Throwback Tuesday: Hands On Activity Ideas for Elementary School
*Originally posted May 20, 2013 when my boys were 9, 7, & 5
Today we were learning some more about fractions and I thought rather than using their books we'd turn to cookbooks! We learned a bit about science by re- potting some flowers and releasing our butterflies too.
I always try to make our lessons as hands- on as possible.
I read two storybooks about fractions called My Half Day and The Lion's Share.
I handed them each a cookbook and I told them I needed them all to try and agree on one thing. We had less than an hour before we needed to leave and I'm only one person.... so of course they all picked a different recipe!
They searched through the books and cabinets until we found all the ingredients for them each to make something. I figured it was a great kitchen science lesson too as well as a lesson on estimation (we had to decide if we had enough of each ingredient to follow the recipe) and fractions.
Evan settled down to enjoy his Parmesan tortilla chips with some hummus while I helped Ian with his peanut butter fudge and Alec with his peanut butter chip cookies.
We managed to finish everything, but just barely.
We spent the afternoon listening to books on CD finishing up Ms. Lagrange Is Strange and Magic Tree House book Season of the Sandstorms.
I always try to make our lessons as hands- on as possible.
I read two storybooks about fractions called My Half Day and The Lion's Share.
I handed them each a cookbook and I told them I needed them all to try and agree on one thing. We had less than an hour before we needed to leave and I'm only one person.... so of course they all picked a different recipe!
They searched through the books and cabinets until we found all the ingredients for them each to make something. I figured it was a great kitchen science lesson too as well as a lesson on estimation (we had to decide if we had enough of each ingredient to follow the recipe) and fractions.
Evan settled down to enjoy his Parmesan tortilla chips with some hummus while I helped Ian with his peanut butter fudge and Alec with his peanut butter chip cookies.
We managed to finish everything, but just barely.
We spent the afternoon listening to books on CD finishing up Ms. Lagrange Is Strange and Magic Tree House book Season of the Sandstorms.
I asked the boys if they'd like to help me plant some of the flowers we bought. They said no, but once I had to use a hammer and nail to make some holes in the bottom of the pots, I suddenly had tons of help. Ian then wanted to help with the dirt while Alec decided he wanted to do all the watering. We got 9 planters done in 30 minutes! They look real pretty along our wall too.
I was hoping the sun would come out and we could let the last of our butterflies go before dinner, and it did. Evan was happy he got to hold one in his hand like his brothers did yesterday and they all had equal turns so that was good. This has been such a fun, engaging science lesson that the boys have already asked if we can get more caterpillars and do it again. We kept one of the butterfly gardens and I told them I'm sure we could order more caterpillars next spring.
Linking up with:
I was hoping the sun would come out and we could let the last of our butterflies go before dinner, and it did. Evan was happy he got to hold one in his hand like his brothers did yesterday and they all had equal turns so that was good. This has been such a fun, engaging science lesson that the boys have already asked if we can get more caterpillars and do it again. We kept one of the butterfly gardens and I told them I'm sure we could order more caterpillars next spring.
Linking up with:
My stepson loved the Magic Tree House books :)
ReplyDeleteI loved them myself and was so glad the boys enjoyed them so thoroughly.
DeletePractical application is the best teaching tool. Those kind of days are my favorite :)
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteI remember doing the caterpillar/butterfly gardens with my girls. It was so fun!
ReplyDeleteThey are a lot of fun.
DeleteYour post made this retired kindergarten teacher smile from ear to ear! You planned a rich and engaging day of learning and then was flexible, too! FUN!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you!
DeleteYou always offer a great variety of ideas, which is so important as each child is individual (which we all know) but in a larger group setting it is not always possible to let the child actually enjoy their difference while still learning the lesson. But this is why homeschooling is the best way to learn for so many. Thanks for offering these look back posts!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is much easier with just a few children to let them be individuals.
DeleteWhen my girls were little they always learned more with hands on activities and they still do now. Wow! Good on you for making 3 different things with the kids, I was never that brave! It looks like they were great helpers with the gardening.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I found that to be true for all my boys as well.
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