Moon Journals

This week, we are going to start studying the moon!  I have found so many cute resources while perusing blogs, including this FREE OREO moon lesson, that I totally plan on using.  I found it at Homegrown Learners.  I love using food to teach!!  Yum!!

After two years of suffering through moon journals, I have decided it is time for a change!  I was not providing my kids with enough structure and information to do the moon journal, and actually learn from it.  It turned into a waste of time, because I didn't help them organize their drawings.  Blechh.  I am sad for the two groups of students that have already left me with a less than perfect moon journal experience, but I am hoping this year to step up the game a little!  I made this moon journal template that you can download for FREE! 


My Moon Journal

Science in Action!! (and a baby shower!!)

Hooray for making it through the first couple of weeks of school!  These poor kids have had a rocky start with the hurricane coming through!  Today, we did our first science experiment of the year.  The kids were examining light by shining flashlights on the floor, ceiling, and mirrors.  They learned that light is either reflected or absorbed.  Fun, huh?!  They loved it, and a few of them came up with the word "reflection" before I even got around to it!  Here are a few pics of us in action:

Also, as a non-school related side note, we had a baby shower today at school!  Hooray!  I love showers!  So, I decided to get a little crafty in coming up with the gift.  This candy themed basket is loaded with burp cloths, washcloths, mittens, socks, and a gift card:)

Here is the view of the whole sweet treat basket:)

Cupcakes and Candy!

I added this note so that she would know what she had!

Lollipop!

It was such a blast to make this!!  I have to give a shout out to the blog where I got the idea:  Cute as a Fox Creations!  I mean, WOW!!  The ideas on the blog are amazing, and totally step by step!!  Happy Rest of the week everyone!!

Imagination Station

Last Friday, the third grade took at field trip to the Imagination Station in Wilson, NC.  The kids loved it!  The museum portion of the trip was especially good.  It is a very kid-friendly museum, and the kids are free to roam and play, which is really great.  They also got to participate in an experient called "A Plant's Life".  I wasn't crazy about the experiment, but, the kids seemed to like it, and were pretty engaged.  Here are a few pictures from our trip.....

 Getting ready to leave the school! 

 Are we there yet??

 Listening attentively to our tour guide

 Can you run faster than the wild? Students raced against some of nature fastest animals!

 Where did he go?

 Generating our own electricity

 Giant Kaleidoscope!!

 Beginning of the "A Plant's Life" Experiment

 Compost!

 Scientists in the making!!

Our class preparing to leave the Imagination Station!  Almost 4th graders!!

If you are interested in taking your class to the Imagination Station, here is the link to their website:  http://www.imaginescience.org/