Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Linking Up to {6th Grade} All-Stars!

Link up to share about your first day preparations!

Here is my post on my other education blog!
The Superlative Six

Happy reading!

Life in 6th

SOOO it has been awhile.  But, what is VERY exciting is that I get to keep my job!!!  For those of you who didn't know, the budget was going to cut my position, seeing that I was the last one hired!  But it didn't, so now I will again be teaching Science and ELA next year.  I am so super excited!!!!  But to recap (literally) the last 3 months, here are some pictures I found on my good 'ole iPhone:

My grant went through!!!  I have this awesome set now of remotes which connect
to my computer and projector...so I can show a question with answers and the kids
can "lock in" their response.  I LOVE THIS!

I started massive cleaning of the storage closet
(and actually the classroom too).  There was so much
left from the teacher before me!!!

Oh, and there was a week at the end of may that the temperature IN the classroom
was 91 degrees.  Yep.  3rd floor = not good on warm days.  Also doesn't make
for a happy bunch of pre-teens!!

Anyway, stop over at my other blog: superlativesix.blogspot.com for more info on the end of my school year!

Woo-hoo!

When the testing is done...clay landforms!

So I have been MIA since my kiddos were taking the ELA test last week.  It was crazy stressful and it took a lot out of all of us.  After testing for 3 40-minute periods, the kids still had their "Cores"...science, math, and social studies.  Since the math test is coming up, they were working hard in math to prepare.  So what did we make?  Clay land forms from river erosion!

woo-hoo for learning while having a great hands-on time!  

They were so into it after testing all morning!! :)

Science State Test Review

Check out my ELA blog here for ideas of how to review for State Exams!  We don't have one in science for 6th grade so these are for 6th grade ELA but can easily be changed for Science practice.  Check it out! :-)

Calling all teachers---Pretty Please!!!

Hi all!  This post is to ask you to pretty please with sugar on top hop over to this posting at my ELA blog...The Superlative Six .  It is about teachers banning together to help out the victims of the tornadoes in Kentucky/Indiana earlier this month.  It is a great link to studying current events and natural disasters.  See how I used it in Science class and how it can help out a great cause!  Thanks so much for taking a look!

Much love!!!

I (((heart))) Scholastic

Hey all!

    So sorry for being totally out there and not posting in practically forever.  It's been CRAZY.  Anyway, I just wanted to share an awesome FREE PRINTABLE from Scholastic.  It can be found here at http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/MessageinBottle.pdf  You can use it to teach Latitude/Longitude in a fun and new way where they work to save the shipwrecked islands!  TOTAL LOVE since everything you need is right there!!!  Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!  I worried it was too "babyish" for 6th grade and they loved it!  A modification I made was to have students just "X" the islands they landed on instead of using coins.

Happy Saturday!

Giveaway! (from Teaching Tweens)

Hi!

   I figured I would post this on here rather than my Superlative Six site just because I have not posted on here in so long!  Not that we haven't done awesome science stuff (Edible Earth, Cupid's Mixup, and Cookie Mining) are the labs we have done, but I haven't taken any pictures.  BOO.
   Anyway, "Teaching Tweens" has reached 100 followers!  This is an awesome blog with lots and lots of awesome resources.  Check it out here!  She is giving away an awesome lunch bag for all of your "bring to school" treats AND a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. :-) Woo-hoo!

Happy Wednesday (I MAY just have a snow delay tomorrow---ohhh my goodness the excitement!)

Love from Ms. D

Paper Towel Problems: Solved!

Here's a post brought to you by my most recent, #1 obsession, Pinterest. :)

So I was on Pinterest and found a link to here where a teacher created a sign for her paper towel dispenser which encouraged students to get the paper towels in the trash can.  You can find it here: Art Teacher Adventures

Anyway, I decided to make one of my own and jazz it up to match the room a bit more.  I didn't have a huge problem with kids not getting paper towels in the trash because my kiddos are pretty responsible, but I figured a friendly (& fun!) reminder wouldn't hurt:

Here you have it folks!

I also have the PowerPoint (with directions) for my Hurricane Tracker post!  I will find a way to get it uploaded and online if anyone is interested, let me know!!!

Peace, Love, Science.

Tagged "to the square inch"

So, I did post my "tag" responses over on my ELA blog (The Superlative Six) but then I realized I have a whole different bunch of followers over here in Science-land.  I forget that I literally live a dual life every day...haha.  Anyway,  I figured, why not give it another go over here?  Super sweet Kate over at To The Square Inch tagged me so I will participate with the questions and answers!

I have to break some of the rules, but I won't break too many :)

Here are the rules:
1. You must post the rules. (check!)
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you’ve tagged them!

12 Random Things
1.) I love pizza, but found out in August that I'm slightly lactose-intolerant.  Conflict. :)
2.) I love cooking and baking more than anything, but have been working super-hard to eat healthier this year!  I want to run another 5k.
3.) My favorite football team is the Detroit Lions...even though I live in NY where the Giants just won! 
4.) I teach Science and ELA....last year I taught Social Studies.  I have never taught Science before practically at any point so this year is crazy!
5.)  My favorite books are A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and To Kill a Mockingbird
6.) I think blogging and Pinterest are like therapy
7.) I never thought I would teach anything above grade 4.  Last year I taught 7th and this year I teach 6th.  I LOVE it!
8.) I think puns are hilarious.
9.) I don't watch a lot of TV, except I am obsessed with New Girl.  Maybe because Zooey is also a dress-wearing, silly, curly-haired Science teacher?
10.)  I want a Schnoodle or Wheaten Terrier puppy SO bad.
11.) Testing minerals in Science was my favorite unit as a student and I already taught it this year because I am obsessed with it THAT much. :)
12.) Our class pet is a betta fish named "Juliet Fruit Punch"  (The kids voted on her name!  It's a combination of the top 2 choices!)

Now on to my 12 Questions to Answer:

1. What is your favorite beauty product?

   Hmmmm my mascara.  I pretty much wear mascara all the time.  It's more or less the only makeup I wear every day!

2. What is your favorite memory?

  My childhood as a whole.  It was just so happy.

3. Why did you start a blog?

 I love love LOVE to share ideas, get ideas, make new ideas, talk about ideas, see ideas, read about ideas...I think IDEAS are the only way I will become the best teacher I can be.  

4. Do you like your hair better curly or straight?

 My hair is super curly naturally, so I kind of embrace that.  However, I sometimes like the way it looks sleek and less wild.  But probably curly!

5. What is your favorite TV show?

 Hmmmm either New Girl, Happy Endings or Parks and Recreation.  I used to love The Office but it's just not the same without Michael Scott.

6. What is your favorite color combo?

Well, since I may be engaged soon I have been looking at wedding colors.  I am normally a green person, but for a wedding combo I am digging deep blue, yellow, and light gray.  

7. What is your biggest fear? 

Hm, I have a lot of fears but definitely....losing everyone I love, drastic heights, cancer

8. What is your go-to school or work outfit?

NY&CO dress pants (I love the fit!) and currently some kind of sweater.  I wear flats every day because my right ankle is a killer!  I love wearing necklaces or a scarf too!  In the spring/fall I wear dresses!

9. What is your proudest accomplishment?

Graduating Summa Cum Laude at college.  I was so happy to see everyone else happy.  Or getting my job this year!  It's so competitive! 

10. What do you eat for breakfast?

During the week I have a protein shake made with almond milk and some kind of quick food if I can (muffin, fruit, oatmeal, cereal etc).  On the weekends I love pancakes, waffles, bacon & eggs...you name it! :) 

11. Who is your hero?

My grandparents, parents, and "little" (he's in 12th grade) brother.

12. What was your favorite song in middle school or high school?

Anything by *NSYNC!  HAHAH!

I honestly don't know who to tag but there's just a little information about me!  Feel free to comment!  I love how we're all in this teaching business together! :)

Natural Disasters

So like I was saying, last week we were working on Natural Disasters.  These were two activities that students really enjoyed.

#1: Predict the hurricane: This was done as a whole class.  Students first made a prediction and marked it with an "X".  Then I gave them some coordinates.  They made a new prediction.  And so forth.  We did this via a PowerPoint as to not give anything away before the "hurricane" went on it's path.  Good connection to math too!
I have the PowerPoint too if anyone is interested :)

Happy Night, Everyone!

Weather Science Stations!

So last week I was adventurous.  Not only did I make 5 stations for my ELA block, but I also tried my hand at some of them in Science, too.  One station was listening to a HowStuffWorks.com podcast and taking GAP notes "The Test" prep.  Another station was exploring Weather.com and looking at different weather maps, patterns, predictions across the globe.  Another station was a review activity for vocabulary we have been working on...again, some hidden practice for "The Test."


This was another station:

 Students used 5 blank US maps and the back pages of the newspapers over the past 5 days to practice drawing in the fronts moving West to East across the country!


The final station was a favorite.  I had these cute face stickers and students made 4 Square illustrations of how to keep yourself safe in case of hazardous weather (Tornado, Hurricane, Thunderstorm, Snow Storm).  They came out so stinkin' cute!

*Freebie* Electricity Web Quest

Hi All!

   Here is a *freebie* from my TpT store (very early in the whole process).  Anyway, follow this link and download a quick electricity webquest, ideal for grades 4-6.

Web Quest with Bolt!

Happy Planning!

My Kiddos are COOL {{fronts}}

The other day we presented on the "front" that the students chose (Cold, Warm, Stationary, Occluded).  A lot of my kids did posters, scripts, or brochures.  Some did a Go Animate! or PowerPoint.  But ONE creative little munchkin did this:

How can my heart just not MELT?!?

Water Cycle Stories

Greetings!
    This is actually an old topic that I forgot to post about until I just found the pictures stored on my computer!  Anyway, when we studied the water cycle we played this great game I found online where you roll the die and you travel to different places in the water cycle.  I wish I still had the link, but I found this one and it is kind of similar:
Arctic Climate Modeling

Anyway, after we were finished I had the students compose first person water droplet stories where students wrote about their journey with the die game (from the day before) from the point of view as if they were the water droplet.  Then they made a little adorable water droplet to go along with their final copies:

We put them on display in the hallway: I think they looked great!

Clutter Free Classroom Challenge: I Accept!

So I have joined up with Clutter Free Classroom's "Classroom Challenge" to conquer organization.

Here is my post for the challenge on my "Superlative Six" blog.  Check It Out!  All the science teachers out there---how do you keep lab materials organized?  I feel like it is overwhelming, especially at the secondary level when you see 75+kids a day!

Blog Award, Sugar Cookies, and Hilarious Cloud Drawings

First, I'd like to start off by saying that I am so so so glad to be blogging regularly.  It's becoming quite the stress relief.  Anyway, I'd like to say a BIG "Thank You" to Jena over at Caught in the Middle for the Versatile Blogger Award.  I am honored, especially since it is my first blog award!  So, I have also read that you have to follow the rules of receiving the award too, so I will do that!

The rules of this award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you with a link back to them.  
2. Tell 7 things about yourself  
3. Pass this on to 15 newly discovered blogs and let them know they've received an award!  

So now that I did 1 already, I'm on to two: (drum roll)

7 Things About Me

1.) I am a second year teacher.  Last year I taught 7th grade Social Studies, so teaching 6th grade Science and ELA this year is out of my element (well, the Science part at least!) 

2.) I just applied for my 5th New York State teaching certification over the holiday break.  

3.) I love pizza.

4.) I miss taking college courses.  I'd take more right now but they are so darn expensive! 

5.) I used to run all the time and ran in a 5k twice.  I've been out of this for the past two years and really want (and need) to start up again.

6.) I've contemplated moving South to find a permanent teaching job.  My job is at risk again this year due to budget cuts.

7.) My pet fish just had babies.  They are so cute!!!

Step 3: I am passing this award on to as many blogs I follow/found at the Secondary Solutions Linky Party.  It;s not 15 and I am sorry! :(  I feel like my kids when I specifically say, "Explain with 3 details" and then they say, "Is one enough?"  So in advance, I apologize for acting like my 11 year olds.  Maybe they've just rubbed off on me.  On to the awards:

1.) One Reading Idea At A Time

2.) Science Gal

3.) Speech Room News

4.) Your Smarticles

Congrats!! :)

  So, on to the topics of sugar cookies and cloud drawings.

First, the sugar cookies.  I was out shopping at the store the day after Christmas and these bad boys were already marked down to only 75 cents!  Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind are my cute kiddos that would love these treats:

So I meant to bake them Monday for Tuesday's class.  But, remembering this panicked post I completely forgot.  Oops.  So I decided to make them for today.  So I was giving some short notes on Air Masses before we continue to break up into our fronts projects and the rest of the weather unit.  I figured I'd give these out as a little treat in the middle of the 15 minute notes session to break things up.  I was telling my students how air masses are the same throughout and so it's not like a chocolate chip cookie where there's chunks or pockets and how it's the same.  As I go to tell my students what their surprise is, one of my tweens calls out, "Regular cookies that are the same throughout like air masses!!!"  All I could do after quickly wiping the shock off of my face was say, "Yes!  Exactly!  That's why your surprise is a sugar cookie!"  Thank you, my crazy little 11 year old for clarifying the purpose of my lesson.  Perfect moment, I'd say.

My last item I will leave you with is this picture of one of my kid's cloud flip book in his lab journal.  I think the clouds are so stinkin' cute!

Getting Into Groups!

Awesome day.  This is how we spent our science period.  We just started sitting in groups today.  After discussing our break, organizing our lab notebooks and then brainstorming what we like, I had them, as a group, brainstorm team names.  They then created a poster that goes along with it (Hint SBBLARY stands for the first letters in four of the kids' names S,B,B,L, and the -ARY stands for part of the 5th student's name).  Structuring it in this way (think of what you like before brainstorming as a group) really alleviates some of the major headaches.  Since I teach 3 sections, each table has 3 posters hanging from the ceiling, one for every group that sits there.  The kids had a BLAST.  Apparently kids these days have a big obsession with waffles, money and socks.  Literally, 6 groups or more used those same key terms.  Anyway, as long as they enjoyed themselves.  It's cute, plus I like things hanging from the ceiling.  Between the groups and the signs, it feels much less institutional.  :)