Sparking BOYS Motivation Saturday (Sunday 4/27/14 Entry)

Hello Blogging World!  Sorry I'm a day late linking up with the sensational Joanne @ Head Over Heels for Teaching.  I had a very busy Saturday but I have to share how I was able to engage ALL of my boys in a close reading about energy.  Yes, that's right!  ALL of MY BOYS! The group that I am focusing on for this blog are the boys in my class that have the most difficult time staying focused on a lesson.  This particular group consists of 4-fourth graders and 2-third graders.

 The assignment: Read closely to identify forms of energy, the source of that form, and how that form of energy causes motion or change.  Students were to read & discuss their findings proving their responses with text based evidence.  My students are utilizing Joanne's Discussion Stems Folders and her Non-Fiction with Post-Its Fact Posters!

 Take a look...

To see them actually reading, thinking, discussing, and sharing their thoughts warmed my heart!  They were so engaged that they didn't want to stop!  Thank goodness I found a bunch of these graphic novels sitting around in a closet!  Can you believe that?  I've had them all year in my Science Workstation, but I'm not sure my boys were actually choosing them to read.  So I figured I needed to help my boys discover them.  The lesson was a big success and I predict that these graphic novels will become a popular choice in the Science Workstation for the remainder of the school year.  In reflection, I will start off the school year with this type of close reading science lesson with Investigating the Scientific Method.

Keep your eyes peeled for these graphic novels!  They are amazing!!
MaxAxiom , Super Scientist Graphic Library by Agnieszka Biskup.  Capstone Publishers

Hope you all have an Energizing Week!