Scientific Saturdays: S is for Scientist

Finding literature to fit a specific grade level and topic can be a challenge!!!  I have ordered many books and after I receive them, I discover that they are way too easy or way too hard for my students.  I love using Amazon so that I can preview a few pages before I order.  I look at their age suggestions as a guideline but I like to make my own decisions.

Starting a new grade level for me, also means building up my anchor texts for math and science.  After teaching third and fourth grade, I am lucky to know what books most teachers are using in their classrooms.  I hate hearing a chorus of "We read that last year!!!"  I know that the kids are doing something different with the book than a previous grade, but I still like them to hear new stories.

One book that I purchased for my first science unit is "S is for Scientist."   This book has endless possibilities!!!   I will use this book for many lessons throughout the year.   The first week of school, we will be setting up our science notebooks.  I am going to focus on "Things that Scientists Do."  I will have kids collect verbs in their science notebooks while I read the book.  It will be a great way to show that scientists have many roles and skills.  I have included a freebie below.

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I also found a free teacher's guide from Sleepingbearpress.com while looking for ideas to go with the book.  It has 27 pages with many ready to go sheets and lessons to fit your science needs!!! 

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Fabulous in Fifth's Friday Finds

I had a hard time picking pins this week…way too many good things happening on Pinterest!!!

Great idea for elementary school!!!

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Cute birthday board!!!!

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This has so many possibilities…science project display.

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B2S nails…already tried apples.

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Making this for my fifth grade room.

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Throwback Thursday: Supply Pails

I am linking up with:

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I posted this on July 23, 2012 and it is something that I love and still use in my room!!! 

I saw this idea on Pinterest last summer and I loved it.  I bought extra large muffin tins at Target. (They weren't cheap but I didn't have time to shop around and I really wanted them)  The metal pails are from Target and fit in perfectly.  The kids can bring the pails to their seats while working.

Meet the Blogger

Greetings!  My name is Kelly and I have been teaching for the past 22 years.  I have spent 19 years in third grade and 3 years in fourth.  I will be starting in a new fifth grade position this fall.  Due to the numbers, my school was cutting classes and I volunteered to make the big move from elementary to middle.  I will be teaching math and science.  I am very excited about the change for many reasons, only two sets of standards, more content, earlier schedule, regular letter grade report card, block scheduling, team teaching,  just to name a few of them!

My dream as a little girl was to grow up and become a teacher.  I am happy that dream came true.  I love my job and teaching.  We may have challenging students and days, but every day is a fresh start. I feel that we need to be the positive influence in our students' lives.  I find that teachers need to find new ways to keep motivated.  Blogging has been one of the best ways for me.  It makes me reflect on my teaching.  I am happy that after 23 years I still like my job.

I have two daughters, Hannah (22) and Emma(19).  I am proud of both my girls.  My oldest will be teaching music this fall and the youngest is a sophomore in college.  My husband Gregg and I have been married for 24 years….we booked our Anniversary cruise for spring school vacation.  My family is very supportive of me and my job.  

In my spare time I enjoy keeping healthy and fit, crafting, cooking, shopping, cruising, and planning.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

new school supplies

my lap top

making lists
hot tamales candy

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

a party planner

photographer
author and illustrator

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

 hard-working

funny

loud

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

I love staff meetings! 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Ellen

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

Just an Ordinary Girl

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

Flying…even though I am afraid of heights!

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

Let it Go!

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

Brick House (my favorite dance song)

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

Morning…no alarm clock needed for this girl!

 WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

My store is small... but my most popular and favorite resource is:

Multiplication Over Easy

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I have spent the last three summers doing community theater.  My girls were into musicals during high school and it is something that I have always wanted to do.

Now it is your turn to link up or meet other bloggers!

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"Despicable" Board

I am so proud that my daughter is going to be teaching in the fall!!!!  Hannah will be an elementary music teacher.  She will be working full-time and at two schools.  Due to enrollment, she will not have her own classroom.  I told her it might make her first year easier…setting up a classroom is a lot of work.  Hopefully in the future, she will get her own room!  

Hannah found a board that she wanted for her chorus.  We made a portable version on foam board. She can carry it on her cart or from school to school. My daughter started it on her own, but Mama took over…LOL!!!  (I have seen a version of this for behavior)

Original Post

Mathematical Mondays: Building Mathematical Comprehension

A few weeks ago, The Teacher Grade Studio posted a book study that she was hosting.  I have not read a professional text in a long time and ordered my copy of "Building Mathematical Comprehension" from Amazon.  It is written by Laney Simmons, the author of "Guided Math", which I loved and knew that I would not be disappointed.

 Please visit, The Teacher Studio to read her post about the first three chapters.  She has some freebies that she has made to go with that section.

If you are a reading teacher and are familiar with Keene and Zimmerman's "Mosaic of Thought," you will love this book.  Laney uses the seven basic strategies in reading, to build math comprehension.  

• Making Connections
• Asking Questions
• Visualizing
• Making Inferences
• Determining Importance
• Synthesizing
• Monitoring Meaning

I have had many "AHA" moments while reading this book and still have a few more chapters to go.  When I read "Mosaic of Thought" it changed my thoughts about my reading lessons and this book has done the same for math.  I am very excited to incorporate these strategies during my math instruction.  Please check back on Mondays to see what I am doing in my classroom.

This week I am converting my "Making Connections" board to my "Making Math Connections." I made signs to switch out on this foam board.  (the board is at school, so no new pictures yet)  Here is the link to my original post…Making Connections.

• Math to Self- children notice connections between math and their own lives. 
• Math to Math- children notice links between past and present math studies
• Math to World- children make connections to current events, real world and other content areas

Link here for Freebie

I am also going to link up with Fourth Grade Frolics for Monday Made It.

Attempt #1 on the B2S manicure!  Before I cleaned the red off my cuticles…LOL!

For any "Wonder" Fans

Did you know that R.J. Palaccio wrote another part to "Wonder" called  "The Julian Chapter"?  It is only available as a download.  

I read "Wonder" as a read aloud,  to my fourth graders last year and they were so upset that Julian's side was not in the book.  I was very excited when I discovered that the author wrote and released the new part in May. (I discovered this after school was out)  

I taught summer school and their summer reading book was "Wonder."  When I was searching for materials I found the new story.  I bought the download and read it to two summer school classes.  Wow…no disappointment.   I don't want to give away any of the book away…I loved it!!!!!