Science, science, and more science!

Hi all! How are you doing?  24 days of school left.. I can't believe it! I am not ready academically or emotionally to leave my kiddos... I hope they keep with them all that I have taught them this year -- some of them over the past TWO years! It's crazy to think that I will be saying goodbye to them.  It says a lot about "looping up" with students, and I am sure glad that I have.

I am linking up with my bestie Holly from Fourth Grade Flipper for her Tried it Tuesday!! Check out her post about Powerpoint ;)

What's coming up?.... SCIENCE EXAMS!
As a new 4th grade teacher, I wish I had another team member (I am the only 4th grade teacher at my school) to have helped me with test prep, but I think I have done a pretty good job doing what I can :) I have gotten lots of things from the internet, TPT/TN, and fun online activities.
What I really needed were science materials.. let's face it, science = experimentation! And the kids LOVE it! Here is a picture of the balance scale that I bought from Lakeshore Learning-I bought all my supplies there including the balance, a simple machines kit, magnet kit, and electricity kit.

I found some wonderful freebies about Science too! My friend Ashley from Primary Teacherhood has this wonderful Water Cycle product out on her store... a concept that can needs to be reinforced with multiple grades.  Click here to check it out!

I have also tried to make my own products!! Click on each product if you want to check it out :)

And then there's my baby, my science task cards - which covers almost EVERY topic in 4th grade NYS science :] These include reading comprehension, but your students will only be able to complete these if they use their inferencing skill and prior knowledge as well.

Sooo.. how did I do? I mostly created these products for my own students, but I thought that maybe you guys could use them too :) I am giving away ALL FOUR PRODUCTS to one lucky winner!! Please enter using the rafflecopter below :) Giveaway ends Thursday at midnight!

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88e1c39/

 

I also wanted to touch on the point that I mostly advertise for Teachers Pay Teachers, but I hope many of you are also using Teacher's Notebook!! Both websites are wonderful and the people are great.  Teacher's Notebook has been so good to me this year and helping me build my sales and advertisements.  I actually will be having an amazing Teacher's Notebook giveaway VERY Soon ;) So keep your eyes peeled for that!!!

 

 Speaking of Teacher's Notebook, the amazing Tonya's Treats for Teachers is having a BIG SALE! :) Today ONLY check out her incredible products on Teacher's Notebook all 50% off!!! Hurry you won't want to miss it... Tonya is where I get all my fun fonts besides Kevin and Amanda! Pick up her font license today:) :)

 

 

 

State testing needs, catching up with you!

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I last posted... Up top is my kiddos New Years Resolutions... some of them were extremely adorable.  Like Troy's: "My New Years resolution is to eat less bread.  I eat 6 slices a day and I need to cut down."  I hear that! I am doing my 90 day challenge "biggest loser" competition with my beachbody (online) coach.. I hope that my motivation lasts since I am already a pretty determined person in general. 

Here is the yummy goulash that Mike made tonight... with garden vegetable pasta, peppers, onions, hamburger, and sauce :)

Speaking of motivation, I have been trying to be the best teacher I can.  I have 5 fourth graders, and 2 third graders.  All I can think about are the state tests, especially with my 4th graders. I want them to be as prepared as possible and have the most resources I can.  I am also the only 3/4th grade teacher, so I am the only one planning for state tests this year.

I am thinking about doing adopt a classroom (I can't do donors choose because I work at a private school).  I am most worried about science... it is so important that the children have lots of hands-on materials to use and to be engaged and understand the experiments and learning better.  There are a few items on my wishlist.. I definitely need a balance scale, magnet kit, and simple machines kit... I was looking at Lakeshore and they have amazing resources, I just wish the prices were a little lower for what I can afford.

How amazing would it be to get this and share it with the other teachers at my school?! But it's 500 dollars... but a teacher can dream!!

If anyone knows any great resources or great prices on any sites for science materials, please let me know! I plan on continuing to prepare my students and get them ready for April/May!!

 

Speaking of Science Test Prep, please check out my latest TPT/TN product... my 40 Science Test Prep Cards which reviews most of the information and topics from our science new york state text (McMillan-McGraw) and will help with comprehension and using background knowledge.  CLICK HERE to visit Teacher's Notebook, and CLICK HERE to check it out on Teachers Pay Teachers!  Amazing graphics from The 3AM Teacher and fonts from Kevin and Amanda!

 

 

Other topics that my kids have loved:

Learning about Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Learning about the Revolutionary War

 

I want to keep finding new teaching ideas, which is why I love Pinterest, TPT, TN and all of that.  Sometimes I am just so tired when I get home to look though. 

I have some questions for all of you, if anyone can help me out!

How do you prepare your kids for state testing?

Where do you purchase your science materials?

Where do you get most of your lesson ideas?

How do you "keep up" with being the best teacher you can?

 

I am very tired... so I leave you with a picture of my cute baby, Pancake...

Good night!

State Testing

Wow, it's been a long week.  We are just finishing up our IOWA State Testing - The longest test ever! I am very proud of my students for getting through it because I almost felt like I wouldn't survive reading all the directions and everything.  For the most part they are doing well, but for the short timed parts (for example, math computation) they are having difficulty.  Anyone have any tips to speed their time besides taking timed test after timed test? We did try this, but since it was a "state test", I think they wanted to do so well that they took their time (a little too much). 

Regardless, I am proud of them and they will be getting ice cream and mini cupcakes tomorrow from me :) I hate how stressed out kids can get over these things, but I am glad that they will be over tomorrow.  Does anyone else take the IOWA tests?

*What is your favorite way to treat yourself at the end of the week?*

I am excited to say that me and Second Grade is Spendid are going to get mani/pedis tomorrow.. it's been a while since I treated myself, and it is definitely the week to do it!

RSVP!!! All are welcome if you are in the Upstate, NY/Capital Region area!!

I don't know how many people will respond to this, but let me know if there are any units or activities that you are wanting to have created--I have been so exhausted lately, but I want to get back into making TPT/TN creations soon!! All ideas welcomed, and might throw it as a freebie your way ;) Have a great Thursday tomorrow!