My kiddos have been REALLY struggling with elapsed time, and we have finally made a breakthrough thanks to the video below:
The video shows how to use a t-chart to solve elapsed problems and my kiddos loved it! Especially the part where he sings, "Stop in the name of math!" My kids were singing that all day long!
First, we watched the video:
A little close-up:
Then I had the students solve the amount of time we spend in school. We start at 8:30 and are released at 3:15.
Next, I put up two sample problems, and I had the students work in pairs to solve them using t-charts.
I decided to share, because it was so successful! After partner work, I gave them an additional problem to solve on their own and ALL of them got it right! I just wished I had found this video earlier!
During our morning meeting I asked my kiddos what would happen if I poked a bamboo skewer through a balloon. Of course they said it would pop. Are you sure? I asked them and then showed them the balloon above. Oohs and Ahhs abounded along with, "Mrs. Malloy, how did you do that?"
So... in my best teacher bribery way I told them that if they worked really hard and productively all day, I would teach them how to do it (of course I planned on teaching them how to anyway since it was in my lesson plan, but they didn't have to know that right?).
When the time for science finally came around, I told them that we were going to practice their skills of observation. I was going to SHOW them how to do it, but I wasn't going to TELL them how. I silently demonstrated and then handed out supplies.
Balloons were blown.
And then they attempted to poke. A few balloons popped, but most of the students were successful on their first try.
And once they tasted success, they had to add a challenge - let's see who can poke the most sticks into the balloon without popping it!
Eleven was our class record!
The trick? Put vegetable oil on the stick to make it a little easier (optional) - then insert the stick at the bottom part (where the balloon is tied) and exit through the strongest part at the other end.
We then watched this video to learn about what polymers are:
And finished the lesson by making our own human polymer chains!
We will be learning about how scientists use polymers to clean up oil spills using a kit from Steve Spangler soon, but I wanted to give them a brief introduction before. They loved it!
I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for the first time for Five for Friday! I have always wanted to participate, but never could muster up the energy on Friday until this week! Woo hoo!
1. Baseball, baseball, and more baseball! Probably one of the reasons why I haven't had as much energy - between two boys and four teams (Little League and Travel Ball) they keep me hopping!
2. Prom - Well, not for me, but for one of my older boys. Palmer is a Junior this year and went to prom! He asked his date to prom in a very public way at Mr. FHS (think a school beauty pageant for guys). He has got a lot of guts, but the girl was very surprised and pleased.
3. Now that state testing has FINALLY come and gone, I have been able to have a bit more fun with my kiddos learning all things science! My own kiddos had a blast with this polymer experiment poking sticks through balloons without popping them. I will post how the activity went with my class this weekend.
4. Luke put our weekly vegetable snack to good use. I didn't have the heart to tell him it was zucchini! LOL!
5. And finally - this is one of those random pictures I find on my iphone after my kiddo is done playing with it.
And... in honor of teacher's appreciation week - I am participating in sales at both Teachers Pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook - A great time to save and get those goodies on your wish list! I know my wish list is overflowing!
Where is this year going? How did we get to May already??? Not that I'm not thankful that it is almost time for summer - but it has just breezed by! And... that means it is time to link up with the always fab Farley for Currently!
