Chelle's Corner

In this lab, students use triple beam balances and pan balances to find the mass of everyday items and items found easily in an elementary science lab. I have my students work with a partner, but this could also be done independently. Then, students create a letter explaining how to use a balance.

Students watch the presentation and fill in facts and examples into their chart. This is a great introductory lesson about types of energy including: solar, mechanical, thermal, light, electrical, chemical, and sound. I used this lesson as a whole group lesson, then had students glue their charts into their science journals. This could also be used as a center lesson.

This presentation gives introductory information about solar, mechanical, thermal, light, electrical, chemical, and sound energy. It provides basic facts and examples of each type of energy. I used this as whole group lesson, but it could very easily be used as an individual lesson or a lesson for a center.

As a warm up, students copy important safety and tool vocabulary from the PowerPoint. Then, they learn a hand motion to associate with each vocabulary word. In my class, we learn 2-3 words daily. Then, we practice all of the words with the motions every day to help retain learning.