Rainy Saturday + Task Cards & Circle Graphs

WHAT?! This was such a fun week! Our 7th graders took a field trip to the zoo & are doing a zoo animal project to go along with the trip! So fun! The “end of the year stuff” is coming quick: in science, we dissect frogs and build rockets to celebrate the end of the year!!

So this year I’ve discovered the power of TASK CARDS. {I know, a little late, right?} But my kids love them. I usually use them with the game “Scoot!” as a quick assessment! To prepare, I print two or three sets of cards, laminate them, and cut them out.

Here’s how I play:

1. I split the class into two groups (usually 12-15 kids per group). Each group will have one set of cards.
2. Give each student a task card and have them flip it over on their desk. I also pass out the record sheet.
3. I instruct the kids on where to “Scoot!” They usually move from desk to desk like a snake. This is sometimes the most challenging part if one student doesn’t go where he/she is supposed to go!
4. I give them 30-45 seconds at each task card to get their answer down on their record sheet.

If there are TOO MANY students and not enough task cards (i.e. sometimes I have 14 students and 12 task cards), I make 2 seats the “chill” seats where the kids can just sit there and “chill” for two turns. They love that! It also gives some kids some extra time to look over their answers and finish any that they didn’t have time to finish!

WE LOVE IT!!!!!

Here are a couple of my latest task cards that I’ve created:
Abiotic Vs. Biotic Factors Task Cards

Students will see 12 different cards & must decide whether the word/picture on the card is a biotic or abiotic factor.

Plate Tectonics Task Cards

These task cards focus on various plate boundaries, layers of the earth, and continental drift! They are all 1-2 word answers!

I’ve used BOTH of these products in my own classroom with much success!

This week, I also added a Circle Graph Lesson Pack to my TpT store to go along with my bar graph and line graph lessons!
This is a GREAT lesson pack because students must calculate PERCENTAGES first before they can create their circle graphs. These materials will kill two birds (percentages and circle graphs) with one stone!

I don’t know about you, but we only have 14 school days left! I’m having a blast but can’t wait until summer!! Have a great weekend!

Teacher Appreciation Week!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!

CHECK OUT MY STORE HERE!!

Enjoy the sale! I know I am!!!!

Bar Graphs & Line Graphs

Happy Sunday everyone!! Sundays are my favorite days of the week — you??

The count down to summer is officially 5 weeks! Unreal! I have a lot of cool things planned for the last 5 weeks, but one thing my kids need NEVER ENDING practice with is GRAPHING. Dun dun duuunnnn….. but seriously. They’re terrible at it!!! We spend so much time at the beginning of the year and they practice throughout the year, but we have to review every time they face a new graphing challenge!! Why can’t they grasp this concept?? Can I get an amen??

I believe practice makes perfect when it comes to graphing. Therefore, I created a couple new products that will help with practice.

 Each product comes with a guided notes page (important things to remember when creating graphs) and 5 unique practice graphs with data. Two of the five are guided graphs that have the numbers & blanks already on the x and y axis. The other three graphs are independent practice. Each of the graphs are varying in difficulty, so you could use however you would like!

All I know, is that when it comes to graphing, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE is the most important thing! If you’d like to buy BOTH sets of practice graphs, you can buy the graphing bundle at a discount!

I will be coming out with a couple more graphing activities with circle graphs and pictographs in the near future!

One last [exciting] note:

{no, I’m not pregnant again}

BUT……

HOORAY!!!

TpT is offering a 10% discount code on those two days (May 7th-8th) PLUS I’m offering 20% off my entire store!!!! With those discounts, get ready to STOCK UP!! I know my wish list is miles long!!! Will you be taking advantage of the sale?

So Honored + Plate Tectonics Lessons

Happy Sunday night everyone! First and foremost, I am SO HONORED to be featured today on To The Square Inch!! Be sure to check it out because my dear friend Kate is offering a giveaway! If you teach Math or Science, be SURE to comment on the feature post for your chance to win a BFF METRIC COMBO PACK that would include my Metric Mania Lab, Bubble Gum Metric Lab, & Kate’s Metric Units of Measure Journal! That’s a TON of awesome resources you could win! The Metric System JACKPOT if you ask me!

My weekend has been so great & I am sad it is coming to a close! I’ve spent most of my weekend with this love of my life:
She is so much fun.

I also spend some time working on a couple new products. I swear, Earth Science is going to be the death of me. It’s NOT my favorite science, so I’ve really been working hard to create some things to make it a little less……. ya know…. Earth Science-y. Like this Layers of the Earth Color & Flip Book!

Students will create a page for the 4 basic layers of the earth & glue them together creating a flip book with some fun facts!

I also spent a ton of time today perfecting my Continental Drift & Sea-Floor Spreading Guided Notes! I create a Lesson Pack that includes BOTH sets of guided notes PLUS vocabulary activities!

Lots of good Earth Science!!! Have a great week everyone!

Happy Friday!!

The weekend is here people!! My hubby & I celebrated the weekend by getting some Irish food & drink downtown Indianapolis. What are you up to this weekend????? I’m doing as much relaxing/family time as possible!!

This week, in Mrs. Smith’s class, the students MASTERED the rock cycle & were so excited about it (insert: soooo much sarcasm). It is what it is. They did, however, enjoy making these:

On a science note, I just purchased some GREAT science clip art from Lita Lita on TpT!

Therefore, I created some Steps of the Scientific Method Posters!! They’re so cute, I can’t wait to hang them up in my classroom!

My Scientific Method posters are SO out of date, so I’m ready to replace!

I also created another metric system lab using bubble gum! It’s super fun! Students will chew a piece of bubble gum and record how the mass, volume, & density changes as they chew! Very motivating & super interesting!

7 weeks to go in the school year for me!!! The remainder of the year includes a lot of earth & environmental science — PLUS frog dissecting, a zoo field trip & rocket building!!!
When does your summer start?? What is your focus for the rest of the year??

Substitute Teacher Binder Basics {New Design!}

I’ve created a new Substitute Teacher Binder Basics pack that includes a binder cover & section dividers! It’s perfect & simple — you never want to overwhelm a sub with too much information!

The substitute reflection form has been AWESOME to use this year — my subs like it too! Enjoy!

Gene-O! A Genetics Bingo Game!

Genetics is so fun to teach & so fun to learn! The kids love it because they get to focus on their favorite subject — THEMSELVES! Here is a game I created that could be used as an introduction, a time-filler, or just for fun! Each game would probably take about 20-25 minutes! 

I provided a list of over 50+ genetic traits that can be used! Enjoy!!