ABC Science - New resource and a freebie

Hello Friends,

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-A-Science-Activity-for-Each-Letter-of-the-Alphabet-Part-1-A-M-2612013
I thought I would share a new resource that I have added to my TPT store. As you know, I LOVE teaching science to kids. Sometimes, though, it is hard to find the time to get my science lessons taught. As early education teachers, much of our curriculum is made up of literacy and math with little time for exploration. Don't get me wrong.... I think literacy and math are key components to an early childhood curriculum. But, I also feel that kids need experiences to explore and wonder. BUT, even though I make it a point to get science exploration into my kid's day, more often than not, something comes up during our science block and the experience is tabled for the next week or not done at all. Another problem I have had is that when I am writing the next week's lesson plans, I often forget where I put the directions for the science project I want to do and spend SO MUCH time re-writing something that I have already done and I become REALLY frustrated. So, this new resource is going to be awesome for ME (and I hope you, too) because everything is one spot and can be easily retrieved and implemented! Yay!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-A-Science-Activity-for-Each-Letter-of-the-Alphabet-Part-1-A-M-2612013

 In this ABC Science resource, there is an activity for every letter of the alphabet. Since this resource is based on the alphabet, it allows me to feel no "guilt" using literacy time to do a science activity because this CAN be my literacy activity for the day.

Most of the activities can be done in one day (although some might take two days).

All the activities listed in this resource have been tested by either me or a group of my kinders.  I have listed all supplies needed (except for common supplies like crayons and glue), so it will be easy to gather necessary supplies ahead of time.

Here is what is included in Part 1: A through M

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-A-Science-Activity-for-Each-Letter-of-the-Alphabet-Part-1-A-M-2612013

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-A-Science-Activity-for-Each-Letter-of-the-Alphabet-Part-1-A-M-2612013

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-A-Science-Activity-for-Each-Letter-of-the-Alphabet-Part-1-A-M-2612013

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-A-Science-Activity-for-Each-Letter-of-the-Alphabet-Part-1-A-M-2612013



 I am in the process of completing Part Two which includes N -Z. It will be at least a month before Part Two is finished. When it is uploaded, I will let you know. If you are not presently a follower of my store, you liked Part One, and want to be alerted as to when Part Two is uploaded, make sure you become a follower. :)

I have made alphabet letter "B" FREE. This is a chance for you to see if the format and activities are ones that would work in your weekly schedule. Click the image below to take you to the freebie.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Science-FREE-Sample-B-is-For-Bubbles-2612054



Until next time!

Blessings,

Ahhh..... the Ability to Take a Walk in the MORNING.... think, relax, renew......

Hello Friends,

I love to take walks; I mean I REALLY love to take walks. I do not live next to a beach or a river or the mountains, but being a nature girl, I can always find something delightful on my walks. Yesterday, it was the sound of the birds. Of course, I cannot take photos of bird songs, but if I could, I would blow it up in extra large and look at it everyday. There is just something joyous in the happy sounds of birds. It kind of reminds me of the bird friends in Snow White and Cinderella. My brother is horrified of birds; cannot stand them at all. But not me..... They bring me joy....yesterday I was fascinated with all the trees in my neighborhood; which probably accounts for all the birds! Since I live in central Illinois, there are no hills to climb or ledges to avoid which makes it possible for me to have the luxury  to think and reflect.... and enjoy the birds songs!

So ....as I join Five for Friday (or as I often call it "Five for Friday on a Saturday.... "), here are few thoughts I had  on my walk yesterday.....


 1.  Yes, I am still in charge of our butterfly garden at school. We have had so much rain lately, so I haven't gotten the chance to get over there and check for Monarch eggs/larvae, but here is a photo from one of the garden boxes from a week ago. The milkweed is doing great and there's lots of evidence of chewed leaves, but so far, I haven't seen anything... Part of the joy of summer for me is having the gift of time. In the school year, this garden is pretty neglected BUT I do bring my kinders to the garden often to look for insects, plant varieties, and colors. I am starting to worry about bee allergies, though, and wondering how to keep the education in the garden in a safe way for my little ones....


2.  And here are a few photos of my garden at home.....

Clematis is not my favorite flower. It is very leggy and is a monster vine, so you have to be vigilant to make sure that it is not choking the rest of your plants.... but this photo shows how gorgeous it can be if wants to be!


I think I have too many flowers in pots this summer, but I have a pretty bad rabbit problem this year, so I have had to rescue a few flower friends and the pots seemed to be the way to do it. Just pop them up high where those little rabbit faces cannot reach....


3.  We added a new young bull to our very small herd of Hereford cattle... Yep, he's a bull alright... Poor guy.. .Here he comes from a place where they wash his HOOVES and the first thing he does at our farm is sink into the mud from all the rain we have had..... The GOOD thing, though, is that he is going to have a happy life. All our cattle live in a pasture, receive no steroids, and basically are allowed to live a life that doesn't involve staying inside a stall for its entire life. I love the way my husband and son raise them!


4. A fun part of summer is all the fresh veggies and fruit that we can get. I envy those of you who have access to fresh produce year round. This is my son creating an amazing dish from all the veggies from his garden.... carrots, beets, arugula, peas...... yum..... And... no, although I wish had a huge wonderful kitchen, sadly, I don't... I WISH that I had an island with a stove and lots of room to chop and cook. That doesn't keep me from enjoying a delicious meal, though.. There are worse things in life, right?


5.  And finally..... I was blessed to have one of my posts included in the Teachers Pay Teachers blog this week. I am so honored. If you click the image below, it will take you to my post BUT if you click the Teachers Pay Teacher button at the top left, you will be able to read and enjoy all the other posts.....

http://blog.teacherspayteachers.com/5-to-do-this-summer/

And lastly.... click the button below to take you to Five for Friday... I love you Kacey for providing this platform to share....

https://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2016/06/five-for-friday-link-up-june-24.html?showComment=1466862728726#c2243256530965483992


Until next time,

Blessings,

Five "R" Things to Do This Summer.... Recover, Rejuvenate, Reflect, Renew, Rejoice...





Hello Friends,

I am one of the lucky ones who have been out of school for a couple of weeks now.  For those of you who are still in school, hang in there; the end is in sight and then you will be able to finally take that long breath and relax!


1.


This is something we ALL have to do.... The end of the school year is CRAZY! End of year reports, assessments, grade level meetings, packing, purging, and on top of all this, we continue to teach... So energy draining..... It is with a sigh of relief (and sometimes tears) that we close the doors of our classroom and walk away. It takes me a few days to recover and decompress from the busy last days of school. I want you to know that it is OKAY to sleep late (if you can) and spend the afternoon reading,  binge movie watching, or sitting by the pool/beach. Give yourself this time to recover for a few days and NO guilt... it's okay.... Take deep breaths and enjoy....


2. 

When I am in the midst of school, that is exactly what my life is - school. Most of the free time that I have in the evenings and weekends is spent on school activities. I am writing/revising lesson plans, creating book packets, researching new ways to reach those students that need a different plan for learning, printing, copying..... and although as a kindergarten teacher, I do not bring papers home to grade, many of you do. Besides keeping up with my school duties, my FIRST commitment is to my family, so AFTER the time I spend with my family, my free time is once again filled with things that need to be done for the following school day. Don't get me wrong.... I LOVE everything that I do and it is my choice to do what I do. BUT, because of my choices, many things that are on my "to do" list are pushed to the bottom during the school year. When the last day of school is over and I have RECOVERED for a few days, it is now time for me to rejuvenate. Rejuvenating to me means to CLEANSE..... I clean out closets. I purge and take clothes and things to Goodwill. I organize my kitchen cabinets..... I READ and READ and READ. I do not get enough time in the school year to just take the time to curl up with a good book......This is the time to do something for yourself... like get a pedicure.... ahh... REJUVENATE, my friends... unwind.........


3.


One of the many wonderful things about teaching is that we are given the opportunity to REFLECT each year on the previous year; keeping things that worked and making changes to things that did not. In my school, we are required to fill out a personal goal sheet at the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, we are then required to reflect upon our goal statement; writing what worked and what did not. Even though, I will often grumble about "one more thing" to add to my list, I actually am glad to have this opportunity to reflect upon the year. This year, my goal was to add more STEM challenges to our science curriculum. I think that I did an okay job, but plan to make this my goal again next year.



3. 

This is a big one for me...... Besides reflecting on the previous year, I spend time in the summer renewing and revising; both in my classroom and in my home. If you are regular reader of my blog, you know that I LOVE my flowers. I can spend hours and hours in my garden. My spirit and mind is RENEWED each year as I wake up my beauties and say "hello."



 I also LOVE working in our school garden - creating a space for the Monarch butterflies that have become annual visitors.



 I think this is a time for us to do something NOT teaching related. I am not an artist, but I do enjoy playing around with watercolors. I plan to get my paints out and relax for a few hours playing around with the fun colors.

 5.

Finally.... REJOICE! I am blessed to have been given the talent to be a teacher. I am blessed to be able to share my faith with my little ones. I am blessed to have my health. I am blessed to be the wife and Mom of some pretty great people. I am blessed to have some amazing friends and colleagues. I am blessed to have this opportunity to recover, rejuvenate, reflect, renew, and REJOICE in all I have been given.


Enjoy the summer, my friends! CHEERS!


Until next time...
Blessings,