At the TASL conference last week, I presented on Squishy Circuits (AKA electric playdough) which is an easy way to introduce basic electricity and allows “instant creativity” with the new information. I recommend it to anyone with a Makerspace or who has introductory circuit info in their curriculum.
Like I’ve written before, the librarians always introduce me to the coolest things. And apparently, the coolest thing this year is Breakout Boxes. They were all over both conventions I went to. It’s sort of like those escape the room challenges–you have a locked box., with a variety of locks. You have a clues to … More It’s a Breakout!
One of my favorite parts of summertime is visiting with school librarians and media specialists at their conferences. I always get so many cool ideas by stepping out of my “science teacher” world and into theirs. So I can’t wait to see what I learn next week. I’ll also be offering a bit of science … More Summer with the School Librarians
I spent part of the weekend down a rabbit hole with an app that a friend cursed me with showed me (thanks, Lisa!). It is trying to be the shazam! for plants–you take a picture of a leaf or flower and it matches it against similar images. It’s way too much fun for nature geeks … More Shazam! for Plants?
Last summer, I posted about the AudioBook Sync program that gives away 2 FREE audiobooks for teens* every week through the summer. This is week 2, and they have Dogulas Adam’s classic Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, read by Stephen Fry. Click over here to get it–the link expires Thursday (but will then be replaced … More AudioSync Hitchhiker’s Guide
I had a fantastic visit at Greystone Elementary this week, where media specialist Julie Richey puts on an amazing FULL WEEK of author and illustrator visits. What a gift to her students!
May 2: Greystone Elementary School; Hoover, AL, Author Visit May 21-22: Washington, DC, Photo shoot for upcoming National Geographic Kids book June 12: Alabama School Librarians Association conference June 13: TASL Road Trip East (tentative) Let me know if you’d like me to add staff development or an author visit for your school or district!
I sent out my Smore newsletter today. WordPress doesn’t let me insert the newsletters directly, so you’ll have to click the image below to be taken to the site, if you aren’t already bombarded with this in your inbox (and if you’d like to have it sent to you, but aren’t getting it, click here … More April Newsletter
I wrote Once Upon a Life Science Book: 12 interdisciplinary lessons to create confident readers back before the NGSS (or even the Common Core) had come out (my Earth Science book is tightly aligned with both sets of standards). Teachers have asked me to write up the correlations between the new standards and Once Upon … More NGSS standards for Once Upon Life
(Note: Man leaping over graph is a professional. Do not try this at home.) I am currently in love with datanuggets.org, if you can be in love with a website. It features current, engaging scientific research and the data the scientist collected. Students read (or in some cases can see a video) about the the … More Real Science Research
