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5 - 7 Years STEM

What You Can Do with a Shipping Box: 4 Fun, DIY Play Props for Toddlers

Show us a little kid and a big box and we’ll show you a little kid IN a big box! Kids love the boxes almost as much as they love what’s inside. And with the continued popularity of on-line shopping, parents have more shipping boxes on hand than ever before.This next post in our DIY Toddler Play Props series features a few fun ideas for transforming a cardboard shipping box into play props your toddler will love.

Robot

Your child can design their own 2-D friend using a flattened cardboard shipping box. Simply cut the tape on the top and bottom of a large shipping box, cut one the side of the box open, then open the box so it’s lying flat. Using a marker, outline a robot shape, complete with a square head, rectangular  body, and legs. Use a box cutter to cut him out. Let your child color the robot with paint, markers, or crayons, and then add found items to adorn it. Collect coils, wire, switches, buttons, screws, washers, and other spare parts and press or glue them into place to bring your creation to life.

Shape Sorter

A large cardboard box makes a great DIY shape sorter! Start by cutting the flaps off one end of the box and turning it over, so the open side is on the bottom. Next, outline the basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) in different sizes on each side of the box. Cut them out with a box cutter and trace around their edges with brightly colored markers, then watch as your little one attempts to place balls, blocks, and other shaped objects into the openings. Lift the box to remove the objects inside and begin again!

Play Fort

Let’s face it—there’s nothing as much fun as a fort to a toddler. Simply cut the flaps off a square shipping box, cut a door into one side, and voila! Your toddler will delight in doing her own decorating using paints, markers, and stickers. Add some crepe paper curtains over the door for the perfect finishing touch.

Race Car

Rev up the fun with a DIY race car your little one helps you design! Start by cutting the flaps off of the short sides of a large shipping box and setting them aside. Tape the long side flaps down, then cut a hole large enough for your child to climb into. Now, the fun begins. Paint the box letting your child roll, sponge, and brush the color alongside you. Add racing stripes and other decorations and don’t forget to paint four, large, black wheels, two on each side. When your paint is dry, use a box cutter to slice a slot from the hole on the top of the box all the way down the middle of one side to create a car door that really opens and closes. Cut the center out of a paper plate and staple it into position for the perfect DIY play prop—a steering wheel.There are many other things to create—stackable washer/dryer combos, ovens, airplanes, and other amazing play props. A quick online search will reveal some fun ideas. Or you can visit our blog to read all the DIY Toddler Play Prop posts, including ideas for paper towel and TP tubes, shoe boxes, pizza boxes, and popsicle sticks. 
What You Can Do with a Shipping Box: 4 Fun, DIY Play Props for Toddlers Show us a little kid and a big box and we’ll show you a little kid IN a big box! Kids love the boxes almost as much as they love what’s inside. And with the continued popularity of on-line shopping, parents have more shipping boxes on hand than ever before.This next post in our DIY Toddler Play Props series features a few fun ideas for transforming a cardboard shipping box into play props your toddler will love.

Robot

Your child can design their own 2-D friend using a flattened cardboard shipping box. Simply cut the tape on the top and bottom of a large shipping box, cut one the side of the box open, then open the box so it’s lying flat. Using a marker, outline a robot shape, complete with a square head, rectangular  body, and legs. Use a box cutter to cut him out. Let your child color the robot with paint, markers, or crayons, and then add found items to adorn it. Collect coils, wire, switches, buttons, screws, washers, and other spare parts and press or glue them into place to bring your creation to life.

Shape Sorter

A large cardboard box makes a great DIY shape sorter! Start by cutting the flaps off one end of the box and turning it over, so the open side is on the bottom. Next, outline the basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) in different sizes on each side of the box. Cut them out with a box cutter and trace around their edges with brightly colored markers, then watch as your little one attempts to place balls, blocks, and other shaped objects into the openings. Lift the box to remove the objects inside and begin again!

Play Fort

Let’s face it—there’s nothing as much fun as a fort to a toddler. Simply cut the flaps off a square shipping box, cut a door into one side, and voila! Your toddler will delight in doing her own decorating using paints, markers, and stickers. Add some crepe paper curtains over the door for the perfect finishing touch.

Race Car

Rev up the fun with a DIY race car your little one helps you design! Start by cutting the flaps off of the short sides of a large shipping box and setting them aside. Tape the long side flaps down, then cut a hole large enough for your child to climb into. Now, the fun begins. Paint the box letting your child roll, sponge, and brush the color alongside you. Add racing stripes and other decorations and don’t forget to paint four, large, black wheels, two on each side. When your paint is dry, use a box cutter to slice a slot from the hole on the top of the box all the way down the middle of one side to create a car door that really opens and closes. Cut the center out of a paper plate and staple it into position for the perfect DIY play prop—a steering wheel.There are many other things to create—stackable washer/dryer combos, ovens, airplanes, and other amazing play props. A quick online search will reveal some fun ideas. Or you can visit our blog to read all the DIY Toddler Play Prop posts, including ideas for paper towel and TP tubes, shoe boxes, pizza boxes, and popsicle sticks.  READ MORE
Multisensory Learning & Why It Works

Multisensory Learning & Why It Works

While some students respond easily to initial instruction, others need different tools. As educators, we're challenged to respond to these learning differences, keep our eye on the standards, and find ways to teach every student. A great way to help all students succeed is by using Multisensory Learning.multisensory learning teaching tips for teachers

What is Multisensory Learning?

Multisensory learning  involves using two or more of the senses while doing one activity. Children take in information in many different ways:by listening, seeing, touching, and moving. There’s a great Chinese proverb that speaks to this:

“Tell me and I’ll forget;

Show me and I may remember;child 

Involve me and I’ll understand.”

Using multiple senses makes it easier for students to make connections between new information and what they already know. Here are some ways to do this in your classroom:

Hands on!

Foundational learning starts with the fingers. Many children benefit from visuals and also crave tactile stimulation. Manipulatives can help you reach children on both fronts.

For example, students who struggle with reading may find success through using letter manipulatives to build words or by using word manipulatives to build sentences. And, if those manipulatives are color-coded, the visual cues may help children recognize spelling or sentence patterns, too.

Move it!

Large muscle movements stimulate the brain by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen. But did you know that movements that cross the midline, such as crawling and climbing, stimulate both sides of the brain?

Get students down on the floor! They can: Play mat games and use activity mats that target all kinds of literacy and math skills. Do giant word sorts on rolls of paper spread out on the floor. Crawl as they practice counting by tens. Pretend to climb an imaginary ladder while spelling words or reciting math facts.

Rock on!

Musical intelligence may be the first to develop, and it continues to flourish throughout our lives. You can have students make or listen to music to create those synapses!

Here are a few ideas: Go online to find songs to play in the classroom. If you have students who love to perform, use a USB recorder like the Easi-Speak™ to capture their voices as they sing upbeat educational chants. Then, replay to help the whole class build their skills in a fun way.Remember that music with visuals, physical actions or manipulatives is even more powerful. So, encourage students to tap their toes, dance along or create artwork as they listen. Or, how about playing clapping games with a partner while chanting rhymes or alliterative tongue-twisters?

Visualize it!

Graphic organizers allow students to see connections and critically analyze data by making abstract concepts more concrete. Try introducing story webs, sequencing charts and timelines into the writing process.

Each student can use info from their own writing to fill out the organizer, check that their writing makes sense, and includes all the right elements. You can also challenge students to create a new visual (like a poster, collage, drawing, or painting) based on a completed graphic organizer. Graphs can be integrated into sorting activities by having students tally their sorting results and display their findings in bar or line graphs.

Brain-based activities allow all learners to succeed. To stimulate your students' brain cells, add these multisensory tactics to your program and help everyone flourish!

Tell us about some of the ways you use Multisensory Learning in your classroom at blog@learningresources.com! 

Multisensory Learning & Why It Works
Multisensory Learning & Why It Works

While some students respond easily to initial instruction, others need different tools. As educators, we're challenged to respond to these learning differences, keep our eye on the standards, and find ways to teach every student. A great way to help all students succeed is by using Multisensory Learning.multisensory learning teaching tips for teachers

What is Multisensory Learning?

Multisensory learning  involves using two or more of the senses while doing one activity. Children take in information in many different ways:by listening, seeing, touching, and moving. There’s a great Chinese proverb that speaks to this:

“Tell me and I’ll forget;

Show me and I may remember;child 

Involve me and I’ll understand.”

Using multiple senses makes it easier for students to make connections between new information and what they already know. Here are some ways to do this in your classroom:

Hands on!

Foundational learning starts with the fingers. Many children benefit from visuals and also crave tactile stimulation. Manipulatives can help you reach children on both fronts.

For example, students who struggle with reading may find success through using letter manipulatives to build words or by using word manipulatives to build sentences. And, if those manipulatives are color-coded, the visual cues may help children recognize spelling or sentence patterns, too.

Move it!

Large muscle movements stimulate the brain by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen. But did you know that movements that cross the midline, such as crawling and climbing, stimulate both sides of the brain?

Get students down on the floor! They can: Play mat games and use activity mats that target all kinds of literacy and math skills. Do giant word sorts on rolls of paper spread out on the floor. Crawl as they practice counting by tens. Pretend to climb an imaginary ladder while spelling words or reciting math facts.

Rock on!

Musical intelligence may be the first to develop, and it continues to flourish throughout our lives. You can have students make or listen to music to create those synapses!

Here are a few ideas: Go online to find songs to play in the classroom. If you have students who love to perform, use a USB recorder like the Easi-Speak™ to capture their voices as they sing upbeat educational chants. Then, replay to help the whole class build their skills in a fun way.Remember that music with visuals, physical actions or manipulatives is even more powerful. So, encourage students to tap their toes, dance along or create artwork as they listen. Or, how about playing clapping games with a partner while chanting rhymes or alliterative tongue-twisters?

Visualize it!

Graphic organizers allow students to see connections and critically analyze data by making abstract concepts more concrete. Try introducing story webs, sequencing charts and timelines into the writing process.

Each student can use info from their own writing to fill out the organizer, check that their writing makes sense, and includes all the right elements. You can also challenge students to create a new visual (like a poster, collage, drawing, or painting) based on a completed graphic organizer. Graphs can be integrated into sorting activities by having students tally their sorting results and display their findings in bar or line graphs.

Brain-based activities allow all learners to succeed. To stimulate your students' brain cells, add these multisensory tactics to your program and help everyone flourish!

Tell us about some of the ways you use Multisensory Learning in your classroom at blog@learningresources.com! 

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Let's Make Slime!
It’s slime, the DIY craft-meets-science-experiment is so popular that Elmer’s can’t keep up.
 READ MORE
Space & Kids: Inspiring Intergalactic Fascination
READ MORE

STEM for Preschoolers: Lava Learning Lamp Experiment

Our STEM-uary celebration continues with this latest preschool science experiment that proves that you’re never too little to love science.

As you may know, STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. With a renewed focus on these subjects in American schools, students everywhere are being exposed to the STEM subjects like never before. You can get a head start at home with experiments like this one!

Ready to give your preschooler a peek into the super cool world of chemistry? Here's what you'll need...

Materials:

  • Vegetable oil
  • Clear plastic bottle with cap (you can use the oil bottle – just remove the label!)
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Alka-Seltzer®
  • Funnel

Step One – Density

Using your funnel, fill your clear, plastic bottle 2/3 full of vegetable oil (or, if you’re using your vegetable oil bottle, pour 1/3 out).

Preschool science experiment 

Wipe your funnel clean and fill the remaining 1/3 of your bottle with water.preschool science experiments

With your child, watch as the water sinks to the bottom of the bottle and the oil rises to the top. Explain that the water is heavier, or denser, and the oil is lighter and less dense and that’s why it rises to the top of the bottle.

Then, let your child choose a color and drop several drops of food coloring into the bottle.science activities you can do at home

Step Two – Attraction

Screw the lid onto your bottle and hand it to your little one. Ask her to shake it as hard so she can to try to mix the oil and water together. While the oil might break up into smaller drops, it won’t blend with the water no matter how hard you try. This is because water molecules have an electrical charge that attracts other water molecules. These polar water molecules “stick” together, excluding other non-polar molecules, like oil. Since the food coloring mixed with the water, the oil will not change color.

preschool science experiments: make a Lava Lamp!

Set the bottle down and let it settle for a moment.science experiments for younger children

Step Three – Reaction

While the bottle is settling, break your Alka-Seltzer tablet into several pieces. Open the lid and let your little one drop a piece of Alka-Seltzer into the bottle. Watch in amazement as colorful bubbles rise from the bottom of the bottle up through the oil and back down the sides. When the bubbling subsides, drop in another piece. Continue until you’re out of Alka-Seltzer and replace the lid to the bottle.

preschool science

What’s happening? When the Alka-Seltzer hits the water, there is a chemical reaction which forms carbon dioxide gas bubbles (like in soda!). These bubbles are lighter than both the water and the oil, so they rise to the top of the bottle, where they pop, and the heavy colored water sinks back to the bottom of the bottle.

How did your preschool science experiment turn out? Let us know at blog@learningresources.com!

STEM for Preschoolers: Lava Learning Lamp Experiment

Our STEM-uary celebration continues with this latest preschool science experiment that proves that you’re never too little to love science.

As you may know, STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. With a renewed focus on these subjects in American schools, students everywhere are being exposed to the STEM subjects like never before. You can get a head start at home with experiments like this one!

Ready to give your preschooler a peek into the super cool world of chemistry? Here's what you'll need...

Materials:

  • Vegetable oil
  • Clear plastic bottle with cap (you can use the oil bottle – just remove the label!)
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Alka-Seltzer®
  • Funnel

Step One – Density

Using your funnel, fill your clear, plastic bottle 2/3 full of vegetable oil (or, if you’re using your vegetable oil bottle, pour 1/3 out).

Preschool science experiment 

Wipe your funnel clean and fill the remaining 1/3 of your bottle with water.preschool science experiments

With your child, watch as the water sinks to the bottom of the bottle and the oil rises to the top. Explain that the water is heavier, or denser, and the oil is lighter and less dense and that’s why it rises to the top of the bottle.

Then, let your child choose a color and drop several drops of food coloring into the bottle.science activities you can do at home

Step Two – Attraction

Screw the lid onto your bottle and hand it to your little one. Ask her to shake it as hard so she can to try to mix the oil and water together. While the oil might break up into smaller drops, it won’t blend with the water no matter how hard you try. This is because water molecules have an electrical charge that attracts other water molecules. These polar water molecules “stick” together, excluding other non-polar molecules, like oil. Since the food coloring mixed with the water, the oil will not change color.

preschool science experiments: make a Lava Lamp!

Set the bottle down and let it settle for a moment.science experiments for younger children

Step Three – Reaction

While the bottle is settling, break your Alka-Seltzer tablet into several pieces. Open the lid and let your little one drop a piece of Alka-Seltzer into the bottle. Watch in amazement as colorful bubbles rise from the bottom of the bottle up through the oil and back down the sides. When the bubbling subsides, drop in another piece. Continue until you’re out of Alka-Seltzer and replace the lid to the bottle.

preschool science

What’s happening? When the Alka-Seltzer hits the water, there is a chemical reaction which forms carbon dioxide gas bubbles (like in soda!). These bubbles are lighter than both the water and the oil, so they rise to the top of the bottle, where they pop, and the heavy colored water sinks back to the bottom of the bottle.

How did your preschool science experiment turn out? Let us know at blog@learningresources.com!

 READ MORE

The Magic of Matter Experiment!

Welcome to STEMuaryHelp us celebrate STEM-uary with a hands-on STEM experiment designed for you to do with your preschoolers at home! It's so much fun… your little ones might not even realize that they’re learning.Preschoolers are natural observers. Plus, they love scooping, pouring, mixing, and blending. In other words, they love science! You can encourage your child’s scientific curiosity and introduce some early scientific concepts with simple science experiments, like the concept...

Solids, Liquids, and Gas

Understanding the various states of matter is a key scientific concept. There are actually five states of matter, but we’ll leave the other two, plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates, for another time. Say, college.

Materials:

  • Ice cube
  • Measuring cup
  • Stove-safe pot

Step One – Solids

To share this concept with your kiddo, start with an ice cube. Show them how hard (solid) the ice cube is by having her tap it on the side of the measuring cup. Then have her rub her hands together to generate some heat, place the ice cube in her hands and have her roll the cube around, catching the dripping water in the measuring cup as the cube melts. (Note – if the cube is too cold for little hands, set it in the cup and put the cup in the sun for 15 minutes.)STEM science experiments

Step Two – Liquids

Check the measuring cup. It was empty when she started, but now there’s water in it! Explain to your child that heating the solid ice cube with her hands (or the sun) caused it to melt and change into its liquid form—water. Look at the markings on the side of the cup to see how much water is there, then pour the water into a pot.at home science experiments that teach STEM

Step Three – Gasses

Place the pot of water on the stove and turn the heat on low. Explain to your mini-scientist that the third state of matter is gas. The ice cube that started out as a solid and then melted into a liquid is now going to magically disappear, evaporating into a gas form. Let the water boil, then evaporate, and show your little one that the pot is empty. What happened to the ice cube?Science projects you can do at homeNow that your pint-sized smarty understands the concepts of solids, liquids, and gasses, take a lunchtime challenge!Point to her cup of milk and ask if what’s inside is a solid or a liquid. Now point to the PB & J (crusts cut off) on her plate and ask if that’s a solid or a gas. Finally, have her breathe out into a cupped hand and ask what’s there. She can’t see it, but her breath is a gas!If your little one loved this STEM-uary science experiment, let us know about it by emailing us at blog@learningresources.com.
The Magic of Matter Experiment! Welcome to STEMuaryHelp us celebrate STEM-uary with a hands-on STEM experiment designed for you to do with your preschoolers at home! It's so much fun… your little ones might not even realize that they’re learning.Preschoolers are natural observers. Plus, they love scooping, pouring, mixing, and blending. In other words, they love science! You can encourage your child’s scientific curiosity and introduce some early scientific concepts with simple science experiments, like the concept...

Solids, Liquids, and Gas

Understanding the various states of matter is a key scientific concept. There are actually five states of matter, but we’ll leave the other two, plasma and Bose-Einstein condensates, for another time. Say, college.

Materials:

  • Ice cube
  • Measuring cup
  • Stove-safe pot

Step One – Solids

To share this concept with your kiddo, start with an ice cube. Show them how hard (solid) the ice cube is by having her tap it on the side of the measuring cup. Then have her rub her hands together to generate some heat, place the ice cube in her hands and have her roll the cube around, catching the dripping water in the measuring cup as the cube melts. (Note – if the cube is too cold for little hands, set it in the cup and put the cup in the sun for 15 minutes.)STEM science experiments

Step Two – Liquids

Check the measuring cup. It was empty when she started, but now there’s water in it! Explain to your child that heating the solid ice cube with her hands (or the sun) caused it to melt and change into its liquid form—water. Look at the markings on the side of the cup to see how much water is there, then pour the water into a pot.at home science experiments that teach STEM

Step Three – Gasses

Place the pot of water on the stove and turn the heat on low. Explain to your mini-scientist that the third state of matter is gas. The ice cube that started out as a solid and then melted into a liquid is now going to magically disappear, evaporating into a gas form. Let the water boil, then evaporate, and show your little one that the pot is empty. What happened to the ice cube?Science projects you can do at homeNow that your pint-sized smarty understands the concepts of solids, liquids, and gasses, take a lunchtime challenge!Point to her cup of milk and ask if what’s inside is a solid or a liquid. Now point to the PB & J (crusts cut off) on her plate and ask if that’s a solid or a gas. Finally, have her breathe out into a cupped hand and ask what’s there. She can’t see it, but her breath is a gas!If your little one loved this STEM-uary science experiment, let us know about it by emailing us at blog@learningresources.com. READ MORE
5 Classroom Projects with a Digital Microscope

5 Classroom Projects with a Digital Microscope

Sometimes a fresh perspective is all that’s needed to make a familiar school subject seem new and exciting. That’s what makes a digital microscope so cool! It magnifies objects so students can see details missed by the naked eye.Sound like a new way to get your classroom engaged? Check out these project ideas for Science and Math to get you started.digital microscope

Explore Melting Ice (Grades 2-3)

  • Place two ice cubes on a plate. Ask students to predict what will happen when salt is placed on one of the ice cubes.
  • Sprinkle some salt on one ice cube. Place the digital microscope above the salted ice cube and have students observe for one minute.
  • If possible, take pictures of both ice cubes and label them. Have students discuss and write what they see.
  • Then, after four minutes and eight minutes, have them take pictures. They can again discuss and write what they see.
  • Have students generate conclusions about the effects of salt on ice.

The Skinny on Skin (Grades 2-4)

  • Have a volunteer come to the front of the class.
  • Use a digital microscope to get a close look and picture of the child’s skin on the back of their hand. Discuss what is observed.
  • Ask students if they think the skin will look different on the palms of the child’s hand.
  • Discuss possible reasons why they are different.

Counting Change (Grades 2-3)

  • Hold several coins in your hand under the digital microscope. Adjust the focus then slowly move your hand so the students see  part of each coin.
  • Have the students write an estimate of the total value of the coins.
  • Show the students the coins and calculate the actual amount as a group. Students write actual amounts next to their estimates.
  • Have students whose estimates were closest to the amount explain how they determined their answers.
  • Repeat the process with varying amounts and types of coins.

Micro Measures (Grades 2-3)

  • Place a ruler under the digital microscope so the students can see a full centimeter. .
  • Place a paper clip under the Twist and ask students to predict if the paper clip will measure a full centimeter, more than a centimeter, or less than a centimeter.
  • Place the ruler beside the paper clip and focus the microscope so the students can read the measurement.
  • Repeat with other small objects found in the room.

5 Classroom Projects with a Digital Microscope
5 Classroom Projects with a Digital Microscope
Sometimes a fresh perspective is all that’s needed to make a familiar school subject seem new and exciting. That’s what makes a digital microscope so cool! It magnifies objects so students can see details missed by the naked eye.Sound like a new way to get your classroom engaged? Check out these project ideas for Science and Math to get you started.digital microscope

Explore Melting Ice (Grades 2-3)

  • Place two ice cubes on a plate. Ask students to predict what will happen when salt is placed on one of the ice cubes.
  • Sprinkle some salt on one ice cube. Place the digital microscope above the salted ice cube and have students observe for one minute.
  • If possible, take pictures of both ice cubes and label them. Have students discuss and write what they see.
  • Then, after four minutes and eight minutes, have them take pictures. They can again discuss and write what they see.
  • Have students generate conclusions about the effects of salt on ice.

The Skinny on Skin (Grades 2-4)

  • Have a volunteer come to the front of the class.
  • Use a digital microscope to get a close look and picture of the child’s skin on the back of their hand. Discuss what is observed.
  • Ask students if they think the skin will look different on the palms of the child’s hand.
  • Discuss possible reasons why they are different.

Counting Change (Grades 2-3)

  • Hold several coins in your hand under the digital microscope. Adjust the focus then slowly move your hand so the students see  part of each coin.
  • Have the students write an estimate of the total value of the coins.
  • Show the students the coins and calculate the actual amount as a group. Students write actual amounts next to their estimates.
  • Have students whose estimates were closest to the amount explain how they determined their answers.
  • Repeat the process with varying amounts and types of coins.

Micro Measures (Grades 2-3)

  • Place a ruler under the digital microscope so the students can see a full centimeter. .
  • Place a paper clip under the Twist and ask students to predict if the paper clip will measure a full centimeter, more than a centimeter, or less than a centimeter.
  • Place the ruler beside the paper clip and focus the microscope so the students can read the measurement.
  • Repeat with other small objects found in the room.

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It's the 100th Day of School! Time To Shake Things Up...

100 day of school

The 100th day of school is fast approaching!

Here are some activities that you may or may not have thought of already.

 

  • You’ve heard of The Indy 500…now get ready for The Classroom 100! Let students design model cars using recyclables, like cardboard tubes, rubber bands, sticks, milk jug caps, etc. The challenge is for them to engineer their cars so that they can be propelled 100 inches. It’s a great STEM activity for cooperative learning while allowing them to use their creativity! Whomever comes closest to 100 inches, wins!
  • Do you work with younger students? Encourage them to draw a picture of what they will look like when they are 100 and then write or tell a story based on their drawing.
  • Get the whole body moving with 100 jumping jacks or 100 giant steps around the classroom or down the hall.
  • Ask parents if each student can bring in 100 pennies to donate. Students can place their pennies in one of three jars you set up, each labeled for a different charity. Students can put all of their pennies in one jar or divide them up. Have each student keep track of how much money they put in each jar and have the class tally the 3 reported amounts. Pool your pennies with other classes for more sizeable donations.
  • Have kids draw pictures and/or write answers to questions like, "What would you do with $100?" "How could you take care of 100 puppies?" "What if you were 100 feet tall? or "What will the world be like when you’re 100 years old?" Let each student choose which question to answer.
  • Send students home with a quart size plastic bag and ask them to fill it with 10 pieces of 10 items. Ideas include pasta, beans, candies, paper clips, hair ties, etc. Staple the bags to a poster board or glue on the individual items under the heading: “This is What 100 Looks Like!”
  • Weigh-in on 100. Use a classroom scale to determine the weight of 100 dried beans, 100 counters, 100 pennies, or anything else.
  • Keep tally. Divide students into groups and give each group 2 dice. Have them roll the dice and keep a tally. The first team that reaches 100 tallies wins. Or roll the dice 100 times and create a bar graph with how many times each number came up.
   Learning is Where We Play:
Get Your Students Moving!
Dress Up, Dolls, and...Dinosaurs!
 
 
It's the 100th Day of School! Time To Shake Things Up...

100 day of school

The 100th day of school is fast approaching!

Here are some activities that you may or may not have thought of already.

 

  • You’ve heard of The Indy 500…now get ready for The Classroom 100! Let students design model cars using recyclables, like cardboard tubes, rubber bands, sticks, milk jug caps, etc. The challenge is for them to engineer their cars so that they can be propelled 100 inches. It’s a great STEM activity for cooperative learning while allowing them to use their creativity! Whomever comes closest to 100 inches, wins!
  • Do you work with younger students? Encourage them to draw a picture of what they will look like when they are 100 and then write or tell a story based on their drawing.
  • Get the whole body moving with 100 jumping jacks or 100 giant steps around the classroom or down the hall.
  • Ask parents if each student can bring in 100 pennies to donate. Students can place their pennies in one of three jars you set up, each labeled for a different charity. Students can put all of their pennies in one jar or divide them up. Have each student keep track of how much money they put in each jar and have the class tally the 3 reported amounts. Pool your pennies with other classes for more sizeable donations.
  • Have kids draw pictures and/or write answers to questions like, "What would you do with $100?" "How could you take care of 100 puppies?" "What if you were 100 feet tall? or "What will the world be like when you’re 100 years old?" Let each student choose which question to answer.
  • Send students home with a quart size plastic bag and ask them to fill it with 10 pieces of 10 items. Ideas include pasta, beans, candies, paper clips, hair ties, etc. Staple the bags to a poster board or glue on the individual items under the heading: “This is What 100 Looks Like!”
  • Weigh-in on 100. Use a classroom scale to determine the weight of 100 dried beans, 100 counters, 100 pennies, or anything else.
  • Keep tally. Divide students into groups and give each group 2 dice. Have them roll the dice and keep a tally. The first team that reaches 100 tallies wins. Or roll the dice 100 times and create a bar graph with how many times each number came up.
   Learning is Where We Play:
Get Your Students Moving!
Dress Up, Dolls, and...Dinosaurs!
 
 
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Bright Ideas About Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skills are necessary in order to be able to solve problems.
In large national surveys, teachers tell it like it is: “Critical thinking is one of the most difficult skills to teach students. “ Critical thinking requires students to ask questions and respond to information, not just accept it.
Most teachers say textbooks are very weak on teaching critical thinking. So, where can they turn? High quality supplemental tools, combined with inventive teaching, can help fill that gap!
 
Teaching critical thinking skills

Collaborate & communicate

  • Provide opportunities for students to work cooperatively. In these situations, they can share ideas and learn from each other.

Be creative!

  • Get "little engineers" constructing with a building set. They'll need to think critically as they experience key math and science concepts, especially cause and effect.
  • Practice 21st Century skills with a class newspaper or blog that the students help to format, produce, and publish.
  • Check out Learning Resources critical thinking games for kids.

Ask why!

  • Instill in children that "Why?" is a powerful question. An awareness of personal bias along with a little skepticism is crucial when it comes to evaluating and authenticating information.
  • Encourage students to ask why as they are reading: Why is the character doing what they’re doing? Why did the author have the character do what they did?
  • When a student gives an answer to something, ask them why they think that. Have them defend or prove their response. Discuss the difference between fact, opinion, and judgment.

Analyze and interpret!

  • Use graphic organizers to give students opportunities to organize, outline and structure information first, and then have them present their ideas.
  • Reinforce the notion that children should experiment, examine, compare and contrast everything. Conduct mini-experiments in a sensory way or allow kids to investigate their world up close with a digital microscope.

Try project-based learning

  • Have the class plan a mock trip to a country of their choice. Spend a semester on the project, and then wrap up with a dramatization. They can explore how to book their travel online, apply for their passports, plan each day's itinerary and much more.
  • Hand over a REAL problem to your students that your school or community would like to solve. Maybe your school lunches need a healthy overhaul, or your town library wants to redesign its children's area. Let your students investigate, plan and own the solution...and even participate in implementing it if possible!
No matter which way you decide to teach critical thinking skills, have fun with it! 
 
 
Bright Ideas About Critical Thinking
Critical thinking skills are necessary in order to be able to solve problems.
In large national surveys, teachers tell it like it is: “Critical thinking is one of the most difficult skills to teach students. “ Critical thinking requires students to ask questions and respond to information, not just accept it.
Most teachers say textbooks are very weak on teaching critical thinking. So, where can they turn? High quality supplemental tools, combined with inventive teaching, can help fill that gap!
 
Teaching critical thinking skills

Collaborate & communicate

  • Provide opportunities for students to work cooperatively. In these situations, they can share ideas and learn from each other.

Be creative!

  • Get "little engineers" constructing with a building set. They'll need to think critically as they experience key math and science concepts, especially cause and effect.
  • Practice 21st Century skills with a class newspaper or blog that the students help to format, produce, and publish.
  • Check out Learning Resources critical thinking games for kids.

Ask why!

  • Instill in children that "Why?" is a powerful question. An awareness of personal bias along with a little skepticism is crucial when it comes to evaluating and authenticating information.
  • Encourage students to ask why as they are reading: Why is the character doing what they’re doing? Why did the author have the character do what they did?
  • When a student gives an answer to something, ask them why they think that. Have them defend or prove their response. Discuss the difference between fact, opinion, and judgment.

Analyze and interpret!

  • Use graphic organizers to give students opportunities to organize, outline and structure information first, and then have them present their ideas.
  • Reinforce the notion that children should experiment, examine, compare and contrast everything. Conduct mini-experiments in a sensory way or allow kids to investigate their world up close with a digital microscope.

Try project-based learning

  • Have the class plan a mock trip to a country of their choice. Spend a semester on the project, and then wrap up with a dramatization. They can explore how to book their travel online, apply for their passports, plan each day's itinerary and much more.
  • Hand over a REAL problem to your students that your school or community would like to solve. Maybe your school lunches need a healthy overhaul, or your town library wants to redesign its children's area. Let your students investigate, plan and own the solution...and even participate in implementing it if possible!
No matter which way you decide to teach critical thinking skills, have fun with it! 
 
 
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