Harry Talk

Wow, I was consistent for a few weeks with this blogging thing, then I got off track.  Let me get back on track by sharing about some of the Halloween science activities I did with my young ones.

First, I taught the entire Kindergarten how to make the goop out of corn starch and water.  They absolutely loved putting their hands in it of course (we made a mess).  Next, we experimented with dry ice .  None of the kids had ever seen the effect of dry ice dropped in water .  I used the whole block of dry ice in one morning.  Finally, I showed the kids how to make “instant snow.”  They’re stimulated by even the littlest things so these experiments drove them nuts.  Thanks, Brian, for the great ideas……………………Ryan

I am responsible for writing the science lesson plans for my Kindergarten team.  My colleagues basically want me to follow the lessons in the textbook, one by one.  However, I’d like to shake things up a little bit regarding how we teach science with our kids.  Does anyone have any ideas about how to conduct more inquiry-based science with Kindergarten students?  I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas anyone has to share.

Thanks,

Mr. Harry

As most of you know, my school is in serious transition right now.  Last week I shared in Olga’s class about some of the things that are less than desirable about my school: no parapros, tiny room, no resources/technology, weak health benefits, no playground, amongst many other issues.  And then this week my principal finally handed out our schedules.  My colleagues and I were deeply disturbed to see that he scheduled P.E. and other specials in the morning, right in the middle of our Language Arts block.  The schedule immediately provided another source of distress for us teachers.  However, in some ways, the schedule proposed for us isn’t that bad.  While some schools barely fit Social Studies and Science into their schedules, my principal has included a full hour for Science and a full hour for Social Studies (and full hour for Math) in every single day.  That’s pretty rare, I think. I should try to make the most of it.
Instead of complaining about everything that’s wrong with my school, I’m trying to adjust my mindset to be as positive as possible and to focus on what/who’s most important: the students.   A lot of things about my school aren’t going to change this year; no matter how much me or any of the other teachers complain and murmur.  So I think the best thing to do is change myself; to do everything in my power to address the needs of my students despite the downfalls of the school.

Here I am at 4:00pm writing my first blog.  It’s been two weeks since we last met with Brian but I haven’t blogged at all until now.  I think the reason I haven’t blogged is because I’m still intimidated of it.  I know it’s easy but I haven’t done it before….

Anyhow, since this is a science/math class, let me comment on a lesson from last week.  I discovered last week that my students love science.  Since our school does not have a playground, the kids just explore all around the school yard (grassy area with lots of trees near the woods).  I asked each of them to bring one item inside from the yard.  Kids brought in leaves, sticks, rocks, rope, weeds, acorns, amongst other things.  Since we’re currently in a unit on the five senses (sight in particular), I had the kids examining their items, looking at them under magnifying glasses and drawing pictures/writing a sentence about their item.

Now everyday the kids want to talk science out at the playground…which is fine with me.   I’m just excited to see their curiosity and desire to explore and discover the world around them.  Now I guess I’ll try to post this thing….

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