We all need to live by these words right now!(Ian Byrdseed)

 

What A Great Teacher Shirt

Cute Valentine or Mother's Day Activity

I'm excited about my new measuring/Valentine activity! This activity helps with measuring using a ruler (inches and centimeters). They get to measure fun objects like a popsicle, a tadpole, and even a big toe! Ha! When they are finished, they can create a cute pop-up card for someone special!

Funglish

I recently stumbled across another hilarious and fun game played on the Ellen Show called Funglish. My students struggle with vocabulary (high ESL population) and it affects their performance on standardized tests. So, I thought this would be a great way to play a fun game while learning science and social studies vocabulary at the same time. Here is the link to the Ellen Show clip(click here).
Here is a picture of the Funglish giant game board my mom created using a plastic shower curtain and duct tape.

The Great Pumpkin Challenge!

For the week of Halloween, I had my 4th and 5th graders do a fun design challenge. I adapted this idea from an idea I saw on Pinterest. They had 26 gum drop pumpkins and 30 toothpicks. They had to sketch a tower that would stand on its own. Then, they constructed with their materials. The tallest tower won the challenge. We had some very interesting design ideas and the students learned alot! The tallest tower was 37 centimeters tall! Here are some examples:

Animal Adaptations: Bird Beaks!

We just finished up our animal adaptations unit. We did a study of different bird beaks and how they help the birds survive. The class did an activity where they used the "beaks" to pick up or do different things. They loved doing this and it really helped them to see how the beaks really do help the birds survive. When they were finished handling the beaks, they had to match the bird to the beak and what it uses the beak for. Here are the beaks I used:
Tweezers--insect grabbing--plastic fly--Creeper
Clothespin--seed cracker--sunflower seed--Cardinal
Sharp pencil--pecking wood--piece of wood--Woodpecker
Toothpick--spearing fish--Swedish Fish--Heron
*As an extension, I passed out cups of birdseed and had them research and identify what birds ate the specific kind of seed.

 
 
 

Make Your Own Landfill!

 


After taking an amazing field trip to our local landfill, I just had to share a cool project to do with your students! Have them create their own landfills. This can emphasize conserving Earth's resources and pollution. I asked my local grocery store to donate plastic containers with lids, but you could use water bottles (cut the tops off). You will also need to cut a small hole, near the middle, to insert a 2-3 inch piece of straw. This will be the pipe that lets the water drain out. You can also caulk around the straw so there are no leaks. Tell the class that they have to first put a layer of soil on the bottom of their container. Then, they may choose their own materials to make a barrier for their landfill. They need to make sure their barrier is sealed so no polluted rain water leaks down into the ground or it will pollute the ground water. I gave them clay, foam, foil, sand, and charcoal sheets to use to make their barrier. After they have created their barrier, then give them shredded paper to act as the "trash" inside their landfill. Next, pour a little water into the landfill and see if it drains out of the "pipe." If they made their landfill correctly, the water will drain out of the pipe and not leak into the ground.

Yay for Ohio Becoming a State!

I have been teaching my 4th graders about the process of Ohio achieving statehood. I decided to add a fun twist to a dry topic. I had my students create greeting cards for Ohio congratulating the state on becoming a state. They decorated their cards and had to say what Ohio had to accomplish in order to become a state. I was very impressed with how cute they turned out!

Excited about my new science and social studies boxes!

Need a way to spice up science and social studies homework? Try my new science and social studies boxes! These are a bit more lively than just your average packet of work!

Ohio as America is awesome!

I just want to recommend Ohio as America to 4th grade teachers for social studies! I was given a free subscription this year, but will definitely see about it again next year. It is an online 4th grade textbook with mini videos, primary sources, artifact pictures, old maps, activities, and more! It has been a great supplement to my social studies units for 4th grade. I also love it because you can go in a logical order of Ohio history. We were able to see a photo of a real "USA" pin worn during the American Revolution! Here is the link:

http://www.ohioetextbooks.org

The Most Amazing App in the World!

I just recently came across a list of helpful apps for educators. As I was perusing them, I stumbled upon an app called iTranslate Voice (for iphone). If you have a high ELL population, then this is the app for you! My school has many students that move in and do not speak any English. I have struggled with trying to communicate with them. I've used dictionaries or tried having other students translate. I downloaded this app and it changed my life! This app can translate into 42 different languages. All you do is speak what you want to say (kind of like you're speaking to SIRI) and it translates into the language, speaks it out loud, and writes it as a text! So far, I've used the Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese (mandarin) the most. After explaining an assignment to the whole class, I asked my non-English speaking students if they understood what to do. They were confused, so I spoke into my phone and it translated it for them. They completed the assignment knowing what to do! AMAZING! Where has this been all my life?

                                                             Thank you iTranslate Voice!

I have also started creating word walls for science in order to help my ELL students with new vocabulary. I have created them for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Here is the link to my 4th grade set:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Science-Word-Wall-4th-Grade-1353364

A Carnival-Themed Classroom!

I decided to keep my carnival-themed decor this year. I added a few touches this year. Here is my book corner. The "tent" is from Ikea. I have decided to just purchase a cheapy rug at Big Lots for $30 and pitch it every year. My kids track in mud from playing soccer at recess and it's not worth it to keep fighting an uphill battle. 

I love these faux clipboards. I attached a paperclip to them to just easily slip student work underneath and display! I even have a giant paperclip for added effect...

I bought this from Oriental Trader. If my students earn it, they get to spin the wheel. Whatever number they land on, they get to choose from that # of bag. Hey, you get to pick a prize from bag #7!!!!

I purchased this along with the wheel. It is a basic version of my very favorite PLINKO game from Price-Is-Right! There are little discs that students will drop, and whatever number they land on, that's the bag they choose from!

This is my favorite place to rest. This stool is so retro and swivels!

Ok, this is not really carnival-themed, but I had to get it. It was like $12 at Target! Gotta love Target!

Ways to Use Technology

Here are some cool tech tips I will definitely be trying in my classroom!

Zaption is a way to make videos on You Tube more interactive while showing them in your classroom. There is a quick and simple tutorial that you can watch. Basically, you can show a You Tube video that has questions, notes, open responses, and drawings. So, as you reach different points in the video, these little side bars pop up and you can ask your class questions or check for understanding.
Here is the link:
http://www.zaption.com/tours

Another cool site is Google LitTrips. Basically, you can choose from different books and travel/see photos of places the character goes or things the character does using Google Earth. In the book, Opossum Magic, the character eats different foods around places in Australia. Using Google Earth, you get to see the places the character visits. I LOVE Google Earth and am always looking for ways to use it in my classroom!
Here is the link:
http://www.googlelittrips.com/GoogleLit/Home.html

I am always trying to find and use the latest "tekky" stuff in my classroom, so stay tuned for more tips...

Easy Way to Set Up a Science Center

Setting up a science center in your classroom can be a great way to supplement what you are already teaching in this subject area. Kids love science topics. I like to have an established science center that is permanently set up and kids can visit when they finish with their work. I have created a hassle-free science center that can be established and used all year. If you choose to make it permanent, you will need to purchase a trifold board that is used for science fairs and displays. Feel free to add any of your own cute embellishments! I kept mine kind of plain seeing that I have 4th and 5th graders. The labels in my kit are cute all on their own. Once your center is set up, then you just have to change out the activities when your topics change. It's as easy as that! And, I will be providing the replacement parts for the center as well (ex. Animal Adaptations, Ecosystems). All topics are the major standards you need to hit in the intermediate grades. Here is what my center looks like:

                                     

                                                                              

My New Blog!

I finally have my new blog up and running and am really excited about it and how cool it looks! I owe special thanks to Courtney Juneau of "Blogs Fit For a Queen!" She is awesome! Can't wait to start posting cool ideas on here! Here's to happy blogging!