K-5 SCIENCE newsletter
September 2017
OFFICE of TEACHING & LEARNING 614-365-5727
Leslie Kelly, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction
Heather Allen, K-5 Science Coordinator, hallen704@columbus.k12.oh.us
Jennifer Nord, 6-12 Science Coordinator, jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us
Geri Granger, K-12 Spruce Run Coordinator, ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us
CCS Professional Development Opportunities
NOW on CiMS- Please sign up on CiMS
SEED PD .............5th grade only
Tuesday, September 19, 4:30-6:00pm
Winterset ES, 4776 Winterset Dr., 43220
This is a SEED refresher PD with an opportunity to ask SEED curriculum questions, go through the lessons on Blackboard, and look at the supplemental materials on Google Slides. Tanya Taylor from Metro Parks will be presenting.
Picture Perfect Science - Teaching Science Through Children's Literature PD
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 10 & 11, 4:30-6:30pm
(both nights required for CEUs & resource book)
Southwood ES, 1500 S 4th St., 43207
This PD will focus on the first 3 Picture Perfect Science resource books, the 5E lesson format, fiction and nonfiction literature in science, and hands-on inquiry.
Participants will receive 1 Picture Perfect Science resource book for attending BOTH nights.
Using Science Vocabulary through Kahoot & Plickers
Wednesday, October 18, 4:30-6:30pm
Clinton ES, 10 Clinton Heights Ave., 43202
Games are a great way for students to learn vocabulary from any content. Come to this PD to try 2 student response systems; Plickers and Kahoot It!
Plickers is an interactive response system and only the teacher needs 1 wireless device (cell phone, tablet, or iPad), but the students use Plickers paper QR Codes.
Kahoot It is an interactive question and answer system that can be used with Chromebooks, iPads, desktops, or laptops. It is very easy to set up and implement in the classroom. Melissa Taylor from Clinton Elementary will share her science vocabulary Kahoot It games and you will have an opportunity to set up your own accounts and start creating educational games your students will love.
Office of Teaching and Learning 614-365-5727
Leslie Kelly, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction
Heather Allen, K-5 Science Coordinator, hallen704@columbus.k12.oh.us
Jenny Nord, 6-12 Science Coordinator, jnord5257@columbus.k12.oh.us
Geri Granger, Spruce Run Coordinator, ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us
3rd grade RECYCLING GRANT
3.ESS.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.
The grant includes a copy of Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel for each 3rd grader. Teachers are given a lesson to use and the students can participate in a recycle themed poster contest. The winner of the poster contest will have their design turned into a 2'x3' poster from the print shop and a copy will be delivered to each elementary school!
All 3rd graders from the winning school will also attend a SWACO Landfill field trip.
CCS 3rd grade teachers may click on the link below to learn more about the lesson and poster contest. Make sure you are signed into your CCS Google Account by using your CCS email and current password.
OTHER Professional Development
Remember to fill out the CCS Request to Attend Professional Development paperwork when attending any PD outside of CCS.
4th grade teachers -
Ohio Energy Project offers a FREE Energy Efficient Program, e3, geared toward the
4th grade Ohio Learning Standards for Science. (See chart below to see how the program can meet your 4th grade science and math standards.)
PD Dates Available - Tuesday, September 12 or Tuesday, October 10
The e3 curriculum is an innovative approach connecting science and energy with daily life. Students conduct experiments at school and apply their knowledge at home to create a school-to-home connection that inspires the next generation to be energy smart consumers. You will need to complete the training to receive the materials.
Teacher benefits:
- Free curriculum and lab equipment
- Free Energy Efficient Kit for every student (with bulbs, weather stripping, showerhead, etc.)
- Teacher Stipend ($100 for 1st year, $200 for returning teachers) a percentage of student home surveys will need to be completed
- CEUs and optional graduate credit
If you do not teach 4th grade, please encourage your 4th grade teacher to consider this program.
FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY EDUCATOR OPEN HOUSE
Educator Open House & Happy Hour
Thursday, September 28, 2017, 5–6:30pm
Looking for innovative and fun educational experiences for your students? Meet the education staff of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at an informal gathering to learn about the unique, standards-based, hands-on programs that are offered. Along with fellow educators, enjoy cocktails while sampling delicacies that are featured in the Conservatory's cooking classes. Get details about school field trip opportunities and The Fairchild Challenge: a program for high school students.
Learn more about the Fairchild Challenge
5–5:30pm
Happy Hour & Tastings
5:30–6pm
Programs Presentations
6–6:30pm
Optional Tour of Conservatory
RSVP by Monday, September 25
(You will need to email Jeannie Wycinski because the event is not on the website)
or 614-715-8028
KUDOS for increasing the 5th grade SCIENCE AIR scores 10% or higher!
The students increased the school's 5th grade Science AIR scores 10% or more from 2016 to 2017:
Clinton ES (+12%)
Africentric K8 (+11%)
East Linden ES (+15%)
Ecole Kenwood French Immersion (+33%)
Georgian Heights ES (+12%)
Leawood ES (+16%)
Maize ES (+15%)
North Linden ES (+22%)
Northtowne ES (+10%)
Oakmont ES (+13%)
Olde Orchard ES (+10%)
Parkmoor ES (+10%)
Salem ES (+20%)
Shady Lane ES (+11%)
South Mifflin STEM (+15%)
Southwood K6 (+35%)
Sullivant ES (+14)
West Broad ES (+20%)
Congratulations to the following schools for increasing the 5th grade Science AIR scores from 2016-2017:
Avondale ES
Beatty Park ES
Berwick K8
Binns ES
Burroughs ES
Cassady ES
Cedarwood ES
Devonshire ES
Easthaven ES
Fairwood ES
Highland ES
Innis ES
Lincoln Park ES
Moler ES
Scottwood ES
Siebert ES
Weinland Park ES
Westgate ES
Windsor STEM
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR
September 12 - National Video Game Day
National Video Game Day is observed every year on September 12. Video Game History YouTube video by Cool Kids- Kids Wiki goes through the history of video games starting in 1940. Teachers can use the FREE website, Code.org, to let students explore coding for the first time. As a whole class or independently students can try a 1 hour coding program featuring Frozen, Star Wars or Minecraft.
September 16 - Collect Rocks Day
Collect Rocks Day is a day to enjoy and add to your rock collection. Collect rocks, trade rocks, create a story of where the rock may have come from, or the sort rocks. The rocks may be big or small, a particular color or range of colors, smooth or rough, or display a unique characteristic. All rocks are special and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
September 22 - Fall Equinox
This day signals the beginning of Fall. It is the day there is exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness at the equator. If you live anywhere else, however, you will see a little bit more or a little bit less than 12 hours of daylight. The daylight hours are dwindling and it will continue until we reach the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the start of winter (December 21).
This is a time to celebrate with a fall or harvest festival.
Take a moment to discuss the animals that are harvesting food for the winter.
HARVEST BOOKS:
Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie dePaola (YouTube Link)
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert (YouTube Link)
Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher
We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season by Wendy Pfeffer
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia (Read the book, then have students perform the story like in this YouTube link.)
MAKE ME LAUGH
A. they plan-et
I wanted to tell you a chemistry joke but I knew I wouldn’t get a reaction.
Q. How does the moon cut his hair?
A. Eclipse it!
Q. What do you think of that new restaurant on the moon?
A. The food’s great, but there’s not much atmosphere.
Q. How do you know the moon is about to be bankrupt?
A. It's down to its last quarter.
Q. How do scientists freshen their breath?
A. With experi-mints!
Q. What did the limestone say to the geologist?
A. Don’t take me for granite.