Author: blabrad

Climate Kids: NASA’s Eyes on Earth

Grade Level: 5th 

Content Level: Science

TEK:  (5.8) Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system. The student is expected to: (A)  differentiate between weather and climate

Website Link: http://climatekids.nasa.gov/

Summary: 

This website is sponsored by the government funded NASA website, that is specifically aimed towards elementary school aged students. The website focuses it’s teaching to key points such as: weather & climate, air, ocean, fresh water, carbon travels, energy, plants and animals, technology and Big Questions about the Earth. The goal of the website is to get kids active and interested in the subject of Earth Science from a fun perspective. The website is easy to navigate for all ages and safe for all students.

Instructional Use: 

5th graders who are studying Earth Science will be able to pick one topic that the website offers and using construction paper create their own webpage for the topic. The web page will highlight the information they learned from Climate Kids. This allows students to think outside the box in presenting the information they learned about Earth Science; instead of just writing a report they will create a webpage that is fun and creative.

Those Remarkable Women of the American Revolution

Author: Karen Zeinert

Topic: Social Studies

Grade Level: 5th

TEKS: 5th: (2) History. The student understands how conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain led to American independence. The student is expected to: (A) identify and analyze the causes and effects of events prior to and during the American Revolution, including the French and Indian War and the Boston Tea Party;(C) summarize the results of the American Revolution, including the establishment of the United States and the development of the U.S. military.

Summary: The untold stories of women who took part in the American Revolution are revealed here to students of all ages. Zeinert, features women as “spies, political commentators, soldiers, Patriots and Loyalist”  that played a significant part yet most of us have never heard of. It is a great resource for students to read beyond what the text book says about women during the American Revolution.

Here is a small Snippit from the book:

“On June 28, 1778, more than one soldier took notice of Molly when, without apparent fear, she remained at her husband’s cannon during the Battle at Monmouth Courthouse in New Jersey even when the enemy’s fire became intense.  According to legend, Molly didn’t begin to fire away until her husband, overcome by heat and exhaustion, fell to the ground. However, an eyewitness, Private Joseph Martin, claimed that Molly and her husband worked as a team throughout the entire battle….” pg.20