's 5th grade year and the last year I would take him to school with me, see him in the halls throughout the day, and get to be part of his class before heading off to middle school.  We made the most of it.  We laughed, played, and yes we did get sleep.  It was so much fun! I mean really how cute is this kid?!?

Thank you Mrs. Spies and Mrs. Williams for being the teachers to inspire my son to think of someone other than himself, to believe in miracles, and to love learning! We thank you from the bottoms of our heart and more...