PREZI

Okay, here is a new resource that was brought to my attention by my awesome student teacher this fall!  It's called PREZI.  I like to describe it as PowerPoint on steroids.  Seriously, I can't wait to start using this internet-based resource.  As an educator, Prezi gives you an upgraded account for free (it's free anyway, but teachers get the low level "paid" account for free).

Check it out and see what you think.  Looks like it might take some time to get used to using, but it appears to be well worth the effort.

www.prezi.com

-RJ

http://hayesclass.weebly.com/

Simple "Parts of a Plant" PPT

I created a simple powerpoint presentation about the "parts of a plant".  Very basic and could lead into deeper discussions of each part.  Hope you can use it!

Ipad Advice and Apps

Okay, today I am 10 years old again (what else is new, I'm always 10).  I just received the word that I have been approved to attend an Ipad 2 conference and I will return to school WITH AN IPAD 2 to use in my classroom.  Now, here is my plea......

1.  What apps are you finding to be beneficial on the Ipad?
2.  How are you using them in your classroom?
3.  What cool educational things can I do?

I can't wait to begin playing with the Ipad 2 and figuring out how to make it a part of my class!  Yes, I know, it might be tough with ONE, but hopefully this will be a springboard for more in our school.  Michelle over at Fabulous in First is my partner in this venture.  I know she is just as pumped as I am!  Last year we attended an Ipod conference, this year...we step it up a notch!

PLEASE send me your comments and advice!

-RJ

Testing Testing Testing.....the First Test of the Year

To go along with my previous PB&J post, I thought it would be only appropriate to bring back some age old classic "First test of the year" files.  After some successful google searching, I was able to locate some classics.  YES, they are for fun and will bring a few laughs to the class, but the point is made!  Check these out...for the primary grades, you may want to get some ideas from these and create your own.  Have fun!

Check out the Google Docs link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MDXdke9JM0CAePF1_DA3jU-pTci6J6nFiQMftTNt66o/edit?hl=en_US

-RJ
http://hayesclass.weebly.com/

PB&J Anyone?

Had a great lesson today on direction following.  My fifth graders are working on designing their own simple experiments using the design process.  As we work on writing out our procedures and step by step instructions, I thought it was time for some fun "How To" direction writing.  So......

I had my students write step by step instructions on "How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich". Obviously, with peanut allergies out there, you can use any type of sandwich (or an alternative such as Sunflower Seed Butter....yum).

Once I gave ample time for the students to write their step-by-step instructions, I pulled out my apron and revealed that I would be taking volunteers to read their instructions word for word while I created the wonderful sandwich that they described.  I started by calling on students that I noticed finishing their instructions in 2 minutes.  Needless to say, we ended up with some pretty funny looking sandwiches.  I did EXACTLY what their direction stated.  For example, if it said put the bread on the plate, I placed the entire bag of bread on the plate.  If they stated, "Put the peanut better on a piece of bread", I put the entire jar on the bread.  You get the idea.

Anyone, as I continued to call for volunteers, the number of hands became fewer and fewer.  I save my "thorough" students for last, but still to no avail.  The closest sandwich landed me with an inside out lunch because it was never stated that I should put the sandwich together with the peanut butter and jelly facing each other.

The lesson learned...when writing instructions to an experiment, you must be as detailed as possible in order for it to be repeated accurately.  We had a TON of fun, a thousand laughs and I guarantee that the experiment procedures will be a heck of a lot better by tomorrow's class.

Doppler Tim's Science Lab

One of our wonderful meteorologists here in Cincinnati has an awesome science lab online that is full of experiments and demonstrations for the classroom.  The best part is that you can either perform the experiment yourself or show the video to your students.  Check it out!

Doppler Tim's Science Lab

I suppose it's time......let's start with a little chlorophyll!

Alright, alright, I suppose it is time to get back at it.  After a summer of building decks and fences, I think I am ready to focus on another year in the classroom.  My son went to a wonderful summer camp run by the Cincinnati Parks Department and I wanted to share one of the activities with you.

Finding the chlorophyll in a leaf

My take on this activity was that the students were identifying why leaves are green and what causes the green color to be seen in the Spring-Early Fall.  Of course, the explanation of the activity came from my 5 year old son, so I am sure I only heard a portion of the lesson.  I plan to extend this activity to include a discussion about the true color of leaves and the process of photosynthesis.

1.  Have the students gather a GREEN LEAF from outside.  Freshly picked would work the best.

2.  Have the students glue the leaf on a small piece of card stock.

3.  Cover the leaf with a small piece of cloth the same size as the card stock (this can vary, but be sure it is thin cloth).  I am guessing that even a section of white t-shirt would work well.

4.  Glue the top two corners of the cloth to the card stock, covering the leaf.

5.  Using a small rock (the camp was at the park, so they used rocks) or other hard object, have the students strike the cloth firmly where they believe the leaf is located.  Remember, the leaf will be hidden beneath the cloth.

6.  If all goes well, the green pigment (chlorophyll) should begin to appear on the cloth.  For older students, you could have the students attempt to create the entire leaf "in chlorophyll" on the cloth.

Hope you enjoy!  For those of us on summer break.......it's okay....no crying...we are looking forward to this right?????

RJ
http://hayesclass.weebly.com/