K-5 Science Newsletter
APRIL 2017
Office of Teaching and Learning 614-365-5727
Leslie Kelly, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction
Heather Allen, K-5 Science Coordinator
Christine Weatherholtz, K-5 Science/Social Studies Coordinator
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Gizmo PD, 5th-8th grade
April 5, 2017, 4:30-6:30pm
Linmoor Education Center, 2001 Hamilton Ave., 43211
Gizmos are interactive science simulations that use an inquiry-based learning approach. Please come check out this new engaging resource to help your students understand difficult science concepts and prepare for the state test.
Integrating Hands-on Science & ELA Standards by Wanda Mays and Sharon Williams
April 6, 2017, 4:00-6:00pm
Scottwood ES, 3392 Scottwood Road, 43227
Presenters will share strategies and activities to integrate science, literature and writing. Many of these strategies were shared at the National Science Teacher's Conference and support interactive hands-on science lessons.
Energy Bike Training
May 2, 2017, 4:30-6:30pm
Linmoor Education Center, 2001 Hamilton Ave., 43211
Learn to set up, tear down, and use the Energy Bike within your classroom or for a family night event. The Energy Bike meets the 4th and 7th grade science standards, but is fun for all! After training you will be able to reserve the bike for your school.
SAVE THE DATE!!!!
Picture Perfect Science PD
June 23, 2017, 9:30 am-4:30 pm (1hr lunch)
Whetstone Library (Columbus Metropolitan Library), 3909 N High St., 43214
Picture Perfect Science is a fantastic resource that uses fiction and non-fiction literature along with hands on activities to teach science through the 5E's (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate). Participants will receive 1 of the Picture Perfect Science resources books!
Google Training
Learn about your Google Drive or Google Classroom (not content specific)
Training can be scheduled specifically for your building or grade level from 4-5pm.
INFOhio Training
Learn about the free resources for teachers, students, and families for multiple subjects.
BookFlix, World Book Kids, Early World of Learning, Digital Video Collection
Google or INFOhio training can be scheduled specifically for your building or grade level from 4-5pm. Email Heather Allen, hallen704@columbus.k12.oh.us or Christine Weatherholtz, cweatherholtz3151@columbus.k12.oh.us to set a date.
5th grade teachers
Thank you again for participating in the 5th grade COSI field trip!
Finishing Touches on the 2017 field trip:
- Students should complete the post-assessment on CiMS. If they completed on paper, please have the CiMS person in your building create scantrons for the pre and/or post assessments and scan the data in the system.
- Please complete the teacher survey on Google Forms.
- There is an optional student survey on Google Forms. Students can type the following URL https://goo.gl/forms/wy3naPRiCdAKJ5Zv2
3rd grade teachers FIELD TRIP
SWACO offers a FREE field trip to the landfill that fits the 3rd grade Earth & Space Standard #3 Some of Earth’s resources are limited. Some of Earth’s resources become limited due to overuse and/or contamination. Reducing resource use, decreasing waste and/or pollution, recycling and reusing can help conserve these resources.
- Landfill tours last approximately 60-90 minutes
- Tours are offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
- A bus reimbursement is available (up to $185). Just follow the directions from SWACO
- Before booking check out the website and materials available http://www.swaco.org/Education/TourLandfill.aspx
- To inquire call 614-801-6438 or email tours@swaco.org
To summarize the field trip create an edible landfill!
One edible landfill idea:
- use a 9oz clear plastic cup
#1 use vanilla pudding or yogurt to coat the cup to represent the clay liner the provides a
watertight base
#2 use 1/2 a fruit roll up (save other half) to represent the plastic liner for added
protection
#3 cut 1 licorice stick into fourths. Use 2 licorice pieces (save the other 2 pieces) in the
bottom to represent leaching tubes that collect leachate
#4 use crushed chocolate cookies to represent soil and a Fruity Pebble type cereal to
represent trash
Layer soil, trash, soil, trash, until the "landfill" is almost full.
#5 use the other 1/2 of the fruit roll up to represent the plastic liner that caps off the landfill
#6 stick the last 2 licorice pieces through the plastic liner (fruit roll up) to represent the
methane pipes that release the gas
Virtual Field Trip
Take a FREE virtual field trip to an Ohio Pig Farm!
Link: Ohio Pork Council
- Your class can join a live video chat or request a recorded link to watch at your convenience
- Virtual field trips will be offered through May 2017
- All you need to participate is an internet connected computer, webcam and microphone
- For more information check out the link above or contact Jennifer Osterholt 614-882-5887 or email josterholt@ohiopork.org
EARTH DAY IDEAS - Saturday, April 22
Celebrate EARTH DAY all month!
Books:
The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
You Can Save The Planet by Jacquie Wines
Fancy Nancy: Every Day Is Earth Day by Jane O'Connor
Earth Day by Trudi Strain Trueit
Mathstart: Earth Day-Hooray by Stuart J Murphy
It's Earth Day! by Mercer Mayer
Websites:
- Scholastic Earth Day Ideas (https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collections/teaching-content/celebrate-earth-day/)
- Education World Activities (http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson174.shtml)
Ideas:
- Junk Mail Tree - Kids collect junk mail from home, make a tree out of junk mail, and provide information to the school community about how to reduce junk mail, opt out of catalogs, etc.
- Recycling race – Kids (wearing gloves!) compete to sort waste into correct bins.
- Human Sunclock - Create a human-scale sundial in your schoolyard to connect with the sun and the seasons. www.sunclocks.com/index.htm
- Trash On Your Back - Kids save and wear all the trash they generate in 5 days, then sort, analyze and take action to reduce. Makes waste visible - eye-opening! www.trashonyourback.com
- Non-toxic cleaner - Make and test eco-friendly cleaners against conventional cleaners. See: www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html
- Worm compost bin - Compost school lunch waste for use in a school garden - www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Worm-Compost-System
- Poetry/Stories - Students write environmental poetry and hang on a line or mural, or share at an assembly, see: www.riverofwords.org. Students write inspiring personal stories, www.naturesvoices.org
- Recycled Paper - Make handmade paper from paper recycled in the classroom. Or, make recycled paper greeting cards ahead of time to sell at your Earth Day Fair to raise money for a school garden or tree. Contact your local recycling agency and inquire if they have staff who can teach a paper-making workshop. See: www.make-stuff.com/recycling/paper.html For a paper-making video, see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9R-z26ZSOk