Integrated Science

As the holidays approach, I still try to find ways to incorporate Science into the classroom. I don't want Science to be forgotten in the midst of all the holiday fun. Science can still take place even while we are talking about the holiday season. 

This is a neat story about a family's Christmas tradition. Every year, they troop out into the forest to decorate their night tree, a living pine Christmas tree. The night tree is festooned with edible decorations. After the family enjoys the magic of the decorated tree, they depart, knowing that the friendly critters who inhabit the woods will enjoy the decorations as a Christmas time snack. The book introduces an interesting family "tradition" and teaches the concept of tradition as well as doing for others (the gifts of food for the animals). It is a warm story that brings smiles to young faces. Book Review by Amazon

I think this would be a wonderful book to talk about family traditions for a little integrated Social Studies. For Science, this would be an excellent book to talk about the basic needs of animals and tie in the winter season. In our classroom we have been working on a Tree Homes Science unit and this would be a perfect review for us. To extend this discussion further, it would also be fun to make some bird feeders for the animals in winter. You could even hang the bird feeders in the trees at school and observe the animals throughout winter. I think this would be a wonderful Science Notebooking activity. 

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Little Miss Kindergarten on Pinterest

For years we made bird feeders with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed but due to allergies we had to stop this activity. I have searched and search for other ways to make bird feeders for a couple of years and did not find exactly what I wanted.  When I saw this I was hooked. I think this would be simple and perfect for Kindergarten Scientists. You could use pipe cleaners instead of wire and the children could easily make them. I would love to incorporate counting into this activity. Additionally, the children could observe the tree and count to see how many pieces are missing. 

You are my sunshine...

Well, this made me put a little smile on my face when I opened my mailbox and found this Sunshine Award from :

AND... Thanks to these three ladies to give me an award... I have learned a lot from you! 
 Part of receiving this award, you must answer these questions and pass the sunshine along, so here we go...

Favorite Color

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Little Miss Kindergarten on Pinterest

My favorite color is red but truth be told... I am colorblind to some degree and so is my father and son. Over the years I have been told that it is not possible for a female to be colorblind but if you knew me you would know that this is simply not true. My family, friends and coworkers will tell you the same. The kids figure this out each year usually when I call something blue and it is actually purple and they always think I did not learn my colors when I was in pre k! 

My second favorite color is black which probably has something to do with the fact that I love the combination of black and white. And everything has to have a gingham bow on it... it reminds me of my great grandmother. 

Favorite Animal

My favorite animal would have to be a penguin. I think the Emperor Penguin has an amazing story. And my favorite movie is March of the Penguins... Each year it is an annual tradition to watch March of the Penguins with my husband (lucky him). 

Favorite Number 

My favorite number is three. 

And the real secret is that since I was in Kindergarten I have always LOVED to count! As a child I counted everything in my head just because I wanted to know how many. 

Favorite Drinks

Is there any time of day that this does not taste good? 

And if you have not tried this... you just have to, enough said. 

And this is my all time favorite beverage maker the Cocomotion! Please someone tell me why Mr. Coffee will not put this one back in their product line? And can we get it in red please? I am sure glad the year they were on clearance I bought a few all of them on the shelves at any Wal Mart that had them in stock. I gave most of them away as gifts but kept a few several for hot chocolate days in Kindergarten. 

Facebook or Twitter

I guess I am giving the unpopular answer... Twitter. I love it. No fuss, no muss just tweet and your done! 

What is my passion?

Teaching is definitely one of my passions. Each year I ask myself if I am in for just one more year in Kindergarten and the answer is always the same. I do not want to teach any other grade level. 

My secret passion is that I want to be a Science Instructional Specialist and would DIE DIE DIE if I ever saw and opening! I have a secret stash of lessons, plans, materials and whatnot just ready for the day if it ever comes... And last, I LOVE writing curriculum for Math and Science and I am fortunate to be able to do that for my job and through my blog. I love the writing process and this gives me a needed creative outlet. 

Giving or Receiving?

I love giving gifts! 

Favorite Day

My favorite day of all time was the one and only snowy Valentine I ever have had in my life. We played in the snow and then had brunch and hot chocolate. 

Source: amishphoto.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Kim on Pinterest

Wishing you and your family a warm and wonderful winter.

Now I get to spread the sunshine... You guys make my day!

Black Friday Sale!

I am having a sale in my Teachers Notebook Store! Take a break from those lines and crowds and enjoy shopping from home! 

Planting Corn

Planting Corn Squanto's Way...Well Sort Of!

My kiddos loved learning about the Pilgrims, Native American Indians {esp. Squanto and Samoset} and Plymouth Plantation!  

One of the activities we did was planting corn the way Squanto taught the Pilgrims to do...which was burying a fish with the corn.  The kiddos enjoyed learning the reasoning behind that.

Then, I told them we were going to plant corn the way Squanto taught the Pilgrims.  They really thought I had stinky fish, dirt, and corn!  bwahahahaha  

They were quite relieved when they saw that the dirt was crushed Oreos, the stinky fish was gummy fish, and the corn was candy corn.  They LOVED this as our morning snack!!!

Thanksgiving Blessings,

Science Night

I was excited to be able to get ready for Science Night at school. We had planned to use Color Mixing Kits for this fun night. As you can see it is a pretty easy set up for this open ended investigation. The objective for this activity is to create new colors by using different combinations of the three primary colors. 

After the children had a chance to complete the color mixing investigation they were able to make turkeys and use the colors that they had created to drop onto coffee filters that were used as the feathers on our turkeys.