So Sad...

Last week, I lost my beloved "Big Daddy". Our weather has been fluctuating between cold and hot for the past month and he got pneumonia. I rushed him to the vet when I came in and saw him lethargic, but that afternoon he passed. It has been tragic for me and my kids. :( He is buried in our school butterfly garden and there will be a memorial put there for him.

Mock Trials and Reptiles

We just finished analyzing evidence from our crime scene in 2nd grade. Felix's body disappeared from the crime scene and it is up to us to figure out who did it. So, we had a trial. It was so much fun! I scripted a few pages to get everyone going, but once they started, they didn't want to stop! I have quite a few actors and actresses! If you have never used a "mock trial" in your classroom, you should give it a try. It will really work at any grade. There are tons of resources online for fairy tale "mock trials" to get you started. Then you can pick your topic. Science A to Z has debate/argument questions that would work great for a science topic. In kindergarten, we used our observation skills with superworms and Big Daddy, one of our resident bearded dragons. Next week, we learn about owls and check out an owl pellet. Ewwww!

 

Gingerbread on the loose!

Our first graders are solving mysteries through a gingerbread man theme. Since my kids love all things detective,  I found a gingerbread girl I could use to create mysteries all over campus. We have a "crime scene" board with clues and suspects, but as it turns out "Gingy" is acting on her own and is loose on campus. We have tracked fingerprints and footprints so far. We "installed" a surveillance camera over the weekend and caught Gingy doing all kinds of things. She even has her own Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Have-you-seen-Gingy/1393241127573457?ref=hl

Science Lab Update

We are having fun, fun, fun in the lab right now! Last week, we began with lab rules and basic science process skills, mainly, observation and prediction. This morning, with my first graders, we worked on classifying. I used Rachel Lamb's (The Tattoed Teacher) "Stinky Feet"   http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/stinky-feet-science-use-shoes-to-learn-how-to-classify-freebie-317874. I love her stuff! I also use her matter unit and mealworm unit (my favorite unit of the year!).

 

     In kindergarten, we are "Wildlife Biologists" learning about our senses through science.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mysteries-of-the-Wild-exploring-the-senses-and-nature-of-science-293335

     In second grade, we are "Forensic Scientists" solving GEMS Mystery Festival, "Case of the Missing Millionaire."

Where did summer go?

Summer is over, it happened so fast! I have been missing from blogland for a little while...life happened. Now, I am back, ready for an exciting year of science and STEM! I did do a little science field work this summer... I was fortunate enought to spend some time with the Coastal Wildlife Club and learn all about sea turtles! It was an amazing experience! I was able to see both loggerhead and green turtle nests.

 

4 Chicks and a Sale!

    We have four baby chicks! My hatching rate was not so hot this year. Last years was much better...in the 90 percent range. This year we only had 4 out of 17 hatch, but they are adorable! Teachers and students alike come by often to visit and hold the chicks. I love spring with all of the babies. We have kittens at home, also. Please check out my farm unit for more agriculture fun and activities.

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Farm-Fun-Learning-on-the-mooove





Also, BIG SALE on Teachers Pay Teachers this week!

 

 

Farm Fun!

Kindergarten students are learning all about farm life, where are food comes from, and all things agriculture! We have chicks in the incubator and we have been checking on their progress with our ovascope. Everyone had fun doing our egg dissection lab: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Egg-Dissection-primary.
You can download our lab sheets for free at my TPT store. Also check out our farm unit:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Farm-Fun-Learning-on-the-mooove