Dying noodles for noodle necklaces

I think of dying noodles as one of the traditional teaching arts that predates the internet.  I like using dyed noodles because they are inexpensive and compostable.  To begin you will need the noodles you want to dye, rubbing alcohol, food coloring and a container that seals.  I like noodles that have big open ends for easy stringing.

First, add a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol to the container you are using.  I like to use a container with a lid rather than a plastic bag so I can store the noodles in the same container I used to dye them in and there is less chance the noodles will get crushed.

Next add desired colors.  I use about 10 drops of food coloring for the primary colors for a rich color.  I start with about 5 drops of each primary color when mixing orange and purple and then adjust the mix to get my desired result.

Next, add the noodles and put the lid on tight.  Start shaking!

Keep shaking until all the noodles are evenly coated with color.  The more you shake, the richer the color.

When you have achieved the desired color, leave the lid off the container and allow the noodles to dry overnight or longer.  The noodles my stick together but a good shake with loosen them.

Now the noodles are ready for use!

Pajarito- Connecting indoor and outdoor learning

I have a bird feeder outside my classroom window with a basic common bird field guide.  One of the most common visitors are Chickadees.  They will even stand at the top of the feeder and peek in at us when there are no seeds in the feeder.

I love the imagination of young learners.  They believe that animals can talk and even write letters.  This is where Pajarito comes in.  He is a Chickadee who lives around our school and is able to hear what we are learning in our class by using a magic birdhouse.  

He writes us weekly letters and delivers them to a special mailbox.  When the flag is up the kid know there is a new letter, and sometimes a book. 

Pajarito gives us the inside scoop on what to look for when we are on our nature adventures.

 

Rock Collection activities

Identify the rocks we've collected and make our own field guide of rocks by drawing and labeling our rocks.

Look closer with magnifying glasses and our digital microscope.

Weigh and measure our rocks.

Scrub off our rocks and look for hidden surprises!

 

Rock collections

It is so interesting to watch kids collect rocks.  Some are very choosy and only the prettiest or most interesting make it into the collection.  Others fill their pockets or containers, believing quantity makes the best collections.

When a special rock is found, they can't wait to show someone, sharing the beauty they discovered.

Each child has a favorite rock, and each of the favorites is unique.

Egg cartons make excellent rock collection boxes.

Sometimes bits and pieces of questionable materials make it into the collection.  The inquiry becomes "is this a rock?" Can any beautiful bit be part of the collection?

 

More about Rocks

 

An excellent book about all that happens underground in our world.

It folds out to take the reader on a journey to the core of the earth.

Then it takes you back to the surface.

We made metamorphic rocks by using pressure to combine 4 different colors of play dough.

Acting like our planet earth to create pressure on these "rocks" and forming a new rock!

We made sedimentary rock by gluing hand torn strips of colorful paper together to create layers.

Using our digital microscope to look at the holes in a lava rock called "Tuff".  I was amazed at how quickly the kids learned how to use the microscope.

Rocks and Earth Materials

Using field guides at the look closer station and trying to identify rocks (from my personal collection).

Using purchased tumbled rocks and identification charts to match and sort.

What can you build with these stone inspired shapes?  

What number is hiding under this rock?

Some of our favorite books about rocks and earth materials.

More favorite rock books.

 

Watercolor painting different dazzling types of rocks.

These minerals match!

Confessions of a former laminator junkie

 I used to LOVE laminating!  I laminated whatever I could.  I thought the finished products looked professional and beautiful.  I even liked the smell of the laminator when it was hot and ready for use.

In my human journey I have learned a lot about the environmental impact of human created waste and toxins caused by plastic.  I have worked diligently to reduce the amount of waste I create.  I realized that any paper I laminated could no longer be recycled or composted.  All those carefully laminated displays and posters would eventually wind up in a landfill. Any special projects I sent home with my students would also, eventually end up in a landfill (maybe sooner than I was hoping when I laboriously laminated and and cut out my student's super special projects).   I also had to admit to myself that I spent a lot of my time laminating and cutting out laminated projects, time I would never get back.  I quit, cold turkey.  I still have laminated posters and classroom displays that I use but I don't create any new ones.  At the end of the school year, when teachers are cleaning out classrooms, I can't help but notice how many laminated items wind up in the garbage.  This strengthens my resolve and, honestly, I don't miss it.  If you love laminating, I challenge you to try to cut down on your laminating.  I promise it will make a difference.

Insect Inquiry final project-Story stroll

For our project and wrap up for our insect unit the kids created an insect story stroll.  This was my first project that I intentionally let the kids create and design on their own, and the result has been an amazing project!
The background boards are upcycled dividers from delivery boxes.  I wrote a few word out for kids to copy but they decided on the content and art work,  I am so proud of their work and so are they!  We can't wait to display it for the entire school to enjoy!

Working in small groups to add the final touches to each page and make them all look awesome!

 

Sharing what we learned with our preschool friends.

Preschool friends strolling and learning about insects.

Some of our favorite titles.  I really love these Pebble Books from Capstone Press.  The text is accessible for all reading levels and the pictures are amazing!