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Showing posts with label BOOM digital task cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BOOM digital task cards. Show all posts

Life Cycle Ideas and Activities for Hands-on Learning Fun!

Do you teach about life cycles? 

Here is a plethora of ideas and resources to make your life easier and to help make learning fun!

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Why is it important to teach about life cycles?

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Teaching young people about life cycles is a great way to help them understand the world around them. It helps them connect with nature, and develop a sense of life patterns. 

 I typically start any unit with plenty of books on the topic, and here are some of my favorites! (Can you tell who my favorite children's non-fiction author is?) Each image is an affiliate link to Amazon.

The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons

Owls by Gail Gibbons

Bats by Gail Gibbons

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Chicks and Chickens by Gail Gibbons

Frogs by Gail Gibbons

Apples by Gail Gibbons

What is a Life Cycle?  by Bobbie Kalman

Life Cycles From Start to Finish by Sam Falconer

Plant Life Cycles by Mara Grumbaun


You can find more books on life cycles HERE! (Also affiliate links!) In my classroom, I'll read a few, then leave several different life cycle related books out for them to read on their own. (The librarian/ media specialist is your best friend!)

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Start with something small, with just a few parts to the life cycle. Flowering plants, such as sunflowers or daisies are a great place to start, since these life cycles are very basic. After going over one or two simple life cycles, advance to something else children enjoy and know something about like apples or chickens!

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Then do a few more together. Advance to something more complex and fun, like the butterfly or the frog!

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

There are so many plants and animals out there, each child can have plenty of options for exploring on their own!

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Then assign research. More advanced students can do all the research on their own. Average students can do some research on their own. Some students will need extra guidance. I highly recommend using the text pages from these collections:

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!


Spring Life Cycle Bundle: 9 different plants and animals (dandelions, cherry trees, bees, Monarch butterflies, chickens, robins, salmon, earthworms, and rabbits)

Summer Life Cycle Bundle: 9 different plants and animals (watermelons, daisies, strawberries, tomatoes, frogs, praying mantises, sea turtles, ants, and ladybugs)

Fall Life Cycle Bundle: 8 different plants and animals (apple trees, corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, owls, spiders, bats, and wild turkeys)

Winter Life Cycle Bundle: 9 different plants and animals (orange trees, cocoa trees, pine trees, deer, groundhogs, harp seal, penguin, polar bear, and puffins)

Why are these sorted by season? Well, because it's more fun! I'm sure you know how excited the kiddos get about special events and holidays! Use that excitement in your classroom! Let them explore pumpkins and bats near Halloween! Let them explore pine trees and deer around Christmas!

All these life cycle sets are sold separately, but the bundles are at a huge discount. Plus, all bundles include these two extra resources: 

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!


Reader's theater about life cycles: What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg? This is a great way for students to share what they've learned and culminate the unit! Plus, there's a song for performers to sing as a finale!
Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Digital fun! Life Cycle Fun Facts! This resource (hosted on the popular Boom Learning platform) includes facts and questions about a plethora of plant and animal life cycles! This deck has 40 different questions, and no child will know all the answers! One of the features I love about Boom Learning resources is that they can play the deck over and over, and because of the immediate feedback, they can learn something every time they play! Teachers can easily check their scores to make sure they are showing growth! (If they aren't, there's a conversation that needs to take place!)

There are many ways to differentiate the learning of life cycles!

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!
Whether they're working alone, with a partner, a small group, or the whole group, this is important:

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Get them talking and thinking! Have them compare different life cycles, looking for similarities and differences. Have them predict a plant or animal's life cycle before researching it. Encourage them to sort life cycles that are alike! Most of all, get them talking about what they are learning! Those conversations deepen the learning!

All life cycle resources include these 7 pages:

Choice is essential!

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

All of these resources are included in The Life Cycles Collection. This massive bundle includes 35 different plant and animal life cycles as well as the Reader's Theater:
What Came First, the Chicken or the Eggave I mentioned that bundles come with big discounts?

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

Most importantly, give opportunities for students to share their learning. Although some might be shy about sharing information in front of the class, that's what makes it so memorable! Memory is powerful when strong emotions are involved. Not only will they remember what they shared, but they'll also remember what life cycles their classmates shared! 

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!

A special day to celebrate all the learning is a necessity! Have a Life Cycle Festival! Have children share their presentations on what they learned! Invite parents, administration, friends, other classes, etc! I'll bet you can think of plenty of life cycle related foods to serve! Be sure to have someone videotape it all!

What ideas do you have for learning and celebrating life cycles?

Do you teach about life cycles? Discover hands-on learning fun with these life cycle ideas and activities!


Is Digital Learning in the Best Interest of the Children?

There's a lot of Digital Learning going on in schools right now! But is it in the best interest of the children?

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

 Developmental Psychology was my favorite course in college.

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!
I really loved learning about the stages that children went through as they developed. Piaget was my favorite! Do you remember these stages?
Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!
The Sensorimotor Stage: the babies! These are the little ones that are just learning about how their bodies work! They learn to interact with the world by using their senses.
Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!
The Preoperational Stage: These are those toddlers and pre-schoolers through about second grade. These little ones are only beginning to think in terms of symbols. These sweeties need a whole lot of hands-on learning! That's how they learn!

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!
Then there is the Concrete Operational Stage. These are the upper elementary school age children: about second grade through sixth.  They are becoming capable of some logical thought, but these children still need lots of hands-on learning!
Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!
The Formal Operational Stage begins around middle school and extends into adulthood. These children are beginning to be able to think in an abstract manner and manipulate ideas in their heads. But, you know, even adults love those hands-on experiences, and it will enhance learning! 
 
As teachers, we all know there are children who develop faster than their peers, and many who develop much slower. 

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

In the past couple of years, laptops and devices have become a bigger part of the classroom. Honestly, the children LOVE them, and there's a whole lot of learning that can happen with them! (Plus, they often make life easier on the teachers, too!) Plus, digital learning is a necessity during remote learning!

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

I'm sure you know how much the children love learning on a digital device! I'm a huge fan of Boom Learning activities, as they provide fun learning as well as easy record keeping for teachers! Plus, there's an amazing variety of learning that can happen on this platform! Check some of these out HERE

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

Those of us who work with children in the preoperational as well as the concrete operational stages of development know the importance of internalizing learning with hands-on experiences! Please make sure they get plenty of these experiences! 

I've recently developed some resources for place value that are the best of both worlds: digital learning and hands-on learning!

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

Level one gives the children practice finding a number by counting tens and ones!  Cuisenaire Rods Place Value Fun Level 1 Tens and Ones Boom Learning

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

Level two gives the children practice finding a number by putting together tens, then counting tens and ones! Boom Learning Making Tens with Cuisenaire Rods Level 2: Hands-on and Digital

Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

Level three gives the children practice finding a number by regrouping to make thens, then counting tens and ones! Boom Learning with Cuisenaire Rods Level 3 Regrouping Tens: Hands-on and Digital

Or go for the bundle:

How else can you maintain the important hands-on learning while using digital devices?
Digital Learning? There has been a lot of push for digital learning lately, for a variety of reasons, but don't forget the need for hands-on learning!

Boom Cards are Fun and Easy to Use

If you haven't heard, Boom Learning Digital Task Cards are becoming very popular with teachers!

Boom Cards are Fun and Easy to Use: This post has links to several videos and posts that will help you get started with Boom Cards with your students.

I'm so excited about all the possibilities with Boom Learning, and I hope you are too! If you haven't tried it yet, I've collected a lot of links that hopefully will help you out. 

First of all, Boom Learning had a "how to" Webinar recently, and the 45 minute video is free on YouTube. Or, you could just watch it here!

 


If you're thinking about taking that "Boom Card" plunge, this is a great place to start.


I wanted to write a blog post about how to use blog posts, but so many already have, I've I've also collected several posts and instructions from others on using Boom cards. Here are several great posts I've found:


What are Boom Cards?

How to Use Boom Learning Cards as a Teacher  

 
How to Use Boom Cards in Google Classroom


How to Use and Assign Boom Cards
  
I'm sure if you googled, you'd find plenty more!
 
If you searched on YouTube, you'd find plenty more "how to" videos as well! In fact, Boom Learning has its own YouTube page, with plenty of instructional videos on how to build classes, assign cards, use fast pins or hyperlinks, whether or not you need to purchase a membership, how to find and purchase cards, and even create your own! 
 
You will truly be amazed at how easy and rewarding it all is!

Here's a link to the Boom Cards YouTube Channel


Many Boom Decks in all subjects can be found HERE.

What are you waiting for?

Boom Cards are Fun and Easy to Use: This post has links to several videos and posts that will help you get started with Boom Cards with your students.


Three Purposes for Boom Learning Digital Task Cards

Children (and teachers) absolutely LOVE Boom Learning Digital Task Cards.

Did you realize there are different ways to use them?


Three Purposes for Boom Learning Digital Task Cards: Did you realize there are different ways to use these digital cards? Here are three ways. Can you think of more?

1. Skills Practice

Three Purposes for Boom Learning Digital Task Cards: Did you realize there are different ways to use these digital cards? Here are three ways. Can you think of more?


Skills practice is probably the most popular use of Boom Learning cards. Since Boom Cards can be used on tablets, phones, laptops, or desktops, it's easy to just send a link for the children to practice their skills at home, during center time, or for independent work. 
 

I've made some little videos so you can see the Boom Cards in action:

This first video is an example of part of my fact fluency system. There are 8 different levels for the children to master, and two review levels. 

This is Level 1 Addition and Subtraction:  the +1 families

(This one is a freebie!)


Here's an example of the multiplication and division fact fluency system:

Level 5 Multiplication and Division the X9 families


2. Assessment

Three Purposes for Boom Learning Digital Task Cards: Did you realize there are different ways to use these digital cards? Here are three ways. Can you think of more?

Assessment is a great use of the Boom Cards as well! With a paid membership to Boom Learning, teachers can see the records of everything their students have done while on Boom Learning. They can see which questions students got right or wrong, how long the student took on that question, and a record of how many times the student has used that deck. It's a wealth of information about the students, and it's amazingly easy to use!

The above fact fluency decks can be used for assessment as well as practice. I watch the scores of the children, and when they are close to 100% accuracy, we have a celebration and they move on to the next level. 

Assessment can have several purposes within itself! A teacher might want to assess students before a lesson or unit, in order to see what the students know. 

This one will let you know what your students know about figurative language.

Figurative Language Boom Learning Digital Task Cards

 

A teacher might want to do a personality assessment at the beginning of the school year, then again at various points through the year to see how the student grows and changes. Plus, they love talking (writing) about themselves!

Who Am I? Get to Know Your Students Boom Learning Task Cards


Here's a way to assess what your students know about germs!

Germs: Viruses and Bacteria Boom Learning Task Cards


 3. Exploration and Enrichment

Three Purposes for Boom Learning Digital Task Cards: Did you realize there are different ways to use these digital cards? Here are three ways. Can you think of more?

Enrichment and Exploration are my favorite purpose for Boom Learning cards! These cards are perfect for the students who have mastered the basic information and are ready to learn more. They can be assigned a deck on a topic they're not familiar with, and explore. The best part? They can do the same deck over and over, and their responses should become more and more accurate! (Teachers can keep an eye on this, and if they're not becoming more accurate, a conversation needs to take place with this student, of course!)


There are plenty of this type of Boom Learning decks. Here are a couple:

 Famous Black Americans: Who Said This?


I have a whole series of Social Studies and Science vocabulary builders. Check out this video of  

City, Country, or Candy


I have plenty more Boom Learning decks, which you can find HERE.

How do you use your Boom cards? 

Do you have other purposes for them?


Three Purposes for Boom Learning Digital Task Cards: Did you realize there are different ways to use these digital cards? Here are three ways. Can you think of more?



Learning About the USA

There is a lot going around in politics that is far too brutal for small children. Yet, their little eyes and ears are open, and they're noticing what is going on around them. 

I think this is a good time for the children to learn about the USA.

Learning About the USA: Here are several resources to help young children learn about their country in a stress and opinion free manner!

I prefer to use this interest to teach the children more "safe," "non-biased" information about their country. As teachers, we have an obligation to teach them to think for themselves, and certainly not to tell them how to think! 

I have several Amazon affiliate links below that will bring a few pennies to me, at absolutely no cost to you. These are some examples of teaching children about the United States without teaching them to have an opinion.

How about a book of maps?
(National Geographic Kids)

How about a book of USA places?
by Gene Lipen
 
 Here's a fun collection of true tales from American History!
by Jennifer Armstrong

Here are some great biographies about American women!
by Jenifer Bazzit

Here is a book that will empower little ones!
edited by Lindsey H. Metcalf, Kelia V. Dawson, and Jeannette Bradley
 
I'm sure you know plenty more children's books to educate children about the United States of America! (Leave a comment below with your favorites!)

Here are a few resources that can be used throughout the year, whether or not there is a patriotic holiday on the horizon!

This is my newest deck on the Boom Learning platform: the children think about each USA fact, and decide if it is true or false. 

Explore this image for a link to this fun digital resource.


These Reading Comprehension for Active Learners sets have always been a big hit for my learners! 
This one tells about the 5 branches of the US military.  It's easy to differentiate since there are three different leveled texts!
Explore this image for a link to this fun resource for active learners.


Here's another resource on the Boom Learning platform comparing two North American countries! Canada, USA, or Both?

Explore this image for a link to this fun digital resource.

This resource is a favorite! It's perfect for helping the children to recognize and accept the differences between the people in our country!

Explore this image for a link to this popular diversity resource.



These mapping task cards help children learn their way around the USA map! 


Explore this image for a link to this popular set of geography task cards

This set combines several skills, and can be used for Presidents Day, Election Day, or any day you're learning about the USA! Mapping, Comparing, Syllables, and Opinion Writing with a President Theme

Explore this image for a link to this useful resource.


Do your students struggle to remember which patriotic holiday is which? 

Explore this image for a link to this valuable resource.


Want a fun collection with a huge savings?

Explore this image for a link to this time saving and money saving bundle of resources.

Or perhaps you'd prefer this collection of digital resources on Boom Learning: USA Boom Bundle

Explore this image for a link to this time saving and money saving bundle of resources.


How do you help younger children learn about the USA?

Learning About the USA: Here are several resources and freebies to help young children learn about their country in a stress and opinion free manner!
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