Solar System Research

My science focus in my classroom right now is learning about the solar system.

My class used the picture dictionary tool on Enchanted Learning to practice research skills.

The picture dictionary is set up in alphabetical order and for larger categories of letters , like "S", have subheadings similar to guide words to narrow ones search options.

My students had search questions to research like you see below:

 Here's a sample screen for looking up the answer to Question 1, which is the solar system.

First, students would click on the letter S and then on the subcategory So to search for the answer of solar system.

Each heading is also clickable to read and research further about a topic

This is the expanded information for solar system

This tools hit science, technology, research skills and dictionary practice all in one.

Hope you might find it useful too!

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The Elements

I'm soon to be wrapping up a science unit on matter.

One of the final lessons on elements, compounds and mixtures is more difficult to grasp.

So I turned to finding these catchy songs as a resource:

The Periodic Table Song

My students couldn't get enough of listening to These Are the Elements Song

Study Jams also had a quick video on compounds and mixtures

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Zoo Fieldtrip

To kick off a unit on Living Things my class went to the zoo.

What a fun day!

Here's a simple zoo song to review many animals we saw today

And a cute habitat song

And after a long field trip day, I'm off tomorrow for a furlough day.

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A Field Trip to California Science Center

My class is learning about the solar system and we recently went to the California Science Center to view the Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit.

What an amazing experience.

Click picture for Panoramic viewing of exhibit

Source: LA Times

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Solar System Goodies

I ended my school year with a science focus on the solar system.

Take a peek at some of the great songs, videos and media I used in my lessons.

Planets on Prezi


The final wrap up of my unit was provided by a student of mine. He brought in this cutest video. It's a musical journey to the planets called My Fantastic Journey to the Planets. You can watch a trailer for it {HERE}

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Gobble Up Turkey Facts

My class will be gobbling up some turkey facts this week for science.

I begin by reading Jim Arnosky's book I'm a Turkey.

Listen to his cute ol' song to go along with the story

I've made a Turkey Fact powerpoint too.

Click to download

I'm using this powerpoint with this {website} that has background information, short video clips of turkeys and various turkey gobbles and cackles.

Watch My Life as a Turkey on PBS. See more from Nature.

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Fossil Fun

 In science my class is learning about living things

I awed my class with real fossil observations from my dad's collection.        Thanks dad!

They loved seeing real trilobites after reading about them in our text.

The evening following our lesson I whipped up a batch of Coffee Ground fossil dough.

After realizing one batch wasn't enough I found myself brewing another pot of coffee to get more grounds and 2 hours later had my fossil dough prepped.  I drank a couple of cups of the coffee I brewed along the way, so as to not waste.

Then I cut out enough circles for my students to make fossil imprints with a small fish.

The imprint process

 Tip alert: Spray the imprinting object with nonstick cooking spray

(I learned this the hard way after tearing up several imprints while trying to lift them off)

The finished fossil after drying

Grab the directions to have fossil fun in your class!

Thanks for taking another "Peek Into my Planbook"