Powerpoints

Many of you probably know about this site, but I thought I would share just in case!  Ever need a powerpoint that is ready to use or one that can be edited to fit your needs?  FOUND IT!!!!

Check out Pete's PowerPoint Station (Click the pic)

RJ

http://hayesclass.weebly.com

Funny Funny...

Not sure why I found this to be so amusing this morning...........click the picture to be taken to the website.  Haven't fully checked it out yet, but it might be good for a laugh or two for your you and your students.

RJ

http://hayesclass.weebly.com

Kakooma!!!!!!

Okay, my wife went to a math conference not too long ago and the presenter turned them on to a math game called Kakooma.  Long story short, think of Sudoku...very similar, but more simplistic.  In each square there are a series of 9 numbers (just like Sudoku),  and the goal is to find two numbers in the square whose sum is equal to another number in the square (only one combination per square)...complicated to explain, but EASY to play.  I wanted to get this out there today because it is a FREE DOWNLOAD until March 28th for Ipods/Iphones/Ipads.  On the website, you can check out the paper versions as well.  Link to Itunes store below:

The Story of MY Constellation

A few weeks back, my students worked on a project entitled "The Story of MY Constellation".  I tweaked a lesson plan that my wife (1st grade teacher) planned to use in her class that went along with slavery and the Drinking Gourd.  We researched constellations and read myths and legends (condensed versions) that went along with them.  Following the research, each student created their own constellation and legend to go along with it.  It was a nice cross-curricular lesson and can be adapted to all ages.  I put the complete lesson plan (with student worksheet) on Teachers Pay Teachers (click the link in the right side bar to go to my products).  Here are some examples of how they turned out:

Electricity......day two....ELECTROMAGNETS!!!!

Day two, we move on to magnetic energy.  Check out Science Bob for today's experiment or click the picture below.  It was a very simple experiment using only a D cell battery, an iron nail and about 4 feet of thin COATED copper wire.  The kids loved it and were able to experiment with different numbers of coils and how that affected the strength of the magnet.  This also led to yet another great discussion about thermal energy, as the parts get nice and toasty!

STILL looking for electricity activities and ideas.  If ya got em, share em!  PLEASE????!!!!????

http://hayesclass.weebly.com

Electricity.......Day One!

Day one of electricity and it was truly an investigation day.  I gave them wires, a battery, battery holder, a light bulb and bulb holder.  They had to create a circuit.  This led to awesome discussions around the room.  Of course, a few knew exactly what to do while others didn't know where to begin.  It was amazing to see the cooperation between groups.  I have linked the diagram sheet that I used with the class (the rectangles and word art are not showing up on Google docs....sorry).  In the second section, I had them create a switch to turn the bulb on and off.....WOW what ideas they had.  This led us to a discussion about conductors and insulators, as well as how to by-pass the light bulb.  Kids are amazing....

Here are a few photos of the simple experiment.  We also moved on to discussions about thermal energy (as the parts began to heat up).  Tomorrow......electromagnets.  See www.sciencebob.com for the electromagnet experiment....here is the link: http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/electromagnet.php

Electricity.......

Okay, it's my first year of teaching fifth grade science (9 years strictly with 4th grade, now doing both) and I am getting ready to introduce the concept of electricity.  Tomorrow, I am planning on tossing the wires, batteries and light bulbs onto the desks and saying.....MAKE IT WORK.  But I am really looking for some great ideas for getting the concept of electricity through to my kiddos.  Anyone have any resources or ideas for me?????   Help!!!!!!!  First day of Spring..........finally!

Madness!!!!

I couldn't resist showing a little pride this morning...........Morehead State graduate here!  For those of you who become a kid like me for March Madness, yesterday was AMAZING!  MSU defeats the UL Cardinals by 1 point in the biggest win in school history.  Now granted, I played baseball there, but I spent my fair share of time cheering on the EAGLES basketball team.

Eco Kids

I found an awesome resource today.  It covers many topics and is very well done.  I didn't get a chance to explore the "teacher's lounge" and I only scratched the surface of the kids' section. Check it out!!!!

What The Teacher Wants GIVEAWAY!!!

Head on over to http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com.  The lovely ladies are giving away a $100 gift card to The Container Store.  Check out the post and enter to win this AMAZING prize!

Japan Tsunami & Earthquake

I placed some usable resources on my website under the Photo/video page.  I plan to use these resources to talk about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan during class today.

http://hayesclass.weebly.com

RJ

Space Information Scavenger Hunt

As a review for our space science test, I created a simple information scavenger hunt.  The students were put into groups of 3-4 and were allowed to use any resources that they could get their hands on to complete the review (this goes along with my Space Test on TPT).  They had a blast trying to locate the information in our science book, on the IPod Touches, the classroom computers and the library books that our wonderful librarian pulled for us.  There are a few tricky questions that require some higher level thinking, as well as some "right there" answers.  Enjoy...hope you can use it!

App of Interest (NASA)

As my fifth graders researched and studied space, we used the IPod Touches to gather information.  Time and time again, the most intriguing app seemed to be the NASA app (free).  They loved the variety of resources that the app offered and the high quality video and pictures.  It was amazing to hear them refer back to the NASA app as we continued our space investigations.

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to www.random.org, we have a winner of the giveaway!  Our winner is *Ash* with comment number 8!

Now, I don't claim to have the world's greatest resources, but hopefully you can find a use for them *Ash*.  Please email me using the link from my profile and I will send you your winnings!

All of the giveaway resources, along with others, can be found on my TPT site.  Click the TPT button in the right side bar to view!  I am having a 20% sale through the 15th on all my resources.

Have a GREAT weekend.  60+ and sunny here in Cincinnati after a week of rain....I'll take it and smile! It made for an AMAZING 9 mile run this morning!

Giveaway ends today!

Just a reminder that the giveaway ends today!  I am giving away my SPACE resources that I have posted on TPT.  They include:

1. The Story of MY Constellation (A lesson plan and activity dealing with the stars!)

2. A Trip to the Moon (A lesson plan and demonstration guide packed with internet resources as well)

3. Space KWL (A simple Excel file for recording student questions and knowledge)

4. My Daily Weather Log (A detailed excel spreadsheet for recording students and whole class data)

5. Cloud Type Flash Cards (An original creation that teaches about cloud types and associated weather)

6. Space Science Review Test (Created with released standardized testing items.  MC and ext. response)

In order to be the big winner, please do the following 4 things (Each of the four will act as a separate entry, so leave a comment for each item that you complete.):

1.  Follow me on my blog!

2.  Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers (RJ Hayes)

3.  Blog about my giveaway and send me the link to view it.

4.  Visit my website (fill out the comment form at the bottom if you have suggestions or resources to share).

I will be randomly selecting a winner based on the comments made on the original giveaway post (see the side bar for history).

Have a great Friday everyone!!!!!

Weather Maker from Scholastic

I found a pretty cool interactive site in which students can control the humidity and temperature to create different weather events.  I had fun playing around with this site too!

Apps in the classroom (Is this an "appy" party???)

This year, a few of our teachers began piloting the use of IPod Touches in the classroom.  Now, I now we are probably a couple years behind most, but today I wanted to share a list of my favorite applications to use in the classroom.  Everything from weather forecasts, to reference applications, to constellations.  I am loving this new technology and what the kids seem to be getting out of it.  Let me know if you have any questions about the apps and how I use them!  Please comment with your favorite apps!!!  And no, I won't include ANGRY BIRDS...as much as I want to!

Testing, testing, testing!!!!

Just posted all of my 4th and 5th grade unit assessments on my TPT site.  My link to TPT is on the right hand side of my blog.  Most of these tests have been a few years in the making.  After analyzing testing data and reviewing released standardized test questions (over and over and over), I think these bad boys do a pretty nice job of assessing my students and predicting how they may perform on the state test in April.

I know what a pain it is to create these assessments.........and as standards change, we get to make em all over again!  Take a look at my TPT store and see if any of them interest you!  There is a free sample to download for each assessment.

Ms. M over at http://msk1ell.blogspot.com/, who has kind of become my blogging guardian angel, led me to http://ladybugsteacherfiles.blogspot.com where I found out how to embed documents (see March 1st post).

Website update

Good morning world!  I updated my website with a new activity and website of the day!  Check it out at http://hayesclass.weebly.com.  I am archiving all of the passed activities/websites as well under the "more" tab.  Remember, I am just starting out so the pickings are slim, but it will continue to grow!!!!

Featured today (click the caption, not the pic).......

Cloud in a Bottle (Steve Spangler)

Cloud types (WW2010 Univ. of Illinois)

Also check out one of Cincinnati's annual traditions...The FAMOUS Flying Pig Marathon!!!!  I am training for my second half marathon with my amazing wife!

Flying Pig

Thanks!

Thank you to all the new followers!!!!  I hope you enjoy my blog and find it to be worthwhile!  I wanted to pass on a resource that I have been using for about 5 years now.  Many of you may have heard of this site, but it is worth a view and signing up for the free account!  Check out www.teachersdomain.org.  Free account and access to hundreds of free lesson plans, video clips and activities.  You'll be glad you did!

Giveaway

I have decided to have a little giveaway as a way to get my blog and my newly revamped educational website out there to everyone!  As a new seller on Teachers Pay Teachers, I am giving away my 6 Earth and Space Science products to one lucky winner!  These products include:

1. The Story of MY Constellation (A lesson plan and activity dealing with the stars!)

2. A Trip to the Moon (A lesson plan and demonstration guide packed with internet resources as well)

3. Space KWL (A simple Excel file for recording student questions and knowledge)

4. My Daily Weather Log (A detailed excel spreadsheet for recording students and whole class data)

5. Cloud Type Flash Cards (An original creation that teaches about cloud types and associated weather)

6. Space Science Review Test (Created with released standardized testing items.  MC and ext. response)

In order to be the big winner, please do the following 4 things (Each of the four will act as a separate entry, so leave a comment for each item that you complete.):

1.  Follow me on my blog!

2.  Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers (RJ Hayes)

3.  Blog about my giveaway and send me the link to view it.

4.  Visit my website (fill out the comment form at the bottom if you have suggestions or resources to share).

I am planning on running the giveaway through March 11th!

Good luck and thank you for visiting!

RJ

OOBLECK........YESSSSS!!!!!

Today in class, we made oobleck!  After studying states of matter and reading Bartholomew and the Oobleck, we made this wonderful stuff!  The kids were amazed that a substance could act as a solid and a liquid at the same time.  It is a non-Newtonian fluid.  Here is the recipe that we used:

1        cup corn starch
1/2     cup water

Mix it together until it has the consistency of pancake mix.  Then try your own experiments to investigate the properties of the oobleck!  We tried picking it up and squeezing it apply pressure, then releasing to see it act as a liquid.  We rolled golf balls across it and then tried dropping the golf ball into it from varying heights.

What the Teachers Want

Okay, just found an awesome blog to share with everyone!  My good friend from http://fabulousinfirst.blogspot.com sent this to me..........

http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

Check it out!  Amazing resources.  Just became a follower today!

Website building

As I build my new website...... http://hayesclass.weebly.com, I am thinking about what I would like to see if I visited the page.  I am a K.I.S.S. kinda guy...keep it simple stupid.  It won't be flashy and cutesy, but it will be straight to the point.  Here are the resources I have, click em and check em out.  Sounds good?  Of course, in day two of my blog I am typing this to my loyal following of.....ZERO.  Some day, I will have AT LEAST 10!

Do me a favor, respond to this post with some of your favorite websites, resources, personal teacher sites, whatever!  Or, go to my website above and fill out the comment form.  I want to make this website valuable for my fellow educators!  Help me out please.

Thanks,

RJ

Sick Day

One of those days.....home with my own sick child.  Last minute illness, so I had to pass on the awesome messy oobleck lab (can't do THAT to a sub) and return to boring old bookwork.....thank you for the 30 minutes to come up with something for the sub to do. 

Is there any way to make book work THAT enjoyable?  Of course, despite what many will say, it is something you have to do from time to time.  Non-fiction reading is a skill my students must possess and it is a notorious weakness in 4th grade that we practice, practice, practice!!! 

Any suggestions???  How can we as teachers make the "have to do it" work fun?  Maybe I can turn it into a game of sorts.  A bookwork scavenger hunt................?????