Oh Snap! Experiment

Combine math, science, and a little competition with this fun experiment! First find a super stretchy rubber band. Mine measured three inches at rest. Grab some sidewalk chalk and a ruler and head outside. Stretch rubber band and aim, but don't shoot yet! Have a friend measure the stretched band with a ruler. Then, let go and mark where your rubber band lands. Next to the mark write down how far the band was stretched before shooting (see image). 

Math - You already did some math, by measuring your rubber band before each shot. Now, use a tape measurer to record the distance from the shot to where the band landed. Example - 14 inch stretch before shot and band landed 14.5 inches from where I sat and shot it. 

Science - Talk about potential and kinetic energy. A rubber band has potential energy and when in motion, it's energy is kinetic! By stretching the rubber band way way way far out, it will shoot farther. Visit Science Buddies for a recording sheet and more twists on this experiment!

Ecosystem: Food Web

Toss around a ball of yarn and see how all creatures are connected in an ecosystem! Each child catches the ball of yarn, calls out one component of the food chain in an ecosystem, following their previous classmate's response. Continue to circulate the ball until everyone is holding on to a piece of yarn. Tell students to pull tight! Then, say a tree got cut down or some aspect interfered with the ecosystem. Cut the string and see how "creatures" get affected by one change.

Playground Science

Photo Credit: Gabriel Pollard - swing / teeter totter

The playground is a fantastic place to conduct physical science experiments. Bring the kids out to explore levers / balance, pendulums / force, ramps / friction, and simple pulleys!

Teeter Totter
1. Balance - Have a bigger kid sit on one end and a smaller on the other. The obvious will happen of course! The side holding more weight will bring the lighter side up. Now, have the larger kid scoot towards the center of the teeter totter away from the seat. What happened? By changing the placement of weight on the lever, the teeter totter will begin to balance the two weights. Have two kids sit on one side and one on the opposite. Using your science skills you gained from the above experiment, try to balance out the teeter totter to make it equal. 

Swing
1. Force and Frequency - Give a student one small push on a swing and tell them not to pump. Count how many times the swing moves back and forth within one minute. Next, give a student one gigantic push (no pumping) and record the same data. Then, have a student pump their legs with no push and count. Compare your findings. Does a small or large push without pumping produce better results than using your legs to pump? Which way produced the largest number for the amount of times the swing went back and forth in one minute? via ehow

2. Twist a swing and let it fly. Time how long the swing takes to untwist. Then, have a kid sit on a a twisted swing. Have the child extend their arms and legs outward when you let go. You'll notice that the swing's speed will slow down. By pulling weight away from your body, you're slowing down the swing. Next, try tucking all the weight inward during a spin. Did you go much faster?

3. Body Position - Try sitting, standing, and squatting on a swing during a swinging cycle. How does this affect amplitude? Visit Odec to find out! 

Slide

1. Friction - Test different toys out down a slide. What moves the fastest. Now, try splashing water on the slide. Does water increase speed? Try laying down different textures on the slide (smooth surface vs. rough) and talk about friction. Check out this awesome pdf all about ramps from Peep and the Big Wide World!

Monkey Bars or Tree

1. Create a simple rope pulley! Click here to find out how! Check out this cute video from Play Time is Essential!

I SPY Action Verbs

Action verbs are in play all around us! Put kids names, as well as your own, in a bag. Then, have them pull two names out. The names they pull will be part of their action verb spy project! For one day, have kids write down five action verbs that they catch their two peers (or teacher) doing.

Fractions: City 2 Suburbs

Kids drive around, building fractions within neighborhood towns and cities. Have kids design their own street of fractions or get a little help from these fun activities. Ashleigh Education Journey (3rd Grade) - Fraction Avenue: Create a suburban street of fractions! Parked cars, houses for sale, landscaping: kids follow directions to create a street filled with fractions! The kids over at Learning is a Journey and Shirinzadeh's Shining Stars made a Fraction Town complete with a school and pets. Take a trip to Fraction City for more complex instructions for grades 6-8 from Education Witchita. Kids design a map and calculate distances of their fraction streets. Looking for a fraction game for a math station? Teacher.net has an oversized fraction city. Pull out the matchbox cars for a scenic route of the city. Kids drive around town: adding / subtracting fractions, dealing with equivalent fractions, and grasping partitioned wholes. Add parks, playgrounds, markets, skyscrapers, traffic lights, bus stations, and path trains for more interaction fun!

On the Move: Vocabulary

Mrs. Lewis' Learning Library has an awesome vocab. game that gets kids out of their seats, similar to the game HEDBANZ. Students interact asking each other questions about their word: synonyms and antonyms for it, the definition of it, etc. Why don't the kids know what their word is? It's pinned to their forehead of course! Surf over to the Learning Library for a fun freebie! Want a simpler version that just works with sight words for kindergarten, visit Hooray for FDK! Also Mrs. T's First Grade Class put a new twist on the game by using numerals to figure out math equations: a missing addend!

DJ Spin-off: Vocab.

Once kids fully understand the difference between synonyms and antonyms, have a vocab. spin-off. Kids transform into DJ's quick mixin' synonym and antonym tracks! First, they write their antonyms in the box. Then, they write synonyms for their opposing words around each record. Click here for a free printable!

HOP the Clock

Get kids out of the classroom to hop and tell time on the blacktop! Draw small circles within an extra large imaginary circle in the format of an analog clock. Then, call out two kids' names, give one a number to represent hours and the other minutes. Have them hop on the number. Once, they get the thumbs up, have them create the time, each taking on the role of clock hands, by laying down on the imaginary clock. After each person in the class has had a turn, switch off and give the hours kids minutes and vice versa.

Adjectives: Lost / Found Brigade

Practice adjectives by transforming your class into a Lost / Found Brigade! Choose ten objects, take a photo of each one, and keep them a secret from the kids. In your free time, hide the objects around the playground (when no kids are around to see). Next, pin lost and found headers on the wall (image above). Then, split kids up into teams of three. Give each team a post it note and a picture of the object. Make sure the teams are spread far apart and tell them to keep their object a secret. On their post it note, they write down five adjectives that describe their "lost" object. After they have decided on their adjectives, they slyly give you back the photo and post their list under the Lost header.


Once all teams are finished, call on a team to choose one of the post it notes of clues off the wall (not their own!!!). When each team has a set of clues head outside and try to find the object, using the set of clues. After they find their object, give them the photo of their object. When all ten objects are found head back to the room. The kids hang their clues back under Lost and the photo under Found. Ask them how they found their object. Which adjectives described their object the best?


Finally, have each child write a story about how the object they found got lost. They can make up a character, setting, and event for their story. Encourage them to use the adjectives from their clue list. For example: Timmy was late for class. He ran off the bus. His squishy, yellow banana slipped out of his backpack. 

Magic Square

"Legend says an ancient Chinese emperor name Yu happened to be down by the Yellow River one evening when he noticed a turtle swim at his feet. The turtle had unusual marks on his shell which formed a magic square where all columns, rows, and diagonals summed to the same amount... 15. The 3 cell by 3 cell square grid pattern is called a Lo Shu magic square, representing the turtle star pattern and the Lo river." - Lo Shu Magic Square. 

A Magic Square is a great tactile, thinking game for kids, that has them rearrange three numerals (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal) so they all equal one sum, a magical number! I was inspired by Love 2 Learn 2 Day's milk cap magic square, so I made my own! Kids love the use of milk caps because they can slide and glide them around on a flat table top. Magic Squares are also a good way for kids to improve their addition skills using a group of addends, three whole numbers in an equation.

Word Worth

How much are your spelling words worth? Kids decode their spelling list by using their coin counting skills to find out! Click here to download a high res. version!

Homophone Hits

Homophones are words that sound the same, but have different spellings and meanings (knight / night). Have kids create album artwork or a video snapshot for a set of homophones! 

Cave Pillar Experiment

While studying rocks and minerals and learning about weathering / deposition, build your very own stalactite! Kids see the formation of  "drip stone" in limestone caves caused by "precipitated water solutions" (calcium carbonate / minerals) in just a few days! New formations (stalactites) are created in caves due to mineral deposition. These formations take many, many, many years to form! For the scientific explanation of the diy stalactite in Steve Spangler's video, click here!

Rock Paper Scissors Math

Explore fractions, while playing a classic hand game!

Ten More, Ten Less

Number and Operations in Base 10: 10 more, 10 less. Write numbers on a small piece of paper, fold, and mix in a container. Kids pull out a secret number, roll the (ten more, ten less) die, write the equation, and solve! 

Ten Frame Game

Roll a die and play the ten frame game!

Time Tag!

Fun, interactive game for kids to practice telling time, while conversing with all of their classmates. Kids call out the time they have. Then, they ask who has __:__? The kid with the called out time is tagged. Then, he / she continues the cycle. How fast can you go? Kids work together as a team, racing around the clock! Download playing cards for the game over at A First Grade Teacher's Passions and Obsessions!

Guess My Array

Homework: Have kids make a multiplication array at home using their favorite toy, snack, or any other object. Then, they bring their objects to class and set it up. Once arrays are ready to go, mix kids up and have them go around the classroom, writing multiplication equations and solving their classmates' arrays! 

Compound Concoctions

Kids transform into mad scientists, mixing ingredients to concoct a compound word! Have students draw a picture of each ingredient in its own separate flask. Then, poof, they write down the magical compound word! 

Candy Solar System

Blast through a sweet candy solar system! I saw this fun, edible activity over at Zanghi. It's hard to find candy spot on in size, but kids get an understanding of planet dimensions by using Academic and Sports Program's solar system control sheet.

Candy - Try to find round candies in various sizes, examples: butterscotch, pop rocks, sno-caps, m&m's, peppermints, life savers, whoppers, gumdrops to represent each planet. For super tiny planets, you could also use nerds or mini m&m's. For larger planets, try using gumballs, jaw breakers, or nilla wafers. 

Instead of candy, you could also mold planets with play-doh, use marbles / bouncy balls / other sphere or circular shaped toys, beads / gems, whatever you'd like!

Scalpel Please

I saw this bloody awesome idea over at Buzzing About Second Grade, Second Grade Shenanigans, Swamp Frog First Graders, and The First Grade Parade! Hand out scalpels (kid scissors), gloves, masks (both optional), tape (stitches), and bandaids for a surgical word procedure. Pair kids up and pass out cards with long spoken word forms on (I am, cannot, should not, do not, he will, we are, etc.), that can magically be transformed into a contraction. Students cut the words apart, stitch them with tape (on the back), and bandage their contractions. The band-aid becomes the apostrophe.

scalpel / forceps via
dr instruments
true swords

Synonym City

Create a city of synonyms! Pass out paint chips (or use paper) and have each child in charge of a word. There challenge is to construct a skyscraper of synonyms! When everyone is finished, build a city. Make a street, add cars, signage, whatever you'd like! You can keep Synonym City hanging on a wall in your classroom to help kids spice up their writing. When kids are feeling uninspired, they can drive to the city and shop for words!

Estimation Station

Set up an estimation station in your classroom! Kids estimate how many stripes are on wrapping paper. How long is that rubber fish? What does that wood block weigh? How many polka dots are on that piece of fabric? Guess how many pieces of candy are piled in a jar? What's the circumference of a b-ball? 

Each week put out new items for kids to estimate. During the estimation week, encourage kids to make a guess on each of the items. Have them write their guess on a piece of paper with their name and put it in a container near the item. You will need a ballot box for each item. At the end of the week reveal the true answer. Who came the closest?

Fraction War

Play War with fractions! I created these cards to help kids understand fractions. Kids can compare fractions: greater than, less than, or equal to. Game: Two players, the player with the highest fraction gets to keep his card and his opponent's. Who will collect the most fractions? Click here to download!

Solar Power

Go green, learn about radiant and thermal energy, and have a snack! Upcycle a pizza box into a solar oven! Whip up smores, roast a hot dog, munch on nachos, or zap leftovers. The oven heats up to 275 degrees. Click here for written instructions!

Water Cycle Comic

Have fun with the water cycle and create a comic strip! Create events around Little Blue (a raindrop) as he travels through the water cycle. Blue could end up in the ocean and confront a shark! He could land in NYC and become a puddle! Will Blue get eaten, stepped on, or run over by a car? Will he survive the water cycle? Kids draw and write about Blue's crazy adventures through: precipitation, surface run off, accumulation, transpiration, evaporation, and condensation.

Crime, Scene, Inference, Trash!

Crime Scene Inference!

Set up a crime scene for a fun inference activity. Encourage kids to use their inference skills to investigate misplaced and random objects in the classroom! Mess up the room slightly while kids leave for computer class, a library visit, music, etc. Make sure that the changes are noticeable to spark curiosity in the students. Then, put some pretend caution tape across the door entrance (make out of paper). When the kids return back to class tell them that they are going to transform into mini detectives! Pass out badges and tell them not to touch or move anything! Have their journals out and ready to pass out. Next, as a class, go around the room and look for things that are out of place. Tell the kids to point out things that don't seem right. Then, write the out of place items in their journal.

After they record the items, encourage students to make inferences about what they found.

Inference Examples:

Knock over the trash can - Someone was in a hurry to escape!

Leave 2 empty cans of soda and a bag of chips - There were two hungry people who like junk food.

Put out a pair of headphones - One of them likes music.

Sit out a basketball - They like to play sports, especially basketball. Maybe they were going to play a game.

Lay out an opened book out - They read a story. They like to read.
Banana peel - Someone likes fruit. They shared a banana. Maybe one of the intruders slipped on the banana when they tried to escape.

Get creative! 

Questions to Ask:

How many people came into the room? 2

Why did they come into our classroom? - To learn, play with us

Is anything missing? - No

Why were they in a hurry to leave? - They were nervous to stay because they aren't in our class.

Clues from the Trash: Who's in the family?

Fill a clean empty trash bag with "clean garbage" and encourage kids to use their inference skills to make guesses about "the family."

Trash Examples (all emptied):

Dog food - they have a dog

Shaving cream - someone hairy, dad

Baby food jar - baby in the family

Carry out menu - they like to eat out

Lipstick tube - mom or teen girl

Picture of Justin Bieber - kid / teen with a crush, likes music

Box of crayons - someone likes to color, kid
Popcorn bag - they watched a movie

Get creative! You can put some crazy things in the bag to get kids to think out of the box!

Questions to Ask:

How many people in the family? - Maybe six: dad, mom, baby, kid, teen, dog

What are their interests? - Music, art, movies, eating out

Fashionable Fractions

As a class, make fractions out of kids' attire! First, make a graph as a class. Have students raise their hand if they are sporting an article of clothing that is called out. Then, kids make fractions! 

Free download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cdAyMUQw2cs_ed5PahTe1L5o1Ewr_0_o/view?usp=sharing

Top 5

For a fun writing station activity, have kids become critics of movies, music, books, or food. They choose their top five for one category. Then, they draw representations, write a sentence, come up with adjectives, differentiate vowels from consonants, make fractions, take a poll, and find the difference!

Water Cycle Wheel

Playful water cycle wheel created by Rachel Saffold! Visit her flickr stream to get a copy of disc 1 and 2 for a water cycle unit!

Paint Chip Fact Families

Brighten up fact families with gradients of pop color! I love Manning Math Mania's paint chip fact family challenge, so I simplified it for younger kids. You can do multiplication / division, adding more paint chips like Manning Math Mania did.

Word Games

Have fun with vocabulary in the classroom!

1. Secret Word: I love Juice Boxes and Crayons' Word Watcher, so I wanted to incorporate it in my classroom for lower elementary! Every Friday, choose a different vocab. word and make it the secret word of the day. Kids have to keep their eyes peeled and their ears open! If they see it somewhere in the classroom (books, posters, signs, writing, etc.) or hear someone say it (in the class or from another class), they quietly fill out a paper strip (below). Before they place their strip in the bag, they give the teacher a heads up, no cheaters! At the end of the day, tally the strips  to see what kid spotted the word the most. 

2. What's the Magic Word: Everyday, I posted a different password for entry allowance into the classroom! The students used their reading and acting skills to come in. They had a blast with this!

Lego Bullseye: Place Value

Bullseye place value is a hit in every classroom. To switch it up and make it a bit more difficult, I incorporated Legos. Kids toss Legos onto a bullseye target (this can easily be made out of paper). Next, gather up Legos with different numbers of studs on top. The studs will represent numbers. Kids use the studs on the Legos and the place value rings they land on to figure out their number. If two Legos land within the same ring, then kids count the studs on both Legos. 

I recommend one six or eight studded Lego per toss. Also, a big bullseye mat is always more fun! 

Hats Off to World Landmarks!

AIGA, the professional association for design, has a free printable of bright lights hats of famous landmarks. These awesome hats would be fun for kids' reports of world landmarks! They're also cool and fashionable to wear for any occasion! 

Math Quest

Have fun with math around the classroom by throwing a Math Scavenger Hunt! The Go to Teacher has  a super fun even / odd scavenger hunt, which includes a whole printable unit on even and odd numbers! Kids split up into two groups, the evens and the odds, and hunt for numbers on post it notes. Then, they search through books, finding even and odd pages and words with an even or odd number of letters!


You can also take your math skills outdoors. Kids use their problem solving skills by adding and subtracting objects, skip counting, comparing things using less than or greater than, and distinguishing even and odd numbers around the classroom and outside on the playground. Smart First Graders has a free printable that incorporates math with living and nonliving things.


Minds in Bloom has a scavenger hunt for upper elementary that deals with angles, circumference, measuring, money, time, and division. 

Time For...

Baseball practice, dance team, watching Shake it Up on the tube, eating a banana, write down activities you take part in and draw the time they begin and end on an analog clock. This is a fun project for kids to practice telling time!

Kids' Take Home Project: write down an activity, draw the time it starts and ends on an analog clock, and record the duration of the activity. Kids record three activities. Then, they bring it back to class and compare their activities with one another. Did anybody do the same thing? If so, did it take the same amount of time?

Parts of Speech Secret Agent

Kids transform into top secret agents and find parts of speech around the classroom! First, the little agents write their name in the top box. Then, the hunt begins! After they've found five nouns, verbs, and adjectives, they choose one of each. They write a sentence using one noun, verb, and adjective that they found. After they write their sentence, they draw a picture to represent their sentence.

Place Value Initial

I was inspired to do place value with kids' first initial of their name by Crayon Bits, Mrs. T, and Bishop's Blackboard. Print off paper bars of tens and have kids cut and paste them to form the first letter of their name. Next, have them count how many tens and ones there are in their initial. Then, have them write down their number's expanded, standard, word, and ordinal form. Is their number even or odd? Tally! Finally what would their number look like in money? Kids have a blast seeing their initial as a number!