Animal Experts... Research in a Primary Classroom

How many times do your kids do a research project during the school year?  With the new CC Standards, I think we are going to see more and more research projects being done in classes throughout the country more often.  This year in my room, we've done a number of research projects, including a U.S. Symbols Project, a Black History research project, and currently, an Animal Expert Project (This unit hopefully coming soon).  The kids l.o.v.e. these projects because they get to pick what they learn about.

To start our Animal Experts project, we previewed LOTS of books, this way, the kids don't choose just any ole animal.. Dogs= BORING... Cats=Snooze fest!!.. Porcupines?= Fabulous... Armadillo?=Wonderful!! My kids are researching animals and insects like a bee, an ant, a lady bug, a toucan, arctic fox, polar bear.  They are learning all about some animals they never even knew existed.  Oh, did I mention it goes with our science unit on Animals & Life Cycles??

Then, we used our non-fiction books and the computers to jot important notes about the animals appearance, diet, habitat, predators, life cycle, and fun facts.  Here's a little freebie for you...

To do some internet research, we used PebbleGo.. a seriously awesome website that is perfect for K-2 kiddos!

You need a subscription to use it, but they do offer a free 2 week trial if you want to check it out.  The site has great features, like videos, maps, and a read aloud option.  Here are my kids doing some computer research...

 

All of this took us just about a week (Choosing an Animal, Researching with Books, Researching Using Internet).. but we also have done a good number of research projects that we dont have to talk about what's important to stop & jot, what I expect etc. 

Now, we are beginning to write and this time I decided to give them the freedom to write their expert book in anyway they choose, as long as they included nonfiction text features, and some type of organization (which of course, I model, model, model)  I'm scared of what some kids may do, but others are already off to a great start..I'll just have to steer those other ones in the right direction.

When we're all done with our expert books, we are going to create and present powerpoint presentations about our animal!  They are so excited.  Keep a look out for that post coming in the next few weeks!



Tech it to the Max

My fiancee & new blogger, Justin, is going to have a new weekly feature called "Tech it to the Max" This weekly feature will give ideas for technology integration throughout your scool day.  Our district has already gone 1:1 with grades 6-12, and next year they roll out with the grades 4-5 1:1 initiative.  This week, he's looking for ideas.  What technology do you use in your classroom?  Head on over to his blog , Classroom Game Plan, to read a little more about Tech it to the Max! 

The COOLEST site!

Hey Y'all!

I was recently introduced to this SUPER COOL site- I was introduced to the Math side of it and I recently went a lookin' at the non-math side and fell even more in <3Love<3 with it!  It's got vocabulary games, grammar games, geography, science, ELA, health, brain, history, nutrition... Seriously, pretty much everything imaginable.  And the best part?? It's TOTALLY free! It's called Sheppard Software.

Have you seen this site?  If not, you are totally missing out. If you have, how did you hide this from me for so long?  My kids love, love, love working on the computer & playing games to learn (What kid doesn't?) And this is perfect for the early finishers, for a center or station, and even for indoor recess!  When kids pull up the games during indoor recess, I know we've hit gold! My kids love it and I'm pretty sure yours will too!  Check it out, you will be amazed! :)

I also want to add a little sale love to my post.  I was recently contacted by a woman who works on behalf of Kohl's (my FAV store!) to connect with bloggers.  She read all about my sad wardrobe and my need for a trip to Kohls.  Well, she shared { this } current sales page with me & I wanted to share it will y'all.  They're having one of their "Kohl's Cash" sales & if you get the little flyer in the mail, you can get 15, 20, or 30% (or 15% if you don't have the flyer) off your purchase when you use that Kohl's card.  And for every $50 you spend, you get $10 Kohl's Cash to spend later.  pure aYou know, the one that's NOT collecting dust because you use it so much?  They're also offering 10% off their online store to all bloggers.  It can even be stacked on top of one other coupon.  How awesome is that?! Imagine 30% off, then another 10%.  Ah-Mazing!!  I {heart} Kohls!