Science Lately: All About Matter

Raise your hand if you love teaching science? Talk about creating magic in the classroom. A little exploration can go a *long* way when trying to engage your learners and create a little (or a lot) of excitement. I have been posting a lot of updates on my Instagram account, and my experiments have created quite the buzz. 

We have been working on all things physical science which can be quite abstract. If you want for your students to truly "get it" and not just memorize terms (I call this word vomit), experiments are a must and application is key! We don't just want for them to have knowledge, we want for them to use it, right? Now, I will be honest...things get a little messy. However, I would rather the room get a little messy than their understanding. Am I right? 

You guys have posted the desire to know more, so I give you....science lately! 

We began, of course, by discussing the three states of matter. We discussed the characteristics of each, as well as the role and location of the atoms and molecules. This can be quite abstract, so here is a little visual lesson that makes it stick: 

This little gem can be found in my As a Matter of Fact unit. (You can learn more about that HERE!) These 5th graders loved it just as much! 

Next up to bat was exploring volume and discovering how much space an object can occupy. I wanted to give the students a wealth of experience using a graduated cylinder to measure liquid volume. Here is a fun lab we used: 

Lab set up: Three cups of water (colored red, blue, and yellow), a graduated cylinder, a pipette for each color

Procedures: Find the lab that we used HERE. 

Next up, we discussed mass, volume, and density. Here are two of my favorite ways to help students explore and grasp the concept of density because let's be honest...just having them memorize the term isn't going to cut it! It's way confusing. 

This layering lab is all over Pinterest. It's a great demo lesson for your class. You simply layer the liquids for your kiddos in a large class jar or vase, and then allow students to drop a variety of objects and discuss density and buoyancy. 

This year, I took this lab a little further. Here is a lab we completed: 

Lab set up: 1 cup of alcohol (green), 1 cup of water (red), 1 cup of Karo syrup (blue), 1 cup of salt water (yellow), 5 or 6 test tubes, pipettes 

Procedures: The students create a hypothesis for each experiment. Then they test each hypothesis to see if the liquids layer correctly. 

Note: This lab can be done as a demo or as lab groups. 

Lab set up: Any types of fruit (separated), 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons water

Procedures:

The students combine all of the fruits into a bowl and discuss the change. They should identify a physical change (mixture) because the fruits can be easily separated. Then allow students to mix the water with their powdered sugar in cup. The students explore the difference with this mixture. It can't be easily separated, yet you still have each individual ingredient and have not created a new substance. Use this concept to introduce a solution. The students then add the syrup to the fruit and combine their mixture and solution. Enjoy!  

Lab set up: (Per group) 

bucket, 1 cup sand, 5 cups water, 1/2 cup gravel, rocks, jewels, 3 tablespoons salt, 1 tablespoon iron filings, magnet, coffee filter, funnel, shovel, filter screen (fish scoop)

Procedures: The students combine all of the ingredients to make Alien Soup. Then explain that you have messed up the recipe and they must start over. But first, they must separate the ingredients back into their original form. They will die...and look at you like you are crazy! (It's the best!) That's when you give them their separating tools. Then turn them loose. Let them figure out the procedures for themselves. This is a great exploration lab where the students are forced to learn through failure. You'll love it! ;) 

Who doesn't love creating ice cream in a bag while learning about the properties of salt? I mean...count me in!  

Lab set up and procedures found HERE! We also calculated the temperature every 20 turns and created a line graph to chart our temperature change. 

If you live near a Krispy Kreme, they will give you free hats! Then you can grab my Salty Cream Template right HERE for you little ice cream creators! Glue it on top to create your soda jerk hats! 

During this lab, the students are exploring chemical changes using powders and liquids found in our kitchen...thus the chef hats! They will create tests by mixing mystery powders and liquids to see if the combinations result in new bonds being formed by the molecules (chemical changes occur). They should look for things such as fizzing, bubbles, temperature change, color change, odor, or gas production. 

Lab set up: (Per group) 

Place the following powders in cups labeled 1-6: epsom salts, powdered lemonade, baking powder, calcium chloride (found on Amazon), washing soda  (found on Amazon), corn starch

Place the following liquids in cups labeled A-F: water, water with red cabbage juice, vinegar with red cabage juice, vinegar, lemon juice with red cabbage juice, iodine solution

Spoons for each cup, condiment cups, Ziploc baggies, pipettes

Procedures:

Allow the students to perform 5-7 different tests. For each test, they will combine two powders of choice into a Ziploc bag. They will select one liquid and place about a tablespoon into a condiment cup. They will place the condiment cup on top of the powder and close the bag. Pour the liquid onto the powders and observe. They will discuss the changes that occurred and note both physical and chemical changes. 

Believe me when I say they will absolutely freak out over what they observe...multiple times! 

Alright guys! I think that's enough science to keep ya busy! Rock on, and I'll see ya next time! 

Oh and before I go, I have had tons of questions about where I purchased my goggles and lab coats! Here are some of my favorite science things! 

              



And here are some science chemicals and things needed for some of the labs: 

                    

Multiplication Strategies for 3rd Grade

Hands down....multiplication is one of the most challenging things to teach in third grade. Amy and I have worked extremely hard to find ways to make multiplication challenging, engaging, rigorous...but most importantly FUN! If kids are having fun, we have found that the knowledge actually sticks! 

Here is a little peek inside our Magic of Math Multiplication Unit (Unit 3 - 3rd Grade). 

Each lesson is strategically broken down into three sections. This helps keep our math block consistent, but the breakdown is also tied to research based practices. We begin with a quick 10-15 mini-lesson, followed by independent/guided practice, and concluding with interactive notebooks to demonstrate mastery of the skill covered. Our lessons are also tightly focused to ensure that we are breaking content down so that it builds a strong foundation for our learners. 

Lesson plans are included for each day of instruction: 

Here is what will be covered in 3rd Grade Unit 3: 

Week One is all about introducing multiplication to your students.  They will learn strategies such as repeated addition, making arrays, forming equal groups, and more!

Week two is all about multiplication facts and strategies. Get ready to take your kiddos to a carnival filled with tons of repetition and multiplication practice! 

As they transition on to week three, the students will be working on mastering those properties of multiplication to build fluency and understanding. 

Finally in week four, they will put all new skills to use as they learn to attack those tricky word problems using our P.S.A. strategy! 

We have included everything you could possible need to completely implement this unit into your classroom. This unit is directly correlated to all Common Core and TEKS standards. Here is a look at a few of the other components of the unit: 

You can snag your copy of this unit HERE or by clicking the picture below! 

Happy Teaching! 

Place Value FREEBIE!

Happy Weekend friends!  Amy and I wanted to give you a better peek into what a day in the life of The Magic of Math looks like.  You can check out my first blog post about it {HERE}. So, this blog post will take you through a day (although every single day is so different and it's full of variety!).  I'll also answer some questions at the end!

Each lesson starts with a minilesson.  Some of the minilessons have pocket chart activities, anchor charts, websites to use, or just guide you on how to approach the skill.

 We also have a word problem of the day that compliments the focus for the week.  These word problems can be glued into a spiral.  And, yes, I know there is an error on the problem.  It's been fixed already :)

 After the lesson, students will complete activities that help them become engaged and involved in their learning.  We included lots of games, math hunts, or activities like the one shown below.

For each day we also have some sort of interactive notebook entry or printable for your students to use during practice.  Many of these can be differentiated to meet the needs of your learners!

We organized all of the activities into daily lesson plans like the one shown below so that you can prep quickly and easily!

We also printed every single thing out and took pictures so that you can get a glimpse of what the day will look like.  Of course, you can always move things around or do as much or as little as you desire!

The monthly overview will  help you know what to expect each week!

You can grab all of the activities and lesson plans shown above in {THIS}Magic of Math Sample for FREE!

Before I go, I want to answer some questions that I have already been asked:

Q:  What is the timeline for completion on the other units?

A:  I promise we are working as quickly as we can, but QUALITY is so much more important to us.  We will not just be copy/pasting and changing out numbers each unit.  We will carefully navigate the standards to make sure we are hitting everything you need.  We also want to make sure that the lessons are fun, interactive, and meaningful... So, it takes time.  We will try and have the first few units done by the beginning of the new school year.  For a year overview click HERE.

Q:  Will this work for other grade levels:

A:  The Math standards are so specific and differ so much from grade level to grade level, so we are only aligning them for 2nd grade.  You are more than welcome to adjust if you'd like, but we don't want to steer you in the wrong direction by saying they are appropriate for your specific grade level!

Q:  What if my school has to follow a different scope and sequence?  

A:  This is why we are trying to work ahead of time so that you can move the units around to best fit your needs.  However, we are only human and can't make all nine units overnight.  We tried to make a sequence that we thought most 2nd grade teachers could use.

Q:  Are the units easy to prep?

A:  You will see that we print everything on colored paper, but you don't have to.  That just makes for pretty pictures, ha!  Most of the lessons and activities require very little prep.  Some may take a little more time, but nothing too intense!

Q:  Will these be available as a growing bundle?

A:  We will not bundle anything until every unit is complete.  Growing bundles make me nervous because I don't know what might happen in my personal life.  I would hate to not be able to fulfill my promises!

Q:  Will I need anything in addition to the unit?

A:  We have included pretty much everything you need.  You may need paperclips, food, or something simple for different activities, BUT most everything is included. 

I think that about does it!  I hope you have a fabulous week and that your summer break is just around the corner!!!  You can check out The Magic of Math:  Place Value {HERE}.  It's 20% off until Sunday, May 15th at midnight :)

The MAGIC OF MATH is HERE! Monthly Math Units for Second Grade

Amy Lemons and I are so excited to bring you a brand new math curriculum/supplemental resources for second grade. The Magic of Math is just what it sounds like - strategies and lessons that will engage your students all while teaching them all of the necessary skills needed to master the second grade concepts and standards. For teachers...that's magic! ;) This program is completely aligned with all Common Core and TEKS standards and will work with (or in place of) any math curriculum. All of the materials are easy to print and prep to hopefully save you some important planning time! :) Check out all of the resources and materials included in this first month's collection... 

Month One: Number Sense and Place Value

Here is a quick look at all of the focus standards and concepts within the unit: 

Each unit contains daily lesson plans. Each day is broken down into a daily word problem for math warm-up or journals followed by resources for a minilesson, student activities, and practice/reinforcement activities. 

Here is a sneak peek at a few of our favorite minilessons and student activities: 

We have included everything you need to build interactive notebooks that will allow your students to strengthen their content knowledge. This is also a great reference for the future if they are struggling later on remembering a specific skill. Each resource is differentiated to meet the needs of your learners. 

When we said EVERYTHING is included...we truly mean anything and EVERYTHING that we use as teachers. We have also included vocabulary cards to display throughout the unit and/or to add to a math word wall. "I Can" statements are also included to display to show the standards and content that you will be covering with each lesson. 

And finally...no math unit would be complete without formal assessments. These will allow you to track your students progress and mastery of each set of skills. 

So go ahead and check math off your list for the first month of school! Our next unit will be out soon. You can check out our sequence of future skills as well as some book suggestions right HERE! 

You can also pick up the first month of math by click on the image below!