Happy Dance! 100 Followers!

     I am doing the happy dance...I have reached 100 followers! Woo-hoo! So, in honor of my accomplishment, I am giving away my newest "Superlative Science Signs and Labels". Please visit my TPT store when you get a chance, I am working on finding new followers for my store. Thank you!


Spiders and more...

Spider by Melonheadz

Check out my latest item... "Superlative Spiders"! This is the perfect packet to complement your favorite spider literature such as "A Very Busy Spider" or "Diary of a Spider". In this packet, I also discuss "Bottle Biology". A must have book for any classroom interested in science and biology!

Also, starting tomorrow, check out Kindergarten Lifestyle. Jeannie is celebrating 1000+ followers with a freebie frenzy! My Scientist Theme Classroom Set will be available for download for one week for FREE! Check it out!

http://kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.com

Science Notebooks

     All of my students, K-3 have a science notebook. When they fill one up, they get a new one. These are theirs to keep for reference and resources. We glue in any lab sheets (they are taught how to fold them and only glue one half of the paper so they can still open it and it does not stick out), foldables, leaves, different types of sand, soil, clay particles, etc. I also have small ziploc (snack size or smaller) bags, so they can put liquids, slime, etc in their notebook also. In the first few weeks of school, I pass out old science magazines, national geographic kids, or whatever I have on hand. They get to cut out pictures of what science means to them and make a collage on the front on their notebook. I then cover in it in clear contact paper or clear packing tape. They are so proud of their notebooks and show any guests who come in! Their favorite part is taping things in. I go through a lot of tape, but it is worth it. :) Every table has their own dispenser. I always start off with modeling my own notebook. Anytime I go to any science prefessional development or I am trying out a new experiment/investigation, it is logged in my notebook. We have tried binders, folders, spirals, and the best thing is the compostion notebook. Consider using science notebooks...it improves science inquiry skills and writing.



My science notebook...

TPT Addiction Sale!

In honor of TPT being back up (may it neve leave us for that long again!), I am throwing a sale!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Superlative-Science

How many times did I check TPT yesterday to see if it was back up? Ummm...I don't think I want to count that high! 20% off of my store! :)

P.S. This is how I feel today!

Graphic of how I feel today by http://melonheadzillustrating.blogspot.com/

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?