Teaching Ideas

You can enjoy teaching. But first, you must survive. How? Just organize, plan, and simplify. Then it's time to thrive. Learn new things. Engage your students. And finally - dive in!

Battery and Bulb Experiment

January 14, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Learn, Science

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Use this battery and bulb experiment to teach kids about electrical circuits. For each pair of students, you’ll need a 1.5-volt light bulb, a battery, and a strip of aluminum…

How to Teach Text Structures – Fourth Grade Informational Text

January 8, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Engage, English Language Arts, Learn, Plan

fourth grade informational text, fourth grade nonfiction text, fourth grade reading, how to teach text structure, informational text structure, nonfiction text structure

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Wondering how to teach text structures? First, ask students to read and write basic nonfiction paragraphs. Then introduce five text structures with sample paragraphs and graphic organizers. Don’t forget to…

How to Use Christmas Tree Lights to Teach Electricity

January 3, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Learn, Science

Christmas tree lights, electricity experiments, elementary science

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Teaching electricity? Grab some Christmas tree lights! They provide a cheap option for testing conductors and insulators. Furthermore, if you let kids take them apart, they’ll understand circuits better. (more…)

Consider Rechargeable Batteries for Your Classroom

January 2, 2020

Brenda Kovich

Learn, Science

classroom batteries, electricity activities for kids, rechargeable batteries

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Rechargeable batteries are a great choice for any classroom. They last longer. Additionally, they’re friendly to your budget and the environment. (more…)

Growing Plants Bulletin Board Ideas

December 27, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Science

bulletin boards, plant bulletin boards, plant parts, science bulletin boards, science displays, teaching plants

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Grow a plants bulletin board! It’s easy. First, purchase baggies with flaps and bean seeds. Second, staple a series of baggies to your board. Then add a few seeds with…

Interactive Bulletin Boards

December 22, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Science

bulletin boards, heat bulletin board, interactive bulletin board, science bulletin board, thermal energy bulletin board

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Interactive bulletin boards really draw students’ attention! Add one simple element to your display and see how kids respond. (more…)

Teaching Thermal Energy with Heat Activities for Kids

December 19, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Science

heat activities, heat energy activities, thermal energy activities, thermal energy activities for kids

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Heat activities help kids conceptualize thermal energy. With a few everyday objects, you can help your students understand about conduction, convection, radiation, and much more! (more…)

5 Fabulous Heat Websites for Kids

December 17, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Digital Classroom, Engage, Science

heat links, heat websites, thermal energy for kids, thermal energy links, thermal energy websites

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Heat websites help kids understand thermal energy concepts. Add media to your heat unit with these links. They’re great for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. (more…)

Sound Lesson Plans

December 16, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Engage, Plan, Science

sound energy lesson plans, sound lesson plans

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Adapt these sound lesson plans for the number of class periods you have. If you use stations, the entire unit can easily be completed in five days. With a corresponding…

5 Fabulous Sound Websites for Kids

December 15, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Digital Classroom, Engage, Science

sound energy websites, sound websites, teaching sound, teaching sound energy

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Sound websites help kids understand energy concepts. Bring a new dimension to your science unit with these links. They’re great for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. (more…)

Double Duty Lesson Plans

December 13, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Learn, Plan

double duty, instructional planning, interdisciplinary learning

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Double duty lesson plans let you hit two different subject areas at once. Instead of segregating instruction, think of ways to integrate learning every day. (more…)

Creating Clip Art Bulletin Boards

December 12, 2019

Brenda Kovich

Learn, Science

bulletin boards, clip art, sound, sound bulletin board, sound energy, teaching sound

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It’s time to create custom clip art bulletin boards. First, find images for the concept you’re teaching. Second, determine captions. Finally, open PowerPoint and get started. (more…)

Teaching Ideas

Battery and Bulb Experiment

How to Teach Text Structures – Fourth Grade Informational Text

How to Use Christmas Tree Lights to Teach Electricity

Consider Rechargeable Batteries for Your Classroom

Growing Plants Bulletin Board Ideas

Interactive Bulletin Boards

Teaching Thermal Energy with Heat Activities for Kids

5 Fabulous Heat Websites for Kids

Sound Lesson Plans

5 Fabulous Sound Websites for Kids

Double Duty Lesson Plans

Creating Clip Art Bulletin Boards

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