Today we read the SpongBob Lab Safety article which we borrow from the Science Spot.  As we are reading students are writing down safe and unsafe behaviors.  When we are finished reading they write a summary about what they read.

After completing the SpongBob Lab Safety reading students are required to complete and "11 o'clock" activity on page 12.  Students had to write the word acrostic down the left side of their paper and then write a complete sentence that had to do with lab safety.

Together we create a mini flap book for 8 tools that students are required to know for 5th grade science.  As a group we decide what type of tool is it; does it measure something, is it for observations and we write that on the underside of the flap.  Then we come up with a definition for the tool as a group.

After modeling 8 tools then the students work with a table partner to come up with description and definitions for the other 8 tools.

We start the year with Science Safety Rules and make sure to include a copy in our journals.  This year after discussing the rules on this sheet we completed the Where's Safe-T activity from AIMS Education.

Then students are required to write a letter to me with 3 reasons why Safety Rules are important and explain.

After discussing input/output I go over what type of activities and materials will go on the left side of the notebook.  I also introduce the activity clock shown above.  As we move on through the year I can tell my students to "Do a 6 o'clock activity on pg. ##" and they know that they are going to be writing a cinquain. You can find a copy of this page here