Weather 101: Resources for teaching weather at your fingertips

One of my favorite science units to teach at the end of the school year is on weather.

There are so many interactive lessons and activities that my students can participate in.  It's wonderful!  It's also easy to tie in lessons on clouds and storms with the weather we currently have at the end of the school year.  My students love making those real life connections.

Below are just a few activities/resources I use with my 3rd graders.

1.  Check the weather each day for 1 week and record on their chart.  They will also use this to create a graph that will go in their weather lapbook.

I have my students log into weather.com.  This can also be loaded onto a classroom iPad and students can easily check the weather on this device.

2.  Videos on different kinds of weather

National Geographic has terrific video resources on different types of weather.  They are easy to find and some last from 1 minute to 5-10 minutes.  These are perfect for introducing a lesson on a particular type of storm.  To find these videos simply go to National Geographic.com and click on the search videos button on the top right hand of screen.

3.  Weather experiments

Students create their own rain gauges to use at home and collect date for the week.  Weird Science Kids has  a great website for a student made rain gauge.  Just click here for the link.

We also make rain clouds in the classroom with food coloring.  This is so much fun and super easy. 

 Hilary's Home Daycare and Preschool has an awesome tutorial on this activity.  Don't let the age range fool you, my 3rd graders loved this!  Click Here to go to the link.

4.  Create Scavenger Hunts on online weather websites for kids.

My students love to work in groups and complete a scavenger hunt on an online website.  This is great to get the students to read and look at all the information a website may offer.  Sometimes my students get stuck just looking at the pictures or searching for the games that a site may offer and never really getting to the great information.  So I create a scavenger hunt.  Students are given a sheet of paper with questions that ask them about information that can be found on this particular website.  Students work together in groups to find this information.  Listed below are some great weather websites for children.  Just click on the names below to check out these amazing sites.

1.  Weather Wiz Kids

2. Web Weather for Kids

3.  Tree House Weather Kids

4.  Weather for Kids

5.  Weather Lapbook to record all the information my students learn about weather.

I created this fun lapbook for my students to use.  It also comes with a weather workbook.  This lapbook helps my students keep the information they learned at their fingertips and provides for a great study guide before their weather assessment.   You can find "Weather and Meteorology 101 Lapbook and Student Workbook Mega Pack"  in my TPT store. Just click on the picture below or click HERE.

I would love to hear about the resources you use to teach weather in your classroom! 

Perimeter, Area, and LOTS of Research

Hi Sweet Friends!

I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekend!

I just wanted to share some things my students have been up to these past couple of weeks.

We have been working on perimeter and area and research activities in science and reading.

Take a peek at some of our activities:

Our tiled classroom floor is perfect for an introduction to perimeter and area.  I taped off several different rectangles and squares in the classroom and students had to determine the perimeter of the shape. Then a few days later each student had to determine the area of the shape.

2. Perimeter Bots- I found this idea from Ashleigh at Education Journey.

To make these perimeter bots, students were given graph paper to create their robots.  Then students had to write the perimeter of each shape on their perimeter bot.

3.   Cheez Its with Area

In my newest math pack called "Perimeter and Area Math Workshop and Activities", I included an activity with area and cheese crackers.

Students had so much fun with this activity.  It was a great way to introduce area.

We've also been working a lot on informational text in reading.  We worked on a story out of the basal these past couple of weeks called Turtle Bay.  This story give so much information about ocean life and sea turtles.  So I was inspired by Tara's idea from Fourth Grade Frolics to do some sea turtle research and activities with my third graders.  Students were placed in groups of 4 to do research on a particular species of sea turtle.  There were a total of 5 different species that we researched.  Students had to find information on facts about this species, threats to this species, and nesting habits of the particular species.  Fortunately, between the 2 computers and IPADS from all the other 3rd grade classes, students were able to research all of their information online.  This was great practice for the students.

Students also brought in rocks to decorate their own sea turtle.

AND in science this week, my students chose their habitat to research.  This activity comes from my "Animal Habitats Investigative Literacy Unit for Bigger Kids".

They did all the research in class and wrote their informational paragraph.

Students will create their habitat diorama as their project for home.

I was so proud of my sweet little third graders.  They did such a TREMENDOUS job with all of their research this week.  I know they learned so much about how to adequately find information and conduct their research activities.  They also LOVED this and finding out new information about a topic.  Many of my students said that they couldn't wait to go to school each morning because they wanted to do their research.

Finally, I wanted to leave you with one last thing.   I have been working hard on my newest writing unit to use with my 3rd graders.  It's finally finished, and I am looking forward to using it next week.

It's called "Power of Persuasion - Persuasive Essay Unit Mega Pack"

This 40 page unit includes the activities I use to introduce and teach my students about persuasive writing.  I've included a 13 slide Power Point Presentation.  I use the first part of this as my introduction to persuasive writing.  Then I've included 5 mini lessons on persuasive writing activities that use picture books ( 3 of these can be found on YouTube).  I use these lessons as a fun and engaging way to introduce students to persuasive writing and the persuasive techniques used by the authors of these picture books.  Students create their own shoe for "Hey Little Ant" and their own pet for " I Wanna Iguana".  Also included are 15 persuasive writing prompts.  These prompts can be copied, laminated, cut out, and added to a book ring.  I hang these in our writing center.  Finally, I've included 3 different types of persuasive graphic organizers and an assessment rubric. Once my students have a better understanding of persuasive writing, I introduce the 5 steps of writing a persuasive essay that is found on the power point presentation.  Then I choose a topic from an area we are currently studying for students to research the two sides of the topic and determine their belief or thesis.  Students can use one of the three graphic organizers to organize their essay.

If you are interested in this persuasive writing unit, simply click on any of the pictures above to be taken to the product in TPT.

Enjoy your week!

AND I want  celebrate this holiday Monday by giving the persuasive pack to the first 3 to comment below with their favorite picture book they use to teach a writing activity.

Nonfiction text and Animal Habitat Investigative Literacy Unit

Hi Amazing Friends!

I have had a bit of absence from my blogging lately.

I've been enjoying my down time with my sweet family and friends!

I hope you all had an amazing holiday!

Now that our house seems back in order.... all of those new toys have found a place in our children's rooms, I am ready to get back to blogging and creating.    Although as I write this, our entire downstairs floor is littered with Legos, Buzz Light Year, Cabela's trucks, and on and on.  

**Big Sigh**

Teachers in my district go back to school next Wednesday.  This is when my panic sets in every year.  I just can't help it!   Although I've known for several months when the BIG STATE TEST is, I seem to put it out of my mind.  AND then January comes!  I suddenly begin to panic.  Do any of you feel this same way?

So as I've been playing with my kiddos over break and eating WAY TOO MUCH  ( Thank goodness this new fitness plan with my friend doesn't begin until next week.),I've been thinking about IT.  You guessed it... SCHOOL, and how I can incorporate my lessons and units so that I don't feel like I spend these next few months teaching to the test.  Ugh!!! Dislike!!!

When we come back to school, we will be reading several nonfiction texts from our basal reader.  Along with some other great nonfiction texts from Scholastic News and texts I have in my classroom library.  These nonfiction texts are about animals.  In science we will begin our unit on animal habitats.  My goal is to blend these nonfiction texts from our basal with our science unit into a large investigative literacy unit.  I  plan to incorporate the animal habitats and information to create literacy rich stations to use during our reading time that are aligned to the Common Core.

Here are just a few things I will be using with our Animal Habitats Investigative Literacy Unit:

 

This is by Rachel Lynette and is absolutely fabulous!  It can be used with any nonfiction text. Click on the picture above to be taken to the link for more information.

2.  Online resources for research for kids

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ 

http://www.kidsbiology.com/animals-for-children.php

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals.html

3.  Animal Habitat Investigative Literacy Unit for Bigger Kids

I created this unit to incorporate into our reading and writing stations.  This 45 page mega pack comes with 5 different activities that are aligned to the Common Core Standards.  

Included are:

- Animal Habitat Research Project- this project takes you through each step of the research process and includes a rubric for assessing each student's project. - I am incorporating this part of the unit into our writer's workshop.

- Animal Habitat Matching Cards with a Student Work Mat- perfect source of nonfiction text and a great way for students to incorporate what they have learned about animals and their habitats.

- Habitats and Biomes Main Idea Task Cards with a student work mat- Students read nonfiction text about a particular habitat.  Then students must choose the main idea of this piece of nonfiction text.

- Animal Habitat Inference Task Cards with a student work mat-  Students read each set of cards that have nonfiction text with clues about a particular habitat or biome.  Students must make an inference about which habitat the card is  referencing.

-Animal Friends Point of View Postcards-  Students pose as a particular animal from its habitat and must write to an animal friend.  Students must write about the location of their habitat, climate, dangers faced in their habitat, and other animal friends in this habitat.

I'm excited to begin this unit with my students.  I LOVE how our animal habitat unit in science will be easily incorporated with our reading.  We will also be using Rachel Lynette's activities to discuss nonfiction text features.

I would love to hear your suggestions on activities to use with our animal habitats or great nonfiction texts that could be used with our unit!   

AND for the first 3 people who comment with a nonfiction book or kid friendly website  that would be great to use with our animal habitat unit, I will send you my "Animal Habitat Investigative Literacy Unit for Bigger Kids".

Enjoy your down time my friends!!!

Everything's Coming Up Butterflies and a GIVEAWAY

First things first... Thank you all so much for entering my 100 followers Giveaway!!!  I appreciate all the kind words!   It's still not too late to enter.  If you want to participate in my Giveaway... Check it out HERE.  I added one more way to win by following/like my blog on Facebook. You can click on the link on the right hand side of the page or click HERE to find my facebook page. The Giveaway ends Saturday, March 24.  First prize gets a $25.00 gift card to Amazon and your pick of two items from my TPT store.  Runner-up wins a $5.00 Scrappin Doodles Gift Card and your pick of two items from my TPT store.

I promised my husband I wouldn't be a workaholic over spring break... but I just had one more idea I wanted to have ready for my students when they come back from spring break.... BUTTERFLIES!

I found some great resources while perusing the internet for ideas about butterflies.  Please check out the book that I have on order from Amazon.  This book is called Chipo's Gift by Deb Troehler.  Here is the book review from Amazon: "Chipo, an inquisitive mopani worm from South Africa, takes a chance and follows her dreams. As her curiosity leads her down an unexpected path, the lesson Chipo learns will speak to children of all ages. This read-aloud tale encourages children to see the world through a different pair of eyes and to acquire a unique view of Chipo’s life. The name Chipo (meaning gift) originates from Zimbabwe. While many children think of a gift as merely a present, when they read this book, they will learn that a gift can be so much more. A portion of the proceeds from each book sale will be donated to Beautiful Gate Ministries in Lesotho, South Africa."

I also found this weblink that has a free butterfly unit using this book.  The unit is geared to students in K-2.  I did find some great things to use with my third graders.  Here is the link: http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/education/chipo

I also created a Butterfly Writing Craftivity for my students.  Included in this project are the patterns for the butterfly, writing ideas, a graphic organizer with website information for creating a butterfly report, a creative writing butterfly story graphic organizer, and additional website links and resources.
Take a peek!  You can find it at either my TPT store by clicking HERE, or at my TN store by clicking HERE.  It's $2.00, but I have  a 20% off sale going on now at TN until Saturday. Take a peek...

I know that many of you already do this with your kiddos... but check out these "live" butterfly kits.  You can find them at http://www.butterfy-gifts.com/live-butterfly-kits.html.

Have a fabulous evening!  Thanks for stopping by!  I would love to hear about your ideas/suggestions on units you have done on butterflies.  If you haven't entered my Giveaway yet, check it out in the link above and enter.

Super heroes, Space, and Spring Fever... Oh my!

I had ONE of those days when things went EXACTLY as planned (sort of)!!  Don't you love those kinds of days?!  It may NEVER happen again, but I will ENJOY this moment.   Usually my Wednesdays seem to get off to unexpected starts... but not today. My kiddos were easy to get out the door and to school....which makes for a good morning.  ( I'm not sure about the rest of you but by the time I get my four kiddos out the door and to school, I feel as if I've already put in a days worth of work and it's only 7:30 A.M.)   Then when I arrived at school... my students were super attentive, and we accomplished so much.  I LOVE those days!  On Wednesdays my students can't escape me as they are with me from 8-12.  On this morning, we have no specials ( music, art, or p.e.)  It can be a long morning, but we get a lot accomplished.

Of course, we are all in the best of moods... state testing is finished, and the weather was BEAUTIFUL again... 83 degrees in March!!  Spring Fever... we have it.... 2 days and counting until Spring Break.

Now that our testing is over we can continue our space unit.  On Tuesday we made our planet foldables.  These can be found in my space unit on TPT. 
 Once the students have labeled their flaps with the planet names and attached a picture of each planet under the flap, they had to write two facts about each planet.  The boys and girls used a page out of their science books to help with this activity.  We also looked at a slide show about the planets.  It's free and fabulous! Here are a few of the pics from it:

This can be downloaded for free HERE.

I use it with my Promethean board.

My students also completed an activity that compares the sizes of the planets using seeds.  Students are given a ziploc bag with the names of the planets and index cards with various seeds glued to them.  There are peppercorn seeds, mustard seed, hickory nut, walnut, and coffee beans.  Students are to work with a group and place the planets in order from closest to the sun to farthest away, and also decide which seeds represent the size of the planets.  This is a great way for students to see the vast sizes in the planets.

Of course since it was so beautiful today, we just had to launch our rocket.  We use this when talking about force and gravity.  It's simply a plastic rocket purchased from a dollar store.  It is filled with water and then air is pumped into it.   

 Tomorrow we will be doing stations with the items from my space unit. You can find it on my TPT store HERE.

Since I'm on  the "S" kick today... spring fever, space... I thought I'd show a few pics of our finished Super Hero writings.  My kiddos just finished them today.  I think they look fabulous.   I know I have posted about this before but this can be found in my TPT store HERE.  All the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of my Mom ( my Super Hero).

I'm kind of partial to this one.... the student chose to write about me.  How sweet, and I was so flattered!

Wall of Super Heroes

I just have to show a pic of one of my "darlins".  She was my hero last night and helped me grade some papers.  Our grades are due Friday for upcoming report cards.

Enjoy your evening!  Thanks for stopping by!!

Out of this World Space Unit..... and DEALS!!!

Leap Day is almost upon us!  Do you have some special activities planned for your students on this day?  I am so excited about the Leap Day sale at TPT!!  I've already done some early shopping and saved some items to my wishlist so that I will be ready for tomorrow.    Many of the sellers have items priced 20% off on this day and with the code from TPT for an extra 10% off, that's 30% off.  How exciting is that! Click here to access the information about the sale and the code.

We just kicked off our space unit in science today.  It's one of my favorite science units to teach.  My students love the space activities that we do, and they are very curious about space.  Today I kicked off the unit with reading a story called Postcards from Pluto by Loreen Leedy.  Love the idea for this story... students are going on a field trip and write postcards back to their loved ones about the planets they visit.   So.. after our discussion of the story, my students created their own planet postcard.  Each student had to pick a planet they would visit on a vacation, and then write back to their loved ones about this planet. I have a free download of this postcard form in my TPT space unit that is found here.  I have also just added my space unit to my TPT store.  Included in this unit is a planet foldable activity, Memory game of the planets, Postcards from Pluto activity, Research activity, and an "Out of this World" file folder game about space.  It is $4.00 but if you get it with the TPT Leap Day sale it would only be $2.80!!  Click here to access this unit.

Here are a few pictures of the postcards: 
 

 








 

 I just LOVE deals!  Here is a picture of some items that I picked up at Dollar General last night.  These buckets come in colors of blue, hot pink, and green.  They are so adorable and only $1.00.  I have already decorated a couple of them... one that holds the popsicle sticks of my student's names and the other I thought I would use to put my space Memory game cards and the "Out of this World" planet game cards in from from my space unit.  I thought the green ones would be great for holding some of my  St. Patty's day games.

Have a fabulous evening!  Don't forget to check out the great deals at TPT!  I would love to hear about  your special activities on Leap Day tomorrow.