DNA Color-by-Number

Would you like an easy way to teach the nucleotides and base pairs of DNA?  Do your students like crafts and/or coloring?  Then check out my DNA Color-by-Number!

This Color-by-Number worksheet is meant to be an introduction into the nucleotides and bases that make up the structure of DNA.

I use this as an introductory activity, with no prior teaching. 

After it is colored, we talk about the matching patterns of the base pairs (A with T and C with G). 

I also explain to them that these pairs can happen in an infinite number of sequences, such as:

A-T, C-G, A-T, C-G

OR

C-G, C-G, G-C, A-T

I further explain that any mismatched pairing of bases, A-C or G-T for example, would result in a mutation of the gene.  This mutation could be inherited by the offspring of the organism.

Finally, we talk about how not all mutations are a bad thing because this is how evolution happens.

If you'd like to pick up a copy, click here.

How do you introduce the structure of DNA?  I'd love to hear about it!

Steps to Long Division Bookmarks

Long division:  It's so important to so many other math concepts.  It's also a tough concept to master and memorize.  So what do we do?

Is your hand up?  I know mine is!  It was with these goals in mind that I created my Steps to Long Division Bookmarks.  


These are dual-sided bookmarks that present the steps for long division in two ways:
The first uses the mnemonic of the family (daddy, mommy, sister, brother, Cali, Rover) 
The second uses a cheeseburger (does McDonald's serve cheese burgers). 

The bookmark format allows students to keep this visual reminder in their textbook, or even in their nightly reading books for a handy study guide. 

Just print, glue the two sides together, and laminate.  Then students can choose which mnemonic makes the most sense to them.

You can pick up a copy by clicking here.

What tips and tricks do you have for helping students learn and study the steps for long division?  I'd love to hear from you!

Teacher Self-Care Practice: Essential oils

I've recently come to love my essential oils for pulling double-duty in my home AND in the classroom.  Read this post to see how I use them for calming, health, and clarity.


Here are the ways I use oils in the classroom:

1. Diffusing

I love this little portable diffuser.  It has a USB cord and is small enough to fit in a cup holder in your car.  That means you can easily take it from your car to classroom.  Just a drop or two of oil, and this bad boy will diffuse for a few hours.  I love that it will not make the whole classroom smell of essential oil, just my desk area.


2.  In my water

A drop or two of lemon oil encourages me to drink more water and detoxes my system.


3.  In my tea

A drop of On Guard in my tea gives it a nice clove, cinnamon, spicy taste and protects me against sickness.  Bonus:  If it's Magnesium Tea, it promotes calm, clarity, and energy.

4.  Cleaning 

My desk, the tables, the counters.  Middle-schoolers still get sick... a lot. and their germs are all over the place.  At the very least, I need to wipe my desk down before eating/snacking.  If I see/hear evidence of a kid being sick, I start wiping chairs and tables.

Do you use oils in your classroom?  I'm looking for more ways to use them, so I'd love to hear how you use them!

Winter Poetry and a FREEBIE

Want some ideas on how to keep the writing curriculum fresh, even on those long Winter days?  Then check out my Winter Poetry Unit and Winter Poetry Freebie: Haikus!  Poetry + Figurative Language = FUN during your writing block that will keep the creative juices flowing. 

It doesn't matter if you're in elementary school or middle school when it comes to poetry.  Everyone loves poetry!  You can dig pretty deep into figurative language and writing structure with something so simple as a poem.


This unit is designed to have writers use the following strategies to vary their writing and use descriptive terms:
~"Show, Don't Tell"
~Figurative Language: Onomatopoeia, Metaphors
~Creating rhythm in poetry: Alliteration, Rhyming
~Types of poems: Cinquains, Limericks, Haikus

What's poetry without some really cool forms of figurative language?  My Winter Poetry packet includes:
Onomatopoeia
Metaphors
Personification

And NOW.... a FREEBIE!

Haikus are a wonderful way to dig deep into word choice and the writing process without a lot of pain.  This FREEBIE includes:

~Description and rules for writing a Haiku

~An example Winter Haiku

~Instructions for writing and editing a Winter Haiku 

What are your favorite ways to get the students to buy into figurative language and the writing process?  I'd love to hear how!

Teacher Self-Care: Magnesium Tea

Welcome to the new year!  Do you want to start a healthy habit that will reduce stress, help keep your body running at peak performance, increase your energy, and takes less than 10 minutes?  Then it's time to learn how to make Magnesium Tea!

We have something to celebrate: We made it through some of the most stressful times of the year already.  Congrats, teachers!  Moving forward, we need to remember to take time out for self-care that will keep out soul rested and our love for our profession evident.

So, carve out a 10-minute slice of your day for one of the easiest and fulfilling things your can do for yourself: Make Magnesium Tea!  Magnesium has many benefits, including stress reduction and energy boosts.


Here's what you'll need:

A mug of hot water (preferably filtered water instead of tap)
***1/2-1 Tablespoon of honey or sweetener of choice
1 tea bag (I am loving the blueberry Celestial tea at the moment)
1/2-1 teaspoon of a magnesium citrate (I LOVE Natural Vitality's raspberry-lemon, but it comes in many flavors and there's an unflavored version)

***You want to start small with the magnesium.  Start with 1/2 teaspoon twice a day and work up to 2 teaspoons a day.  


Directions:
1. Warm the water for a minute in the microwave
2. Put the Tablespoon of honey in the water and let the honey melt off the spoon
3. Add the Magnesium.  It will fizz a little bit while it's reacting with the water.
4. Add the teabag and let it steep for a few minutes.
5. Remove the teabag, stir, and enjoy!


That's it!


What do you do for your self-care that takes ten minutes or less?  I need some new ideas for the new year!