• SCIENCE INTEGRATION •

Link To: Earth Lesson Plan

This was an AWESOME project. I loved how the teachers showed the results from the different methods, what a helpful tip!! I can see that students of all ages would love do this type of activity too. Playing in the shaving cream and then swirling the colors gave each student's planet a unique look! I found that I wished I had more planets to create. I also love how the process added texture!

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

I will have students create their own topography and then explain to the class what the different areas are. I think this abstract social studies project will really open up the student's imagination. 

• CLAY •

Link To: Pinch and Ribbit Lesson Plan

This was a great project. Although it was messy, kids would LOVE it. Every step was fun. I really liked the molding of the pieces and the simplicity of it. The clay drying on its own was another aspect I really appreciated. During the presentation the two teachers showed how frogs look very different, this helped relax the students so they felt comfortable with their frogs being unique! I think this would be a great craft for both boys and girls, although I think it would be better for older students.

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

This project would be awesome to integrate into Science! I think it would be great for the students to make clay models of the life cycle of a frog and then present it on Parent's Night!

• LANGUAGE ARTS INTEGRATION •

Link To: Pop Up Book Lesson Plan

This was a fun project with the spin of each student making individual characters, plot and setting, that were then combined with other students' to create a complete unique finished story. One hour definitely is NOT enough time to do this project! It was wonderful in sparking students to want to write a story, however the act of creating the illustrations could have easily taken the whole hour in itself. For younger students I would have had the story already created and had each student illustrate their own pop-up book. For older students, I would have had them create their own individual book that could then be shown to the class. I did like the simplicity of the project and will definitely use it in my future classrooms as a Language Arts project though!

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

Students could create a flyer or sales brochure for their pop-up book. They could also give a presentation as to why other students should read their book as a persuasive speech activity or visual production.

• CRAFTS •

Link To: Dreamcatcher Lesson Plan

This project was more difficult than it would seem. I feel if I were to have my future students complete this activity I would make sure that my beads were easily strung. I did like the integration of Native American belief into this lesson. Dream catchers are something that are very common in our society but not many people understand what they are believed to do and how. I think students would find this to be very interesting.

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

Native American customs are very interesting. With the history of our state being what it is, I think it is very important for our youth to learn about this culture. I would have students research other cultures customs and prepare a presentation for the class. I feel this would help with acceptance and understanding of other cultures as we become a more blended society.

• SOCIAL STUDIES INTEGRATION •

Link To: Aztec Sundial Lesson Plan

What a fun project! My favorite part of the whole project was actually taking the finished sundial outside to "see if the technology" still worked! The steps are very easy in this project and could be accomplished by young children and older grades as well. Having the central image resemble something important to the students or geometric shapes similar to Aztec designs was interesting as well. I can foresee that this project is one that I will definitely use in my multi-grade classroom!

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

I WILL have students investigate other "lost technologies" that have been replaced by current inventions and have them create presentations that would be presented to parents and other classmates! 

• PRINTMAKING •

Link To: "Egg"citing Printmaking Lesson Plan

Printmaking was a lot of fun. I loved the idea of the students making their own designs in the Styrofoam! I also like the of having the children write about their project. I am not sure how I would use the different type of paint. It makes me nervous using a paint that seemed temperamental and sticky but I loved the process otherwise.

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

Printmaking can be used in many areas. I could foresee using this technique in Language Arts. Students are expected to write many thanks you for various people. For example, they may need to write a note of gratitude for circus tickets that were donated while they are in elementary. Students could create a design on different circus shapes such as elephants or a big top tent. They could then use them to design the card or to create a picture for the person who paid for their tickets.

• 3D DESIGN •

Link To: Origami Lesson Plan

This project's homework made this project, fantastic!!! The origami aspect was fun and easy when it was led step by step. I liked the idea of getting to color the creations after they were complete. Writing the short story was the very creative and exciting part of the assignment for me. I will definitely use this in language arts!

EXTENSION ACTIVITY:

For my future classroom I will use this project as a writing prompt for my Daily 5! I think the students will like creating their own animal and writing a story or series of adventures for their animal!