Farm Day 2011!

Welcome to Farm Day 2011!

It's hard to believe this is our 10th Farm Day! Where does the time go? I started Farm Day in my classroom years ago. The fun was contagious...the whole school has joined in for 10 years and counting! It is a BOAT LOAD of work, but worth every headache, muscle cramp and conflict to see the kiddos faces! Look at the pictures of our stations below. I've "tweaked" a lot of the problems over the years so I might be able to help you get started if you would like to plan an event like this for your school.

Farm Life - my personal fav.

Milk the Cow - this was 2009.

These are our NEW and IMPROVED cows! No more filling and tying rubber gloves!

Plant the field

Gather the eggs!

Shear the Sheep

We have catfish farms in Alabama. This is our tribute to them.

Mend the Fence

Haul the Hay

Ride the Horse!

Paint the Barn

My sweet and wonderful husband, aka Old McDonald! He tells his OWN version of McD's  day, while singing the traditional song. He's MY treasure!

This picture is from our 2011 Farm Day. Our ELL teacher was a station all by herself. The other lady is my favorite Aunt Helen with her granddaughter. The lady with the beautiful Arabian horse is our ELL teacher. 

Our treasure of an ELL teacher - who brings hay, horses, demos, helps clean up....she deserves an award! This picture was taken in 2009.

Our wonderful Alfa Young Farmers bring their animals each year!

The Alfa Farmers brought baby chicks, too!

Baby chicks!

This sheep called out to us all day - BAAAAAA! The kids would answer back - too cute!

The Alfa Farmers showing off the old-time corn sheller!

Snead Ag supplied the John Deere tractor and trailer this year. I combined our snack station with the hayride this year - AG in a Bag. The snack had a representation of the 5 top commodities for Alabama. We sang a version of Old McD's Farm using the 5 commodities. Here is a copy of how this station worked.

These are OUR babies we incubated and hatched! We put these into a station so the kiddos could FINALLY  hold the babies we've waited for!

This was a new station, too. It was Roll-a-Cow! Each team rolled a set die and added the matching cow part to their friend. She's adding the sand paper tongue. Can you see the four stomaches?
Here is a copy of directions to play this game.

He's adding the four hooves! There was also a flyswatter tail and butter lid/baby nipple udder. TOO CUTE!

From Farm to Table Relay! This was our first year to try this station. This pic shows two farmers milking the cows!
Here is a copy of directions for this station.

Next, two new farmers had to pour the milk into the milk cartons.

They loaded the milk into the wagon.

These two took the milk wagon to the market.

Once the milk was delivered two grocers sold the milk to two customers.

The two customers took the milk home and poured it into glasses! From FARM TO TABLE!

More kids getting their turn.

Barrel Racing in the gym!

Barrel Racing in the gym!

Our WONDERFUL media specialist had the children paint the characters to the story The Very Busy Spider. Now, think about that...400+ kiddos between 8:20 and 12:20 - YIKES she's brave!

 There was also a Planting Station - with a Flower in a Cup and a "Beanie Baby" necklace! My camera battery died! BOO!

 After lunch, we meet back for the Grand Finale. This year our ELL Teacher rode her horse, Flash, for us. She demonstrated how the gait of the horse is counted.

Next...our wonderful Media Specialist and brave teachers acted out the old favorite, Mrs. Wishy-Washy!

While we were in the gym, our ELL teacher changed into her Arabian costume - this picture does not do it justice.

Y'all come back now,

Ya' hear!

Lookie what I found...!

I love to find a great blog...one that truly makes me EXCITED about getting up at 5:30 a.m. to get to school early so I can try out an idea! Here is my latest find...

http://kindergartencrayons.blogspot.com/

PLEASE go check out Kindergarten Crayons. Fran has taught for 30 years - from what I've seen on her blog she definitely has LOADS of wisdom to share. My hat is off to anyone who can teach for 30 years and STILL be excited enough to start a blog! 

Go Fran!

Energy, Force and Motion Part II WOOHOO

I wish you all could have been there, but since you were not I took LOTS and LOTS of pictures!!! There are even a few video clips to help show the mood of my kiddos this week! I hope you enjoy these activities as much as we did. 

Here we go...

This portion of the unit dealt with friction and how wheels help move objects.

He is trying to push her... no luck.

We put tubes under the plastic box and as you can see by the picture she was flying across the rug!

We were comparing this flat rectangle with the flat objects we had difficulty moving with wind (paper clips, popsicle sticks, and paper). We talked about an easier way to move the block....

WHEELS!

This began our discussion on systems - parts that are ordered to accomplish a goal. In this case our goal was to make our block move so we had to come up with a way to keep the wheels on the block. The first suggestion was sticks - I had toothpicks waiting!

The wheels kept coming off!

This suggestion was to put two in each hole instead of one.

The wheels wouldn't turn...so someone suggested that we put something on the end of the stick. I had nails waiting!

She thought the nails were perfect!

We talked about how many and where to put them. In a system it's important not only to have the right parts, but that the parts go in the proper place.

The finished product!

Everyone liked that idea.

Next, we measured how far our cars went with each trial.

We used non-standard units of measure - blocks, bears, etc.

The kiddos recorded the results of each trial on the flags.

We created a page for our Fact Book. The children picked their favorite ball tested previously (see prior post) and measured with adding machine tape.

This was my example after we chose our fact together and worked to sound out each word. I wrote with the children to help with letter formation. They chose the fact - this was not a "copy the board" activity.

This portion of the unit dealt with sinkers and floaters.

He was testing to see if some of the floaters could be made into sinkers.

I found this chart on an AIMS lesson. The kiddos chose a shape for their sail based on which one they thought would be best.

Again, we talked about systems and what we need to make our boats move.  She is testing her choice to see if it floats....JOY!

Each child added their first initial to their sail, then drew a diagram of their boat for their journal.

Let the trials and races begin!

We tested each boat to determine how many seconds it took to reach the end of the lane. The children checked the timer, told me the number and I recorded the number on a certificate for each child to add to their journal. This prompted LOTS of spontaneous discussions on more/less, 1 more than/less than, I need 1 less to win, number order... can't beat math integrated with science!

Precious!

Two kiddos with matching sail shapes raced each other.

We had SO much fun with this integrated unit! I have to say I missed my cohort in crime, Kristi - it's the first boat race I've done without her in many years - boo hoo! 

Thanks to my other cohort in crime - who is now one of my parents - Amber for helping. I miss you both!

Oh well, on to clean up the mess and drag out the next unit....FARM! 

Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks to these three AMAZING teachers -  Julie, Marlana and Jan. You absolutely made my day!

You can find these inspiring ladies by clicking on their links. 

Julie  at The Alphabet Garden

Jan at Mrs. Pearce's I Can, You Can, Toucan

Marlana at Lil' Country Kindergarten

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Here are 7 things about me:

1. I was saved at the age of 9 while visiting at a friend's church. I am a new creature sealed unto the day of redemption! I'm not even close to perfect, but my Savior is. He's the one I'm depending on!

2.  I am a big nerd. I am fascinated with how children learn and read anything related to this topic. I've learned that because children are created by God (and God being so creative and an "outside the box" kind of thinker) there is no cookie-cutter answer to teaching. Just when you think YOU have it all figured out...in walks a new sweetie that keeps you learning and searching for new/better methods.

3. I am a HUGE Crimson Tide FAN!!!!! Roll Tide Roll!

4.  The Dollar Tree is my favorite hang out. The sales people know me by my first name - in both locations! My youngest son calls it "The Black Hole"...Mom goes in, but she doesn't come out!

5.  I am blessed to live with 4 of the most handsome, wonderful, funny, (MESSY) and amazingly talented men on the planet (my husband and 3 sons). I daily hope and pray for 3 equally wonderful, funny, (UNDERSTANDING) and amazingly talented wives for them....

6. I DESPISE "parent orientation"! After YEARS of doing this over and over you would think I would learn to at least tolerate it - but alas I still get nauseous and shake all the way through this yearly event!

7. I would love to illustrate children's books. If I had it all to do over, I would have majored in art, would be living on some wonderful, secluded farm...maybe in Maine, where I would paint in my lovely studio for some talented author.... 

7 WONDERFUL Bloggers who inspire me...

http://kidney-garden.blogspot.com

http://aplacecalledkindergarten.blogspot.com/

http://kindergartenworks.blogspot.com

http://kinderpond.blogspot.com

http://oceansoffirstgradefun.blogspot.com

http://www.thekinderpolkadotpatch.com

http://mrskimbrellsclass.blogspot.com

Energy Force and Motion

I love teaching the typical Transportation unit, but most K's can sort and classify vehicles according to water, air, and land with little trouble. Why waste one more second teaching something they already know, or can grasp in one lesson? If you know me you know that if it's not fun and interesting there's little chance for that lesson.... So, my Transportation unit now looks like this...

We begin by listening to Greg and Steve's "Listen and Move". Then we read the book, Silly Sally by Audrey Wood and list ways we move on a chart. Next, we play "Mrs. Estes Says" by choosing ways to move from the chart. It's great to hear the children applying their literacy skills to read the words within a science lesson!

After experimenting with how people move, we experimented with how objects move. We then sorted objects by push, pull or both. We created a Venn on the rug, but the hula hoops have been removed.

Objects can also move with "invisible forces". The object of this lesson was to move the ball to the end of the string - no further - without touching the ball....

When you allow children time to experiment it is amazing what THEY discover. These children reported that the "slippery" surface made the ball go faster. They commented on the slippery surface of the ramp as well - I had not thought of that! These guys flipped the ramp over to slow the speed of the ball, then decided to move to the rug. You can guess that a lesson on friction was next!

All good scientists report their findings. This is their Science Journal which was read at the group meeting. Again, using our literacy skills in a meaningful context!

On another day we used various weighted balls to move a toy truck. The children measured the distance traveled with yarn.

Two ways we integrated math - using non-standards units of measurement (yarn) and creating a graph to report our findings. 

On another day the children measured the distance with blocks and counted the number. You cannot beat that number sense!

Comparing lengths traveled. Notice how another group organized their experiment by placing the ball used in the pile of tiles. These "thinking" activities are so important to little minds. I did not tell them how to organize their findings, just that they needed to find a way to let us know which ball did what....

 I watched this group count the Unifix cubes twice to verify this number. Good ole number sense!

Check back - this unit is not over!

My blogger friends...

Thank you all SO much for your words of encouragement and support! It has been a tough few weeks, but  "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that HE is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day!"
We are back from Texas with their doctors agreeing with my local doc that we are on the right track as far as treatment. So, I plan to stick with my local oncologist for now - at least until they say CHEMO! At that point I am not sure what I will do. As of now I will have hormone therapy - which they are saying should keep me going for some time. It's all in God's hands -as it always has been!
I hope to be back to work on Monday and HOPEFULLY will have some pictures at some point to post as we begin our Energy, Force and Motion unit - FUN FUN FUN!
Again, I appreciate your prayers and good wishes. My mindset is good, my children and husband are strong - due to the Lord answering prayers.
Until next time...
Suzan

Another bump in the road...

Friends, 
As many of you know I was diagnosed with breast cancer in '09. Well, it seems the "Beast" is back. I was told that my cancer has spread to my bones... a spot on my spine and pelvis which puts me in stage IV. I will be visiting MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas on February 14 and would appreciate your prayers that God will give the doctors wisdom and continue to give me and my family peace. If you ever doubt that God is real just shoot me a message. So many miracles have happened over the last few days to make this trip happen...I stand in awe! I accepted the Lord as my Savior when I was 9 years old - BEST decision I ever made. He has seen me through so many events in my life. I have no doubt he will see me through this. 
Because of all the "distractions" my posts may be few and far between for awhile. I enjoy this so much so I will definitely be posting when I can! Thanks for viewing my little blog - 
Suzan