Kindergarten Kindergarten

Learning How to Use Science Tools

I just put another packet in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Click here to see it!

You know those times (in the first days of school) when you have those super-engaging, hands-on science lessons planned and you get a few minutes into the lesson and a couple of your precious angels have decided to use their science tools for some less than rigorous scientific exploration? Like maybe using the dropper to squirt water up their friends' noses? (True story.)

The activities in this mini-unit are fun enough to engage kids but simple enough to allow you to teach specific expectations for using those science tools.

(Like, I don't know, maybe DO NOT put the dropper in your nose).  

There are 6 activities, complete with recording sheets, including:

• How Many Drops of Water Fit on a Penny (dropper)
• How Many Scoops Fit in Your Cup? (measuring cups)
• Using a Hand Lens to Match Tiny and Big Pictures
• Using a Balance to Compare Weights
• Making Kool-Aid "Fizz"
• Science Tool or Toy Sort

So head on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to check it out!

I also made this freebie for you...

Download Science Tools Card Sort

Have fun with your little scientists!

Subitze

Subi-what?

Subitize.

That's the ability to instantly recognize the number of objects in a small set or arrangement without counting.

It's being able to instantly know the number of dots on a die...

or a domino...

Or for me, the number of cookies on a plate...mmm....6.

It's a developmental prerequisite to counting, and many kindergartners come to school without this skill. So it's essential for us to teach it!

If you're interested in the research behind this concept, here's an excellent article by Douglas H. Clements:

Subitizing: What is it? Why Teach it?

Teaching it is easy! The easiest way is just to flash dot cards and have the kids quickly call out the number. Here's something I put together...a quick powerpoint with dot arrangements. I flash each slide for just a few seconds. Most of the time, I just have the kids call out the number, but sometimes, I have them write the number on dry-erase boards or create the same pattern on their tables with counters.

Download How Many Dots

There are also numerous games you can play with dot cards. The absolute best resource I have found is:

BRAVO to the Winnipeg School Division--I have used the activities in this book for years now. It is filled with SO MANY dot card actvities--and even has the dot cards in it. (And five and tens frame activities, as well.) Did I mention that it was free? So go grab it--NOW! (Click on the image.)

Interestingly enough, the word is pronounced soobitize--with a long u. One would think it was a short u, as in substitute teacher or submarine sandwich. But noooo... it's a long u like tuba-tize.

Now, go use it in a conversation with your principal. He or she will think you're really smart.

Happy Friday!

Wanna be my Blog Buddy?

Have you made the switch to Bloglovin' yet? I'm kind of late to the game (what else is new?) I just set up my account and am having so much fun finding new blogs to follow!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

But the blogosphere has exploded since I started blogging--and I know I'm missing some really great ones out there. So if you have an early education blog, link up below! I would love to check it out!

So not only do I want to read great teacher blogs, I also want to become more involved in the blogging community. And that's where I'm gonna need your help. I want to know all of the great linky parties and other fun happenings--leave a comment below so I can participate. I think that being connected will help me be more consistent with my blogging (which we all know I'm not the best at).

Speaking of Blog Buddies, did you know that Jonelle Bell at A Place Called Kindergarten has started a new Teachers Pay Teachers store? I LOVE her Reader's Theater packets...they are based on stories that kids love and are perfect for kindergartners. If you're looking for more reading material for you students, you have to check them out!

Don't forget to link up your blog below!

And follow me on Bloglovin'!

 

 

My Big, Fat Five Senses Unit

I am happy to announce that I (finally!) have a new packet up on

 Teachers Pay Teachers!

 

I've taken the classic Five Senses centers that we've all been doing for years, and created fresh and fun Science Notebook recording sheets for them. They are simple enough for kindergartners to do at the beginning of the year...

I've included over 15 smelly, messy and loud center and activity ideas!

I'm especially proud, because I created all of the graphics and clipart myself (except on the cover).

So click on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers Store and check it out!

And for those of you that have been asking, I've been working really hard on Math Notebook Prompts and will publish them by August 1! In the meantime, I'm going to put up some more fun math freebies, so check back often!

Our Big Five Senses Book

Today I thought I'd share some pictures of a big class book my kids and I made this year. Basically, it's just a lot of anchor charts stapled together in a big book. I made it out of chart paper with a butcher paper cover. 

We would generally work on the pages as a wrap-up after we did some sort of hands-on activity.

 

There's the recording chart for an earlier version of the salt/sugar activity, and a page with pictures the kids cut out of magazines.

 

Here is a page where the kids talked about what their brain thinks when they see something.

 

Here's a page that talks about what their brains think when they hear certain sounds (that I played on one of those old sound effects tapes) and a page with all of the sounds we heard on our listening walk around school.

 

This page has different papers and materials with different textures. The kids thought of words to describe those textures and then things in real life that have those textures. (They also put some of these papers in their own science notebooks).

 

This page has texture rubbings and a page where we discussed how our sense of touch helps keep us safe.

 

Here's a page with magazine pictures of smelly stuff plus a page about what our brains think when we smell certain smells.

 

Here's a page with Good Smells/Bad Smells. Yes--that is a toliet, dirty diaper, poo, and underwear. We keep it real in kindergarten...

This page has magazine pictures of things we like to eat and a diagram of a tongue.

 

This page is a fold-out page and is a graph of our Five Senses Taste Test.

Often, the kids did similar pages in their own science notebooks. I'm working really hard on a TPT unit of Science Notebook recording sheets for my Five Senses Unit. I'm hoping to get it up sometime this weekend.

In the meantime, let me leave you with my favorite YouTube Five Senses Video. Warning: Once you get it in your head, it's hard to get out! I will now be singing this song for the rest of the day. Thank-you very much.

Five Senses Sort Freebie

Here are some Five Senses cards I made for my kids to sort. There are 30 cards plus one card for each of the five senses. Many of the cards can be sorted by more than one sense.

Download Five Senses Picture Sort

Enjoy!

Solving Real-Life Problems with our Five Senses

I love teaching about the Five Senses!

Afterall, we use our Five Senses to gather information and learn about the world. They're the basis for all learning that we do! There are a TON of really cute Five Senses activities out there...and trust me, I do them all. The smell jars, the sound eggs, the touchy-feely boxes...I mean, come one, who doesn't want to watch a five year-old stick a lemon wedge in their mouth? (It's funny.)

But I want to find a way to take my Five Senses unit a little deeper. Most of my kids already come to kindergarten with a pretty solid understanding of the Five Senses. So I'm always looking for activities that are a little more rigorous, inquiry-based and connected to the real world.

I start with a problem:

And yes...in my life, this could be a real problem!

I let the kids figure out how to solve this problem. Notice that I activate their schema by asking what they already know that could help us solve this problem. They know that although salt and sugar look the same, they taste very different! Now, these kids are really smart. So they all suggest just tasting them--end of problem. (DUH!)

But I ask them if they think any of our other senses could help us out. I "guide" them into coming up with a plan. We test the "stuff" in each jar using one sense at a time--purposely saving taste for last.

Sight is easy--they're both white. But get out a hand lens and the kids might see the crystals, which is always fun.

Sound? Neither one makes a sound. Unless you shake them. Then they both sound like a rattlesnake (who knew?)

Smell--I can tell the difference, but kids usually cannot. Although this year, my kids actually said the sugar smelled like cookies. Lucky Guess? Who knows...

Touch--The sugar will leave your fingers sticky. If kids make connections between sugar and candy or sweet drinks, they'll get it.

And then, of course, taste...the big give away!

Problem Solved!

Questions for discussion:

• Which senses helped the most? Why?
• Which senses helped the least? Why?
• Which sense(s) would you use to figure out the softest pillow to buy? What TV show is on? What TV show is on in the other room? What your mom is making for dinner? ETC.

So hopefully, after this lesson, the kids will see their Five Senses as another scientific tool we have for exploration, investigation and problem-solving!         

Safety Note: It is important to remind kids to never taste things in scientific explorations without specific permission from the teacher. Many things are not safe to eat.

Hands-On Science: Glitter Slime!!!

I love science--especially messy, hands-on science. This past year, I wanted to find some more messy, hands-on activities that would allow my students to practice the rules on our Science Safety Contract and get really, really excited about science at the same time.

So I tried this activity on Pinterest: GLITTER SLIME

(I used white glue. Because I'm cheap and didn't want to buy clear glue. The kids loved it just the same. We also used neon food coloring.)

My kids got to practice listening and following directions...

Measuring...

Stirring...

More measuring...

More stirring....

Mushing...

Squishing...

 I guess we could just go over the rules again and make another anchor chart. But seriously...look at that face!

We constantly reviewed the rules on our science safety contract...listening carefully, following all directions, not touching anything without permission, and definitely not tasting anything!

The kids recorded their experiences in their science notebooks. You can download the recording sheet here:

Download Science Notebook_Slime

I even included the recipe if they wanted to try it at home.

 
Definitely the best time I've had practicing the rules in a while!

Safety Note: The above recipe uses Borax, which you can find in the laundry aisle. It is not the same thing as Boric Acid, which I would never let kindergartners use. But it is still a chemical. I did a lot of research (as in googling) to see if it was safe for kids. I feel comfortable doing this activity with my students. The American Chemical Society even has a similar recipe on their website here (and I guess they would know, right?)

Make sure the kids do not eat any of the ingredients. Make sure they wash their hands after playing with the slime. And always check and follow your school and district policies about using potentially hazardous materials in the classroom!

 

Science Notebooks

I wanted to do something a little different for my science notebook labels this year...

So I gathered up a bunch of science props--plastic containers in bright colors, measuring cups filled with colored water, funnels, hand lenses, etc.

I dressed my kids up in a jacket from a Mad Scientist Halloween costume (from Target) and let them wear fake glasses from the dollar store. Then I told them to "Look Smart!"

The labels turned out so cute, and the kids LOVED it. I think I'll try to find a fake brain for this years pics! (I'm weird that way).

Hello Again!

I'm a terrible blogger...I'm sorry! Despite my best intentions, I just get so busy and tired during the school year that I neglect my poor little blog.

As many of you know, I started a new job. I'm still teaching kindergarten and I'm at a great school. I love the families, my team and my principal. I am very happy and feel blessed to have landed a position doing what I love!

But I've missed my blog friends, so I'm going to try my best to update on a regular basis (Yeah--I've said that before!) I have one month until I officially report back to school--so let's see how much blogging I can cram in before then!

I'm going to start with a bunch of fun, messy hands-on science! So check back every day this week to see what's new!

See you soon!