It has been a LONG time since I have linked up with Head Over Heels for Teaching's Spark Student Motivation linky, but now that I'm on summer break I'm excited to have time to share some of the activities we did towards the end of the year!
In college I took a geology class to get my science endorsement and as boring as I thought it would be, I was totally wrong. The professor was this crazy, old guy and he actually made learning about boring rocks pretty entertaining. So because of him I now enjoy teaching our rock unit!
I was lucky enough to get a bunch of rock samples thanks to Donor's Choose. I wish I had pictures to show you, but I don't :(. The students really enjoyed getting to look at samples of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks as they learned how each are formed. I also made up a silly rock song that goes to the tune of "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz, which the kids always enjoy singing. Maybe one of these years I will actually record my students singing it to share with you all so you can teach it your students too!
The best part of our rock unit this year came from a student! One of my student's grandmas used to be a teacher and she always made rock cookies for her students and asked if she could make them for us! This was the coolest thing! She brought us cookies to represent sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
.JPG)
I'm sorry these pictures are so bad but the sedimentary "rock" is a layered rice crispy treat... one layer of Fruity Pebbles, one layer of a marshmallow cream, and then one layer of regular Rice Crispies. The igneous rock is a fudge with some different crystal type sprinkles, and the metamorphic rock is a brownie with different candy pieces mixed up in it. The students were given tooth picks and went to town dissecting their cookies to figure out which cookie represented each type of rock. The students LOVED this activity and it showed that they really did understand how each type of rock is formed.
What activities do you use to motivate your students? Link up with Joanne at Head Over Heels for Teaching!
You had me at COOKIES! Heck yes if a grandma asks if she can bring in rock cookies...you should, "ABSOLUTELY!" I'm pinning those things! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
I love the different desserts to teach the different rock types. I bet your kiddos loved that!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
Ha ha! I love that you wrote your own words to a song like that!!! That's so creative!!! The cookies are such a great idea and it will definitely be something that the students can picture and remember! :)
ReplyDeleteLori
Mixing it up in Middle
Anything edible is always motivating!!! We used candy bars to teach the different types of rocks, but I love the cookie idea! :) I need the grandma to make them for my class next year! Put in my order please! Thanks for sharing and linking up Bethany! I've missed you! Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Head Over Heels For Teaching