Japanese Schools

5 Minute Science Lesson - gelatin

What are you seeing?
What do you think the orange ball is made of?
Why is it splitting up into all those orange "strings"?
Why doesn't it bounce off the tennis racket?

Alliteration Game

Say or write a sentence on the board where every word begins with the same letter. (See examples below.)

Students write down and/or read aloud the sentence, then provide the final word which also begins with the alliterated letter.

See, Read, Learn!

I found this chart at my optomotrist. Wasn't able to find a clearer version online, but if you click on the photo you'll get the large-size view.

It's basically a guideline as to how and what a child should be able to learn as a baby, toddler, pre-schooler, up to Kindergarten.

But the most important message is children's eyesight. Early detection of vision problems is crucial, and the value/need of glasses should a child need them.

5 Minute Science Lesson - Rainstorm

What do you think this is?

Which direction are the clouds moving?

Why are the rain and the clouds moving in different directions?

Teacher Quotes (For a Love of Teaching)

Beating the Box

This game would work so well with Pre-Kinders and Kindergarten students! And it doesn't have to be seasonal. You could do also it at the end of the school year.

To prepare:
Place a small but "worthy" and unbreakable item in a box. Wrap it. Place it in a bigger box. Wrap it. Repeat however many times you wish.

You also need two oven mitts and a pair of dice.

To play, everyone gathers in a circle. For a classroom, I suggest sitting on the floor.

The first person tosses the dice. First person to roll a pair gets the first "whack" at the box. They put on the oven mitts and try to open the package any way they can (without using their teeth!) In the meantime, the dice keep getting passed from person to person until another pair is rolled. Then that person puts on the mitts and has their turn beating on the box.

This rolling and beating continues until the prize is eventually recovered. But, warning! This does eat up a lot of time!

5 Minute Science Lesson - Ice

What do you see happening?
Why doesn't it land in the water?

Why does it slide across the pond?

That's Thinking Outside the Box

It's a New Year Song

It's a New Year Song

(Tune: "Alouetta")

It's a new year!

Happy, happy new year!

Happy New Year

Twenty Seventeen!

5 Minute Science Lesson - Moon Landing

What do you think you're watching?
Where do you think this is taking place?

“WE’RE ON OUR WAY, HOUSTON” – On December 14, 1972, humanity left the Moon for the last time. Apollo 17 astronauts Jack Schmitt and Gene Cernan ascended from the lunar surface to rendezvous with the orbiting command module and begin the journey home.

Life Hacks #486

Happy New Year!