The thing I love most about simple machines is that they can be incorporated in the children’s daily lives in so many different ways.  There are so many different experiences you can offer a child when teaching this subject and almost all of it involves hands on experiences; which is a bonus because children get the best learning experiences from working hands on with specific materials.  I don’t remember doing very much on simple machines in elementary school, but after reading this chapter I have realized that simple machines are everywhere.  There are so many different ways you can explain how simple machines work and there are so many different experiences you can allow children to have with these objects; whether it is making a simple machine themselves, going out into the community and observing the simple machines we use everyday, etc.  With all the different activities you can do with children and all the different ways you can experiment with simple machines, it boggles my mind that there is hardly any emphasis placed on this topic (from what I have experienced anyways).  Even in my placements, the only simple machines I have witnessed being used in the classroom are the toys at the sand or water table; the same toy that is in the picture on page 275.  Most children would not even be able to tell you that what they are playing with is a simple machine.

I feel that the text did a very good job with this chapter.  They put forth many different activities that can be done with simple machines and the examples they have given on explanations for the children are very helpful as well.  This chapter has covered everything from activities on all the different simple machines, to songs and poems that can be incorporated.  They have also given examples of how simple machines can be incorporated into a variety of areas such as, math experiences, art activities, play, other indoor fun, creative movement, creative thinking, food experiences and even field trips.  I enjoyed reading this chapter because I gained loads of knowledge about simple machines and it has also equipped me with all the learning experiences and activities I will be able to share in my own classroom one day.

Word Count: 378

I found this chapter to be rather interesting and informative.  Although I do remember learning about rocks and minerals in elementary school, I did not remember some of the most important details that come along with the topic.  Simple facts such as: the difference between hard rocks and soft rocks, a pencils lead is a form of a soft rock, as is blackboard chalk, also known as, pressed gypsum, and lastly, the three types of rock formations.  I did remember that the three types of rock formations were igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, but I could not remember what the differences were between them and what they looked like.  In elementary school, I can remember having to draw each type of rock and writing down beside the picture, the different attributes of each rock.  I did not feel that this was not a very exciting activity; and as you can see, it did not help me remember anything about them. Therefore, I do not plan, nor do I recommend, anyone do an activity like this in their classroom.  Before reading this chapter, I would not have had any idea how to teach a lesson on rocks and minerals in order to make it as educational and interesting to the children as possible.  I do not remember any activities from my childhood other then the one mentioned above, and I do not recall ever seeing a lesson on rocks and minerals done in any of my placememnts over the last three years.

The activities in this chapter seem to be quite engaging for the children.  I especially enjoyed the activity entitled, “How can we draw with rocks?” on page 217.  This activity caught my attention because when I was a little girl I remember that I used to try and find what we called “chalk rocks”, around my house to draw pictures on the sidewalk.  This was a fun activity that I enjoyed doing in my spare time/play time.  I never thought it could be an educational and entertaining activity for children.  I think it is great to inform children about the history of these rocks and inform them of all the other aspects associated with these rocks.  The children will best be able to retain the information while they are working with the objects hands-on and having a chance to listen to the teacher speak about what they are working with.  I also found the poem listed on pg. 225 called “My Rocks”, to be an excellent addition to the chapter and all the wonderful activities it presents.  Poems and songs are another great way to get children interested and educated about the subject or topic at hand.

Word Count - 447