Worm Experiment

We are studying consumers, producers, and decomposers in science. During this unit we learned worms are decomposers. Through our discussion we decided to have an experiment with worms and plants. We planted two plants in class. One of the plants had worms in the soil and other did not. Now we are currently measuring the plants to see which one grows faster.

The students also enjoyed having a worm hang out on their desk while they spent some time cutting newspaper for worm food. Each student named their worm and we put them in a clear button to observe their eating habits.

We will be making worm pudding in life skills on Monday! 

Keep an eye out for the entire unit on Teachers Pay Teachers!

FREEBIE

Do you check out Teachers Pay Teachers? Make sure you are on the email list to get free monthly freebies! 

www.teacherspayteachers.com 

I stumbled upon this freebie for Halloween candy. If some of the content is too high you can always adapt it to fit your students! 

Hubba Bubba Halloween Candy

I hope you enjoy!

Expect Nothing Less

I came across an inspirational video about a young man who works at a grocery store and is a professional weight lifter. He proves even through his challenges he can fulfill his dreams. His parents demonstrate that setting high expectations can make the world of a difference.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=50154591n

I hope you enjoy!

Switch Adaptable IPad with iOS 7

I am sure you have heard about the new iOS 7, but did you know it has new switch adaptable abilities? I have found 2 you-tube videos to help you set up your IPad to be switch adaptable. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/lfperez72/videos?sort=dd&shelf_index=0&view=0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JuLETwuxSbs

I hope you enjoy!

iMovie

I am very excited to use the iMovie app for back to school night. This is a really cool app that lets you make movie trailers and movies. I am making a movie trailer to pump up my parents for the school year. During the school year I plan to make movies to engage students in new lesson topics and even get my students to make their own.  The app is $5.00. 

Prince William and Duchess Kate Support a Women with Down Syndrome

I came across this article and thought others would like to read.:
http://www.today.com/news/will-kate-happily-accept-painting-artist-down-syndrome-8C11131492

Prince William and Kate support an artist with Down Syndrome. I hope to see more of these stories! The more public displays of how people with disabilities can work and be independent the better!

Plot Chicken

We read the book The Plot Chicken by Mary Jane and Herm Auch this week. While reading the story we focused on what makes a good fictional story. I had all the rules written down so we could review them after the story was read. The class took each rule and worked together to create our own fictional story. 

Then we shared the pencil through input and writing some of the story together. You can see the story we created below. Lastly, the story was typed and added to our classroom library.

Back to School Night

Do you have back to school night at you school? I found a link to some questions to cover if you are a teacher, or what to ask if you are a parent.

Click Here 

During back to school night I usually go through a power-point and let my students color in the back of the room. I will post my power-point after I show my parents. Do you have any back to school ideas?

Autism: Film Shows Education Challenges For Young Adults And Families

I just listened to a very interesting podcast about a documentary on the transition from high school to work for adults with autism. If you teach students with autism I would suggest you take some time to listen :). 

Click here for the podcast:Listen to the Story

I hope you enjoy!

Fill a Bucket!

Do you read, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud to your class?

I read this story to my students during the first week of school. They really enjoyed the message and are still talking about filling buckets. I didn't focus on the dipping on buckets very much, so that my students would be focused on the positive message. After we read the story I had my students think of different ways they could fill someones bucket. Then we completed a writing activity that I found at Teacher Bits & Bobs. Each student was given a page to write how they would fill someones bucket and draw a picture. Next, we put all the pages together, created a title, and duck taped the edge to make a book. A picture of our book will be coming soon!

Brain Breaks

Do you use brain breaks in your classroom? My students definitely need some breaks built in during the first couple weeks of school. Even I need a break during the first week of school J! The students love to get up and dance to my brain break clips. Throughout the year I enjoy incorporating these clips into lessons. On my Pinterest page I have about 130 brain break clips. If you need some ideas or you have run out of brain break clips check them out here!

I hope you enjoy!