Data has become a central theme in classrooms today. We have formative assessments, summative assessments, reading level assessments, MAP testing, STAAR tests, other standardized tests, istation, the list can go on forever. The last thing we need as teachers is another thing to grade or another assessment! We do need to check in with our … Continue reading Exit Slips and Assessing Student Understanding
I started Science Concept Characters back in 2009 and they were such a hit that I kept the activity ready to go for any time I needed something extra. Students can pick a science word/concept, or you can assign a science word/concept to each student. Students will create a character for a science word or … Continue reading Making Learning Fun with Science Concept Character
13 Writing Prompts for Fall with Crafts You need this new writing activity for making writing fun! I’m amazed to see my most reluctant writers jump into action with these writing activities!! 2 options are provided for each prompt to make the journal page work for each of your days and ability levels. 1. Writing … Continue reading Fall Writing Prompts with Crafts or Coloring Pages
I LOVE to have a stocked bookshelf in my science classroom. Not only does it give a great selection for curious kiddos to explore when they have some extra time, but it makes a great resource for filling extra class time with a valuable read aloud or reading activity. I keep seeing the question asked, … Continue reading My Top 20 Favorite Books For Your Science Classroom
Science and Literacy Teaching kids reading skills shouldn’t be left solely up to the reading or ELA teacher. Informational texts are challenging for kids and they need as much exposure to them as possible to develop the skills need to comprehend what they read. Teaching kids to read informational texts is an important job for a … Continue reading READING IN THE SCIENCE CLASSROOM
We all know that the couple of weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas/Winter Break can be rough on teacher energy levels and student behavior. And then, the weeks after Winter Break are tough, too. In December, we are all just waiting for that next break, and the kids more or less mentally check out. In January, its … Continue reading STEM and Literacy Activities for Surviving Christmas and Winter in the Classroom
Playdoh + Glowsticks + Flashlights = Exciting Learning Fun! https://www.instagram.com/p/BP0Xa-uj5bi/?taken-by=teachersworkstation Having a four year old at home who is very interested in Science and Engineering keeps me busy looking for something to challenge or intrigue him. Today, he so proudly brought me that Earth he made. I have been building a 4th grade Earth, Sun, … Continue reading Creative Play and Learning
I am a really big fan of using read alouds in the science classroom. I love books, and that means I have to share my love of reading with my science kiddos! Reading in the science classroom has so many cross-curricular benefits for kids. Gail Gibbons and Basher Science are by far my favorite … Continue reading Why Use Poetry in Your Science Classroom?
Hi teacher friends! Since school is starting back up, I want to share my secret to keeping my sanity while teaching. I am a planner, and I figured out very quickly that teaching was a job that needed serious time management. At first, I spent nights and weekends grading papers. It took me four hours on … Continue reading How to get your work done during the school day (and leave on time)
Science matters in Kindergarten, just as much as it matters in High School. With elementary science teachers, high school science teachers have a huge helping hand in teaching and sparking scientific interest in our kids today as well as for our scientists and thinkers of the future. When I used to think about a science … Continue reading Why Elementary Science Matters (and How You Can Make It Happen)
