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In part 1 of my series " Elementary Science Resources - Part 1 ," I mentioned a site that I hope to use this from Mystery Science .  While that alone should be enough, I have found some other notable resources.  Here they are in no particular order. The Norwood Science Center :  This comprehensive resource for K-5 teachers was created by Mr. Haffey & Mrs. Lockwood, two elementary science teachers. The site includes Lesson Plans with Vocabulary, Powerpoints and Videos. Topics include: Animals, Plants, Geology, Weather, Energy the Solar System and more which are broken down by grade level. Be sure to check out this free site with Creative Commons license! Singing Songs of Science : I first stumbled upon J.P. Taylor's site when looking for information about the Scientific Method.  His catchy song, Scientific Method Blues ,  got my kids learning and moving!  He's got tons of them.  They do cost money but worth checking it out! Listen to the Scientif...

View of Boston Skyline from Cambridge Upon returning from a peaceful kayaking trip along the Charles River yesterday, I learned the news of the Boston Marathon bombings .   Of course I was glued to the coverage, which at the time, was a recounting of events:  "There were two explosions which resulted in horrific injuries." "Two dead, twenty injured" "People being treated in the Marathon Medical Tent." The television stayed on for hours and I fired up Twitter, as I tried to make sense of what happened.  Being on Spring break my mind did not immediately go to that of my students...until this morning .  Several of the victims of this tragedy were children with an 8 year old boy losing his life! NOW, I'm thinking of my kiddos!  How do you explain this to them?  This is not a natural event that they can easily be 'reassured'.  This is something that robs children of their sense of security. I watched this video taken by a news reporter's wife w...

People all across the world are in mourning for those children and adults who were brutally shot on Friday, December 14th at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The horrific tragedy is incomprehensible for us as adults, but for school children around the globe who have seen or heard about it, the news may be frightening.   Children may have seen the reports on the news or heard about it through hushed tones as adults speak to one another while trying to make sense.  The thought that their beloved school might not be safe could cause fear, anxiety or confusion or other emotions. How should teachers and parents help our children cope?  Students will most likely bring up the subject on Monday.  My 10 year olds will no doubt have questions or comments which they will not be afraid to voice.  I might ask the students what they know before discussing anything.  I will reassure them about the safeguards we have in place in our school.  S...

I'm no expert - especially when it comes to Google+ Hangout . In fact, I've only used it a couple of times. However, I can see the many and varied possibilities for use in an elementary classroom. Classes can collaborate in ways not been done before! Here are 10 ways elementary classes can use Google+ Hangout to connect for more collaborative, authentic learning. (Class would need a Google+ Account ) English Language Arts: 1. Reader's Theater: Each participating classroom will have one or several parts in the play; or each classroom will share a different play. After the play discuss the elements of the story. 2. Book Club - Each class can read the same book (off line) then come together to discuss the setting, character, plot, rising action, conflict and solution. Or classes can participate in their own mini read aloud based on the Global Read Aloud. Writing: 3. Create a Story: Using a basic story (outlined by participating teachers) each class ...

I feel almost guilty writing this post as I know many folks think PowerPoint is "passe".   Honestly, I really felt that way too until the other day.  With such a wide variety of presentation tools available for use including Prezi , Voicethread and Glogster ,  it seems almost silly to be using 'boring, old' PowerPoint.  As I'm constantly searching for new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom it seems that I sometimes overlook the obvious. My students have been studying and using this essential question to guide their learning: "How Can Scientists Classify Animals?"  They have learned about the major groups of Vertebrates: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals and Fish.  Initially, the plan was to have the students create a poster using a rubric agreed upon by my colleagues.  As we had time in the computer lab I decided to give the students a choice between making a poster and creating PowerPoint presentation.  One hundred percent of t...

Tadpoles feasting During a science lesson yesterday about Vertebrates, the life cycle of a frog became a focus.   This of course led to a discussion about tadpoles.  In a weak moment, I shouted "Okay, tomorrow wear your old sneakers and jeans because we are going to go in search of tadpoles in the stream behind the school!"  The chairs went flying as the kids jumped out of their seats with joy. When the cheers died down, I instantly realized what I had done. My lesson for the day was done as the students couldn't think about anything other than the upcoming science class outdoors.  Then came the questions and comments: "What about poison ivy? Last time I was in those woods, I got a bad case." "How long are we going to be out there?" "I don't have any old sneakers." "Wow, my mom can come because she knows all about poison ivy."  "Where are the tadpoles? Did you see them?"  I realized I was over my head on this one. As ...

by Tatiana Gerus on Flickr While waiting for my packets of state testing to be delivered to my classroom, amid the noise of scraping chairs and the whir of the pencil sharpener, one of my students approached my desk and shared the following with me.    "My family and I were looking up 'fruits' this morning before school.  We found that Mangos are the most popular fruit and did you know that there are 1000 different types of mangoes?" Hmmmm...actually, I didn't realize that.  As a matter of fact, I really never thought much about Mangos before now.  Since my little fourth grade friend was fascinated by the mangos and had learned so much,  I felt the need to check them out for myself.   Here is what I learned.... Mangos are grown in tropical climates. In the Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala and Haiti are the leading importers of mangoes in the US.  Mangos are a good source of dietary fiber and low in calorie.  The mango is the national ...

Bringing about change isn't easy.  Often a lot of leg work is involved and when that leg work is being done by a 10 year old it may seem even more daunting. Background Information: It was a school tradition for over 18 years that the entire fourth grade participated in a Shakespearean play.  Last year, due to many different factors, the fourth grade team decided to try something different.  This change was met with mixed emotions (as change often does). Current Situation: As we make our way towards the end of the school year, one of my students started discussing the "Fourth Grade Play" with her sister (who had been in a production of "Julius Caesar" several years before).  It seems that my student wanted to "Bring back the Fourth Grade Play".  Her sister suggested she start a petition. The petition was then created and over a several day period the student collected over 84 signatures.   Fourth graders, third and fifth graders alike signed their name...

Discovery Education's Clip Art Gallery created by Mark A. Hicks, illustrator. Went shopping today at a local mall with my daughter and her friend.   We were in the mall for about two hours when all of a sudden a loud, blaring alarm was ringing out!  I looked around and the shoppers and store workers were nonplussed.  Clearly, it was a fire alarm and no one seemed the least bit bothered by it as they continued to go about their business.         Since my daughter and her friend were in another part of the mall I texted them and told them to leave the mall immediately.   "Already leaving" was what I got in return. (Most likely because they had practiced what to do at school.) Outside the mall, as I waited for the girls, I noticed there were only a handful of shoppers who also left the building. In the distance sirens blared as fire engines were making their way into the parking lot.   Still hardly anyone had exited the mall....

As Hurricane Irene is making her way down the East Coast, many people are preparing for a serious storm.  While there are those excited by the prospect of high winds and torrential rain, others, like elementary students, may be nervous and confused about what to expect.  As always, providing information may alleviate their fears. NASA Science Files for Kids: An interactive site that describes Hurricane Structure, Formation and Movement.  Saffir-Simpson Scale: This NASA site explains the rating scale used for hurricanes.  Hurricanes are rated on a scale of 1-5.  A category 1 hurricane is less intense than a category 5. Hurricane Names: Learn how hurricanes are named and find a list of names that have been or will be used.   Is your name here? HURRICANE VIDEOS: Discovery Channel Video:   This video explains how hurricanes form and describes some of the damage caused by them. Hurricane Minute: A series of video clips from the Weather Channel Kids tha...

At the start of each new school year my students are introduced to a lesson in Citizenship.   This lesson will lay the groundwork as we work together to establish rules in our classroom.  made with Doodlebuddy Here are some definitions which help students understand this often-confusing term.  The highlighted definition will be the focus of instruction this year. "Citizenship" as defined by Dictionary.com :     noun :  1. the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.             2. the character of an individual viewed as a member by society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations and functions of a citizen. Students will be introduced (via a Smartboard Notebook lesson) to the following 5 categories that help define citizenship; Respect, Fairness, Caring, Responsibility,  and Honesty (categories based on information provided by the Scott Foresman Soci...

It hasn't happened in so long that we were all caught off guard.  It must have happened because of the extreme heat we have been having.  Just when we were getting ready to sit down and watch our favorite shows - the lights went out!  No television or internet! What's a child to do?  What's a child to do?   Why, hone up on their math skills with some fun and easy games of course! Just like we did!  Playing board games or games on the computer will help keep math skills from sliding during the summer.  Here are some family favorites! Yahtzee .  My daughter, her girlfriend and I played this game of strategy and probability that involves addition.  It was especially fun as we played by candlelight with lots of chatting and laughter.  Meanwhile, the girls, who are teenagers were practicing their basic math operations.  (For those who like playing games online there is a Yahtzee Online Version . Just make sure to turn off chat feature.)...

Summer vacation is here and already I'm hearing, "Mom, I'm bored, what can I do?"   In my daughter's defense it has been raining since school let out a few days ago.  Of course I suggested she start her summer reading project but was met with a huge "UGG!!" As a teacher (and mom) I know it is important to keep those skills current and avoid the ' summer slide' .  Many school systems have required reading and even math packets for students to complete during the summer break.  I'm going out on a limb by saying that although we want to keep our students' skills honed I'm not sure REQUIRED reading and math packets will do the trick.  It has always been a struggle to get my own kids to complete their summer reading.  We would be vacationing on Cape Cod that last week in August and I'd be hounding them to read their book.  Now, tell me how that instills the love of reading or promotes the retention of skills? So what is the answer?  H...

In the news the other morning was an account of a serious outbreak of tornadoes. The tornado season is upon us, and mother nature is certainly keeping busy as over 800 preliminary tornadoes have touched ground (According to the NOAA's Storm Prediction Center). With the peak of the season not yet reached (May and June) one only wonders what the old girl has planned. Watching the swirling columns of air sweeping their way across our TV screen, and witnessing the destruction left behind was rather frightening to me. I imagined it would be the same for some of my students while others might be drawn to it. Naturally, children are curious, fascinated and maybe fearful of tornadoes. It might be helpful for them to have some information about this topic. Fujita Pearson Scale: This is the old scale used to rate and describe the tornado, but it gives the children an idea of what kind of damage occurs. The scale has now been enhanced to these wind speeds. Tornado Video: This 3...

Hiking through the woods this week I found myself humming  "Catalina Madalina Hoopa Stada Walk-a-dada Hoka Poka Loka was her name!"  and  "Boom Chicka Boom! Boom Chicka Boom! Boom Chicka Ra Ra Boom Boom Boom!"     I had learned those songs about 40 years ago while in sixth grade at Camp Calumet during our  school's Environmental Education week.  Environmental Education Week  consisted of the entire sixth grade class (about 70 kids) leaving our classrooms and homes for 6 days, traveling over 200 miles away and learning our lessons at camp.  My first exposure to hiking was climbing Red Hill and Jackman's Ridge during that week away from home.  Canoeing, orienteering and cooking outdoors were some of the other activities in which we participated.  We learned teamwork,  how to live with people other than family and took on new responsibilities (KP duty and such). We still spent time doing English Language Arts, Math, ...

Imagine 458 kids along with 30 + adults singing and dancing in an auditorium! All in sync - all in tune! Well, this past Friday, that was OUR school. Every other week our elementary school gathers together in the auditorium and is treated to a whole school assembly presented by a different class or two. Assemblies this year included a tribute to family veterans ; a choral reading about the Pilgrims; a class role playing promoting bullying prevention; a class sharing their family heritage and more. By far there are some whole school assemblies that become 'Boyden' Traditions! Two of those assemblies happened to occur in the same week! Dressed in their best cowboy attire, our annual 'Hoe Down' is held in the gymnasium and shows off the new dancing skills of the fourth grade students.  The Virginia Reel, Cotton-Eyed Joe and other dances were featured as part of the culminating unit on 'Pioneers'.  Each fourth grade class demonstrates one of the dances they learn...