Science Notebooking

Science Notebooking with my little ones is so fun, but takes a little bit to get going. I try to make it as formal as possible to set them up for success as they peogress each year. Being at a k-8 STEM School they will be doing many years of science notebooking. 

We start each lesson with a question or a means to experiment. Since we were learning the science process skills through apples, our question was...do all apples have the same number of seeds? We record in our table of contents and do activity numbers since page numbers can be a little confusing. Next, we glue our question at the top and draw a small line for our prediction or hypothesis. Right now, they can keep it to yes and no, but we will move to using because and telling their reasoning behind their predictions. After we conducted the experiment we sketched and labeled our observations and recorded our findings. We worked together as a class to come up with our statement...in the future they will be more responsible for their own thinking and findings. I also printed a picture of the graph from the hallway that they glued in to help show our findings. XO more with apples to come. 

Apples Day 2

Today we picked up right where we left off. Students got back with their partners and worked together to create an apple graph piece and glue their seeds in the middle. 

Next students brought their apples over and found where they belong on the graph. 

Once all the apples were on the graph, we all gathered around to discuss and analyze our data. Students shared what they noticed on the graph and I recoded their thinking. We then hung the graph in the hall to share our findings. 

Next, we move on to recording in our science notebooks....stay tuned! Happy Friday! xo

Teaching the Science Process Skills with an Apple

In order to get my little firsties in the mood to science notebook I start by teaching them the science process skills with one experiment! We started yesterday by reading the book What is a Scientist? and making a scientist can, are, need chart. I found an adorable one on Pinterest from Ginger Snaps Tidbits and Tips for Teachers.

Today we started our first activity in our science notebook. This year I decided to really stretch out the first activity so they get a feel for each part. Each student brought in an apple. We had all different sizes, colors, and even some from a kid's very own apple tree. We filled out our table of contents together and then glued in our question...Do all apples have the same number of seeds? We drew a line and made our predictions (hypothesis). Next, we were off to the lab to experiment! 

Students worked with a partner to communicate, observe, and accurately count how many seeds were in their apples. They used a Popsicle stick as a digging tool and put their seeds into ziplock bags. Students enjoyed eating their apple and comparing their seed counts. Do all apples have the same number of seeds? Check back in a day or two for part 2... 

Jitter Glitter

I'm a big fan of The First Grade Parade's Jitter Juice and First Grade Jitters Book...This year I took it even further and made Jitter Glitter! Saw it on Pinterest and nobody really knows who came up with this lovely idea, but thank you to whoever you are. I can't wait to put it on their desks for back to school night.  I bought the cute little bags on the jewelry aisle at Wal-Mart along with the pretty confetti.

You can print it for free here XO

Boy-Friendly Desk Fairy (robot)

Boy-Friendly Desk Fairy Robot (does that even make sense?)

Being at a STEM school, I find myself having classes that are very boy heavy! Being the sparkles, glitter, cupcake, hearts, Hello Kitty lover that I am, I had to find a theme to capture these little boys. While tirelessly searching for cute themes/clipart on TpT I came across the adorable Robot Friends Clipart from 2 Super Teachers. I fell in love and have decided that I will have a boy-friendly robot theme this year (there are girl robots and they have adorable bows on their metal heads).

Something that my classes always seem to love is the desk fairy! The easy trick to keep those desks looking shiny and organized. In honor of my boys this year and my robot love, I made these boy-friendly desk robot cards. They are free, so print, enjoy and embrace those boys! XO

Click the picture to download them.Yay! 

                                                   

Standards Based Grading for Primary

My school recently made the transition to standards based grading. Last year as my teammate and I were working through the process together, we found it difficult to find resources for primary. Our district provided us with some rubrics, but they weren't exactly what we were looking for or primary friendly. We created our own rubric with some kid friendly language and used it all last year. The ice cream visual seemed to really help my students know the difference between a 1,2,3,and 4. They would get really excited about their work and had more buy in, which was AMAZING. This little poster/rubric is in my store for $1.00! Click here to get it. It has one rubric with a colored background to use as a poster and one that can be used to write on and give feedback. Give it a try and let me know how it works in your classroom this year. XO

Bags and Broncos!

Bought this amazing work bag with my mama yesterday. It's HUGE, has a flat bottom, a big pocket, open top, and reinforced straps (def need that). I can't wait to start putting all of my teacher goodies inside. Also, had to buy a new Broncos shirt...Fall is just around the corner and I can't wait! xo

                                  

      

Meet the Teacher

A little bit about me...
I am a Colorado native and love it here. I have the sweetest, most handsome bf, a darling dog who I rescued from the side of a road. I spend a ton of time with my family and friends and of course teaching! I have a true love for Sanrio and all things Hello Kitty. Fall is my favorite season..pumpkin candles, pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin fluff (Pinterest that), carving pumpkins, candy corn. I just love anything pumpkin and sweet I suppose.

How long have you been teaching?
This will be my seventh year...makes me sound scary old. I guess I am slowly, but surely aging. I taught sweet, little Kinders for three years, and made my switch to first grade four years ago. I have wanted to be a first grade teacher since I was in first grade. I fell in love with my first grade teacher Mrs. Wagner and she is the reason I do what I do every day and love it. I still talk to her to this day. I guess you could say she has truly impacted my life.


What teacher goodies can you not live without?
I love a good, fresh Sharpie...once the point gets dull, it's no good.

Mr. Sketch Markers are lovely..thin and thick!

Scratch and Sniff Stickers are one of my favs.

Last, but not least...decorative duct tape.

xo Niki

Three Tech Sites!

There are days when technology in my class runs seamlessly...there are days in my class where technology is a nightmare! Despite our love/hate relationship, I do have some tech sites that I love. To start off I will share three that I have been using for the past year or so. 

Planbook.com  

I was slightly afraid to switch to a digital planbook. There is something I love about writing my plans down in a planbook, but once I made the switch I was happy I did! The amount of time I save being able to type in my plans is amazing! I can add links to websites, files I use, cut and paste from previous/future lessons, print out plans for a sub. I still write some things down in a notebook, but planbook.com is quite lovely and they got a nice little update for this school year. You can try it for free for a month as well! 

 look at that beautiful color scheme I got going on...

Gonoodle.com

This website is always up on my computer for when my little ones need a mini or major brain break. This website is FREE, it is fabulous, and my class loved it! You can select a monster/character that you're going to work with and you earn minutes while doing brain breaks. They have all kinds of silly, fun things that kids love at all different ranges of time (30 seconds-minutes) and it is a perfect way to help them get a little energy out. If you haven't used this website, you should def check it out.

Classdojo.com

Last, but not least is Class Dojo. This one has been around a few years and I love using it with my class. I feel it is a great visual reinforcement for the little ones and I love that I can give them positive reinforcement points. The kids love their own individual monster and they love earning a small prize once they have enough DOJO Points. Another thing I love is that I can have the app on my iPad and iPhone so no matter where we are I can be adding (or taking) points. There is also a way to share with parents, but I haven't tested that one out quite yet. Give it a try and see if you like it! 

XO Niki

New School Year and Cooperative Grouping with the Little Ones

The new school year is growing closer upon us and I COULDN'T be more excited! The start of the year is always such a magical time and I love the feeling of it. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying my summer mornings and days as much as the next girl, but am quite content with the feeling that school will be starting soon.
    In STEM Education, cooperative grouping is HUGE. Part of the reason problem based learning can be a bit of a challenge with the younger little babes is because they are expected to work together with small groups to create a solution, product, outcome... It can be really challenging at first to get these little ones to work together. Check out a small freebie to help students become aware of their skills of working together as a group. It's in my TpT Store (that's about all that's in there) and it's free!  XO