Scientifically Challenged?

Are you scientifically challenged? Well, I used to think I was! Science is... curiosity. If you have curiousity about things around you, then good news...you may not be scientifically challeged! I used to think, "Did I do any science this week?" And I usually answered no (yes, I talk to myself, don't you?). I answered no because I thought you had to be doing "The Scientific Method" to be teaching science. I was wrong. "The Scientific Method" is a neccessary evil that is tested on most standardized testing at some point, so I do cover it, but I am no longer obsessed with it. I wonder if astronomers or paleontologists ever wake up and ask themselves if they are doing "The Scientific Method?" I bet not. Nope, I bet they wake up and read about their curiosities and then go explore them. My purpose as a science teacher is to instill a love and curiosity about the world around us from a scientific point of view (and I do promote careers in science). First and foremost, this includes reading about the world around us. Actually, the scientific method is probably A LOT lower on my list (I just heard a gasp from the other science teacher at my school...sorry Alyson!). Well, in order make it easy for others to teach the neccessary evil, I put together this little packet. :)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Easy-Peasy-Experiments-to-Teach-Scientific-Method

                                                        

My Teacher Story {Linky Party}

Frogs and Cupcakes is hosting "My Teacher Story" link party... 



    
     My teacher story begins about seven years ago. For eleven years, I had worked for Publix (supermaket company in the southeast). I made great money (way more there than as a teacher!). My husband was also a manager for the same company and while money was good, the hours were crazy! Along came our daughter Madison, and I decided to take some time off and stay home with her. I stayed home from age 1 until she started kindergarten. I had all intentions on going back to Publix when she started first grade, but then I started volunteering. Volunteering led to subbing and subbing led to teaching. My degree is in business, but a local college had a summer program that led to professional certification for non-education majors. I have taught ESE self-contained, ESE resource, Kindergarten (my favorite grade!), and now Science (my favorite subject other than reading!). Although growing up, I never wanted to become a teacher, now I could never see myself doing anything else! I love teaching! If I won the lottery, I would still teach!  I feel blessed that I wake up every morning, excited to go to work. :) 

Unit Themes

This will be our second full year incorporating STEM into our school. We (along with three other elementary magnet schools in our district) were lucky enough to receive a federal grant to become a STEM school. However, this grant came to us with little to no instructions, ideas, etc. of how to even begin. Through long hours, days, weeks, months of work, we come up with what STEM looked like to us (and it is still evolving). Our school has specials (art, music, PE), but at a different time during the day we also have a STEM lab rotation. The students either go to the S.T.E. or M. for 50 min daily for 18 days at a time (I get every K-2 class twice a year, we have two science teachers) so that we can do problem and project based curriculum in the labs. So yes, most teachers have not one, but two 50 minute planning blocks a day. Our problem based units are extensions of what is going on in the classroom, so to help with consistency,we have four themed units (one for each nine weeks). First is Mystery Madness (based on the nature of science), Let's Get Physical (physical science), Out of this World (earth/space science), and Circles of Life (life science). Yes, we are science based. We start with science and go from there. :) Our kids are loving it! We are going from having little to no professional development to having more than we can attend. Because of the grant, we have been able to attend many conferences, and visit other schools. Out goes the 1980's style of teaching and in with 2012! I am so thankful for all of my new technology! Smartboard, doc camera, video camera, digital camera, ipad, new laptop, digital microscope, smartboard response systems, slates, and so much more!

Well, I have started working on items I thought our teachers could use for our first theme: Mystery Madness. Here is a classroom decor set... Please check it out!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mystery-Madness-Detective-Theme-Classroom-Set

Is anyone a teacher at a STEM school? Do you love it? What is STEM to you?

  

"Scientist" Themed Classroom

Check out my latest item...

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Scientist-Themed-Classroom-Set

This set includes so much! From table numbers (2 different styles), to letters/numbers for word wall, labels, classroom jobs, passes, awards, journal labels, subject signs, and so much more!

Must Have Picture Books {Linky}

I love books! I couldn't resist posting my favorites! The Teacher Wife put together this great linky. All you do is post about your top 5 Must-Have-Picture-Books with a link to purchase them.

1. Drumroll please... "Epossumondas Saves the Day!" by Coleen Salley (my favorite of all time!)

It’s Epossumondas's birthday, so Mama's whipping up his favorite biscuits. But she's plumb out of sody sallyraytus (baking soda)! Everybody knows you can’t make big, fluffy biscuits without sody. One by one, Baby Gator, Auntie, and Mama scoot to the store to fetch some. But when no one comes back, it’s up to Epossumondas to run out and see what’s what--until he runs smack into a great, huge, ugly Louisiana snapping turtle! I won't give away the ending...but I tie it into my states of matter unit. Baking Soda + acid (we use vinegar) = BOOM! Don't forget to use your cajun accent when reading!

2.  "Three Billygoats Gruff and Mean Calypso Joe" by Cathrene Vale Youngquist
I used this in my kindergarten class. Every year, we would do several versions of this story, but our favorite was always this one because of the caribbean dialect. I had a bridge we put up in my room and we would act it out for weeks! This is a GREAT read aloud!

The three Billygoats Gruff find themselves wanting treats on the other side of their island. However, to get there, they first must cross a bridge...a bridge guarded by Calypso Joe, the self-proclaimed "meanest troll dis part of de island." Joe demands a toll from the goats, warning of a "big problem" if it isn't paid. But Joe soon learns that he is the one with the "big problem!"

3. "Iggy Peck, Architect" by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

This is a great book if you are doing any engineering! Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his second-grade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up!

4. "Newton and Me" by Lynne Mayer 

I love to use this book when teaching physics to the younger ones! It is a rhyming book about a boy and his dog, Newton, discovering the laws of motion. Very cute!

5. "The Lonely Doll" by Dare Wright. I used this book in kinderarten. It was one of our librarian's favortie books and she introduced me to it. There is also a great biography about the author for a good adult read. :) Amazon summary:

"Once there was a little doll. Her name was Edith. She lived in a nice house and had everything she needed except someone to play with. She was lonely! Then one morning Edith looked into the garden and there stood two bears! Since it was first published in 1957, The Lonely Doll has established itself as a unique children's classic. Through innovative photography Dare Wright brings the world of dolls to life and entertains us with much more than just a story. Edith, the star of the show, is a doll from Wright's childhood, and Wright selected the bear family with the help of her brother. With simple poses and wonderful expressions, the cast of characters is vividly brought to life to tell a story of friendship."

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Creative Chemistry and more...

Wow...I feel like I have spent all weekend on the computer. And not blog stalking...actually working!

I have just added "Creative Chemistry" to my TPT store. Check it out: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Chemistry-Chemistry-and-States-of-Matter-fun-for-primary-grades

While I was putting this together, I thought of several things that every classroom should have in their science center. Maybe you could add these to your wishlist. :) First, everyone should have at least one set of eyeloupes (only 3.99 at harbor freight). http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-loupe-set-98722.html
They are so much better than the little magnifying glasses that come in most science kits. Each one has a different magnification.   

Next, are digital scales. Also at Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-gram-digital-scale-97920.html. These are a little more ($11.99), but you will use them! We measure grow creatures, mealworms, other insects, and more.

Finally, microscopes. These are a little more costly, but so worth it!



 Have a great week!

Bubble Fun!

I wonder...if I add food coloring to my bubble solution, will the bubbles be that color?

Can I make bubbles in different shapes? (The paper plate works a lot better than the wire!)

If I concentrate hard enough, will the bubble come out? Lol. My husband volunteers most Tuesdays during the school year. He not only helps me, but does a lot of landscaping and handyman work at our school! I have a wondeful husband. :) He even takes a vacation the week before we go back to school to help me get the lab set up.