Teachers are Heroes Sale!!

 

Once again, TPT is showing just how much they appreciate teachers and all the hard work and dedication that they demonstrate on a daily basis.  TPT will be hosting a ONE DAY ONLY sale on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.  Most stores that participate will have their items at 10%-20% off and you can save an additional 10% using the promo code: HEROES.  You can save up to 28% at my store Living Laughing Teaching by using this code.  This would be a great opportunity to purchase some of those wish listed items or items that have been sitting in your "cart".  I know I will be taking advantage of this sale...I hope you do too.

TPT 3 Million Teachers Strong Sale!

Have you heard?  

Teachers Pay Teachers is having a big sale!

To commemorate 3 Million Teachers on TPT, Teachers Pay Teachers will be having a sale this Thursday and Friday.  This is a great opportunity to go through your wish list and purchase those items that you have been holding off on.  You can save up to 28% off items in many stores including  Living Laughing Teaching.  Make sure you don't miss out on this great sale!

The Naked Egg Experiment

A few weeks ago, when our class was learning about physical and chemical changes, I had my students complete a week long experiment to review the scientific process and observe a chemical reaction. 

 

Needless to say, that as soon as I mentioned that our experiment for the week was called The Naked Egg Experiment, students began to giggle.  Of course, I acted like I did not understand what they were laughing at by questioning "What's so funny about a naked egg?", which prompted more giggles.  After the students settled down, we reviewed the scientific process and began our scientific procedures.  The students really enjoyed this science experiment because they had the opportunity to be able to actively participate on a hands-on activity while making and keeping track of their observations on a daily basis. 

 

DAY 1

 

 

On the first day of the experiment, each group had to discuss the Problem (Can an egg shell be removed without damaging the egg?) and write a hypothesis for their experiment.  Next, students had to write their materials and variables in their Naked Egg Experiment Log.  Once completed, they had to gather their materials using their numbered group trays.  Since this is a week long experiment, the trays play an important role in keeping each group's experiment separate and easily transportable.  Students then poured vinegar and water until the eggs were submerged into 2 separate cups labeled V (vinegar) and W (water).  They made their first observations and answered questions in their experiment log.

 

DAY 2

 

On Day 2, students recorded their observation into their experiment logs.  They then had to replace the vinegar and water with fresh vinegar and water.  Students were allowed to manipulate the eggs and see if they could feel any changes.  Thus, giving the students an opportunity to not just observe with their sense of sight, but also with their sense of touch. 

 

DAY 3

 

 

Day 3 is by far the most exciting day for the students.  On this day, students really get to observe a major change in the egg that has been submerged in vinegar for 48 hours.  Students favorite part is when they get to remove the egg from the vinegar and bounce it on the table.  Of course, be prepared for any mishaps.  Out of 5 groups, one group dropped their egg on the floor.  Since this is the official last day of this particular experiment, students complete their observation and illustrations for Day 3 and answer the observation questions.  They also complete the conclusion and revisit their group's hypothesis.

 

DAY 4

 

As an extended activity, we developed a new hypothesis regarding what would happen to our "naked" egg if placed in corn oil.  After 48 hours of our naked egg being submerged in corn oil, this is what students observed.  It gave me the opportunity to discuss osmosis with the class.  We were also able to reverse this process by placing the egg back into a cup of water. 

 

 

This Experiment is definitely a keeper!

(If you don't mind the smell of vinegar in your classroom.)

 

Spiderrific Math Centers

Yippee! 

 

 

I finally began using math centers.  I've always struggled to create and maintain math centers.  I always felt that there was not enough time to utilize them.  However, this year I made a commitment to finally put them to use.  This year, with the common core underway, our new math book seems to be covering many skills under one chapter.  The students seem to be struggling a bit trying to keep up.  Therefore, I really thought that using math centers with them would be beneficial.  Since it's October and the students are excited about Halloween approaching, I decided to create a Spideriffic Math Center.  We already covered Order of Operations and Place Value and have been working on dividing with 2 digit divisors.  I didn't want them to forget the lessons we already covered at the beginning of the school year, so that's what I'm focusing my math centers on. 

 

 

 

 

The students seemed excited about using the math center.  I also realized how quickly some of them have forgotten certain concepts.  I started them with the Order of Operations task cards, and although they all recalled the order(Please, Excuse, My, Dear, Aunt, Sally), they would sometimes forget to refer to the phrase as they would work out the problems.  They seemed to know to always work the parenthesis and exponents first, but then they would just go in the order that the problem was written.  Some students also had forgotten how to interpret exponents.  It was great to be able to work with each individual student in the area where they seemed to be struggling.

 

 

Once students completed the task card, they would check their own work using the answer key and together we would review the problems they got wrong.   Once they complete the Order of Operations task cards, they will begin using the Place Value task cards.

 

 Can't wait to create a new math center next month!

 

What math center have you found that really seems to work?

It's October!

I can't believe that it's October!

Although it is still quite warm down here in South Florida, I'm glad that Fall has arrived along with pumpkins, scarecrows, and Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins. Yum!  I can't believe how quickly the beginning of school year has gone.  The first couple of weeks were quite hectic, but things seem to have settled down as we approach the ending of the first grading period.  I'm enjoying this school year and the group of 5th grade students in my class.  They are a unique bunch that seem to really want to learn.  They really seem to be enjoying science this year.  Therefore, I'm trying to do as many activities and lessons that revolve around science.  I just love how you can incorporate other subjects into science. 

What subject do your students enjoy the most?