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 … Continue reading 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 … Continue reading 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 … Continue reading Real Science Research
I know I have a lot of school librarians who follow this blog. And I came across a page provocatively titled "Fun Resources for Librarians," and what should follow but a listing of movies, music videos (seriously?), jokes, etc. that feature librarians. So here it is. You're welcome.
Google Science Journal is a neat app I've been playing with. The name is misleading. It's really a collection of "devices"--using your phone's sensors to measure light intensity, sound, and acceleration in three planes. It also records and graphs data from those sensors and allows you to make notes on the conditions in which you … Continue reading Google “Science Journal”
I have two books for science teachers that integrate science content, reading, and writing: Once Upon a Life Science Book and Once Upon an Earth Science Book (obviously, Physical Science is coming...). The NSTA rep for Georgia asked me to prepare a list of Georgia standards met by each chapter of the books. So if … Continue reading Once Upon the Georgia Standards
I was at the library of a nearby school recently (I'm looking at you Hawthorne Elementary) and came across a whole passel of girls, many of whom were English-Language-Learners, completely engrossed in computer programming. They were members of the school's programming club, and they were using Google's free Computer Science Club website and materials. I … Continue reading Easy, Innovative Computer Science Club
My husband and the munchkins are big Chipotle fans (me not as much), but they do seem to be healthier than many fast-food options. So if you are giving away fast-food prizes for your student reading program, Chipotle could be the way to go. They have a reading rewards program for grades K-5 where they … Continue reading Free Chipotle for Readers
If you'll be in Athens tomorrow for the Georgia Children's Book Awards and Conference, I'd love to see you. I'll be presenting twice. At 1:10 I'll be doing STEAM Up-Close: Close observation, close inquiry, close reading--and my friend and non-fiction writing guru Heather L. Montgomery is going to be able to join me (room C). … Continue reading Georgia Children’s Book Awards and Conference on Children’s Literature
I've written about a number of gardening resources recently, and thought I would tie them all up in one post, for easy reference.
Once Upon a Science Book 