Welcome Friends!
I love this time of year when the world is washed in the colors of green grass and bright yellow sunshine again, so I've chosen three thematic Pinterest ideas to feature this month! Sure.....April can be a little wet and a little muddy, so why not incorporate those topics into your instruction?!?!
MAKE IT RAIN IN A CUP!
My second grade scientists are going to love conducting this simple experiment as we begin our study of the water cycle next week! My friend Marcy over at Saddle Up for Second Grade has outlined simple steps and an easy supply list that will make learning hands-on and fun at the same time!
You'll find some great mentor texts that will help you extend and integrate your Science and ELA lessons in a post I wrote last year {HERE}. One of my favorite rain stories to share is Verna Aardema's Bringing Rain to the Kapiti Plain. This story, set in Africa, has a "build on" pattern and is rhymed and repetitive. The musical, rhythmic pattern of the text makes it a wonderful Reader's Theater activity. My second graders have great fun adding the sound effects! You can watch it {HERE} on YouTube!
What's a study of the weather without a discussion of the squishy, squashy, smooshy, and soft mud that is made when you mix rain and good old dirt, right? This awesome anchor chart model from Chrissy over at Buzzing with Mrs. B is the perfect way to launch a study of figurative language or descriptive writing!
EXPLORE FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE WITH
MARVELOUS MUD MENTOR TEXTS!
Click {HERE} to see original pin from Buzzing with Mrs. B.!
Mentor texts I plan to use during our class exploration of all things soil-related include...
MUD IN A CUP!
It's always fun to wrap up a thematic unit with a special snack, and this recipe for Dirt Cups from Shari at Shari Blogs is simple and easy! I am going to make it even more convenient for myself by purchasing the Jello ready-made six-packs of pudding. It might be fun to serve and enjoy them in honor of Earth Day, or while your students take turns sharing their own mud stories and poems!
A special shout-out goes to Lisa from Pawsitively Teaching, Ashley from Just Reed, and Marissa from The Inspired Owl's Corner for hosting such a fun and useful linky party! I hope the ideas help you celebrate the new season in your classroom!
As always, thanks so much for sharing my story. Continue to hold a song in your heart and teach your children well!
Peace out,
Jennifer, I love the cloud experiment! Every year I say I'm going to do the dirt cups, but I have got to do it this year! I pinned it so I could remember! Thank you for sharing your pins and linking up with us! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for you kind comments, Marissa! Thanks also for hosting such a fun linky that gives me SO many great teaching ideas!
Delete~Jennifer
The Oreo dirt cups look so yummy and fun for Spring! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteChocolate is ALWAYS a good "supplement" to learning fun, right? Thanks for hosting such a fun linky!
DeleteOooh, I've done those dirt cups before. They're SO much fun.
ReplyDeleteI really like the science experiment, too!
My class really like the dirt cups this year! I could only find Sour Patch worms though, but they didn't seem to care!
DeleteI did the science experiment earlier this year, my students were mesmerized! What a fun blog post full of great ideas!
ReplyDeleteSebrina
Burke's Special Kids
I did the science experiment earlier this year, my students were mesmerized! What a fun blog post full of great ideas!
ReplyDeleteSebrina
Burke's Special Kids
As always, thanks for your kind comments, Sebrina!
DeleteThat figurative language chart is great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Mud book titles- I'll go see if I can find them at our library. Kathleen
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Kathleen! Here is a link to PIGS IN THE MUD as read by the author! My class just loved the hilarity and the repetitive rhymes!
DeleteI keep meaning to try the rain in a cup experiment. It looks so cool!
ReplyDelete