Piggy's House of Cards STEM Activity

I've begun integrating STEM into my classroom this year. This is kind of a stretch for me, because honestly, I don't think that way :) I think STEM activities are fabulous, but I am challenged by them too, ha ha.

For my kiddos, I created a STEM activity using the scenario of the "The Three Pigs". I printed a version for each student and we read aloud. Then, I announced the project. Students were thrilled to say the least. I even found a hand held fan from dollar tree to test the houses' ability to withstand the wind. ;) 

At first, students were challenged by the limited supplies, but as they began planning and deliberating, my kiddos came up with fantastic designs. I was amazed at the creativity from my students. They went above and beyond the project requirements...some even decorating! 

Here are some examples:

 

 

If you are interested in this activity, I have it listed as a FREE product on TPT. Here's the link:

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Piggys-House-of-Cards-STEM-activity-2026107

 

 

I hope your kiddos enjoy it as much as mine!

 

Love from the Bayou!

A Prayer for the New School Year

As I was scrambling this evening to put the finishing touches on my classroom before the "big day" tomorrow, I thought prayer might help calm the first day jitters. :) I began thinking that while all these preparations are necessary, so many other things are so much more important...

And so the prayer begins...

God, thank you for the opportunity to be a part of these children's lives. You've entrusted their care to me. I don't always feel adequate for the job, but I can't imagine doing anything else more important with MY life. 

As the school year progresses, I will be overwhelmed with curriculum, emails, phone calls, behavior challenges, an enormous list of acronyms (many of which I still don't know the meanings), trainings, paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.

Remind me of my most important job--to be like Christ. I may not legally be able to say His name, but I can show His character in everything I do. I pray students will look at my response, speech, and actions and see You. Let my teaching and interaction with students overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Yes, Lord, definitely self-control.

I pray that in everything I do, Your love shines through. Let them not see me, but You. Amen.

2015-2016 TPT Back to School Link Up

Hi Gumbo Friends,

Tomorrow starts Teachers Pay Teachers' 2015-2016 Back to School site-wide sale. Please stop by and fill your shopping carts to prepare for the sale. I have sooo much in my cart already :) 

Check out with the code:  BTS15  

You will get 20% off plus another 10% at checkout using the code.

Every item in my store is 20% off.

I've linked up with other primary teachers to showcase a couple of our Back to School products. I'm contributing the following:

                                                           Back to School Flip-It Book

 

 

This tabbed booklet comes with customized cover pages for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. The booklet contains qualities of a good friend, my favorites, best summer day, goals for the year, my selfie, and a back to school word search... It even fits inside a notebook so it could be used as great practice to teacher students how to complete interactive notebooks. 

 

Students an complete the pages individually while you are going first day tasks. :) Then, when you are ready, students can share and compile into booklet form.

 

While you are in my store, check out one of my best sellers, Multiplication Fluency Pack.

 

 

 

 

 

The pack contains daily practice (each week is one set of facts i.e. 2's facts). Students complete worksheet and then graph their daily progress. As the week progresses, they can see their improvement. It really motivates students to graph their daily growth!

 

The pack has a week designated for each fact group up to 12's with a week of mixed facts as well.

 

 

 

 

 



An InLinkz Link-up