UPDATED....YAY!!!!

Well....after 5+ hours, I thoroughly updated my class site...especially the SCIENCE FAIR page. In the past I think I just found stuff on the net and tweaked it to my needs and just slapped it on there. This go 'round, I actually took the time to walk through the whole entire process as I would teach it to my 6th graders...really, really tweaking it to fit just right. I've even included a WHOLE [made up of course] dummy project down to the graphs and conclusion. Also included are new downloads and links that specify and clarify HOW to do certain parts. I must say I am proud of myself!

Now, crossing my fingers and hoping that my little scientists take advantage of all my hard work and complete their Science Fair projects like Science Fair projects are meant to be done....with the UTMOST FUN possible!!!! After all....Science Fair project FUN is Science Diva Certified!

Science Fair Prep....

Well....let the Science Fair lessons begin! Actually, they have been going on for quite some time. Teaching 6th graders the steps in the process is very fun, but kind of like pulling teeth. They really haven't had any experience thus far making my "play dates" even more challenging. But we are all up for it! Of course I am using the scaffold that I blogged about earlier. It really breaks the Scientific Method down for them. This past week it seems like I dreamed about qualitative & quantitative observations/data, controls, independent & dependent variables, purposeful question construction, and writing awesome hypotheses every night! I certainly hope that my teaching efforts and my students practicing efforts pay off!!! I certainly can see the little gears in their minds churning and their parents scratching their heads wondering how the heck to thelp them!!! LOL!

So, with the help of each class, we created simple guidelines for writing purposeful questions and good hypotheses. Hopefully you all can use these, too. I did tell my students when "we" were writing the quidelines that they were not for them, of course, but for their parents. They LOVED that!

I know that I have yet to post pictures of my FABULOUS new classroom which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I will attempt to remember to take pictures this week and include them in one of the next posts.

Until then, be the spark in your students' minds to have them think Science all the time! :) Oh, don't forget the two guidelines...after all, they are SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED!

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!!

Sorry that I have been gone so long, but school started and I have been on my feet teaching, teaching, teaching! I have been so tired from using up all of my energy that I come home and zonk out! BUT....I absolutely LOVE what I do so it's all good! My goal is to post at least twice a week from here on out! Keep your fingers crossed!!!! :))))

List is Shrinking....

Ok, so the other day I posted a list of over 25 things that I needed to do in/for my classroom. Well needless to say I did get there at 7am on Friday and was able to knock out a few things after having been sidetracked for about 2 hours doing other things [which by the way were very important!]. I still have a lot to do....jeesh! BUT I will get it all done...I think I will lock myself in there on Monday.:)

1. tape cords to floor/secure to wall
2. organize books and junk on tables
3. clean tables and shelves and board, etc...
4. bring needed bins from old room
5. place big bins on ledge
6. print out rules/consequences and make posters for display
7. make signs for cougar cards
8. request and organize team supplies
9. make and hang team number signs over tables
10. finish covering tin cans with polka dot tape
11. stick curtains to window/carts/shelf
12. hang bulletin board and periodic table
13. decorate 8 bulletin boards [scientifically speaking, scientist of the week, science fair]
14. hang banner above door
15. decorate door ???
16. hang string/clothes pins on outside wall and blank wall in class for student work display
17. make homework and i can signs for white board
18. finish updating website [www.tinyurl.com/jnaccio]
19. update welcome power point and convert to flip chart
20. play with activ board [gotta have some fun somehow!]
21. write lesson plans
22. move important binders to shelf behind teacher cart
23. run off needed materials
24. make inside covers for yellow folders
25. edit test folder/conduct sheets
26. ???????

My name is The Science Diva and I'm a Procrastination Junkie!

Wow....where has summer gone???? Right now I am sitting in my big comfy chair in my house instead of working in my classroom that so desperately needs it! Just look at this mess:

Is it a lack of motivation? No. Is it a profound sense of laziness? No, not really. Well what is it you ask? I really can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's that I'm so used to procrastinating that I have to feel rushed to get it done and feel good about it. THAT'S IT...I'm a procrastination junkie!!!! I know I have to clean it...it is very dusty and grimy in there. The chairs are around the tables, not on top any more. BUT, the tables are piled HIGH with stuff I don't want to just shove anywhere and will probably just get rid of because I haven't used it in years! I've already gotten rid of a file cabinet and the junk in it, some carts, a chair, and even a metal cabinet that I used to store my fun stuff in.... I DON'T WANT THE CLUTTER! 

But now, here I sit blogging in my big comfy chair exactly 1 week before I have to report for duty to sit all day and listen and learn. I guess my derrier will be up with the roosters tomorrow so I can get in there and knock something off of this  LOOOOONG list of things that still need to be done:

1. tape cords to floor/secure to wall
2. organize books and junk on tables
3. clean tables and shelves and board, etc...
4. bring needed bins from old room
5. place big bins on ledge
6. print out rules/consequences and make posters for display
7. make signs for cougar cards
8. request and organize team supplies
9. make and hang team number signs over tables
10. finish covering tin cans with polka dot tape
11. stick curtains to window/carts/shelf
12. hang bulletin board and periodic table
13. decorate 8 bulletin boards [scientifically speaking, scientist of the week, science fair]
14. hang banner above door
15. decorate door ???
16. hang string/clothes pins on outside wall and blank wall in class for student work display
17. make homework and i can signs for white board
18. finish updating website [www.tinyurl.com/jnaccio]
19. update welcome power point and convert to flip chart
20. play with activ board [gotta have some fun somehow!]
21. write lesson plans
22. move important binders to shelf behind teacher cart
23. run off needed materials
24. make inside covers for yellow folders
25. edit test folder/conduct sheets
26. ???????

OMG....25+ THINGS TO DO!!!! I do believe that is all I can think of for now...WHEW.....all I know is that once I am done I will blog about it and post pics and things I find from my school computer that are SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED!

ATTN Louisiana Teachers: New Grading Scales Ready to Go & On the Go!

This year Louisiana is going to a state-wide grading scale. Well, like all DIVAS, I have a FABULOUS FRIEND that shared a document that contains over 50 ready to copy and paste grading scales based upon the total number of test points. What makes her TOTALLY FAB is that she told me that I can share it with anyone that can use it. Thanks Sonya H.!!! This will certainly make test-making & grading easier!!!

Also, for those of you with Androids or iPhones you can find FREE ez grader apps in your market or app store .... I do know that after testing the free Android apps that I prefer the one called Boosed Grader.

Go ahead....download Sonya's Ready-to-Go Grading Scales or an ez grader app for your phone. After all, they are SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED!

Mouse Mischief

I was just reading on PROTEACHER about the free Microsoft program Mouse Mischief. THIS IS AWESOME! It allows you to link up as many computer mice you can find to turn your power points into interactive presentations. I do have a Promethean board and some actiVotes, but boy this is an AWESOME alternative for those who may not have interactive boards and/or equipment!


Go ahead, check it out....and yes, you know it's SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED!

"Teaching" Science is Different...

I really dislike the way some administrators [NOT mine...they are AWESOME!] or higher ups expect all teachers to plan and teach the same exact way. Just as students need differentiation, so do teachers and the respective courses being taught. There is no way I'd expect a Reading teacher to teach the same way I do. Science lends itself more towards engaging hands-on activities...that to me is just expected of what I do. I remember the days [long ago of course] of sitting in Science class READING day in and day out, never DOING anything! Oh how I wished I could just DO something! That's why my kids DO, DO, DO!

A few years ago I attended LaSIP and another Science teacher training that were intensive, yet quite spectacular. They both focused on using the 5 Es of a Science Lesson that focuses, in this order, on Engage. Explore. Explain. Elaborate. Evaluate.  


Through the use of this method, accompanied with Kagan strategies, Thinking Maps, and other Literacy Strategies, my students are always engaged and doing something from the second they walk in my classroom.


Check out the link above...it is very informative and when coupled with your curriculum and a sound classroom management plan, can change your classroom environment into one that is always captivating and engaging. [The last few slides are irrelevant since this was used in a training somewhere, good none-the-less!]
Go ahead, check it out...after all, it is SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED!

HARRY POTTER 7.2

I know, I know! This is a Science teacher/resource blog. BUT...I have to talk about it or I will EXPLODE!!!! This movie was AMAZING and is definitely SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED! I have so many feelings .... HAPPY that I finally saw what I pictured in my mind for the past year or so BROUGHT to LIFE better than I could have ever imagined...AMAZED at the acting talent of Alan Rickman [Snape] who was by far the BEST ACTOR in this whole series!... HONORED to have shared this with both of my children for the last 10 years or so... SAD that this is the UTMOST END to the entire series... RELIEVED that I will be able to watch what took 10 years to bring to life [HP 1- 7.2] in a matter of 16 hours.... & finally CURIOUS as to what I will get all worked up about next!


Now normally I can not STAND 3D movies...but boy did this one really convert me! Especially since I was fortunate to not only have awesome 3D glasses but ROUND HARRY POTTER 3D GLASSES!!!! Was soooo worth the price for the double feature!!!


I just loved every aspect of the HP series though...it brought about a surge in childhood imagination and sparked curiosities in what COULD be if one only imagined it! How AWESOME it was for JK Rowling  to do this!?! 


Well in order to move on with my life, I must quote JK: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." — J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)


So, Rest in Peace Snape....and Goodbye Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the rest of the magical world... Mischief Managed!

Do YOU Have a Theme Song????

I do! At the beginning of every school year and for open house, I present a power point that contains student expectations for the year. My THEME song is Thomas Dolby's 'She Blinded Me With Science'. Of course I don't use the video or the lyric version...just the midi file which can be found among thousands at MIDIDATABASE.COM which is completely free to use by the way. If you don't have a theme song, find one. It will truly set the tone for your year....and will always be that reminder to your students when they hear the tune again in the future! 


I'm including a pdf version of my BEGINNING OF THE YEAR POWER POINT. Please feel free to use it as inspiration to create your own. The fonts may not show up properly, but you will get the idea! 


Here's the video to She Blinded Me With Science. After all, it is SCIENCE DIVA CERTIFIED!