Matter - Particle Pictures

Lesson Adapted from "Mailbox Books"
Grade 2-3; Oct-Nov 2007 Edition
Debbie Ann Troha, Wrights Mill Road Elementary, Auburn, AL - Theresa Bales, Kimball Elementary School, Kimball, WV

The concept of the three states of matter comes fairly easy for most third graders. By the time we are ready to discuss the particles of matter, the concept becomes difficult. First of all, what is a particle and how can you describe it?

I came across this lesson in one of my "Mailbox Books" last year and tested it out for myself. It quickly became one of my favorite lessons used to cumulate the unit on Matter. It's called "Particle Pictures" and requires very little materials (11" x 14" light colored construction paper, markers or crayons, glue, and O-shaped Cereal - may I suggest Cheerios so you can clip a Box Top?).

After discussing the main states of matter and their characteristics, distribute materials and have each student label their paper as shown with "solid," "liquid," and "gas." Next, direct them to draw the outline of a picture to represent each state of matter. Then have them glue O-shaped cereal in each outline, placing the cereal pieces in the solid shape close together, in the liquid a little farther apart, and in the gas very far apart.

It gets a little glue crazy, but I really believe it helps in understanding the particles of matter.

Let me know if you choose to do this lesson and how it goes!

Box Tops for Education

Earn Money for Your School!

Brand name products can help you earn cash for your child's school. Simply clip the Box Tops coupons located on various products and send the Box Tops to your school - for each coupon you clip, your school will recieve 10 cents! Most school's Parent-Teacher Organizations participate in this program. You'd be amazed how much money the school earns from these simple Box Tops. Just over the past two months, I have collected a total of $8.90 - from products we use every day in our home - including Cheerios, Huggies Wipes, Fiber One Bars, and Ziplock Storage Bags.

If you do not have a child in school, clip them and mail them to a school located near you. Or, if you really want - mail them to my favorite school - Farmington Elementary School, 500 Sunset Lane, Culpeper, VA 22701 - tell them my blog made you do it!

First Day Jitters

First Day Jitters Julie Danneberg (Author), Judith Dufour Love (Illustrator)
This is a great book for the first day - provides an immediate pre-reading activity about some of the "jitters" students have on the first day of school - whether they are returning students or are new to the school itself.

If you've never read it - pick up a copy and don't read it! Save it to read for the first time to your students on the first day of school - you'll be just as surprised as they are!

Click on the link below for a free downloadable discussion guide that goes along with the book.
http://charlesbridge.com/

Instructional Spending Money

Those closest to me and the inclined plane know that I have our allowance spent long before the school year begins. It's no wonder. Have you looked through the catalogs that are showing up in your mailbox? Here are two things of interest:

Teacher Created Resources - Fall 2008

It's called, "The Ultimate Pocket Chart" - it's "clearly" the only pocket chart you'll ever need! It offers limitless possibilities for interactive lessons. It's made of clear vinyl, has a huge center opening, and 10 rows of pockets on both sides. Many and varied inserts to present lessons. You must admit, you gotta have this!

The second is from Smile Makers. It's an incentive/reward item. I don't own a pair of Crocs (yet), but I understand they are incredibly comfortable. They have the little "snipits" you can poke through the holes of your shoes. I know a lot of the girls in my class last year owned them - strolling in with little horses, flowers, rainbows, or ladybugs on their shoes. Smile Makers has a similar item for these snipits called "snap bracelets." You can order celebration buttons to put on the bracelets, much like the Crocs. Check them out - too cute!

The Mailbox Books

Any one who has taught with me knows I'm a huge fan of "The Mailbox Books." The lessons provided in these magazines are tested, engaging, fun, and everything (except for maybe a little of material gathering) is provided and prepared for you.

The Mailbox switchboard telephoned my home the other day asking if I was going to renew my subscription. How sadended I was to say that I was not only to later call them and renew - just at a different level - that level being PRESCHOOL. Being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) doesn't mean I cannot continue to teach. I've already picked up two of their new Mix & Match Game books to setup and play with Owen. These books are available from Preschool - Grade 5. If you plan to do literature circles - they are great self-starter activities for one of your groups.

And as always, if you are looking for a new, engaging, and unique lesson for Grade 2-3 and want to view my archives or need a suggestion, please leave a comment and I'll gladly flip through my books to help you out! You know I view these books from cover to cover!