Tuesday, January 19, 2016

TPT Sale

What is on your TPT wish list?  
I put things I like on my wish and then go through when there is a big sale. My wish list has LOTS of clip art, a few STEM projects and a Project Based Unit on Geometry.  I will have to narrow down my purchases over the next two days.
TPT is having a sale.  My store is 20% off.
Enter the Code Start16 when you check and save an
 additional 10% off. 
 
Don't forget to leave feedback on any purchases you have made in the past.  You can save more $$$.  I just went back and completed all mine!

I just uploaded my latest product:
Animal Kingdom

There are animal cards for sorting activities and posters for the
 5 types of mammals and 6 major types if invertebrates.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Weather Prediction Maps

One of our fifth grade culminating activities is creating a weather map and use it to predict the weather for a specific area.  
We started by designing our map keys.  I projected the national weather map on the board from the Internet using weather.com and cnn.com.  (CNN lists specific cities)  I had the children choose at least 5 cities and record the city and temperatures. (I would recommend taking a screen shot for future use during the lesson) It took them more than one period to record and shade the maps.  We talked about the temperature changing during the day, so we also added the time.  

The next step was to add symbols to their maps using their key.  We shaded the maps using the legend.  The children could create their own but were encouraged to use images from real maps.  They had to include a Title and compass rose.

The final step was to write a weather report using the data on the map.  They had to predict the weather for the next three days.  We live in New England, our weather blows in from Chicago. 

My science block is 45 minutes and this assignment took most students 4-5 periods.  I thought it would take only 2, so plan accordingly.  My students love coloring but needed a lesson on shading. 
Here is another option from a colleague.  
She had her students create a chart for three days instead of writing it out. 
(The chart is not in my unit)
This project is part of my Atmosphere and Climate Unit.  
You can purchase it on TPT or design your own.
Click for Link

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Wild and Wacky Weather Lap Books

My students did an outstanding job on their Wild and Wacky Weather Lap Book Projects.

They had to choose one type of wild weather to research:
blizzards
hurricanes
floods
tornadoes
thunderstorms
The project required:
definition
location
causes
damages
interesting facts
safety tips
illustration
weather warning report




I had them share the weather warning report to the class.
You can create your own templates and rubric or purchase mine.
This project is part of my Atmosphere and Climate Unit available at my TPT store.
Click here for TPT Link 


Saturday, January 2, 2016

Faux Snow Day Celebration

We had school on December 23 and planned a "Faux Snow Day."  We wore our pajamas to school and planned things we like to do on real snow days...wear our comfy pajamas, drink hot cocoa, read a good book and do some coloring. The only thing missing was Snow.
We had to finish sharing our projects....Thanks Santa!!!
MARSHMALLOW AND HOT COCOA
In science class, we did a STEM challenge and built marshmallow towers.  We used 2 cups of marshmallow and 100 toothpicks.  It was more challenging than we thought...the marshmallows were too soft.  Gumdrops might be sturdier.  The kids still had fun!  We drank hot cocoa at the end.


CUTE HAIR
COORDINATE GRAPHING IN MATH
The kids used coordinates to graph and color gingerbread houses.  
PAPER PLATE GAME
I saw this on Pinterest for a Christmas scene.  I changed it to a snowman.  We laughed so much. 
 
 
The best drawing!  Nice job Courthney.
SNUGGLING WITH A GOOD BOOK in ELA
Miss Hammond had everyone bring their independent reading book.  
Everyone joined in!




(Shhhh....I am looking forward to a real snow day)

Happy New Year!!!!