Stimulating Science Simulations

If you missed out on this opportunity, don't fret. You'll have another chance the next time I get a big gift card to spend. Don't know what you missed? Read about it in my earlier post. And now for the lucky recipients... Sorry... the video isn't great. This picture shows the results better.  Congratulations!!

I have just added a brand new simulation unit that matches NC Essential Standard 5.P.1 Bowling Ball Basics  is a 13 page unit with fun characters and scenario cards. It is a hands-on/minds-on simulation that works best when students are given plenty of time to test their theories using some basic supplies as models of a bowling alley. Check out the cute scenario cards. If you can use it, download it. If you know someone else who can use it share it with them. Pin it, blog about it, share it on facebook and twitter. In other words, you have my permission to spread the word so that many people can benefit from this fun unit. It would be greatly appreciated if you would take time to submit the feedback form after you have had a chance to try it out.

I have created some posters with essential questions that can be used in grades K-5. Stop by and download the ones that you need. Please leave me some feedback. What other tools would make it easier for you to teach science and/or math?  What do you wish someone would make so that you don't have to? Maybe I can make your wish come true. Get your essential questions posters here....

It is that time of year when we all pause to think about what we are thankful for. Today my students finished some incredibly thoughtful thank you letters to the generous citizen philanthropists who have funded our Garden Stepping Stone Mosaic project on DonorsChoose. I dropped the envelope in the mail and when I got home I found a gift card waiting for me in my email. I am thankful for the opportunity to volunteer with DonorsChoose. It is a wonderful charitable organization and I love the fact that through volunteering my time to screen proposals, I am able to earn a gift card each month. I dedicate these gift cards to paying it forward. My class has received some wonderful materials through generous donations over the years. In return, I try to show my appreciation by helping to fund the projects of other teachers. Do you have a project posted on DonorsChoose right now? Could you use a little help getting it funded? If your answer is yes then please follow the steps below to link u

I love using Edmodo with my students. It has many benefits. I am seeing more and more people using it all the time and thought maybe I should share some of my tips and ah-ha moments. Tip # 1 Using Groups - The group feature is great for differentiating student assignments. I have a group called 5th grade. Within that group students are re-grouped into groups A, B, and C. This enables me to post assignments specific to the needs of each group of students. I also work with a group of students competing in Science Olympiad. These are 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. I created a Science Olympiad group and gave them each the join code. There are 18 events and only 2 students participate in each one. I use the group feature to create small groups under the Science Olympiad group and am able to send information specifically to each partnership based on their event. Using the grouping feature allows for a wonderfully customized experience. Especially when combined with other tools like the libra

I have seen others doing this thing called "Currently".  It is a monthly blog post that sort of updates the followers about things that are going on.  I can't promise my responses are terribly inspiring or even all that meaningful, but it looks like a neat way to connect with other educators. I love collaborating and so I figured... "Hey - why not give this a shot?!" So, here it is ... my 1st ever Currently. (btw - These seem to be originating over at the Oh' Boy 4th Grade Blog , in case you're interested in checking it out.) So, I guess the idea now is to expand on my Currently list a bit. With 6 people in our family, there is always something in the wash - enough said. I absolutely LOVE the Nabi 2 tablet.  I already had 1 for the classroom thanks to the Burroughs Wellcome funding (getting a whole bunch more with that $$ soon).  The other day, I received one through generous donations on DonorsChoose.  This tablet is perfect for the classroom.  I

The North Carolina Association of Elementary Educators annual conference begins today.  I will be presenting two sessions tomorrow. Here's the info. if you are going to be at the conference I hope you'll stop by and visit with me in between sessions. Don't forget to tweet about your experiences to! #NCAEE12 Date:  Monday November 5 2012 Time:  10:30am-11:45am Room:  Pebble Beach max 64 Your Session Title: Stimulating Science Simulations Session Abstract: Does teaching science scare you? If you don’t absolutely love teaching science but find yourself stuck teaching it anyway, this session is for you. Inquiry based science instruction is a key component to the Essential Science Standards. This session provides resources for the reluctant science teacher. Date:  Monday November 5 2012 Time:  4:00pm-5:15pm Room:  Colony A max 60 Your Session Title: All Teched Out Session Abstract: Make technology work for you. This session focuses on taking a variety o

Last week it finally happened! The wireless router's were installed throughout our building. "Oh the places we can go and the thinks we can think" now! I am just giddy.  I don't even no where to start.  How about with the wireless laptop cart? First things first, a sign out calendar is a must since we share one cart with the whole school.  As soon as I made the calendar, I signed up. (of course) Now, how to put this tech to good use? We had already used it with jump drives and Vernier probes prior to going wireless. With wireless, we can make good use of Edmodo to differentiate instruction and increase independent learning. This really couldn't have come at a better time.  Fifth grade is working on 5.P.3.1 and 5.P.3.2 Since students come to my class in a team blocking schedule, investigations that take longer than 30-45 minutes to observe changes are less than ideal and we're seriously limited in the types of heat sources allowed in our elementary classro

One of my favorite classroom tools are the data probes from Vernier Technologies.  During our 5th grade unit study of motion, we used the Go! Motion sensor to detect student motion including speed and velocity. You can see the level of concentration in my students' faces as they collected their data using laptops and probes.  In addition to collecting the data, students developed an understanding of how speed can be represented on a line graph.     I highly recommend the use of data probes such as these.  Grant sources such as DonorsChoose and Bright Ideas are great places to secure funding. After completing this investigation, we analyzed various line graphs representing speed. Check out our notebook entries.