Another Earth Day Resource

I just love these cute PlanetPals. They're so cute!

I printed out and colored mini- posters of each character years ago and love hanging them up each year. Their site is filled with resources - check it out!

Life is a Collage: Earth Day

Earth Day - Absolutely one of my favorite holidays to discuss with children!

Here are a few fun things to get you in the mood:

- Mint skates, for enjoying the great outdoors

- A fun project for students, re-using classroom trash items

- Spiffy green nails (and a golden one, to remind us to treat the earth as we wish to be treated)

- An Earth Day pledge resource 

- A fun way to plant seeds in your classroom (and a super easy tactic for replanting at the child's home - just put the whole thing in the ground)!

- Something beautiful to help you "think green"

Science Fun

I love the hands-on projects in FOSS.
It's the only way to teach science!

Our current kit is "Wood and Paper" and has an underlying theme of change (i.e. wood can be changed into furniture, paper, etc.).
Before we started our experiment for the day, we reviewed the concept, citing how the weather changes, seasons, leaves on tress and so forth. Then, one of my first graders asked, "How come everything in nature changes?"
It was one of my favorite 'thinking moments' of the year. I love when the kids have those little discovery/connection moments, don't you?!

Happy First Day of Spring!

What do you do to help your students understand how the seasons are created?
In my class we always act out the Earth's rotation, with one child being the sun and holding a flashlight and another holding a globe. We sing the months of the year song as Earth orbits, then say the seasons.
I'm still looking for a great video clip/animation for the kids to watch. Any suggestions?

Grant...Granted!

It was a wonderful day in my class today! The Prize Patrol arrived right on time and the kids were elated (and so was I)! Now we're off to do some shopping!