K-5 Science Newsletter
APRIL
Office of Teaching & Learning 365-5727
Sandee Donald, Executive Director
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
Picture Perfect STEM PD
DATE CHANGED to MAY 1, 2018......4:30 - 6:30 pm
Georgian Heights ES (784 Georgian Dr., 43228)
CiMS #1000030959
Picture Perfect Science has created 2 new resources:
Picture Perfect STEM K-2 and Picture Perfect STEM 3-5
Come to engage in 5E lessons from the new Picture Perfect resource books. Don't let the word STEM scare you off. The new lessons embed even more reading-comprehension strategies that integrate STEM subjects & ELA through high quality picture books. The lessons will lead your students to ask questions and define problems; obtain, evaluate, and communicate information; and engage in argument from evidence.
Participants will leave with 1 of the new resource books.
April Dates
April 13-14th
BioBlitz at Spruce Run Nature Center
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for SPRUCE RUN BIOBLITZ!
WHAT IS a BioBlitz? A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a period of time (e.g. usually 24 hours).
During the BioBlitz, scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to get an overall count of the plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that live at Spruce Run.
Any questions - contact Geri Granger ggranger9556@columbus.k12.oh.us
WHO WILL BE ATTENDING? This is a school and public event. During "open to the public" hours, all school age children MUST be accompanied by an adult.
You will be asked to use an app called iNaturalist, which provides a place to record observations and get help with species identification from scientists.
Don't forget to bring your cell phone and charger.
WHEN? Begins @10:00 AM on April 13, 2018 Ends @ 10:00 AM April 14, 2018
WHERE? Spruce Run Environmental Center, 4175 Sunbury Rd., Galena, OH 43021
WHAT IF IT RAINS? The BioBlitz will happen RAIN or SHINE
April 17th
BAT APPRECIATION DAY
April is the best time of the year to observe bats, as they are now beginning to emerge from hibernation. National Bat Appreciation Day is also an excellent time to learn about the role bats play in nature. One important reason to celebrate bats is that they are considered to be an “insectivorous” creature because they rid our world of many annoying insects. In one hour, a bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes.
Fun Bat Facts:
- Some species of bats can live up to 40 years.
- Bats can see in the dark and use their extreme sense of hearing.
- Bats are the only mammal naturally capable of true and sustained flight.
- There are over 1,200 known species of bats.
- The United States is home to an estimated 48 species of bats.
- Nearly 70% of bats are insectivores.
- One of the largest bats is the Giant Golden-Crowned Flying Fox bat weighing up to 4 lbs with a wingspan of up to 5 feet, 7 inches.
- Bats are clean animals, grooming themselves almost constantly.
- North America’s largest urban bat colony is found on the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas. It is home to an estimated 1,500,000 Mexican Free-Tailed bats. This colony of bats eats approximately 10,000 to 30,000 lbs of insects each night. It is estimated 100,000 tourists visit the bridge annually to watch the bats leave the roost at twilight.
- One colony of 150 Big Brown bats can protect farmers from up to 33 million or more rootworms each summer.
- Almost 40% of American bat species are in severe decline, with some already listed as endangered or threatened.
- Three U.S. states have an official state bat. Texas and Oklahoma have named the Mexican Free-Tailed bat their state bat, and Virginia has dubbed the Virginia Big-Eared bat their state bat.
WEBSITES - children's books, coloring pages, bat activities and more....
Education World - Bats in the classroom
YouTube videos
All About Bats For Kids (5:32 min)
Fun Facts About Bats (7:38 min)
April 22nd
EARTH DAY
On the first Earth Day in 1970, 22 million Americans celebrated clean air, land, and water.
Carl Gets Some Rest - This EPA coloring and story book, for children in pre-school through 2nd grade, teaches a simple lesson: there are many transportation alternatives to using a car.
Why Is Coco Orange? - A book for grades PreK-2nd.
Coco has a problem. He is a chameleon, but he cannot change colors, and his asthma is acting up. Read how Coco and his friends at Lizard Lick Elementary solve this mystery as they learn about air quality and how to stay healthy when the air quality is bad.
Save Our Species: Endangered Species Coloring Book for K-5
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss activity packet
Explore RECYCLE CITY to learn how its residents reduce waste, use less energy, and even save money by doing simple things at home, at work, and in their neighborhoods. Website game with activities and resources good for all ages.
Planet Protector Club - As a Planet Protector, your mission is to improve the world around you by making less trash. Planet Protectors also help other people learn to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
To carry out this mission, check out the fun activities in the document. The more you learn about reducing wastes and saving resources, the better you become at carrying out the Planet Protector goals.
Virtual field trip to an OHIO FARM!
Spring virtual field trip to an Ohio farm!
May 14-25, 2018 — 1 p.m.
Ride along with a farmer during planting and learn the basics of planting, germination and life cycles. SEE what today's farms are like, what kind of work is done there, and what decisions farmers must make.
Join a live video chat or request a link to watch a pre-recorded field trip at your convenience. All you need is an internet-connected computer, webcam, and microphone.
Visit GrowNextGen.org to sign up for your virtual field trip and for related resources to complement the trip!
3rd grade ChickQuest in action at Weiland Park Elementary
Tiffany Tynes-Curry's classes
Our World: Sun's Position
From NASA, Our World: Sun's Position video helps students in grades 3-5 learn more about how the Sun's position in the sky changes due to Earth's rotation, revolution, and tilt in kid-friendly language.
Find more videos and links to classroom activities that extend learning at
https://nasaeclips.arc.nasa.gov/video/ourworld/our-world-suns-position
Summer Reimagine "Me" Conference
Columbus City Schools Academic Services Team will be hosting the
Reimagine "Me" Conference June 11th, 12th and 13th.
This conference will provide participants an opportunity to explore best practices and new ideas through 1 or 2-hour presentations, full day sessions, or a poster “gallery walk”. Teachers are encouraged to submit a speaker proposal to present a one hour presentation showcasing a strategy in an instructional area that has had a huge impact on student learning.
Teachers can also apply to present a visual display highlighting other strategies or events that have impacted student learning at the poster session on the 13th.
The impact may have been through an instructional strategy that is being implemented in the school such as Trauma Informed Practices, a book study that changed instructional practices, a Family Engagement event that provided support for families in your school, or endless other topics. The presentation could be through an hour-long session, on a Tri-Fold display, or a video at the poster session.
On the Google form please indicate the following:
✓ Topic for your presentation or visual display session with a brief description
of your plan.
✓ Indicate which days you are available to present.
✓ Are you willing to repeat the session?
✓ Indicate if you are one of your schools 10 people attending theConference.
Applications are being accepted now through Friday, April 13.
Please complete the Google form using the link below.
If you have questions, please contact Marsha Burkholder mburkholder9430@columbus.k12.oh