Musical Instrument STEM Challenge

The engineering process is an important step in using STEM in your instruction. I find that many kids these days don't know how to persevere through failures. I've found that teaching the engineering process while teaching STEM lessons helps lesson the helplessness and encourage students to think outside the box.

Here is a STEM lesson I taught and a few helpful tips I learned along the way to limit the chaos! 

Get the lesson HERE

1. Teach the engineering process

Focus on the fact that engineers almost never get it right the first time. I show this Kid President video then explain how the engineering process is an ongoing cycle. 

2. Introduce the problem (ask & imagine)

Explain to students that we have to make instruments that make at least 2 sounds. Reiterate that is does not have to look like a traditional instrument. My class had a long conversation about this. I even showed them a Stomp video. I gave out the material list and explained that they could use only 5 items on the list to make their instruments. I gave students time to imagine their concepts and talk about it. 

3. Plan

Students use their planning paper and the materials list to draw out their concepts. My students walked back and fourth between their tables and the materials to get ideas. 

4. CREATE! 

I use a cute stamp to 'approve' their designs. Once approved, students can get materials and begin to design. Some students had a lot of trouble in they stage. I allow students to replan their instrument if an idea isn't working out. Warning: this is messy and loud. Get used to it. 

5. Test and improve

Students use the self-assessment paper to test and improve their designs. I allowed students to redesign or keep their original if they were happy with it. If the students needed something to do they can help a friend or decorate their instruments. 

Because the engineering process is an ongoing cycle, technically you could do this projects for weeks. However, I'll admit I was happy once this was over! It took a little planning and a lot of cleaning, but overall I felt it was successful because my students were able to express themselves creatively, work though problems, and have fun! Good luck!

Get the full lesson plan HERE!

Chick Activities and a Giveaway!

A few weeks ago my class raised chicks in our classroom. Being new to first grade, this was the first time doing this. Although the entire process only last 2 weeks, I was exhausted. Raising 12 baby chicks is no easy feat! Obviously, my students all wanted to hold and play with them, but I also needed to find meaningful ways to teach my students about the life cycle of a chick. To make my life somewhat manageable I made a Chick Journal to organize all of my chick lessons. At the end of the unit, my students presented their Chick Journals to their parents. Here are some of the activities we completed!

Cover: Of course we had to have a cute cover for my students to decorate!

Chicken Fun Facts: My students wrote a book of facts about chickens. We used these fun facts in our writing. 

Inside an Egg: I used this sheet while we were waiting for the chicks to hatch. My students were so curious what the chicks were doing inside the egg! 

Parts of an Egg: We also used this page before the chicks hatched. Students learned about the different parts you see in the eggs as they hatch. 

Chicken Life Cycle:  Of course we needed a life cycle visual! 

Chick Book of Facts: :I also have my students write a book of facts about chicks. I used this writing paper and had my students write 1 fact per page. They use websites like PebbleGo and BookFlix to find the information. 

You can purchase this Chick Journal on my first grade TPT store

Win A Chick Life Cycle Exploration Kit!

Enter HERE

       




* Giveaway opens 4/04/18 at midnight and closes 4/10/18. Participants must complete Rafflecopter entry form to enter. 

Science Activities: Living & Non-Living

I just opened a new science lab in my classroom and my students LOVE it! We just finished with living and non-living things and I wanted to share some pictures of some of our activities from this mini-unit. These activities are from my Investigating Living and Non-Living Things Packet (see below). Enjoy!

Download HERE

Investigating the 5 Senses: Elementary Science Lesson

Hey all! I made a few science investigations over the summer and I'm really excited to begin using them in my classroom. This week we studied the 5 senses. Here were some of my activities from Monday!

We read My Five Senses by Aliki. After reading the book I broke students off into small groups and gave them each a 5 senses poster. The students drew pictures of things they could see, feel, hear, smell, and touch. Once students finished their posters they shared them with the other students for a jig-saw-like lesson. I laminated my posters and let the students use dry erase markers so I can reuse the posters next year. I also included a similar black and white version for a printer-friendly take on the lesson. 

At center time, students read and respond with an interactive guided reading book. They complete 'I like to...' sentences about the 5 senses.  

See more below!

Download this lesson HERE! 

See my other science investigations!

   

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt Activity Book!

Autumn Leaves Activity Pack

Now that it's October it's time to focus on all things fall. In case you've missed my last few posts, my class has been enjoying a plethora of autumn activities. From making applesauce to acorn counting, it's safe to say that fall is in the air. Every year I read 'We're Going on a Leaf Hunt', but this year I wanted to actually take my class on a leaf hunt. As we review adjectives and color words, I decided to make a book where students can describe leaves. 

After reading "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt" my class and I went for a little stroll around our school. Students were asked to find 1 red, green, orange, yellow, and brown leaf. Each student was given a brown paper bag to collect the leaves. Once all the leaves were collected it was time to begin out books! My class did a wonderful job. Check out their work!

This activity book is available in my Autumn Leaves Investigation Activities Packet!

Subscribe to emails!

(click HERE to subscribe)

It's Fall Ya'll! FREEBIE Friday & Linky Party!

There's nothing like those first few days of fall! Fall is the perfect time to explore nature with your students and investigate the changing seasons. I made a QR code/fast finishers bundle for students that explores the changing world through open-ended questions. I like using this with my gifted and talented group. 

Here is a FREE sample from my bundle!

You can also purchase the bundle HERE!

STEMsational Kindergarten: Engaging Kindergarteners in Early STEM Activities

Lakeshore Learning makes STEM activities for early childhood which also relates to popular literature!

Subscribe to emails!

(click HERE to subscribe)