Lots of science and a 3-day workshop!

Ohmiword.......are you exhausted???  Cause I'm exhausted........pooped.......and ready for summer!!!!  We have 4 weeks left.......15 instructional days (days to take grades) and one last week of mass {chaos} before we are D.O.N.E.!!!!  In the spirit of countdowns, Christi from Ms. Fultz's Corner has created the cutest little blinky!!

Now, if that doesn't brighten your day, I don't know what will :)

In room 14, we have been up to our elbows in science!!!  I didn't realize I liked teaching science this much, but I really, REALLY do!  We are in our solar system unit right now and the kids cannot get enough of it.  They are asking me so many great questions and they are genuinely engaged in the content.  It's awesome!  We broke up the solar system into the sun and planets and we made cooperative learning groups.  Each group has 2-3 people who are responsible for teaching the rest of the class about their planet or star (the Sun).  Here is some of the work we've done so far:

We have been to the library to check out books and have been to the computer lab to do research online.  (BTW- there are soooo many awesome websites that are kid-friendly and use fantastic imagery and grade level vocabulary).  Here are just a few that we found:

Kid Astronomy

Planets for Kids

NASA for Kids

Science Kids

Nine 8 Planets

Kid Zone

Here comes the kink in my perfectly organized plan......I have a 3 day workshop tomorrow thru Wednesday.  Taking kids to and from the library and computer lab is not something I am willing to do to a sub......especially as rowdy and rambunctious as my kids have been lately......BUT......I also don't want to just leave busy work and the learning to stop.  Enter......Amber from Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher!  She has this wonderful solar system lapbook/foldable and it is perfect for this situation.  I used it on Friday (hence, the pics above) when I had a half day sub (meetings......ugggghhhhh) and I would use it even if I didn't have a sub.  It's just that awesome.  I'm kind of jealous that I won't be there to see my kids do more of this.  Sad face.

My kiddos will be comparing planets with a Venn diagram, creating foldables about day and night, eclipses and the phases of the moon.  The learning won't stop just because I'm gone and that puts my mind at great ease.  With this product, you also get a mini-book that has all the information you need to complete the lapbook and foldables.  My kids already have these books, printed and ready to go.  Amber really did think of everything!!!

 

Another great resource of Amber's is her End of Year "Color by Code" product.  It's perfect for kids who get done early or for subs (yayyy!!!).  It requires thought and calculation, but not teacher help.  It's great!  My kiddos LOVE them! Here's a little sneak peek:

I am totally prepared and my kiddos and sub are ready for my 3-day absence. This workshop is a K-4 science (physics) workshop and I can't wait to attend!  I'll be sure to share all the wonderful things I learn :)

 



Ok.....I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Mother's Day.  I hope you all are enjoying your weekend.....and for all you mothers out there.....Happy Mother's Day!!!  I hope you're spoiled rotten :)

 

 

Keep livin' the dream,