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with Dana Niblett

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8 FREE “AT-HOME” SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

I am a high school Science teacher, turned home-school mom to a Kindergartner and Third-grader. Since our schools have closed from the Covid-19 outbreak, I have found myself trying to throw together engaging lessons that will keep their minds sharp, while simultaneously fostering a love of Science. Last week, we had so much fun learning together and I got several requests through Instagram to share my printables, lessons, recipes, etc. So…I threw together a one-stop-shop resource for those that are interested. Just in case you have found yourself quarantined with your littles and you, like me, want to offer something engaging and interesting for your kids, here are 8 FREE “AT-HOME” SCIENCE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS.

PLEASE NOTE: Life is busy as a work-at-home / stay-at-home/ homeschooling mama right now, so my directions here will be brief! Please follow me on Instagram @thetrendyscienceteacher where I will be sharing my daily activities and saving them in a story highlight!

Want to grab all 8 “At Home” Science Activities for FREE? Just scroll down to the bottom of the post to have all 8 lessons delivered directly to your email inbox! Lessons include printables, video links, recipes, activity directions and MORE!

Lesson 1: The Water Cycle

This lesson started with a question from my 6 year-old…Why do water puddles disappear? I had my kids practice their writing skills by developing a hypothesis to answer the question.

After sharing, we watched a Youtube video over the water cycle. Next, we made our own water cycle in a bag and watched over the next few days as the water evaporated, condensed and “rained” back down the sides of the bag.

Lesson #2: Types of Rocks

My little boy loves rocks, so he was happy to know that I had a whole day full of activities that was built around rocks! First, we learned about the different types of rocks via this Youtube video. The kids had a “notes” sheet that they filled out as we watched the video.

Next, we went on a rock scavenger hunt. Even my daughter found this part of the lesson to be exciting.

Lastly, we learned about geodes and I let the kids make their own rock geodes using ingredients that I had lying around the house. Click HERE to get the recipe.

Lesson #3: Types of Clouds

Last week, we had a series of sunny days and I knew that I wanted to plan something that would get us out of the house. What better way to enjoy the weather than with a lesson on clouds?

Our lesson started with a video over the different types of clouds. I had the kids “show what they know” by using cotton balls to re-create the different types of clouds.

Click HERE to get this FREE printable

To incorporate some math and graphing skills, we collected data on the types of clouds we observed each day for 10 days. Then, I showed the kids how to create bar graphs.

The next day, I stumbled upon our new favorite app, DoInk. It’s a green screen app that allowed us to record a weather forecast. My 6 year old and 9 year old were able to figure it out and have since created several videos that have kept them occupied for HOURS!

Lesson #4: Heat and Temperature

This lesson started with a video via YouTube and ended with a cool and delicious treat to show how heat energy moves. To get my ice cream- in-a-bag recipe, click HERE.

Lesson #5: Peeps Science

There are so many fun Science activities that can revolve around Peeps marshmallow candies! Since it’s Spring, I decided to try out an activity that I do with my Physical Science classes. We decided to compare the dissolving rate of Peeps in different liquids. Of course, we started with a hypothesis and then placed our Peeps marshmallows in different liquids to see which dissolved the fastest. Both of my kids were surprised to see that their guesses were incorrect. We had a pretty cool discussion about why their results were different than what they had expected.

To grab the printable and directions for this activity, click HERE.

Lesson #6: Virtual Zoo Field Trip & Animal Research

My kids were really looking forward to visiting our local zoo over Spring break; however, with the Covid-19 outbreak, our plans were put on hold. After learning that several zoos have virtual visiting options, I decided to take the kids on a virtual field trip to research their favorite zoo animal. I made a quick flipbook template and set up their tablets so that they could visit the San Diego Zoo. They visited the different livestream exhibits until they found an animal in which they wanted to do further research. I showed them how to use a search engine to find information and we worked through their flipbooks together. So. Much. Fun!

To get this FREE Zoo Animal research flipbook, click HERE!

Lesson #7: Walking Rainbow

This lesson can have so many different purposes, based on your child’s age. For example, for my son (6 years old), we learned about color mixing and primary colors. For my daughter (9 years old), we discussed “how plants get water.” For both kids, we talked about the colors of visible light and how our eyes “see” colors that are reflected. The walking rainbow experiment was the perfect activity to demonstrate so many Science concepts. Click HERE to get all of the lesson links, printables and activity instructions for the walking rainbow.

Lesson #8: Dem Bones! Dem Bones!

For this lesson, I wanted to incorporate some “health” curriculum into the Science lesson. We watched a short video clip about bones and discussed ways that we can keep our bones healthy and strong. Note: We did this right before lunch, so both my kids asked for milk with their meal. 🙂

Then, we learned about the bones in the hand with this fun activity.

We finished this lesson with a “bone dig.” I simply printed and cut different bones and placed them in a shallow container. I filled the container with rice and gave the kids an old paint brush. They had a blast searching for the bones and reassembling them into a human skeleton. To get the printable bones sheet that I used, click HERE.

I hope that you find this post helpful as you seek to offer your kiddos some fun and engaging lessons during these uncertain times. If you want to download ALL of the activities and lessons featured on the post, simply click the image below and the entire resource will be sent to your email inbox for FREE!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and check my story highlights to see all of these fun activities in action!

I’d love to see how you are using these activities with your kids! Be sure to tag me on Instagram and Facebook @thetrendyscienceteacher!

XOXOXO,

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📢Teachers: I need your help! I ordered several 📢Teachers: I need your help!

I ordered several of these desktop buzzers from @target this Summer and I need suggestions for how I can use them!

Drop your ideas below and I’ll draw one person to win $15 Amazon gift card!

Gift card winner will be announced Friday! 😊
My prayer for you this week: Lord, Bless the tir My prayer for you this week:

Lord,

Bless the tired teachers who give their hearts to this profession. Who work tirelessly to meet the needs of the students that they teach. Thank you for the special gift of service that you have given them; may they use it to show grace and compassion. May they have strength and endurance to overcome the many challenges that they will face this week.

Lord, bless them.

Carry them.

Give them rest for their weary minds.

And most importantly, allow them to feel the deep gratitude that the world has for the work that they do and the impact that they have on those that they teach.

Amen.
My first experience in teaching was in middle scho My first experience in teaching was in middle school math 🥴. I had an AMAZINGLY organized mentor teacher (shoutout to @liz.c.dykes) that taught me so much about the importance of an organized classroom.

15 years later, I am still utilizing one of her tips: KEEP STUDENTS’ GRADED PAPERS IN FOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR!

That time my computer deleted all of my 4th period grades for an ENTIRE 9 weeks.....😳..... yep, that happened...... and I was thankful for this system.

This folder system has come in handy throughout the years and the students appreciate having a “place” for all of their graded assignments.

#teachertips #iteach #iteachtoo #classroomorganization #organizedclassroom #classroomdecor #classroom #teacherlife #teacher #middleschoolteacher #highschoolteacher #highschoolteachers #iteachmiddles #iteachmiddleschool #sciencelab #teacherhacks #teacherfollowloop2021 #teachersofig #classroomideas
📢 ELEMENTARY TEACHERS: Celebrate Black History 📢 ELEMENTARY TEACHERS:

Celebrate Black History Month in the Science Classroom with this no-prep, research banner activity.

Have your students research the life and achievements of 8 influential, black scientists and showcase their findings on the paper banners or as a Google Drive presentation.

I have included both a 📄 print AND 👩🏼‍💻 digital version of this activity, making it perfect for distance learning or face-to-face instruction.

Grab the link to this resource in my BIO!

#blackhistorymonth #iteach #iteachtoo #3rdgradeteacher #thirdgradeteacher #4thgradeteacher #fourthgradeteacher #5thgradescience #5thgradeteacher #fifthgradeteacher #elementaryscience #iteachelementary #scienceteachersofinstagram #scienceteacher #bulletinboard #bulletinboardideas #teacherspayteachers #iteachwhatsyoursuperpower #teacherofig #igteachers #elementaryeducation #scienceteachersquad #scienceteachertribe #scienceteacherfollowloop #classroomdesign #stemactivities
Just wondering 💭 if any teachers out there made Just wondering 💭 if any teachers out there made this their NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION? #teachergoals
Back to recording lessons! 🤮 This was definitel Back to recording lessons! 🤮 This was definitely something that I didn’t miss over the break!

Blood evidence is the topic for the next few weeks. I will be sharing my curriculum map and some of the activities that I do with my forensics students to teach BlOOD EVIDENCE. I will share to my highlights in the Forensics tab. 😀
Its that time of year- progress checkpoints! Benc Its that time of year- progress checkpoints!

Benchmark exams (or progress checkpoints) are KEY for any grade level or content area. It’s so important to measure growth throughout the year!

I give a quick progress checkpoint at the end of each unit. These benchmarks take less than 20 minutes and feedback is immediate (I use Google Forms).

After taking the benchmark exam, students immediately record their own personal data and analyze that data (see picture). They keep up with this data the entire year and use it to plan their personalized remediation plan at the end of the year.

As my students are measuring their individual data, I am collecting class data that is displayed on the “GOAL-DIGGERS” board in my classroom.

It’s a way for both my students and myself  to measure growth and execute a plan for remediation. It’s the most effective strategy that I have for preparing my students for state exams.

Do you give benchmarks? I’d love to hear your thoughts on progress checkpoints and how (or if) you use them in your classroom.

#teachersofinstagram #teacher #teacherlife #teachergoals #bulletinboard #bulletinboardideas #iteachscience #iteachtoo #iteachbiology #iteach #classroom #classroomdecor #classroomorganization #classroommanagement #classroomtips #classroominspiration #teacherstyle #teacherblogger #iteachmiddleschool #middleschoolscienceteacher #sciencelab #scienceteacher #datacollection #classroominspo #studentachievement #pbis
You’re tired! You’re overwhelmed! You’re w You’re tired!

You’re overwhelmed!

You’re weary!

The tasks are impossible.

If you are feeling this way, it’s very likely that your students share your burdens. Let’s remember... GRACE over GRADES...COMPASSION over CONTENT... PATIENCE over PEDAGOGY
Social distancing in the classroom doesn’t have Social distancing in the classroom doesn’t have to be boring! Create @starbucks vibes in your classroom☕️.

I do this for my students each year before the holidays and they always love it! I like to pick a day when students are working on something independently (like a worksheet or we quest).

When the students enter the classroom, I provide them with an order form and give them a few minutes to complete it. While the students work, I fill their orders.

Add Instrumental Christmas music 🎶 and a Frasier fir candle and you’ve got yourself a “Starbucks mode” classroom.

Check out my stories for my classroom hot chocolate recipe!
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