Shelter Building

Hurricane Season is a very real thing here in Florida! My parents lost their house to Hurricane Andrew while my brother and I were at Florida State University. It was devastating to see what a hurricane can do to a home, a family, and a community.  There are so many things that are different for Floridians after Hurricane Andrew. I am sure STEM careers has something to do with that right?
Our study started with learning about hurricanes and the different levels. Next came the challenge to build a shelter to keep your family dry with limited materials with some choice. I introduced the materials with a $ amount attached to each. We formed groups to then brainstorm ideas of shelters but wait there was a budget of only $10. Collaboration in groups was an experience for the students. It is sometimes difficult to show your diagram to others, share thoughts behind the design, and then decide which pieces of each you will use for building. This is a process and teaching the students to go through this process takes time. Each grouping is different so there lies another opportunity to learn from another and grow as STEM student. I love watching the students grow throughout the years. Building seems to be the most fun time for students. They are eager to put their plans into action! Materials are flying off the carts and out of the boxes. Teaching students how to use tape is something I learned early on in teaching STEM. I cannot tell  you the number of times A student has used a 4 inch piece of tape to then apply in vertically rather than horizontal and waste tape. Some projects I limit the tape but this build I did not. Students could opt for wax paper, aluminum foil and color paper but those priced were for individual sheets. 

Well maybe the testing is the BEST part...To meet the challenge was to keep the family dry. Things to think about were yes you needed a roof but a floor for your shelter? way in and out? what materials to use? They knew I would use a watering can to create a "hurricane". I know the wind was missing but we talked about how that would look as well.  I do have some videos of the moments when we soaked the shelters. The reflection piece is what I should have filmed so you could see and hear their learning and maybe just maybe one of them will create something to help families during hurricane season.

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.

1st grade LEGO top building

Thanks to FUTURES Foundation, teachers can ask for grants to supplement programs within their classrooms.  Our second graders used the early learners Simple Machine kits so towards the end of the school year I thought maybe the first graders would enjoy learning. They had a blast! Students of today don't play with tops but ask any of them about Bayblades and they can launch into a discussion on their design, colors, and all about the launcher. We followed directions, used teamwork, and they had to figure out how to fit the gear's teeth into one another to make the top spin. It was so exciting to see it when they finally got it.

We talked about what worked, what didn't, how could you make it move faster, and then the aha moment came...can we battle one another? You mean like Bayblades do? So engaging and exciting!

I am sure these firsties won't soon forget how much fun they had in STEM class learning.

Mystery Science Pollinate the Flowers

Mystery Science is amazing! They have a lesson, "Why do Plants Grow Flowers?" and the students loved it! Every lesson starts with background and introduction to vocabulary. They pose a question and then there is a hands-on activity for the students to bring the learning to life.  The students created flowers and we used coffee grounds and cinnamon to use as seeds.  Students then created bees from pipe cleaners and pollinated flowers while buzzing around the room.

After the buzzing around we sat down to make some observations. The students observed coffee grounds and cinnamon on their bees. When asked about that they started with one in their flower and quickly saw that the other brushed when they buzzed other flowers.  Then they looked at the center of their flowers and the sticky stigma-they were amazed at what they saw. It was such a  great aha moment to be a part of with the kids. Great job Mystery Science!

Thank you Mystery Science...

A friend years back bragged about Mystery Science website. I checked it out and if you have heard the voice-"Hi, it's Doug." You know we are in for an adventure. Since I work with all students kindergarten to fifth grade I get a bit excited when it comes to hands on and standards related. EVERY single unit I have used has been informative and fun for the students.

Traditionally our 4th graders struggle with rocks, weathering and erosion. Mystery Science has a unit entitled the Birth of Rocks for 4th grade.  It starts with the question Could a volcano pop up in your backyard? Doug weaves a story to provide photos and an interactive activity of plotting volcanos in regions around the world. As the maps come together...well you will need to do it to find out.

We go on to discover various volcanos and their differences.

Who says science isn't fun?

These students are interacting with one another and having a blast learning about thin vs. thick lava.

The next lesson had us all shaking...

If you haven't tried Mystery Science you need to. I subscribe each year and it is well worth the $. I will write more on some of the other lessons that ended up being our favorites over the years. They are constantly adding and improving so sign up today.

so many things over the month...

GoNoodle is such a great way to start the day.  Hug It Out is a wonderful way to give our body a stretch and make sure to we start the day off right.

Every morning we start the day writing in our journal before SIPPS.  A few mornings a week we try to stand up, hand up, pair up to share our journals.  It is such a wonderful way for us to get to know our friends a little better.  

I can't help but smile when I see friendships grow like this one.  

Do you Kahoot! Our friends love Kahoot! and we are experts now. We use it for sight words, science terms, social studies vocabulary, and even math.  One of our toughest concepts in math is picking true math statements. So why not a Kahoot! to get them looking closer at equations.

Find the one that is true...

Of course the highlight is seeing the Top 5 leaderboard.

I love that every time in every subject there seems to be a different leader and top 5.  It is so nice that the friends see different names up on that leaderboard and try their best to be on it.

No wonder the kids love science it seems like we have such hands on fun.  I cannot even tell you how much fun it wad to see them learn how to use a measuring tape and measure one another.

Buttons, buttons, everyone wants to earn one of these buttons.  Another Instagram/Twitter idea...  The button says "Ask me what I got on Mrs. Wright's test..."  The best was when the cafeteria lady asked one of the young ladies while she was going through the lunch line what she made on the test.  I was there to see her caught off guard and then smile really big when she said 12 out of 12.  Love those moments.

Apple Experiment

I just love connecting with other 1st grade classes through Instagram and Twitter.  So on Apple Day we did a little experiment...Who will save the apple? from turning brown...

We used water, Sprite, lemon juice, and vinegar to see which would be the last to turn the apple brown. We have some pretty observant scientists and we watched carefully over the next couple of days.

As you can see by the photos lemon juice was the best helper.  Funny because most of the kids thought water.  

Columbus Day exploring...

Cutest explorers you ever did see right?  OK you are thinking where is my kid.  Someone was out but then we had some rely release kids too.  I had to quick get a class shot before anyone else went home.  We talked about what an explorer is and even used this from Wonderopolis http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/where-is-the-next-frontier/ The only bad thing was the video would't play through the school filters.  We used some scientific inquiry to make a sail for an egg carton ship.  The kids did great and had so much fun watching their boats float across. Watch this, too cute, just love them!

First week went too fast...

So the first week went too fast because I ended up sick. Can you believe it and my sweet, sweet firsties were so kind and loving.  Just love the firstie friends! Here are my TOP 3 favs for the moment and I have more pictures to look through so check back because there might be more than 3 favs before the week's end.
#3 Journal writing and sharing is the best way to start out the day.  Better yet the parents have a year long journal at the end of the year to treasure.  When I went to introduce journals on the very 1st day of school I showed them Carson's journal and this year he went to middle school.  I had to hold back the tears remembering how my cutie man wrote like a big boy and all his favorite moments were captured in that journal. My favorite was when he wrote about losing his 1st tooth and I wanted it.  He said no way it was too special and he got a whole $1 for it!-just love that kid!

 #2gonoodle.com is the favorite part of the day and if you don't believe me ask you kid about walking up the stairs! Too cute for words! Maximo is a close favorite but they are still talking during yoga so maybe I should dim the lights so they get the hint.  They are all falling over themselves-balance not so much but we will get oh so better before it Christmas I bet!

 #1 Come on doesn't this picture say it the best? Who doesn't like playing with every piece of science equipment a teacher can fit into a Rubbermaid container? They had the best time and EVERYONE passed the science tool assessment with flying colors.  They are scientists for sure!

There are so many things to share make sure to follow our class Twitter and Instagram to get the latest.  Until next time...

Week 1 was FABULOUS!

I really cannot believe a week ago I was up late waiting for the 1st day of school. Where does the time go? Where am I now? Trying to catch up the blog and putting those last minute details for this week's lessons. First thing first here is our 1st class picture!

They are a great looking bunch aren't they?!? So let's get a sneak peek into the week. Each year I start their personal journals on day 1 and we write EVERYDAY! I love reading and listening to them. We have lost teeth, lost family members, had brothers/sisters born, contests won, riding our bike without training wheels, and even attendance at the FSU games documented. GO NOLES! This one is extra special, CJ's mom got her first teaching job and CJ wrote about how each person in the house was "iksidid" for mom now how stinkin' cute is that?! We are very excited for you Mrs. Asbill and those 1st graders are lucky to have you.
We read bunches this week and wrote in our reading response journals. We used our face partners to read our writing to and it was too cute to hear them tell each other, "Thank you for sharing."

We learned about scientist tools this week and I think the exploration part can be summed up by this one picture...yes we got to wear the goggles.

I handed out the ActivExpressions and YIPPEE there was excitement that could be felt 6 doors down each hallway. We could share answers and text in number combinations. You should check out our class Instagram and Twitter feed to get the latest updates. Check out our friend texting his number sentence.

Who doesn't love a good book? Well reading Pete the Cat makes for an extra special time singing and joining in the fun because ..."It's all good."

and then before you know it it is time to leave and go home.

This is absolutely the BEST way to spend your days. These new chickens are ready each day for anything and they do so with a smile on their face. It is going to be a fabulous year so check back often and see us along for the journey. What do I have ready for them next week?

Can you see me now?

Ms. Patti came by for a visit.  Her eye, I mean son haha dressed the part to teach the class about the eyeball. We learned the parts.  Did you know the white stuff is called your sclera? Even my hubby did not know the name.  We learned about eye safety and how you should wear goggles or sunglasses, and NEVER look directly at the sun!  Ms. Patti even brought each of us a goody bag.  Inside their were recipes to help with our eyes and sight!  OK so the COOLEST part was the sheep eye in the Ziploc we could touch and pass around!  Ms. Patti you are the BEST ever!

Earth Day 2012

Well the families have outdone themselves once again. April's family project was to make something out of something else-reduce, reuse, recycle. Check out the cute projects! Happy Earth Day to all!

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Captain Conservation

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 Did you know FPL is home to Captain Conservation? You might ask who is Captain Conservation? Captain Conservation is the world's only singing, guitar-playing, nature-conscious, costumed superhero. He made a stop at Cypress Creek to teach the boys and girls how to be superheros. He talked about conserving energy through fum, original interactive songs. He had the crowd singing, clapping, and chiming in on the chorus parts. He even made 2 students and one lucky intern part of the show. At the end all the teachers joined in to help sing the theme song. It sure was fun. Did you do your part today to be a Conservation Superhero? Make sure to turn off lights not in use and close those doors. Use your super speed and super strength to conserve energy today.

Five Senses Experiment

So after learning about the different science tools we moved right into the 5 senses.  Friday was filled with excitement because we got to do an experiment.  The kids had fun learning and since you weren't there I made a movie trailer to show you just a glimpse of what I witnessed first hand with my firsties!  Enjoy.

Makes you want to go to school right?!?

How can we move?

We talked about all the ways we can move and the class came up with a pretty lengthy list.  Our weekly reading series had a picture of a sack race and I was somewhat surprised as to how many kids had not been in a sack race.  Well, I jumped at that and we enjoyed some time outside racing one another.  It was fun and I am sure when it gets cooler they will want to sack race one another again.

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Science is so cool!

Everyone loves science because you can ask question after question and think of fun ways to experiment! First you have to know your lab equipment. Make sure to check out the Smilebox for the photos. We had a ball touching and playing around with the lab equipment. A few days later we experimented with Steve Spangler's fizzy colors. Today we played with eggs. I had the children gently shake 2 eggs (1 hard boiled and 1 raw) and ask how they felt different. Then I showed them, me squeezing the egg with all my might, and big muscles! They thought the egg was fake, frozen, dried up, hard boiled, and even empty. Then I told them to hold the whole egg and squeeze-to their surprise the egg did not crack! Believe me they tried to break the egg. We then talked about the hard boiled vs. raw egg. We experimented with the eggs to find any similarities and differences. Make sure to check out the Steve Spangler experiment. They loved every minute of it! I can't wait to plan another experiment.

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