Also, knowing that there are eight weeks left in the school year? Relaxing and frightening at the same time!
I've used this teeny tiny bit of downtime to finish a product I started long ago. Like I had to go back and change the dates at the bottom from 2013 to 2014.
Sigh.
Lo and behold, here it is:
(Click the picture above to see the listing on TPT.)
Each year, my firsties learn about matter, and let me tell you, it is my FAVORITE unit. I started college as a chem major, TAed chemistry my senior year of college, and taught 8th grade science my first year of teaching. Yes, you heard that... I {heart} science. Chemistry specifically. Not enough to make it my major (I ended up a psych major), but it holds a place near and dear to my heart.
I wanted to make the unit as teacher-friendly as possible, so I included the following:
Enduring understandings for the unit that really focus the unit on keep principles that are high-level, yet appropriate for young students.
A student-friendly reader about matter that is easy to assemble (copy, stack, staple, and cut) and easy to read. It's also interactive, allowing students to draw and label in the book.
A matter sort (an updated version of the one I have posted on TPT) that includes enlarged cards for a pocket chart or anchor chart, as well as smaller student sorts for authentic assessment.
Student-friendly vocabulary cards that include visuals and a quick definition of key terms.
Tree maps for supporting student thinking and understanding (small and large versions).
Seven experiments aligned to those key understandings, each including:
Teacher instructions...
... and student recording sheets.
Plus a blank book for your students to write their own All About Matter informational text (great for end-of-unit assessment).
Phew!
As a bonus, the unit {click here} is ON SALE through tonight for just $3.00 (instead of $6.00)... Plus I'll give a copy to the first two posters who comment on this post with their email address.
Have a great day!
