Pumpkin Investigation - Making Predictions and Comparing Results

Happy Fall Y'all!

I don't know about you but I do enjoy the crisp air in the autumn morning and the way the sunshine warms me up through the day.  When I was a kid, we dressed up in our Halloween costumes and paraded around the school before our classroom parties. In my part of the U.S. that is a tradition of days gone by.  No more Halloween parties for us. If you find yourself in the same boat then you know how hard it is to hold the attention of the kids who are consumed with the eagerness of heading home, dressing up, and going out to Trick-or-Treat! 

LifeLab - Growing Classroom Resources

If you've ever considered gardening with students, LifeLab.org is a great resource.  This week about 10 teachers in our district are spending time with one of the trainers from LifeLab and we've been learning lots already.  Attending a workshop or bringing a trainer in to do district training isn't always an option.  Fortunately, many of the resources from LifeLab can be found online.  They even have their own channel on Youtube.
If you like this, you should really check out the Banana Slug String Band for some great songs too.

If you use any of these resources, I'd love to hear about your experience.  Leave a comment below.
 

Calling All Elementary Science Teachers

I am well known in our school for saying "My number one priority is safety!" I guess that's because teaching in the science lab raises plenty of opportunity for "accidents". As a new school year approaches I highly recommend my elementary lab safety contract. During the first week of school, I review this contract with each of my classes and require both student and parent to sign it. I always plan an introductory lab the day after I send it home for homework. Students know that if they don't have it signed and returned they have to sit at "observation island" (a remote seat with a clipboard and some paper) to record what others are doing. It only takes 1 student having to do that 1 time and the contracts all come flooding in. As a matter of fact, word travels quickly in elementary schools and my previous students have warned the newbies. I haven't had someone sit at observation island in the past 2 years. So, if I have piqued your interest and safety is a concern in your science class, click the link and download my FREE science safety contract.