Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sticky Note Research Projects and Mars Sand...



A few weeks ago, we began our adventures in space!  My first grade astronomers were busy at work writing their very first research papers!  Everyone picked a favorite planet or object in our Solar System,  and used a sticky note research planning page to help them organize their information!  Even though I am usually stressed about starting research papers with my kiddos, I was SO impressed with the quality of their work, and this project made it much easier for them {and me}!  

 Here is an example of one of the planning pages:

{Teachers...click the picture of the sticky note page below to take a look at my sticky note research project packet!}

We also had a BLAST "visiting" each planet, and recording our new learning in our "Adventures in Space" journals!


For each planet we visited, student artists created a planet to add to our giant Solar System mural!  They did a great job!


We also just HAD to make shooting stars!  I wish I could share the picture of all the kids outside making them fly!  It looked AMAZING!  {To create the shooting stars, each child was given a square of tin foil, 2 curling ribbons, 3 different colors of crepe paper strips, and a piece of yarn.  They taped the paper strips and ribbon to one side of the square of foil, and taped the yarn to the other side (they use the yarn to fly the shooting stars).  Then, they "crumpled" the foil into a ball!  Easy!


We even created Mars Sand and observed the changes!  All you do is cut some steel wool into pieces and place it in a pan full of white sand.  Pour water over the top and watch it for a few days-- the sand turns orange and red!  This was a huge hit!


In honor of having only 18 more school days left until summer, I will be giving away one copy of my Adventures in Space Journal and one copy of my Sticky Note Research Project Packet to the 18th person to comment!!!  

46 comments:

Steph said...

Love first grade research! I am sure your students loved it!

ashleythurston said...

love this hope im 18th!
ashley.e.thurston@gmail.com

Kristen said...

Looks awesome! We're doing space right now too!

ksteacher81 said...

Love they Sticky Note idea!
Ruthanne
rarace81@gmail.com

Sarah Plum said...

This is such an awesome unit -- I love the idea of the Mars sand!

Unknown said...

Love your STICKY NOTES space packet!!!Lovely Little Learners

Anonymous said...

This looks amazing!!!! Hope I wil!

Cheers,
rmdirk@aol.com

Gladys said...

I don't know if I'll be #18...(fingers are crossed though!)..I love your sticky note research projecs...looks great!

teachinginhighheels@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hope I am number 18!!
Jennifer
laughinbrunette@hotmail.com
First Grade Blue SKies

Sandra said...

18th??? Hopefully it can be me!
This activity looks awesome!
❤ Sandra
Sweet Times in First
sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com

lorawebster said...

I would love these! Too bad I'm not number 18.

Lora

Unknown said...

Wow! 18 days, how exciting.
Jennifer
loularkin@comcast.net

lorawebster said...

Does it count if I post 18 different comments? :)
Lora
lorajwebster@gmail.com

Lohren Nolan said...

Oh my goodness! This looks so fun! I am just going to have to go get the adventures in space journal myself. I'm sure my kids will love this!

totallyterrificteachingtools.blogspot.com

Lohren Nolan

Natalie said...

So neat! I bet your kiddos thought it was the coolest thing ever!

Natalie
TeacheryTidbits

miss m said...

would love to try your sticky note paper!

Miss~Jenn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Miss~Jenn said...

This packet looks great!!!
I've been wanting to have my students do a research project on insects and this looks like fun!!!

Sherry said...

Your unit was packed with learning! Congratulations!
sherrymatheson@gmail.com

Miss Cosby said...

Hmmm, not exactly 18, lol.

My kiddos loved space!

Yvonnee said...

I would love a copy of your latest packet. Thanks for the opportunity.
yvonneeyrg@gmail.com

Melissa Mayoral said...

Love your blog...How about maybe the first... :)
mayoralm@flaglerschools.com

Melissa Mayoral said...

Haha guess I wasn't the first!
mayoralm@flaglerschools.com

Allison said...

Very cute!

tracie said...

Love this!!! Keeping my fingers crossed...

Rachel said...

Great activities!

rmariemuniz(at)hotmail(dot)com

Julie Keefe said...

Sarah,
Thanks so much for all of your incredible ideas! I've been working with the 1st and 2nd Grade teachers at my school where I'm an instructional coach. We love your blog and this sticky note research is perfect timing as our first graders are setting out on a US state research project.
Can't believe there's only 18 days left for you. We're in Massachusetts so we're down to about 35 days.
Thanks again,
Julie

graciegirl said...

What a great unit! I love the Mars sand!!!
Probably not the 18th to comment but hope I win anyways!!!

Jessica said...

Research papers with first graders is always fun! Love the sticky note idea :)
Jessica

Apples and Papers

langjjess@gmail.com

Darlene said...

This is soooooo cute! Love it!
Darlene
jdsargo@sbcglobal.net

dknapp said...

Love your sticky note research! Just finished research projects in my class and you've given me inspiration for next year!
Diane Knapp
diane.knapp@hazelpark.k12.mi.us

Tania said...

I know this is past 18th...but I just want to say: "What a great idea!". Kiddos love sticky notes :)
My Second Sense

Sarah Cooley said...

yay! You are #18! Please reply with your email so I can send you your stuff!! :)

smoran892 said...

18 more days left! I am jealous! This idea is so cute, I will have to go buy it :)! Our class made all about research books when we studied animals and they loved it. This would be a great follow up! Thanks for the idea!

Susan
T.G.I.F.

Ashley said...

This project looks so much fun for your kids! I bet they LOVED it!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great ideas on space. I am in Australia and its amazing to get ideas from you in the US. I also love your bowling addition game and have adapted it to use with my P/1/2 class ( aged 5 years to 8 years).
:-)
Katherine
kl.hallam@hotmail.com

aunt shimmy said...

I love your unit ideas!!! Again you are so creative. Thanks for all you do! sharon.washington96@yahoo.com

Mandi Moore said...

LOVE this idea! So cute! Thanks for sharing!

Come by my blog for a giveaway!

Mandi
MOORE Fun In Kindergarten

Anonymous said...

18 days -- we have until June 21 but we don't start until after Labor Day so guess we all go the same amount of days.

Love all your ideas

from CNY!

Anonymous said...

I love your space unit! The sand is awesome. How fun for your kids :)

Michaela said...

LOVE the Mars Sand!! That is just great.
I'm always nervous about starting research projects too. Thanks for giving me the courage to just dive in :)

-Shae mrspeterson.com

Ms. J said...

Love your blog!! I was wondering if I could pin some of your great ideas?

Thanks,

Miss J

Smiles, Crayons, and Endless Stories

Michelle Hudgeons said...

love your Mars Sand!! I am following your blog! :) Come by and visit!
http://smittenwithfirst.blogspot.com

Jamie said...

This is great, I just bought it. I am going to start using it this week! I do have a question however. When you made the final report copy paper, where did you get the lines like that? Is it a clip art you found? I have been looking for something like that for some other things I do.
Thanks! Love your blog.

Stephanie said...

Starting the Mars sand tomorrow!!! I think my kids will love it!!

Mrs. Spriggs' Kindergarten Pond said...

I am so glad I found your post today when searching for an example of a space mural to show my Kinders!! I am a fellow Alabama teacher/blogger and now a follower!
Mrs. Spriggs’ Kindergarten Pond

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