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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Next Generation Science Units in Action


Next Generation Science Weather Unit: Kindergarten (available from my TpT Store)
Since we did this unit at the beginning of the year, before my K students were writing very much, we created a voice thread recording of their informational "writing" pieces.  You can view their work AND voices by visiting the link below.  You have to create a free account to view our voice thread:

Next Generation Science Energy Unit: Kindergarten (available from my TpT Store)
Check out our energy unit pics:

Testing different coverings to see which stay the coolest.


Canopy with burlap top.


Short tent with orange fabric top.


Another tent with orange fabric top--a bit taller.


Another canopy with orange fabric top built with linking  cubes.
Umbrella with burlap top.

Canopy with orange fabric, built with blocks.
We are in the midst of the Motion and Forces unit (also available from my TpT Store) and are having a BALL!  Pics from this unit will be posted soon. :)

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Kentucky Program Review Toolkit & Professional Portfolio Organizer

Attention Kentucky teachers, principals, counselors, and central office support staff:  Simplify your Program Reviews with this nifty toolkit:
Download from my TpT Store or my Teachers' Notebook Site

As a classroom teacher myself, I know the time limitations we have.  I designed this tool to make evidence collection for Program Reviews a piece of cake and reduce the workload for all involved.  I hope it saves you time, helps you identify areas of needed growth AND helps your school improve!

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Saturday, October 5, 2013

Kindergarten Next Generation Science Energy Complete Unit

I am proud as can be of my new Next Generation Science unit for Kindergarten!  I've already taught half the unit with my class and can't wait to finish after Fall Break.  My little ones are so super-smart!  And I know yours are, too.  Download this awesome unit today!
Get it at my TpT Store or my Teachers' Notebook shop!  Buy it and I'll send you the SmartNotebook OR ActivInspire version for FREE!
This unit is designed to do 2 things:
1) Meet Next Generation Science Standards for Kindergarten: Energy, AND
2) Make your life EASIER!

Included is everything (well, almost everything) you need for this unit. The teaching of science requires some materials, but I have chosen simple, everyday tools you most likely already have in your classroom.

There are 8 lessons in this unit (some may stretch over multiple days), covering major standards under Energy, PLUS the cross-cutting concepts AND connections to ELA and Math Common Core.

Materials Needed:

*containers of Earth surfaces--soil, sand, rocks, water, plants, ice
*2 bendable desk lamps
*cardboard for building bases (1 for each group you have)
*any building toys--craft sticks, blocks, unifix cubes--whatever you already have
*A book about the Earth (which mentions/shows Earth’s surfaces) and a book about the Sun’s energy.

UNIT OVERVIEW

Lesson 1:
K-PS3-1. Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface. [Clarification Statement: Examples of Earth’s surface could include sand, soil, rocks, and water] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of temperature is limited to relative measures such as warmer/cooler.]
I can identify different Earth surfaces.

Lesson 2:
K-PS3-1. Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface. [Clarification Statement: Examples of Earth’s surface could include sand, soil, rocks, and water] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of temperature is limited to relative measures such as warmer/cooler.]
I can observe the effect of sunlight on different Earth surfaces.
Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to simple investigations, based on fair tests, which provide data to support explanations or design solutions.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons. (K-PS3-1)
I can make observations to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.

Lesson 3:
Events have causes that generate observable patterns. (K-PS3-1),(K-PS3-2)
I can identify an observable pattern when something comes between the Earth's surface and the sun.

Lesson 4:
Presentation of problem: People get hot sitting in the sun for long periods of time. Your team has been hired to engineer a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.
K.MD.A.2 Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has “more of”/”less of” the attribute, and describe the difference. (K-PS3-1),(K-PS3-2)
I can compare two different materials to see which objects reflects/absorbs more sunlight.
Materials: Lamp, different colors of cloth, thermometer
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons. (K-PS3-1)
I can make observations to collect data.
I can use collected data to make comparisons.

Lesson 5:
Constructing explanations and designing solutions in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to the use of evidence and ideas in constructing evidence-based accounts of natural phenomena and designing solutions.
Use tools and materials provided to design and build a device that solves a specific problem or a solution to a specific problem. (K-PS3-2) (General) I can use tools and materials to design/engineer a device to solve a problem.
K-PS3-2. Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.*
[Clarification Statement: Examples of structures could include umbrellas, canopies, and tents that minimize the warming effect of the sun.]
(Specific) I can engineer a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.

Lesson 6:
I can use tools and materials to build a device to solve a problem. Materials: chosen cloth, Barbie doll or action figure, tinker toys/craft sticks Materials: list of materials that will be available, planning pages--steps/drawings

Lesson 7:
Standard for Lessons 7-8: Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons. (K-PS3-1)
I can make observations to collect data.
Materials: model built yesterday, lamp, thermometer

Lesson 8:
Standard for Lessons 7-8: Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons. (K-PS3-1)
I can use collected data to make comparisons. 

Also included is a K-friendly unit test with answer key. ADDED BONUS: Email me at primarilyteaching@gmail.com and I'll send you the SmartNotebook ready version OR the ActivInspire version FREE! Just mention your TpT username so I can verify you purchased the unit and I'll send you the whiteboard version of your choice for FREE!
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Thursday, July 25, 2013

Thanks, SmileMakers for the Crayola Triangular Crayons!

Not long ago, I received an email from SmileMakers, offering me a free product from their catalog to review on my Primarily Teaching blog.  They have so many cool classroom products, it was hard to choose, but I selected the Class Pack of Crayola Triangular Crayons.  Only a couple of days later, the Class Pack arrived and I have to say, these are the coolest crayons ever!  My favorite reason for using them with my kindergarten students is simply because they promote a correct writing grip.  This is something that is so hard to teach if bad habits have already been established, but with the triangular shape, your fingers just naturally fit in the correct position.  Another great feature is they won't roll off of the desk or table during class.  Regular-shaped crayons drop and break nearly every time we use them, but these chunky, triangular-shaped crayons stay-put.  I'm sold!  As long as I teach kindergarten, I'll be using these crayons.  Thanks, SmileMakers, for letting me try them!  

SmileMakers Teacher/Blogger Offer

We’re reaching out to teachers who happen to also be bloggers with a special offer.  We’d love to send you a product of your choice from our site http://www.smilemakers.com/ to review on your blog.  Almost any product is available to you - just let us know what you’d like!  Once you receive the item and have a chance to take a look and put it to use, we’d love it if you’d send us the link to the review on your blog.

Also, make sure to tell your fellow teacher/blog readers how they can benefit, too:  SmileMakers offers Teacher Perks, added savings, just for teachers. Teachers will receive free shipping with any order of $49 or more or $4.99 flat rate shipping with any order of $48.99 or less. Teachers will also get special private sales & free gift offers!


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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Kindergarten Next Generation Science Weather!






This 79-page MEGA-unit is designed to do 2 things:
1) Meet Next Generation Science Standards for Kindergarten: Earth’s Systems--Weather, AND
2) Make your life EASIER!

Included is everything (well, almost everything) you need for this unit. The teaching of science requires some materials, but I have chosen simple, everyday tools you most likely already have in your classroom.

There are 9 lessons in this unit (some last several days), covering the major standards under the Earth’s Systems--Weather section PLUS the cross-cutting concepts AND connections to ELA and Math Common Core.

Materials Needed: repositionable glue stick, dry-erase marker, prepared Weather-Tracking Station (included)
•Weather data from the previous month and from the same month in the previous year http://www.wunderground.com/history/
•Thermometer or computer with current temperature app or widget
•Rain gauge or web site for checking previous day’s precipitation (see site above!)
•Weather-related books you already own--for student research and informative writing
•Lesson 8 requires two identical clear containers, a sharpie, water and a small amount of shave/crushed ice.

UNIT OVERVIEW
Lesson 1: (5 days)
Disciplinary Core Ideas
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
Weather is the combination of sunlight, wind, snow or rain, and temperature in a particular region at a particular time. People measure these conditions to describe and record the weather and to notice patterns over time. (K-ESS2-1) I can describe and record measurable weather conditions (sunlight/cloudiness, wind, precipitation and temperature) to notice patterns over time.

Lesson 2: K-ESS2-1. Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time. [Clarification Statement: Examples of qualitative observations could include descriptions of the weather (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, and warm); examples of quantitative observations could include numbers of sunny, windy, and rainy days in a month. Examples of patterns could include that it is usually cooler in the morning than in the afternoon and the number of sunny days versus cloudy days in different months.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of quantitative observations limited to whole numbers and relative measures such as warmer/cooler.]
I can use and share qualitative and quantitative observations of local weather conditions.

Lesson 3: K-ESS2-1. Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time. [Clarification Statement: Examples of qualitative observations could include descriptions of the weather (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, and warm); examples of quantitative observations could include numbers of sunny, windy, and rainy days in a month. Examples of patterns could include that it is usually cooler in the morning than in the afternoon and the number of sunny days versus cloudy days in different months.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment of quantitative observations limited to whole numbers and relative measures such as warmer/cooler.]
I can look for patterns and order when making observations of weather data collected over time.

Lesson 4: Science and Engineering Practices Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Analyzing data in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to collecting, recording, and sharing observations.
• Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions.
(K-ESS2-1)
I can describe patterns about our weather observations to answer scientific questions.
K-ESS3-2. Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.* [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on local forms of severe weather.]
I can ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for and respond to severe weather.

Lesson 5: Crosscutting Concepts
Patterns
• Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed and used as evidence. (K-LS1-1) 
I can identify patterns in our weather data that serve as evidence for an argument.

Lesson 6: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Engaging in argument from evidence in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to comparing ideas and representations about the natural and designed world(s).
• Construct an argument with evidence to support a claim. (K-ESS2-2)
I can construct an argument about our weather observations with evidence to support my claim.

Lesson 7: (3 days)
Crosscutting Concepts
Patterns
• Systems in the natural and designed world have parts that work together. (K-ESS2-2)
I can identify parts of weather systems that work together. (Temperature/precipitation, thunder/lightning, clouds/rain)

Lesson 8: Common Core State Standards Connections: Mathematics 
K.MD.A.2 Directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common, to see which object has “more of”/”less of” the attribute, and describe the difference. (K-LS1-1)
I can compare an inch of “rain” with an inch of “snow” to see which is more precipitation and describe the difference.

Lesson 9: Common Core State Standards Connections: ELA/Literacy 
W.K.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them). (K-LS1-1)
I can work with a partner to research a weather topic and write an informative writing piece.

Also included is a K-friendly unit test!

As a free BONUS, I will send you either the SmartBoard-Ready file or the ActiveInspire version for whiteboard use! After your purchase, simply email me at primarilyteaching@gmail.com and send me your TpT OR Teachers' Notebook username. I'll verify you purchased the unit and I'll send you the interactive whiteboard version of your choice, which includes all "I can" statements, science word wall words and student activity sheets!

Download this awesome unit at my TpT Store, my Teachers' Notebook site or CLICK HERE to find out how to get it for FREE!
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Monday, July 15, 2013

Teachers With Great Ideas...Yes, That's YOU!

Do you have awesome teaching ideas and resources you've created?  Then you MUST try selling your creations on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Click my link below and get started today as you are creating things for your own classroom!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Signup/referral:watercolorgirl

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Sunday, July 14, 2013

Privacy Shield Primary Desk Reference


Privacy shields are gaining popularity, so why not create one that is a handy learning reference as well? This privacy shield creating package includes 6 panels for attaching to 2 adhered file folders, creating an awesome learning reference! Included in the 6 panels are:
alphabet
numbers with ten frames
colors
sounds chart
blends and digraphs
word families
vowels
dolch sight word lists
frog-jump number line
hundreds chart
shapes
geometric solids
create-a-calendar
months
days of the week
family info
counting progress
sight word progress

You won't believe how much you can do with this handy-dandy tool! Super-easy to make!


Download yours today at my TpT Store, my Teachers' Notebook site or CLICK HERE to learn how to get it for FREE!
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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

"My Behavior Chart" FREE!


This is the behavior chart I use for first semester kindergarteners. They seem to need a "clean slate" after lunch for a while. I move to once-daily ratings after Christmas. I hope this is of some help to you, too!

Download FREE today from my TpT Store or my Teachers' Notebook site. :)
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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Next Generation Science, Here I Come!

WooHoo! I've been working on this unit since school has been out, and I have to say, it's my best work ever.  I LOVE science.  And I also know my fellow K teachers are so swamped with teaching reading and numeracy, it's easy to put science on the back burner.  The new Next Generation Science Standards are out and I'm moving from 2nd grade back down to K, so I'm designing new units to go along with the new standards.  Lessons Plans (12 for this unit) are ready to print, hole punch and pop in your binder.  Lesson Printables like "I can" statements, word wall words, Lab Sheets and Question Reward Tickets are ready to go with each lesson.  As a matter of fact, I think you'll like the Question Reward Ticket system so much, you'll no doubt use it across your curriculum--it's an ingenious way to track Common Core SL.K.3 (Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood.) and it's a part of EVERY LESSON!  So click on over to  my Teachers Pay Teachers store or my Teachers' Notebook site and get your copy today!  
P.S.  As an added bonus, I've included a SmartNotebook file ready to teach this unit included in the .zip file! :)





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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Kindergarten Common Core Language K.L.1 is Here!

This unit includes everything you need to successfully cover the Common Core Language skills for kindergarten! 

Included are 6 skills:
Lessons 1a-1b: L.K.1.C1 (concept 1) Form regular plural nouns
Lessons 2a-2b: L.K.1.C2 (concept 2) Nouns and verbs
Lessons 3a-3b: L.K.1.C3 (concept 3) Prepositions
Lessons 4a-4b: L.K.1.C4 (concept 4) Produce complete sentences
Lessons (Assessments) 5a-5b: L.K.1.C5 (concept 5) Upper and lower case letters
Lessons 6a-6b: L.K.1.C6 (concept 6) Use question words

Download today at my TpT site, my Teachers' Notebook store or CLICK HERE to see how to get it for free!

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Friday, April 5, 2013

2nd Grade Numbers & Operations in Base Ten--All Bundled Up!

Numbers and Operations in Base Ten for 2nd grade is complete!  And I've bundled all four units into one set--47 "Most Difficult First" Lessons, 4 unit tests, Quick-Check Answer Sheets--everything you need to thoroughly cover ALL 2.NBT Common Core Standards!
Download today at my TpT Store, my Teacher's Notebook Site or CLICK HERE to learn how to get any unbundled unit for FREE!

P.S.  My unit for 2.NBT.1, 2, 3 & 4 is also now available!
Download it today at my TpT Store, my Teacher's Notebook Site or CLICK HERE to learn how to get any unbundled unit (like this one) for FREE!

Have a GREAT day!

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Monday, April 1, 2013

A Year's Worth of Common Core Progress Checks--All Bundled Up!

I've bundled Forms A, B and C of my Common Core Progress Checks for 2nd grade math! You'll have skill mastery analysis for students entering 2nd, a mid-year progress check AND an exit exam.  Great evidence for parents to let them clearly see if their child is ready to move on to 3rd grade math. :)
Download today at my TpT Store, my Teacher's Notebook Site or CLICK HERE to learn how to get any of my unbundled units for FREE!

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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Are Your 2nd Graders Ready for 3rd?

As the school year winds down, you can have great evidence that your 2nd graders are ready for 3rd grade math.  I gave "Common Core Progress Check 2nd Grade Math Form A" to my students a couple of weeks ago.  Now I'm targeting students who still need work with particular standards.  In the last few days, I'll give Form B (now available--see below) as a year-end math exam.  It will be great for parents to see--it clearly shows who is ready for 3rd grade math!  

 
Download Form A and Form B from my TpT Store, my Teacher's Notebook Site, OR click here to see how to get any single unit for FREE!

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

2nd Grade Common Core Language--Piece of Cake!

Cover all of the measurable 2nd grade Common Core Language standards with one great resource: the 2nd Grade Common Core Language Practice to Mastery! BUNDLE
This bundle includes 3 separate units:  
Common Core Language Practice to Mastery! L.2.1
Common Core Language Practice to Mastery! L.2.2
AND Common Core Language Practice to Mastery! L.2.3, L.2.4 and L.2.5
Mastery tests and Quick Check Answer Sheets are included for easy grading and proof your kiddos have mastered the standards.
Download this great bundle today at my TpT Store, my Teacher's Notebook site, or CLICK HERE to learn how to get any single (unbundled) unit for FREE!

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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Totally Bundled Up! K-3 Common Core Writing

Kindergarten through 3rd grade Common Core Writing Bundles are now available!  It's like getting the 3rd unit for $2!  A year's worth of Common Core Writing instruction for $12--a steal!

Download today from my TpT Store:

or my Teacher's Notebook Site:

Also CLICK HERE to learn how to get any single (unbundled) unit for FREE!
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