I love teaching all algebra topics with tons of interactive and collaborative activities that get students thinking independently and working together. This way everyone gets the practice they need to feel confident in algebra. Here are a bunch of slope activities that you can assign to students working in group or even digitally. I have updated many of the activities to now include links to interactive digital slope activities in Google Slides and Google Forms for blended learning.
This Archimedes’ screw is such a neat science lesson about simple machines! We use screws all the time to hold things together, but screws are also used to raise and lower things. In fact, a screw is actually an inclined plane (ramp) wrapped around a cylinder or a cone. Archimedes was a Greek philosopher who […]
It's all about solving problems in the STEM Lab! We do it every day with our designs and building! BUT...... recently I had a brain pop and came up with a fabulous invention! Keep reading and find out what we tried! It's called Towers and Task Cards! So, here's the basics! The kids had to
Find hands-on butterfly life cycle activities, butterfly science labs, and free printables to incorporate reading skills and get kids writing about science!
A whole month of daily low-prep STEAM activities for kids. You are going to love all of the low-prep STEAM activities that we have in store!
These sound experiments are fun and engaging! They're perfect science lessons for 1st graders and are aligned with NGSS for teaching sound.
Jenga game cards are easily my favorite way to teach and reinforce basic math fact, phonics, or grammar practice.
Are you looking for a way teaching math vocabulary in a more visual and conceptual way? To differentiate for your struggling learners? Every year, it seems we get more and more visual learners coming into our classrooms, learners who benefit from math word walls that show concepts and vocabulary in action. This approach has worked wonders in my classroom and I know it will in yours! Adding a visual math word wall to my classroom completely changed how my students access our math vocabulary and the concepts we learn in class. Our math word walls are covered in examples and visuals that show the math concepts in context along with the vocabulary words we cover in class.
Explore the exciting world of Science with one of these great sites! This list of free science curriculum has links for Preschool through 12th grade. Updated 7/31/21 Science Discovery (PreK-K) Paso Partners (K-3) 4 2 eXplore (K-6) MS Nucleus (K-6) Biology 4 Kids (K-6) Chem 4 Kids (K-6) Physics 4 Kids (K-6) Cosmos 4 Kids [...]
Illustrate data! Use the shape of a line graph as inspiration for kids’ art. I first came across the of idea of illustrating data, or using a line graph as the inspiration for an artwork, when an awesome barrier reef line graph artwork by Jill Pelto popped up on my Facebook feed. Not only is …
Geometric Art
Are you looking for free preschool curriculum? This is the ultimate list of free preschool curriculum to help you make the best choice!
Make a simple hoop glider paper plane and use it to do some fun, hands-on, science experiments!
This is an amazing art and math lesson that I got from a teacher at a conference who did teach a district over from me, but is now getting her PhD. She always had amazing stuff to present at conference. (You're amazing, Mary Franco!) Anyway, this lesson involves Paul Klee and multiplication. I made a little three page Smart Notebook lesson about Klee's work "Once Emerged From the Gray of Night" (where I used to show a poster of it) and have the students talk about what's more important--the words of the poem or the colors and composition? Then we talk about putting two things (like writing and art, or math and art together). It's SUCH an amazing lesson, here's a sneak peek: So, students get a little background knowledge of Klee, then we talk about tessellations and multiplication (and practice on the Smart Board). Then, students get a page of one-inch graph paper and write out a one digit by one digit multiplication problem with a two digit answer. I tell them to choose one that's hard for them to remember, or their favorite one. They then repeat that problem seven times, dropping down and over one square for 4 times, then down and back a square for three times, making them into interlocking tessellation shapes: After they've drawn it all out in pencil and I've checked it, they choose ONE color of fine-tip marker to trace it with, then use colored pencil or watercolor pencil to color. The coloring is a bit of a challenge for them, because they need to forget that they're numbers and only look at the space. They then color it in patterns/designs to make it visually interesting and play with people's minds ('math? I dont' see any math!') It's an awesome lesson that really challenges their thinking. This one really shows the patterns and designs. Oh, it's also important that their numbers COMPLETELY fill the one inch box of the graph paper. I always try to do this lesson at a time of the year when classroom teachers are complaining about students not remembering their math facts. I usually do it with fifth grade, but I did it with sixth one year at the teachers' request.
Discover some fascinating, no prep, STEM activities and challenges you can do with your students using paper! Engineering, math and science.
Looking for an easy science activity? Today I'm excited to share this sink or float free printable. It's fun one that is great for all ages. It can be a quick activity or if you're looking for something to keep them busy this summer, you can add lots of items to "test". There are 2 versions you can download and print for free. One has some suggested items to try out and one is blank. For the blank one you can have the kids gather a bunch of items they want to test out and write them down themselves. For little ones that can't write yet, have them draw the object.
This activity is a great introduction to speed and motion. Students measure the time it takes to walk 5 meters and use this to calculate their average speed. They are then given the challenge to see if they can estimate an unknown distance using their average walking speed and the amount of time it takes to walk the unknown distance. Needed Materials: Meter sticks or metric measuring tape Timers/stop watches Sidewalk chalk, tape, cones, etc for marking start and ending calculators To do this activity, find a place outside with plenty of space. I use the blacktop at my school and have the students mark their distances on the ground using sidewalk chalk. You can also do the activity on the field and use cones or other markers. Measure and mark an unknown distance for the students to estimate in part 2. I do between 10 – 20 meters. In part 2 of the activity, students will measure the time it takes to walk this unknown distance and use this to estimate the distance. You can set up several different distances too. Students love being outside and gathering data. This is a great way to introduce calculating speed and the speed equation. It also shows students that the equation can be rearranged to calculate distance.
Fall activities for your little learners for math, literacy, fine motor, and more! There are so many fun things to do and learn about in the fall!
Project based learning can help you transform your 2nd or 3rd grade place value unit into a wildly engaging cross-curricular learning experience! Imagine sending your students on a wildlife expedition to find amazing information about animals that interest them in the habitat of their choice. While your students are fully immersed in their fun animal […]
Learn about the science of beaches, plus get fun math, language, and geography practice, in this printable beach unit study!
Why is it that kids LOVE science so much? Is it because they like the idea of being scientists with lab coats and safety goggles? Is it because they want to conduct science experiments and make things explode? Is it because they are thrilled at the thought of discovering some groundbreaking new truth in their ... Read More about Teaching The Scientific Method Unit Using Pickles
Great for homeschool, vacation learning, or anytime, Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop is a science-themed devotional book of experiments.
Many upper elementary science teachers start the year teaching their students about science process skills and scientific practices like: working safely in the lab using science tools asking questions planning and carrying out investigations analyzing and interpreting data constructing explanations with claims, evidence, and reasoning Here are some resources and ideas that can help make ... Read more
Want a fun way to teach measurement that can be adapted for all students? Let me introduce MEASUREMENT TAG!
Worksheets are a snoozefest...try this Super Fun Engaging Activity for ANY SUBJECT + a freebie!
Blueberries for Sal Unit Study with printables for math, language, science and more! For early learners, preschool to 2nd grade.
Let’s use gummy bears for a sweet science experiment and learn how osmosis works. Growing gummy bears science experiment to show osmosis In this simple science experiment using candy, we’re using gummy bears to show osmosis. This gummy bear science lesson: :: introduces children to the scientific method :: invites them to make […]
Hands-on learning isn't just for younger students! These hands-on activities for middle and high schoolers will help older students enjoy learning and stay actively engaged in the process.
I love that there are so many engaging themes to use this time of year that are considered "creepy," but aren't necessarily Halloween-oriented and can be used completely unrelated to the holiday. Take the skeletal system, for instance! There's something totally spooky about learning about bones, but you don't have to relate it to Halloween, right?! It's a great October theme and one that your students will FOR SURE love. ((( All resources linked at the bottom of the post! ))) First off, here are some of my favorite nonfiction texts that are great for teaching about bones and the skeletal system. They're ideal for students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. There's PLENTY of science found within this theme. From teaching about the different bones, to the way the hand works, to understanding why calcium is so important for bone health! Lots to learn for sure! How fun is this STEM activity?! Your students will explore just why bones are so important to the body using playdoh and plastic drinking straws. What a better way to reinforce the importance of bone health than by having a little flavored milk taste test?! Washi tape art *might* be one of my ...
Free set of printables to go along with Magnetic Tiles. Includes two levels of difficulty. Builds problem solving skills.
Teacher-tested tips for effectively using interactive notebooks in secondary science classrooms by Getting Nerdy Science
Hey all! I hope that you are enjoying your last few days of summer. I've had some questions lately from both new and veteran teachers alike about year-long pacing of curriculum. How can you make sure
Top online learning sties for upper elementary classrooms for in school or home or distant or remote learning. Websites for reading, language arts, math, science and art included.
Free 7th & 8th grade worksheets, printable games, and activities to make learning math, literacy, history, and science engaging and FUN!
Teaching a weather unit is so much fun for little learners and adults. There are so many great weather books and simple experiments that can facilitate a weather unit. Creating an interactive and lasting way for your learners to explore the weather is a bonus. Of course, this Weather Interactive Science Lapbook is the perfect way of
In this post, I will share simple books, videos, and experiments to help teach about the forms of energy - heat, light, and sound.
Here's a simple way to teacher less than, greater than: with toys! Free printable included.
