One of my favorite units to teach every year is the Air & Weather unit. Our district uses the FOSS Science Kits and I love how many hands-on activities there are for kids. However, over the years I have added a few extra activities to use during this unit and I wanted to share these activities with you. In this series of Air and Weather posts, you'll find activities for clouds, songs & poems, games, art activities, and more. Enjoy! Air & Weather - All About Clouds Clouds are a fascinating part of the weather ... read more
Search Results for: air and weather
Investigating Weather
For the first part of our Air and Weather Unit, we skipped ahead to the FOSS investigation on weather. I wanted to get the kids started on their weather calendars. Each day around 1:30 p.m. we record the temperature and the weather we see outside. Once we have this underway, we will go back and conduct the first investigation on air. Here is what our weather calendars look like so far: This calendar isn't anything fancy, but it works for us. If you want to snag a FREE copy, click on the image above. The kids also have one for ... read more
Poetry Books for Kids
April is National Poetry Month, a time when we celebrate poets and their craft. Poetry is playful and introduces language to children in a unique way. Poems can provide a window into another world where we can understand the lives, perspectives, and experiences of different people and places. The best place I have found poems to share with kids is through books. Not all poetry books are created equal, so here are some of my favorite poetry books for kids. You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each book. we are a ... read more
Choosing Books for Reading Groups
Choosing the right book for your reading group can be overwhelming - especially when it can be a determining factor in the engagement and success of your group. Here are 10 things I take into consideration when choosing books for reading groups. Reading Level A student's instructional reading level is a place to start when choosing books for your reading groups. But students are more than just a reading level. You can select books that are just below, right at, or even just above that reading level. Instructional ... read more
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is an imaginative story to read during an air and weather unit, but could be shared in your classroom any time of year. There are so many activities you can pair with this text, but here are a few that I think your students will love! CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS BOOK In case you aren't familiar, the tiny town of Chewandswallow was very much like any other tiny town, except for its weather, which came three times a day—at breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Life for the townspeople was delicious, ... read more
Children’s Books That Have Been Turned Into Movies
Looking for new ways to get your kids to read more books? Try sharing one that has been turned into a movie! Reading children's books that have been turned into movies can entice your most reluctant readers. As a bonus, they provide ample opportunities to compare and contrast the two. Not only am I sharing some of my favorite books & movie adaptations, but I also have a fun popcorn craft you can pair with them. CHILDREN'S BOOKS THAT HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO MOVIES Not sure where to start? Here are some picture books and ... read more
Beach Books for Kids
Are you headed to the beach this summer? Get your kids excited by sharing some great books. Here are some of my favorite beach books for kids. You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each book or find all of these Beach Books for Kids on my Amazon page. Beach Books for Kids Keeping students engaged in reading during the summer can be a challenge. However, there's nothing quite like a good beach book to spark a child's imagination and keep them excited about reading. Whether your students are ... read more
Recess Books for Kids
I think we have all seen the benefits recess has for kids. However, the playground can also be a source of conflict. Books can help! Here are some of my favorite recess books for kids. These include stories about handling bullies, finding a friend, following the rules, cold weather, and learning to get along. You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each book or find all of these children’s books about recess on my Amazon page. Recess Books for Kids Whether you're trying to teach playground etiquette, ... read more
Books to Share During Testing Season
Like it or not, testing season continues to happen year after year. You might not be able to keep it from happening, but you can help alleviate student fear and anxiety by sharing picture books. Here are several books to share during testing season. You can click on any of the covers below to learn more about each book or find all of these children’s books to share during testing season on my Amazon page. Books to Share During Testing Season Big Test Jitters (aka The Big Test) Mrs. Hartwell takes on a new ... read more
Spring Writing Crafts
When you think about spring, what comes to mind? I think about new flowers and plants beginning to grow, busy little insects, and a lot of rainy weather! With spring approaching quickly, help your students capture the excitement of the new seasons with these spring writing crafts. These are a great way to have fun and help students share their favorite things about spring. Spring Writing Crafts While each craft can stand alone, I have also included options to add writing by creating booklets. You can choose between handwriting ... read more
