Virtual Easter Egg Hunt

Just found this on a blog! WONDERFUl and CREATIVE!
Happy Egg Hunting!

http://www.gigapan.org/gigapans/3695/

Static Electricity

WOW...there was static everywhere! We took balloons rubbed them on our head and went on a static electricity hunt around the classroom! What would repel and what would attract to the balloon? Some finds were interesting- the door, the whiteboard, the window, etc. We discussed the WHYs? and HOWs? and then they all wanted to take their balloons home to go on another hunt! (they really enjoyed watching the balloon attract to the pieces of paper).

Adjective Fun/ Object Hunt

I have a great activity to share- an OBJECT HUNT-AN I SPY! Give your students adjectives written on Post-It notes that describe an object in the classroom! They need to use the adjectives/clues to find the object. You can also use a magnifying glass to enhance the experience!

Post-It Fun

I LOVE Post-It Notes...I think the company loves me too (I buy way too many...but they have so many uses). This weekend I used the mini Post-It Notes and put a message on all my students' desks. They love to get a personal note by suprise. I see them storing them in their desks and putting them in their lockers for keep sakes! A simple note can reap wonderful benefits!

Pistachio Pudding- Matter Fun!

We did a wonderful, tasty, and green matter experiment. I gave my students a bag of pistachio pudding mix and then 1/4 cup of milk. They needed to hand mix it and then they could taste the results. We discussed the matter elements before, during, and after. Why was it pale green before and then bright green? Why did it make the texture it did? What other matter experiments can we do that involve mixing a solid with a liquid, etc. (by the way, over 1/2 of the classed like the pudding :)

Pine Cones

Can pine cones predict the weather? Today we did an experiment to try to answer that. We had two pine cones and took note of their features before we put one in water. 1/2 hour later the pine cone in the water had closed the other one was still opened. We came to the conclusion the pine cones might help us tell if it is going to rain or if it has!

Deserts

We are getting ready for our school Biomes/Habitat Fair. Our classroom choose the desert!

I thought that was a "hot" one. I am finding many awesome resources on the web and several books that we will be using to learn more about the types of deserts/conditions/animals that lives there/locations. This website is one I found that we will be using:

http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/science/habitats_biomes/desert/

I found these on that site:

The Little Red Pen

I came upon a highly recommended book- THE LITTLE RED PEN. When I read the title I thought of my days in school when I would get back my papers and they had little red checks or circles...needless to say I do not have a red pen in my classroom. But, back to this book that was published last year. It is really a book, as the ruler says "Really measures up." I love the dialogue in the story, but there are a couple of words that my 2nd graders will not be hearing when I read it as a read-aloud. But, the humor and the cleverness of the author makes this a must read. Another quote, just to spark your interest in the book- Scissors says, 'I've been cutting up all day. I'm getting dull. Not good for a sharp guy like me!" If you do read it, let me know what you think!

ENJOY!

FRACTION FUN

One never knows where one is going to be when an interesting teaching idea lights up one's imagination bulb. Today, for me, it was at the grocery store when I saw soft shelled tacos!

I thought...perfect for teaching fractions. They are soft so they can be folded and unfolded; they can be easily torn or ripped. Further, they are CHEAP!!!! I can't wait to use them. I wonder how many of my students will ask, "Do we get to eat these?'

So True

SPRING BREAK :)

I am definitely trying to get caught up this week and the weather has be detouring me from getting into my classroom to get paperwork done (BUT I LOVE THE 50-60 degree weather).

I found this and it is so true. Are all these included on your job description/contract? For me, I appreciate my fellow teachers/staff members even more after reading this! Plus, I am thankful that I am a teacher! I am honored to be surrounded by 18 2nd Grade students who teach me everyday and inspire me to learn right with them!

An Awesome Book!

This book came highly recommended to me! I read it within a week. In fact, it was my exercise companion (other than the machine). I marked many pages and made note of key ideas about why boys struggle in most of our schools/classrooms. One part that glued a picture in my mind was when the author asked to take a look at the arrangement of the classroom during Morning Meeting/Calendar- where are most of the boys? (my answer and is- many are in the back or on the outside of the "bunch of grapes") He definitely made me think about what occurs in my own classroom! Please check it out!

Coin Stick Puppets

Money Time... A penny's worth one, a nickel's worth five, a dime's worth ten, and a quarter twenty-five (that's a song..and we sing it over and over ...just wish it had a line for the half dollar). My 2nd Graders and I have been creating all different sets of coin combinations, counting change, adding and subtracting money, and also getting ready for our 2nd Grade Store. We are totally "invested" in money! I did find a tool to enhance our unit that I am definitely going to make over Spring Break or have my students make when we get back- Coin Stick Puppets. Now we will be able to sing our sing and raise our puppets to the lyrics, besides using them for adding, subtracting, and coin combinations, etc. :)

Animal Crackers

Matter experiment number 7 is done! Our materials were animal crackers, a cup, and water. Our goal was to predict, watch, listen, smell, touch, and then taste what would happen after we put 5 Animal Crackers in water. I had them draw their predictions and also their results. Many were amazed that the water changed colors and how soggy the crackers actually got! A few did not like the taste, but some instantly claimed they needed to try this at home! They definitely understood how quickly the molecules in the Animal Crackers began to change as the water softened the crackers (they also liked to watch the crackers sink and sometimes come back up to the top of the cup).

Awesome Resource

I use an awesome intervention resource I thought I'd share with you! It is a fantastic guide to assist you in helping all students succeed and use all their gifts and talents!

http://www.amazon.com/Pre-Referral-Intervention-Manual-Third-Edition/dp/B001NOHFD2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1331310974&sr=8-7

Spanish with math facts

Yesterday we did Spanish with a twist! We added math facts! I called out a math problems and my 2nd Graders needed to print the correct answer in standard form, but say their answers in Spanish! We went all the way to 30! Some of my students are fluent with numbers in Spanish, but all are making huge gains!!! I am so proud!

Below is a site I like for Spanish games:
http://www.123teachme.com/games/click_n_say/numbers

Dancing Raisins

Today we watched raisins dance in 7-Up. It was a magical dance. The raisins would go up and down in the 7-up. When the CO2 surrounds the raisins the raisins become lighter and rise. when the bubbles burst, they sink! It was exciting to watch them listen to, watch, touch, and smell this matter experiment!

I Have Who Has Cards/ Follow Me Cards

One of the best things since sliced bread, I Have Who Has Cards. They are a great tool to use with any grade, any lesson, any concept! They create excitement, allow students to become engaged, and allow one to do a formative check for understanding! Here is a link to a website where one can create their one cards:

http://www.senteacher.org/Worksheet/46/Loopcards.xhtml

Bubbles

Today we blew bubbles as part of our matter unit. We asked several questions before doing our experiment. Why do bubbles form? What is a bubble? What makes bubbles pop? What would our bubbles look like? What shape would our bubbles take? How big would our bubbles get? Then we blew. It definitely was a popping experience.