Don't Be Silly!

Since I tend to be on the frugal side (college student syndrome), one of my favorite things to do is bargain shop. I love finding ways to create things with common items and I especially love helping the earth by recycling. The lesson on making silly putty was one of my favorites because I never knew how easy and inexpensive it was to make the lovable goop. The recipe is so simple that kids can make their own putty and really get a feel for how chemicals are combined to create different things. All you need is water, elmer's glue, food coloring and Borax. It's a great way to physically see how things go from liquid to solid (technically still a liquid but close to solid). I'm always looking for different ideas similar to this one because I know that doing any activity with 25 students can get expensive. Bargain lessons are the way to go!

Don't Bother Me, I'm Resting

It was my turn to teach a science lesson and I was a little nervous when I found out it was based on inertia and force. The terms sound so technical and scientific so I was immediately intimidated. When I did some research and tested out the experiments in the lesson, I was able to get a good idea of how to teach about force and movement. The experiments were quick, cheap and fun ways to test the laws of inertia. This proved to me that hands on experiments are vital for a science lesson to be successful. People need to see for themselves how things work in order to really grasp concepts.

I also learned that it's okay to be intimidated by a topic that I am not too familiar with. All I need to do is make sure I do my research ahead of time and be prepared. I know I still have a lot to learn but I actually have been considering becoming a 6th grade Science teacher. Move over, Bill Nye!

Snack Tectonics

Teaching younger students a lesson about plate tectonics can be challenging. The different types of boundaries, their details, names and movements can be difficult to grasp because they are technical and abstract since we cannot actually see the plates moving. Finding ways to provide visual examples is crucial for students' understanding. Not only can it be confusing for students, but adults too. By using graham crackers, icing, and fruit roll ups, we were able to really see how the different plate boundaries interact.

 I enjoyed the Snack Tectonics lesson because it got us motivated and kept us entertained throughout. Closing the lesson with some TPR movements for each of the plate boundaries was a great way to reinforce what we had just learned. I would definitely use this lesson in my classroom (for both the kids' enjoyment and my own!).

Using clay is another great way to learn about Plate Tectonics!