Is It Living?

Hey Science Friends,

I am always on the hunt and lookout for the perfect book. You know the kind of book that can say and illustrate a concept that presents a concept that is easily understood by young learners. I am so fortunate that I work with teachers that not only share that passion but share it with me and share their books! This week we have been discussing living and nonliving and this book just added to that discussion. But what I love about the book the most is that it also lends to a discussion about offspring. 

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?

Our objective is to differentiate between living and nonliving things based on whether they have basic needs and produce offspring. I couldn't have been passed that book at a more perfect time because it not only added to our discussion but everyone was eager to share what they were thinking with each turn of the page. The book also gave us plenty of ideas to generate a great shared writing list and when it came time to notebook about it, we all had a lot to pull from. This year the children love notebooking in both math and science and if I tell them we are using our notebooks they are pretty excited and totally engaged.

As we were just about to leave for the week someone took note of one of the last slides we had looked at and asked...

Is that seed living or nonliving? Is that a baby apple?

This question gives us a great starting point for next week as we justify our thinking and discuss basic needs of plants and animals and examine evidence that living organisms have basic needs such as food, water and shelter for animals and air, water and nutrients, sunlight and space for plants. 

We used this PowerPoint about living and nonliving to help with our discussion and provide us with real world examples to discuss living and nonliving. Next week we will be justifying our thinking by posing the question...

How do you know?

I am sure we will all have fun discussing our favorite living and nonliving things and sharing with each other how we know it is living or not! 

Notebooking On The Cheap!

Hey Science Friends,

Oh my...poly binders are on sale at Office Depot this week and they are 2 for a dollar. And even better than that, folders are on sale for a penny! At my store I am able to get a class set and I sure hope you are too. This really makes notebooking affordable for an entire class. It is time to get your feet wet with just a little investment. Notebooking is a wonderful extension to what you currently do in your classroom for Science and it is what I call...a second chance for literacy!

If you missed the post on considering different kinds of notebooks you can click the image above to get the information.

And if you need labels in small, medium and large for spirals, composition books, folders or binders just click the image above.

 



Science Notebooking 102!

 

Hey Science Friends,

There has been a lot of great discussion and talk about Science Notebooking but we are just getting started. Just in case you missed the Science Notebooking 101 post you can click on the image below to get you there before we jump right in to the next part.



Alright now that you have had time to think about what type of notebook you want to have your students use, now it is time to dig a little deeper. So now you might be asking actually what is a Science Notebook? A Science Notebook is a tool that Scientists use to record data and a place to record their thinking. That is it in the most simplest of terms. In the classroom a Science Notebook is used as a tool to help build processing skills and to help build Science content. The Science Notebook helps foster literacy as well. Inside the pages of a great notebook are wonderful opportunities for meaningful integration.

A Science Notebook does not replace a Science curriculum, it goes alongside any Science Curriculum that is used. For the young Scientist, a Science Notebook retells experiences, investigations, data and understandings. These experiences and investigations are recorded in pictures, numbers and words. An interactive notebook is used to help a child have repeated opportunities to connect and reconnect with the content inside.

 

Before jumping right in, it is important to consider what your goals are for using Science Notebooks. As I was planning my Science Notebooks for the year, I had to ask myself the same questions. I wanted to be able to use notebooking to extend literacy, to record thinking, to provide multiple opportunities to connect with the content, and to be able to use it as a tool during science discussions to foster oral language development. Additionally, I wanted my notebooks to support district, state and national Science Standards. And last, I wanted my notebooks to be loved and used on an ongoing basis for the entire year. And as an added bonus, I wanted my notebooks to serve as a tool for me to use to help assess the learning objectives presented and have a better understanding of what my students were learning.

Like I said in the previous post, I have tried and failed and tried again with notebooks in the past. My failures were based on not starting with considering the goals beforehand and taking the approach of jumping in and figuring it out as I went along. Based on my experience, I can honestly say that the "jump in and give it a go" method did not produce the notebooks I wanted and when it was all said and done, I still could not clearly define my goals. As with anything, begin with the goal in mind was never bad advice and you know your mom would agree!

So, where do we go from here? Next we will look at what Science Notebooks look like in the beginning. How do we start Science notebooking with young children?



Getting Started With Notebooking!



Hey Science Friends,

One of the most asked questions I have gotten over the years has been about Science Notebooking in Kindergarten. No matter the year this seems to be one of the most lingering questions. I have had many questions myself about notebooking in Kindergarten. We all wonder what is the best notebook? What in the world is inside and most important how in the world do we do this with Kindergarten? Over the last several years I have played around with different ideas and discovered things I like and things I don't. I have tried and failed and tried again and probably again more times than I am willing to admit. But I never gave up on the idea of incorporating Science Notebooks in Kindergarten...successfully.

I am currently working on a yearlong unit of notebooking so this is a hot topic on my mind right now. And if you are considering notebooking with your class this year now is the best time to start thinking and planning a few things and set yourself up for success. Now is the best time to decide WHAT the Science notebook will look like in your classroom. You have options. And you might as well get the materials on the cheap when they are on sale, right? But before you buy be sure and think about a few things because you will probably be using them for an entire year.

So, what are the options?



Spirals can be used for notebooking!

They are cheap.

They come in different colors.

They have lots of pages.

They have a large surface area to record.

You can hold a pencil in the spiral.

You can glue, tape or staple things inside.

They have a sturdy cover and back.

They lay flat on the table.

They have writing lines...but they are small especially for Kindergarten.

Composition books can be used for notebooking!

They are affordable when on sale but you have to hunt for sales and act quick!

They come in different colors.

They are more expensive than spirals.

They are smaller in size.

They have plenty of pages.

You can glue, tape, staple things inside.

They have a sturdy cover and back.

They do not always lay flat on the table.

They have writing lines...but they are small for Kindergarten.

You can find them with Kinder writing lines but they are more expensive.

Folders can be used for notebooking!

They are cheap!

They come in different colors.

They have built in pockets.

They have brads to hold paper.

They are not as sturdy as spirals or composition books.

You can use a folder per unit study because they are affordable if you get them on sale.

You can glue, tape, staple things inside.

They lay flat on the table.

You can determine the type of paper that goes inside.

 

Teacher made notebooks can be used for notebooking!

Construction paper is cheap.

It comes in lots of colors.

They are not as sturdy but could be laminated.

You can make different notebooks per unit study.

You can easily make different sizes and shapes.

They lay flat on the table.

You can glue, tape, staple things inside.

You can determine what type of paper that goes inside.

 

Three ring binders can be used for notebooking!

You can get them on sale but they are the most expensive option here.

You might be able to use them for several years.

They come in lots of colors.

They are sturdy.

They lay flat.

They stand up!

They have pockets.

They hold a lot.

You can glue, tape, staple things inside.

You determine what type of paper goes inside.

Once you have decided on the type of notebook you will use you are well on your way but one more thing to consider in...orientation. Yes, I said it...orientation. This is just something to consider based on many years of notebooking with Kindergarten. First, there is no right or wrong here. This is all about considering what is best for you and your style of teaching. The more consideration and thought that is given in the planning and preparing for notebooking the more likely you will stick with it...just trust me here without explanation. Like I said, there is not right or wrong.

I guess your next question is going to be what are YOU going to use this year. I knew it was coming. I have tried them all and I love and hate each one for different reasons so let's break it down on the deciding factors for my personal choice. First, I have tried them all. But this year I am using spirals primarily and at special times in the year I may use teacher made paper ones. I know you will ask why, so here we go! Folders are too flimsy for repeated use and I do not want to buy a million of them or decide how many and what colors I need. That's too much for me to deal with. Composition books have too small of a surface area for Kinder writing in my opinion and they do not lay flat. Composition books are more expensive than spirals. Binders are too expensive for me even if I can use them for several years. I suppose I can't commit to loving them for that long. So it is a spiral for me. And as for the orientation...landscape. If you know me you knew it was coming. My primary reason for landscape is because the lines in the spirals are too small for Kinder writing so if you turn it landscape orientation then you eliminate that problem. If I have something to go inside the notebook and it is portrait orientation, we just flip it and just keep working...no big deal.

This will get you thinking for sure. Stay tuned for Notebooking 102!

See you soon Science Friends!

 



Force and Motion!

 

Hello Science Friends,

It has been a busy week of investigating fun. We have been able to get outside and explore and investigate while the weather is still pleasant and the sun is still shining. We have learned a lot about force and motion in the past few weeks. It is always fun when you can add toys and playground equipment as necessary tools for Science investigations.

 

 

On of my favorite things about our Force and Motion Unit has been this predictable chart. Any amount of time it took to make it has paid off a million times over. We have been able to accomplish a lot with just one chart.



 

Reading/Beginning Reading Skills/Print Awareness

We have been able to use this chart for:

 Recognizing that spoken words can be represented by print for communication.

Demonstrating one-to-one correspondence between a spoken word and a printed word in text.

Recognizing that sentences are comprised of words separated by spaces and to demonstrate the awareness of word boundaries.

Identify that a sentence is made up of a group of words.

Science

This has been used as a visual aid to learn the terms needed for force and motion investigations. 



And to help us describe the ways that objects can move such as in a straight line, zigzag, up and down, back and forth, round and round, and fast and slow.

 

 

I always try to incorporate books into any unit study in Science and sometimes that can be challenging. The two books above could be used for K-2 Science with just a little modification for Kindergarten.

 

 

 

 

As you can imagine balls were some of our favorite objects to investigate!

 

 

For more Force and Motion Fun! This unit includes:

Table of Contents:

13 Different Hands-On Independent  Field and Indoor Investigations with Recording Pages/2 Conceptual Big Books/3 Conceptual Emergent Readers and so much more!  Options for building your own unique journals/notebooks to fit your classroom needs!

2 Versions of My Force and Motion Notebook/Journal backline printables

Magnets Vocabulary Poster colored printable

Magnet Safety Rules Poster colored printable

2 Versions of My Magnet Investigation Notebook/Journal backline printables

Safety Magnet Investigation Recording Page backline printable

10 Is It Magnetic? Investigation Recording Pages backline printables

Directions and pictures of Magnet Investigation Tools

My Magnet Investigation At Home backline printable

What Is Magnetic On The Playground Investigation Recording Page backline printable

Magnetic/Non Magnetic Sorting Headers backline printable

Magnetic/Non Magnetic Sorting Pictures backline printable

Magnetic/Non Magnetic Sorting Headers colored printable

Is It Magnetic Emergent Reader backline printable

Magnet Book Suggestions

Objects Can Move Vocabulary Poster colored printable

Objects Can Move Vocabulary Chant colored printable

Objects On The Move Teacher Big Book colored printable

Pictures and Directions for Objects On The Move Predictable Chart

2 Versions of Emergent Reader Objects Can Move backline printable

Force and Motion Investigation Recording Page backline printable

2 Versions of 5 Objects On The Playground Investigation Recording Pages backline printables

Objects On The Go Compare Fast/Slow Investigation backline printable

Where Is Hooty? Colored Props printable

Where Is Hooty? Teacher Big Book colored printable

 



By The Light Of The Moon...

 

Hello Science Friends,

There just is no denying it...this is the time of year that the children begin talking about the night. And soon the time will change and the long summer days will seem like a distant memory. But with the change of any season we all look forward to what the coming season has to offer. Right now the children are talking about the sights and sounds of Halloween night. Those conversations had me inspired to look for new books. I came across this book Moonlight by Cynthia Rylant. I was drawn in by the cover and title of the book since they have been hot topics in my classroom this week. As soon as I opened the book I knew I had to have it. There is just something about a Cynthia Rylant book that just sings to me. All this chatter about the night made me think this would be a good time to gather a little inspiration and maybe encourage some observations and non fiction writing about the...night.

 

 

 

If you need to have some observing the night sky fun too just click on the link and grab yours!

 

 

 



YIKES!

 

Hello Science Friends,

Well our Observation Jars have turned in to Observation Trays and let me tell you they are a huge hit and just a little bit creepy. These are so perfect for Describing the Properties of an Object and they can get just about any Kinder kids excited for some serious notebooking. We have had so much fun with it that we had to add some other items to investigate and describe. In just a few days our Grow Me's changed quite a bit and I really love the new addition this year of the regular sized object that we can use for comparison. The kids did like the natural objects when they were added. I wonder what we will put in there next...we still have room for more!

 

 

Who can resist a little creepy Science fun?

 



Grow Me Observation Jars!





Hello Science Friends,

Call me crazy but I love Growing Brains this time of year. I used these in my classroom last year and had a lot of fun with Grow Me's. Last year we used these brains for some observation and notebooking activities. This year I wanted to change a few things about our activity. Instead of having just another object to compare the growing brain to, I wanted to have a brain that we grew in water and a brain that we did not put in water. When we remove the brain that has been in water and "grew" we would have a dry brain to compare it to and this way we always knew the actual size of the original brain and it helps us to see just how much the brain changed.

Last year, this is how we started our activity. We compared the brain to a decorative rock so we could have an idea of the size of the brain. We also thought of different items the brain was similar in size to. But like I said, it was so hard to really remember the size of the brain before so that is why this year I have purchased two of every Grow Me because we need to be able to compare the dry to the wet brain. 

We added our brain to our jar, added water and added our magic yellow tablet. We observed the reaction.

We added another magic tablet and observed the changes and made predictions.

This activity provided us the perfect opportunity to observe, discuss, notebook and communicate our understandings with each other.

We even had a little fun pretending to be The Scientist of the Day during our Science Meeting! During our Scientist Meetings we get a chance to use Science Vocabulary, share our understandings and learn the thinking of each other.  

I think we are ready to start some serious investigations!

 

 

This year I have changed the activity up a little bit. I now have several Observation Jars. I plan on using them during our Science Time and as a choice writing activity in other parts of our day. In Science, the Observation Jars will serve as the activity that the children can work on if they finish Science Investigations early. This is a great way to have children practice notebooking which can sometimes be difficult for young children.

I like to use Tub Tints instead of food coloring anytime I need to add color. Tub tints do not stain and are less messy and are perfect for Kindergarten Science. You can find them in the bath section or toy section in most discount stores. The children know that these jars are for observation only. When we need to remove and item to look at it an adult will help. I always explain that if someone decides to open an Observation Jar, it will be the last time they will be allowed to use it. I did not have any problems at all last year.

 

 

So where is the Science in this activity? It falls under the category of Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student develops abilities to ask questions and seek answers in classroom and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to ask questions about objects, plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations, collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words and communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations. I am excited to incorporate the use of primary balances with this activity this year! If you would like to create Observation Jars for your classroom you can find the canisters seen here at Walmart, Tub Tints were found at Target and Grow Me's come from Dollar Tree. Have fun investigating!