Science/Social Studies

Nonfiction in May

April 30, 2015 by Jodi 1 Comment

I have NO idea how tomorrow is already May 1st! April flew by in the blink of an eye.

I finished up my Nonfiction in May packet yesterday, and am really excited about the topics in this packet.

This May packet includes nonfiction units on Monarch Butterflies, Life Cycles, Insects (general information), Honey Bees, Ants, Ladybugs, and Mother’s Day.

If you aren’t familiar with my monthly nonfiction packets, each topic has an informational sheet as well as comprehension questions, vocabulary words, numerous graphic organizers, and writing opportunities.

Click on the picture below to head on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to download a preview.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nonfiction-in-May-1834340

If you have already purchased the entire year of nonfiction, the May packet has been added. You may click on the picture below to head on over and redownload this file.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Year-of-Nonfiction-1564581

Earth Day {A Hands-On Lesson}

April 21, 2015 by Jodi 1 Comment

We can talk all day long about how to take care of the Earth, and why it is so important, but children have a really hard time grasping the concept of pollution. This hands-on demonstration will help your students get a better understanding of the importance of taking care of the Earth.

Here is what you will need:

Tub or bucket

Tongs and/or a spoons

Oil

Water

Trash and/or Food Scraps

Dirt (Optional)

Pour clean water into a tub and discuss how this is the clean water that we should see in lakes, oceans, and rivers. (Next, I added a little dirt to the water to add to the effect, but this is optional.)

Pour about a 1/4 cup of oil into the water. Discuss how sometimes oil spills happen in the ocean, and how it is extremely harmful to ocean life.

Next, begin adding some trash and/or food scraps into the water.

(Any guesses what I ate for breakfast this morning?)

Talk about how when we liter, trash can end up in our water supply.

Have students work together to try and pull all of the trash out of the water.

You can also let the students use spoons to try and get the dirt and oil out of the water.

They will find that it is nearly impossible to remove all of the oil and dirt from the water.

This activity can be followed up with student writing. You could have them write about what they learned or how they would take care of the Earth.

You can click on the picture below for some free Earth Day writing paper.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8bTZllX7s9pRjBmLUVfUHJ0NXM/view?usp=sharing

These are some of my favorite Earth Day books.

Happy Earth Day!

Black History Flip Book Packet

February 5, 2015 by Jodi 2 Comments

After making a Martin Luther King, Jr. Flip Book, I decided to make more for Black History month.

I am really excited about this packet. It includes 10 different Flip Books. {I did go ahead and put Martin Luther King, Jr. in this packet as well so you would have them all in one file.} You will find the following biographies:

Booker T. Washington

Frederick Douglass

Harriet Tubman

Jackie Robinson

Jesse Owens

Rosa Parks

Ruby Bridges

Thurgood Marshall

Bessie Coleman

Martin Luther King, Jr.

These are great for reading nonfiction in your social studies curriculum. The last page allows students to work on comprehension and finding text evidence.

You could have your students complete them all or you could put your students into groups to learn about one or two people. Then they could share what they have learned.

You can check out the entire packet by clicking on the picture below.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Black-History-Flip-Books-1689738

Nonfiction in February

January 25, 2015 by Jodi Leave a Comment

January has just flown by so far. I’m pretty sure it’s because I’ve been home with the baby, but I also think the warmer than normal January temperatures have made it go by faster than usual as well.

Anyways, I finished my Nonfiction in February packet. I love all of the fun topics in February!

You will find nonfiction units for each of the topics above all in this one packet!

You can click on the cover page below to head on over to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nonfiction-in-February-1663020

*Don’t forget that if you have already purchased my A Year of Nonfiction Bundle, you can go and redownload it to get the February packet at no additional cost.