COSI

COSI is a wonderful gift that has been given to educators in the Columbus area. It has been called "Ohio's Dynamic Center of Science and Industry", and it is certainly that. Founded in 1964, it has serviced over 30 million people, spreading excitement for the sciences to all. COSI is a great rescource to all educators, but especially those in the science or history field. A field trip to COSI would be great for a history class if you were studying inventions, and it is great for science at almost any topic of learning in that field. COSI has done its best to offer a wide variety of learning opportunities such as the following:

COSI at Your School: COSI will bring the intrigue of science right to your doorstep!

Camp In: Imagine having full access to COSI for your class alone for NINETEEN HOURS! Can you imagine the amount of learning that could take place in that amount of time?

Bus Field Trips: Take your class to the facility for the day!

After School Workshops: Spice up science in those after-school learning experiences!

Giant Screen Films: Watch documentaries on a HUGE screen known to be "the largest digital screen in Ohio."

As you can see, at COSI, the possibilities are endless!

Technologies used:
-Internet

References:
-  COSI at Your School. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2014, from http://www.cosi.org/educators

All Natural!

Dawes Arboretum:

Nature is a beautiful thing that can often be overlooked, but when learning about plant life, Dawes Arboretum is the place to go if you want to experience it first hand! Dawes offers countless group tour options, and the friendly staff does an EXCELLENT job of preserving the habitat. I have created a small scavenger hunt using Microsoft Office Word that will accompany this field trip wonderfully. Happy exploration!


Technologies Used:
-Microsoft Office Word
 -Internet

Rescources:

Homepage - Dawes Arboretum. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://dawesarb.org/

Photos:

1. JEFFRIES NURSERIES - UNITY SUGAR MAPLE. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.jeffriesnurseries.com/unity.htm

2. American Beech. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/hwhiteman/Field/plants/abeech.html

3. Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6800-16

4. Waterford ontario black cherry tree located at waterford antique market. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/waterfordontario/5694359919/

5. Quercus macrocarpa. (2014, November 23). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercus_macrocarpa

6.ISU Forestry Extension - Tree Identification: Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor). (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.extension.iastate.edu/forestry/iowa_trees/trees/swamp_white_oak.html

7. 2012-10-31 Tulip Poplar Tree (02). (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/-jon/8143392232/

8. Viburnum Leaf Beetle (VLB) Citizen Science, Cornell University. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/plant.html

Teachers PICK

As fall rushes in in the beginning of the school year, learning takes flight. Lynd's Fruit Farm understands the importance of hands on learning, which is why they offer school tours. So while you're learning about Johnny Appleseed in history class and photosynthesis in science, it is a great opportunity to head down to Lynd's to watch an in depth power point on a year in the life of an apple tree, learn about the nutrition apples provide, sample some hot cider, visit a museum that includes a bee hive, Johnny Appleseed, and insects that were found at the orchard. You will also get to watch the packaging process of apples, and take a two pound bag home for yourself! The cost is quite a deal at $6 a person, and the experience is worth it!

BEFORE YOU GO:

Before you decide to sprint off to the orchard, it would be best to lay some education ground work, here I will share with you a few ways to get in the apple picking mood:

1. I created this felt board counting tree simply by cutting felt and applying numbers to the apples using Puffy Paint. this is a visually appealing way to practice counting, adding, and subtracting.

2. Get Your Hands Dirty: Cut open an apple and show the students the different parts. Discuss with them what is made from apples.

3. Read "Ten Apples up on Top" by Dr. Seuss

4.Create an "Apple Tasting Station" at which students will sample a variety of things made from apples.(I.E. Apple Pie, Apple Sauce, Apple Juice, Apple Crisps, and so on..)

For more lesson ideas, feel free to visit http://lessons.atozteacherstuff.com/261/apple-exploration-learning-centers/

Technologies Used:
-Felt Board
-Puffy Paint
-Internet
-Camera

Resources:

Apple Exploration! Learning Centers. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2014, from http://lessons.atozteacherstuff.com/261/apple-exploration-learning-centers/

Socialize with us! (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2014, from http://www.lyndfruitfarm.com/

In Class Field Trips

Some fail to realize that you don't necessarily have to leave the classroom, travel more than an hour, or spend a lot of money to experience something new that will benefit the class. Although hands on experience has its place, learning about it in the classroom can sometimes be just as impactful. Because Cultural Diversity is becoming more and more prevalent, especially in the United States, it is important to introduce children to different cultures and world views. Obviously, it is not realistic to take your Third Grade class on a trip to India to "experience the culture", but one can get a small taste of indian living in the classroom with a little bit of creativity. How does one go about doing that you ask? Well, allow me to show you.


First, you will need to decide on a culture in which to educate your students. For this demonstration, I have chosen India.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQHAGluOO4 Is just one of the options I found. You can search for different lengths, specific cultural details, or whatever your preference is by simply weeding through the options available on youtube.

ACTIVITIES:
To make this experience more interactive, I would suggest incorporating one of man kinds favorite things.. Food. You can choose to make the food yourself or assign the children different foods to bring in. I chose to make a small recipe book for the children to take home after this "field trip". If they enjoyed a particular dish, they could then ask their mom or dad to make it for them, opening the door for at-home discussion!

It would also be fun to purchase some colorful fabric to place in the dramatic play area so that the children could drape it on themselves and pretend to live in India, or place books in the reading corner relating to the culture.

As you can see, the options are endless when you open the door to different cultures in your classroom.

Technologies Used:
- Camera
- Laminator
- Book Binder
- Video

References:

1. Naan Bread. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.sitar.com.au/content_common/pg-indian-naan-bread-recipe.seo

Pictures:

1. Indian Fashion – Saris, Lehengas, Salwar Kameez, Kurtas, Indian Jewelry: Didi's Wardrobe. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2014, from http://www.didiswardrobe.com/traditional-indian-clothing-by-regions-in-india.php