SUPER SCIENCE! Just in time for the BIG test too!

Everyone knows that science is what you make it (as is teaching all the subjects really).  You can either let those kids read that textbook and call it a day, which is not bad - just not me, or if you are a multi-media kind of gal/guy like me, then you like to incorporate everything possible and watch their eyes light up with excitement!  I am BIG on our interactive notebook and we get our information for those from anywhere and everywhere we can.  Here are a few of my go to sources that I would highly recommend to any science teacher.

 

BrainPop and StudyJams are where it is at!  If you have not checked out these videos you are missing out.  BrainPop has knowledge-packed videos along with activities and quizzes that really help the students get a better understanding or background knowledge on a topic.  Thankfully, they also have videos for all the other subjects as well.  The bummer part is they do cost money, but in my humble opinion (as my teammate would say), it is TOTALLY worth it.

 

 

StudyJams is very similar in that it has knowledge-packed videos that are a few minutes long but they also have an interactive "Test Yourself" feature that my kids love.  The beauty of StudyJams is that it's free!  They only have videos for Math and Science though, but what a wealth of videos!

 

If you teach science in upper elementary or middle school or high school and have not checked out Mr. Parr, you are missing out!?  He is a definite go to when trying to differentiate for your learners in your classroom.  He writes songs about the different topics and units of study based on popular music that your kids can relate to.  He has over a 100 songs to choose from so go check him out!  This one on the Rock Cycle is one of my favorites!

 

  
Lakeshore sells these Science Activity Tubs for the different units and inside each tub is eight different labs with everything included to set up and get started!  We only have the Properties of Earth on in our class but it filled with wonderfulness!  If you have a chance to snag one, or DonorsChoose it, it is so worth the money!  A perfect way for kids to learn through experimenting of even just review.

 Science is just so fun to teach... I hope you share the love!  There are so many amazing resources out there, you just have to look for them!  Luckily, I have brought them to you :o)  Remember how I told you I was BIG into out interactive Science Notebook?  Well a few of my BBB's have totally come through for me when I needed material for them and we have teamed up with Educents for an amazing bundle of instant downloads for you!

There are two of my products included that will surely be loved by your students (mine did)!  

 Cooking with Science: Physical and Chemical Changes is just a down right fun way to apply science to the real-world.  Through an interactive read-aloud and a delicious lab where students make homemade butter and pancakes, your kiddos will be able to detect physical and chemical changes not only on their test but in their own kitchens as well!  Check out my blog post for more behind the scene pictures and details.

 

Both labs have a homemade recipe, directions, and lab sheet that integrates reading, math, science, and critical thinking skills!  Even today when I ask the kids what they love most about 5th grade so far...  Pancakes is always on top!

 

In conjunction with the labs,  I also have SCOOT! Physical and Chemical Changes in the bundle!  The cards range from easy to what I call "thinkers."  I don't like telling kids something is difficult because then a lot of them give up without ever trying.  These require the students to stop and THINK.  This is a perfect way to reinforce the skills and apply them all while moving around the room.

 

 

For a limited time it is $10.99 from Educents which is about 65% off!  It also includes these other great products so there is sure to be things you love!  

You can also take peek at some of the other products included in the bundle at any of the links below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Have fun teaching everyone!

Cooking with Science

As you know, this is my first year teaching science and I am really starting to like it!  I know, it's February and I'm JUST NOW starting to like it???  Well actually, I'm now more comfortable with it which makes it more fun, lol.  One of my favorite activities we did (and my student's favorite as well) is cooking to show how physical and chemical changes occur in our everyday lives.

Before we even began the cooking, we had to reinforce our knowledge of the differences between physical and chemical changes with a little SCOOT!  My kids love this game because it's fast paced and they get to move around.

Once we went over the answers and confirmed that we knew the difference between a physical and a chemical change, it was time to put on our chef's hat!  I broke the class up into four different groups and gave each of the groups a recipe/directions sheet, all the materials and ingredients and let them go to town!  This lab was very hands-on and exploratory for the students.  The only real direction or warning I gave was to hold the jar with TWO HANDS while you were shaking.  VERY IMPORTANT unless you want to be cleaning up cream and glass shards.  I mean, look how fast he's shaking this jar?!

It was really interesting to see all the different techniques and processes that the groups came up with to complete their lab.  It was also hysterical to watch the kids shake their little hearts out to make butter out of cream.  You don't want to laugh in their faces but you just can help but giggle!  Here are these little scrunch faces trying as hard as they can and their team is cheering them on and laughing and you can't help but smile :o)

Once our butter was finished (and taste tested of course) it was on to the pancakes!  Again, I gave each group a directions/recipe sheet along with the ingredients and lab report and let them create!  This lab required more observation and recording data/evidence throughout the whole process, so it was perfect for them to bounce ideas off each other!  I left them in the same groups as the butter lab because they already created a foundation of how to work well together. 

While all the students followed the directions, the recipe maybe not so much.  To be fair though, we haven't taught measurement yet, haha!  Thus their pancakes DID NOT turn out all the same.  The first group was a little rough, but the other three were spot on!  It didn't matter if they were ruined though.  These kids thought this was the best thing they had ever done and loved every single bite!  They were so proud of themselves, as they should be!

Now all that was needed was to finalize their lab sheets and eat their creations!  They smeared on their butter and drizzled some syrup and voila!  A feast for their hard work!

All in all the lab went above my expectations but also did exactly what I had hoped it would do.  It had these kids discussing every day occurrences in scientific terminology.  It had them seeing the world as physical and chemical changes and they began categorizing things as we went throughout the day.  It had them applying what we were learning in class to something other than a textbook and it had them enjoying science.  That's really all a teacher can ask for :o)

If you would like more information on Physical and Chemical Changes SCOOT or other activities including the Cooking with Science Labs, please click on their pictures above or visit my store!