Engaging Deeper Thinking

Brains On is an amazing science based podcast for kids. This bundle includes the high interest topics of Time Travel, Ancient Lost Cities, Language, Tardigrades, and Dreams. This could be a great whole class listen or could be a centers based activity with students listening to the episodes with earbuds.

Podcasts are a great addition to any classroom of any age. Brains On is a wonderful podcast that usually covers scientific concepts, but the topics can cover pretty much anything. This is an interesting episode about tardigrade or water bears. Kids will love listening about the microscopic world around us. This recording sheet could be used as whole group or the students could listen independently if they have their own technology devices. It could be used as a substitute for read aloud one day

There is a traveling exhibit called The Science Behind Pixar that has made its way across the United States to different Science Centers. They have created an amazing virtual exhibit that gives a wonderful online version of this exhibit. This Google Slidedeck helps students to stay organized and focused while they travel through the exhibit and holds them accountable while they explore. It is a great STEM activity and shows real world career connections for students who are interested in animati

This virtual field trip begins in Pompeii. Pompeii has 360 degree views of the ruins that students can explore. It gives informative background knowledge about Pompeii before the eruption as well as why the impact of its discovery is so important. Finally, there is a connection to another famous volcanic eruption that occurred in what is now Greece. They share the connection of both being destroyed by a volcanic eruption, but at the same time being perfectly preserved underneath the ash for thou

Virtual Field Trips are highly engaging. They are a great way for students to explore a little piece of the world without having to leave the classroom. This virtual tour takes students to Hawaii. Maunakea is a stunning space observatory at the top of the tallest mountain in Hawaii. Students can navigate through the summit at different times of day- sunset and night are absolutely beautiful- as well as see some of the telescopes up close. VR glasses can be used, but are definitely NOT a requirem

This is a fun assignment for students learning about the solar system. This allows students to pick a planet to research and then write a postcard pretending to be an astronaut exploring this planet writing to someone back on Earth. They will incorporate facts about the planet with creative details about what that person would be experiencing while on that planet. Links are provided to help students research their chosen planets. Also, a sample is provided. The final product will be handwritten

This Google slide deck has links for students to explore deeply the history of meteorites on Earth, with a special emphasis on the one that left the impact known as Meteor Crater in northern Arizona. Students will explore different websites and answer questions about the sites and there is also a video of a scientist at the bottom of Meteor Crater. This would be the perfect addition for any unit about the solar system. It could also be used as a stand alone virtual field trip. All kids are fasci

This slide deck is a wonderful way to help students appreciate the cultural, economic, and environmental aspects of Christmas tree farming. Many people don't have any idea how Christmas trees are harvested and grown or much about the sustainability practices they have in place. This presentation will show you a wonderful video from one of the largest Christmas tree farms in the United States. Students will also be introduced to a highly effective and engaging way to take notes called Sketchnotin

The Iron Chef is all about the secret ingredient. Instead of creating recipes, students will create a presentation about the topic. In this case, the topic is invasive species. Students will be assigned groups and choose an invasive species to research. Then they will create a presentation about their topic. The last slide is the secret ingredient that will add all the unique flavor to the presentation! These mini research projects are a great way to jigsaw a topic and make the students experts

Podcasts are a great addition to any classroom of any age. Brains On is a wonderful podcast that usually covers scientific concepts, but the topics can cover pretty much anything. This is an interesting episode about the ins and outs of the theories of time travel. Kids will love listening to all the theoretical possibilities and imagining endless possibilities. This recording sheet could be used as whole group or the students could listen independently if they have their own technology devices.

The Iron Chef is all about the secret ingredient. Instead of creating recipes, students will create a presentation about the topic. In this case, the topic is symbiotic relationships. Students will be assigned groups and be assigned a choice of a symbiotic relationship- either commensalism, mutualism, or parasitism. Then they will create a presentation about their topic. The last slide is the secret ingredient that will add all the unique flavor to the presentation! These mini research projects

In social studies human migration plays an important part of history. When talking about human migration the focus is often on push and pull factors. A way to extend this topic is to have students research animal migration. It could also be used as a quick research project where students practice paraphrasing and quoting direct sources. The time limit, group work collaboration, and the secret ingredient make this a highly engaging activity.