5 Minute Science Lesson - Monkeys

Discuss why you think the monkeys are walking through the water. Where do you think this is happening? Do you think that one monkey is signalling the others to follow him?

Cute Joke

What kind of pictures do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take?

Shell-fies!

Letter E is for Emojis

Discuss what emojis are. 

Make emoji necklaces, masks, and signs. 

Make an emoji game board and playing cards. 

How many ways can you use emojis in the classroom?

5 Minute Science Lesson - Yawning

What do you see happening? Discuss why, when one person yawns, it triggers someone else to yawn, too.

Parental Bits of Wisdom

Sharing these bits of wisdom from a fellow teacher.

1. Lower your standards for cleanliness and order.
2. Did that? Lower them even more.
3. Your house will never look like a magazine spread, period. Embrace that.
4. No matter how many baskets you buy to contain toys, they will always be visible. Embrace the Toys ‘R Us/ frat house-chic decor.
5. You can never have too many Popsicle in the freezer. How many bad moods have been fixed by a simple Popsicle?
6. If you can’t change them, change your perspective. For example I read recently – probably on Satan’s website Pinterest – that toothpaste is great for cleaning things like faucets. So now when I go into the bathroom every day and see toothpaste splatter all over the bathroom faucet I think about how my children have done half the chore of cleaning for me. How considerate of them! Then I wipe it off while cursing.
7. Those chores that no one ever wants to do. Decide if you would rather do it yourself, badger your child to it, or let it go. If you are confused about what to do, see Number 1 on this list.
8. No one cares what is stuffed under your child’s bed, why should you. Unless it is old food. In that case, you should get a dog.
9. If you have boys, your bathroom will always faintly stink like pee. Invest in some Febreze and count down the days until they move out and you can go visit them and pee on their bathroom floor.
10. Don’t buy white furniture. Unless you enjoy screaming at your children every time they go near it.
11. However bad a situation might seem, one day it will be funny. I have a few for which I am eagerly awaiting for the funny to kick in. Any time now….
12. When your child is a young teen there will be nothing more embarrassing than your very existence. Use this to your advantage. Start planning early.
13. Do not paint any walls in your house with flat paint.
14. Be okay with letting your kids stumble sometimes. Whether that is turning in an assignment late because they didn’t do it or wearing an outfit so hideous you have trouble looking at them without laughing.
15. Noise cancelling headphones are great for blocking out whining, bickering and the endless episodes of Sponge Bob.
16. Socks do not have to match. Every day is Crazy Sock Day at my house, which is infinitely better than Crazy Mom Day.
17. The crayons will break and it is okay to throw them away rather then save them to make some sort of craft that involves the hair dryer. In fact, I give you permission to not feel guilty about all the crafts you know you will never do.
18. Your children will not die from eating the occasional hot dog or frozen pizza. And by occasional I mean more than you are really willing to admit.
19. If your children are driving you crazy arguing with each other, start an argument with them. Then your children will bond over their mutual hatred of you and be quiet.
20. Children do not appreciate top sheets or high thread counts. Buy neither.
21. Homework time is the worst time of the day. Help your kids and yourself by having a designated time and a quiet place to do homework. Preferably in a neighbor’s home.
22. Just say No to ironing.
23. Last, but not least, some chocolate and some really bad TV makes everything seem a little better.

Bad Weather Fun - Exercise and Clockwork!

Another great tip from a fellow teacher!

Having a bad weather day when the kids can't go outside to exercise? This little trick not only helps you work out the wigglies, but it also reinforces the hand placement on a clock, as well as their numbers.

Sitting in a chair, stick out your right foot straight ahead. Show them this is where the 12 would be. Directly to the side on the right would be 3, and on the left would be 9. Then show them the placement for 1, 2, and 4 on the right, and 8, 10, and 11 on the left.

Now, call out a number and have them point their leg where that number would be. Work on the right leg for a few sets, concentrating on 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Then switch to the left leg to work on 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Be prepared for a lot of giggles!

5 Minute Science Lesson - Mudskippers

These are called mudskippers. They are fish who breathe with lungs, not gills. They walk on land using their fins since they don't have legs. Discuss what you think is happening in this gif.

Let Them Know They're Loved

New! MUSIC AND HANDS

Music And Hands

by L. G. Mooney

$0.99 e

Songs, games, and activities that will have you snapping, tapping, and clapping with delight!

Excerpt and buy links.

5 Minute Science Lesson - Hula Hoops

Discuss what this little girl is trying to do. Why isn't it working? Discuss how a hula hoop works, then have a practical demonstration.

No Sandwiches School Lunches

Check out all these fantastic lunch ideas to send to school with your child! Everything from gluten-free, Japanese, muffins, and much, much more! Link.

Happy Labor Day!

5 Minute Science Lessons - Lava

1. What is this?

2. What is it doing?

3. Why is it moving so slowly?

4. Why is it red?

5.  Do you think it will stop?