Science Podcasts

I found a really cute Science podcast to go with the first grade AMSTI plants unit.  This teacher first introduces the unit and shows the class some different plants and then she has a student show the students how to plant their first plant which in this unit is a fast growing Brassica plant.  I hope you enjoy!

http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=1088

I also found this really cute example podcast of making a "Hairy Caterpillar."  The students use knee highs filled with grass seeds and soil to make a caterpillar.  They add antenna, and eyes, and give the caterpillar sunlight and water everyday until the caterpillar turns "hairy."  This was a very cute way to plant grass seeds and the student seemed to really be enjoying this experiment.

http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=383

I hope you really enjoy these podcasts and hope they give you some ideas that you can use in your classroom.

Money, Money, Money!! Podcasts...

Found these cute podcasts on identifying and using coins today.  I think they will be cute to use as an introduction and/or review to coins.  Check them out and see what you think!!

http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=1283

1.  This first podcast introduces the five coins, penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and half-dollar, and how much they are worth.  It also goes over how to count each set of coins.

http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=1286

2.  This is the second part to the previous podcast.  This podcast works more on counting coins that are alike and that are different.

These podcasts could easily be used in the classroom as a whole group lesson or you could show them in small groups for those struggling with money concepts. 

http://www.abcya.com/counting_money.htm

This website has really cute games for all grade levels in all educational areas.  This link takes you to the counting money interactive games which are a little advanced for first grade but would be cute maybe to work on together with a smartboard or in the upper grades.  It was so cute I just had to include it!!

Hope you all had an awesome 4th of July, mine was rainy and wet but it did slack off enough for my kids to do a few fireworks!!)

Do You Use YouTube??

Up until this past year I was not a big user of YouTube in my classroom, but then I was introduced to the Educational side of it and now it is like my best friend.  I came accross some really cute videos/songs to use when working with math and science in the elementary classroom and thought I would share them with you all! 

1.  This is a cute, cute video to use when discussing 3D shapes in the K, 1st, and possibly the 2nd grade classrooms.  I like this video because it puts the shapes in motion and is a good visual for low level students and/or ESL students who may need a little extra help.

2.  This is a cute version of Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes  first in English, then in Spanish!  Love the idea of having both languages.  Kinda worried about the female singer in the video and the really short skirt though.  At one point in the video she sits on a rock and lifts her leg and well you can imagine, LOL!  It is only a quick second though.  What do you think about using this video in the classroom??? 

My Educational Journey

I do not ever remember a time when I liked Math.  I used to like Science until it included lots of Math in the later years of high school and college so since then I haven't really cared for Science either.  Simple mathematics is OK with me.  I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide as well as the next person and I'm ok with throwing in letters and other variables but when you add in a fraction and or decimal my mind freezes and I go blank.  I don't know why I am like that but something in my past must have been traumatic in those departments so I stay as far away as possible.  If I have to use a fraction I'm out of luck.  As I journey through EESL 650 - Teaching Math/Science to ELL's, I realize that I need to get over my fears of math and science so that I can truly help my kids in their journeys.  I am excited to learn more about strategies to use in my classroom when working with ELL students and I am excited about sharing those ideas with all of you!