Learning about clouds in elementary school is always fun. At minimum, it’s an excuse to go outside! Here’s my really simple graphic organizer to teach the science basics of clouds. There’s a space for some words about each type and an illustration. You can also glue cotton balls in that section instead. Shape/pull the cotton ball to match each type.
Click here to view the full size PDF: cloud-types-graphic-organizer
I recently found this worksheet I made forever ago. It worked well with basic graphing. . Have the kids color and count each shape. Then create a graph based on the number of times each shape appears. It has worked well to start with a page like this where the graph structure is there and they just have to fill in the grid. Once we get good at this kind, I start having the kids make the graph structure themselves. Sometimes I just cover the bottom half of the paper before I run copies. Then the students have to make the entire graph themselves. Easy-peasy!
Download the printable: I can graph the pictures SHAPES
Answers: 3 squares, 5 hearts, 7 snowflakes, 2 presents, 9 stars (total of 26 shapes)
Whenever we have a family gathering (like Fourth of July that’s coming up!), I like to have something for the kids to do. Whether it’s a craft, new game, something to color or an educational page worth a candy, I don’t feel prepared unless I have something planned in case they don’t find something to entertain themselves. Check out this page. It’s super simple: just color the fireworks based on if they’re even or odd.
Download the PDF: Firework Numbers
A friend of mine plays patriotic songs in her classroom all year long. After all, appreciation for your country shouldn’t just happen on holidays. Whether it’s during clean up time, line up time or as a reward, her kids LOVE LOVE LOVE hearing these songs! Most of the kids have even learned the words too! How great would it be if the rising generation could regain the fire of patriotism of the past?!
Here’s her list of songs/video links to help get you started:
A Salute to all 5 military branches (Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force & Coast Guard)
Air Force Off We Go (lyrics)
America The Beautiful (lyrics)
Anchors Away (lyrics)
Anchors Away no lyrics
Caissons Go Rolling no lyrics
Caissons Go Rolling (lyrics)
Coast Guard Marching Song (lyrics)
Fifty Nifty United States
God Bless America (lyrics)
God Bless the USA (lyrics)
Marine’s Hymn (lyrics)
My Country Tis of Thee (lyrics)
Off We Go
Star Spangled Banner (lyrics)
This is My Country
This Land is Your Land
What’s More American
This Land is your land Simple
You’re a Grand Old Flag
Another gem I found in my mom’s old teaching files were these art center folders. I realize that teachers nowadays don’t have time for an art center every day (or can’t use some of the tools needed for these projects), but they’re interesting ideas that you could use as springboards for projects during art or at home with kids. I only have the photos; I don’t have more detailed directions than what’s in the photo.
(Adult supervision recommended)
(Adult supervision recommended)
(Adult supervision recommended)
I recently found this cool fraction picture book in my mom’s old teaching files. I don’t have directions, but the pictures seem pretty self-explanatory. Using different common fractions cut out on different colored paper, students made a bunch of cool pages. Not bad for integrating math and art!
This page (quick tips on how to cut out each piece) was also in the file:
If you wanted to allow for more creativity, you could have students cut out a bunch of the fraction pieces and let them make whatever they wanted. Then have them label the size of each piece and tell you the total whole pieces they used in their picture.
Kids crack me up. They say, write and do the silliest things! Here’s another opportunity to capture all that creativity. This writing activity asks kids to apply to be one of Santa’s elves. Be sure to give kids an opportunity to share their application with other students. Maybe have the kids collect “endorsements” from classmates (Have students write their name on the back of a classmate’s paper to indicate that the student shared it with them). Merry Christmas!
Click here for the free printable PDF: Santa’s Elf Application
If you haven’t entered by Candy Experiments 2 giveaway, you’d better hurry! It ends today at midnight PST! Click here to check it out!
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