Meet the Teacher!

Meet The Teacher {LINKY}

I spend a lot of time -  ESPECIALLY at this time of year – looking for new and innovative ways to improve my teaching, and my job as a teacher to my own kids at home so I can support the work teachers put into my little (and big) ones all day long.  I jump from blog to blog and covet ideas like a shopaholic does shoes and handbags.  I came across this linky party over at Falling into First and decided to jump on the old proverbial bandwagon.

 

 

So a little bit about me:

My name is Erica Hildebrand and I am going into my 3^rd year of teaching.  My first year I taught some pretty stinkin’ cute Firsties. I jumped up to Grade 7 last year and will continue there this year.  I teach Math and Science.  I also teach bible to two Grade 7 classes and two Grade 8 classes.

I have been married for 15 years this December and have 5 amazing kids, I may a bit biased – four girls Cheyenne (17), Zoe (14), Freedom (13), Abby (8), and  one little man Asher (6).

 

 

So now for the fun part.

 

 

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Gel pens and pretty journals, owls on absolutely everything, Clash of Clans (it’s a guilty pleasure), Walking Dead, Supernatural, a good cup of coffee, tons of music but namely Kings of Leon, BVB, The 1975, Hillsong worship, Jesus, long walks in the evening, fluffy white clouds and bright blue skies, BOOKS.  I have hundreds of books and I love each one, even the poorly written and lame ones.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

A meteorologist.  I wanted to chase tornadoes most of my life but there was WAY too much advanced math involved.  I have a degree in geology and physical geography and would love to maybe someday do some field work in morphology.  That sounded way geekier than I expected LOL.

 

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Driven. Dedicated. Multitasker.
 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

 

“Please stand and wave vigorously I am much more likely to choose you to answer my questions...said no teacher EVER!!"
 

 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Misha Collins.  I have a feeling it would be a party to remember! He should probably bring Jenson and Jared so he feels a little more at home.

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 

Peculiar is as Peculiar Does

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 

Flight/strength.  Never have to pay to take my LARGE family on a vacation again.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

 

Words, in my humble opinion, are the most inexhaustible source of magic we have. – Dumbledore.
 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

This would change day to day – but today it would be Back Down South by Kings of Leon or Chocolate by the 1975.
 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

 

Both, unfortunately for my body. I like to stay up until 3 or 4 a.m. so I feel like I have had enough time to accomplish everything I feel like I should. But early morning, in the still and quiet as the sun peeks over the horizon is just as tempting.  I am lucky I naturally need very little sleep.

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

 

If I had to pick an elementary resource it would be my {Friday Fun} Science mega pack.  In Grade 1 we always spent Fridays doing a full day activity that focused on a science skill, math, literacy, and one BIG IDEA.  They were some of our best teaching moments in my grade one class. It really showed me how much little minds can grasp and hold onto if we give them chances to challenge what they know in a way that connects with their experiences.

 

My favorite grade 7 resource is The Dynamic Earth. It has a ton of hands on learning, teaching pages and suggestions, and I finally got to use my geology degree on something other than a thesis paper.

 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I used to scrapbook for a living.  At that time my “babies” were little, I was at home and it was a great way to pay for the supplies I was using so they never came out of our budget and have a little extra spending money. I LOVE working with mixed media and photography – and it is something I miss often.

.

 

Now pop on over to Falling into First and check out the other amazing teacher authors who are taking part of this linky party.

Meet The Teacher {LINKY}

I spend a lot of time -  ESPECIALLY at this time of year – looking for new and innovative ways to improve my teaching, and my job as a teacher to my own kids at home so I can support the work teachers put into my little (and big) ones all day long.  I jump from blog to blog and covet ideas like a shopaholic does shoes and handbags.  I came across this linky party over at Falling into First and decided to jump on the old proverbial bandwagon.

 

My name is Erica Hildebrand and I am going into my 3^rd year of teaching.  My first year I taught some pretty stinkin’ cute Firsties. I jumped up to Grade 7 last year and will continue there this year.  I teach Math and Science.  I also teach bible to two Grade 7 classes and two Grade 8 classes.

I have been married for 15 years this December and have 5 amazing kids, I may a bit biased – four girls Cheyenne (17), Zoe (14), Freedom (13), Abby (8), and  one little man Asher (6).

 

 

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Gel pens and pretty journals, owls on absolutely everything, Clash of Clans (it’s a guilty pleasure), Walking Dead, Supernatural, a good cup of coffee, tons of music but namely Kings of Leon, BVB, The 1975, Hillsong worship, Jesus, long walks in the evening, fluffy white clouds and bright blue skies, BOOKS.  I have hundreds of books and I love each one, even the poorly written and lame ones.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

A meteorologist.  I wanted to chase tornadoes most of my life but there was WAY too much advanced math involved.  I have a degree in geology and physical geography and would love to maybe someday do some field work in morphology.  That sounded way geekier than I expected LOL.

 

 

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Driven. Dedicated. Multitasker.
 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

 

“Please stand and wave vigorously I am much more likely to choose you to answer my questions...said no teacher EVER!!"
 

 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

 

Misha Collins.  I have a feeling it would be a party to remember! He should probably bring Jenson and Jared so he feels a little more at home.

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 

Peculiar is as Peculiar Does

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 

Flight/strength.  Never have to pay to take my LARGE family on a vacation again.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

 

Words, in my humble opinion, are the most inexhaustible source of magic we have. – Dumbledore.
 

 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

This would change day to day – but today it would be Back Down South by Kings of Leon or Chocolate by the 1975.
 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

 

Both, unfortunately for my body. I like to stay up until 3 or 4 a.m. so I feel like I have had enough time to accomplish everything I feel like I should. But early morning, in the still and quiet as the sun peeks over the horizon is just as tempting.  I am lucky I naturally need very little sleep.

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

 

If I had to pick an elementary resource it would be my {Friday Fun} Science mega pack.  In Grade 1 we always spent Fridays doing a full day activity that focused on a science skill, math, literacy, and one BIG IDEA.  They were some of our best teaching moments in my grade one class. It really showed me how much little minds can grasp and hold onto if we give them chances to challenge what they know in a way that connects with their experiences.

My favorite grade 7 resource is The Dynamic Earth. It has a ton of hands on learning, teaching pages and suggestions, and I finally got to use my geology degree on something other than a thesis paper.

 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I used to scrapbook for a living.  At that time my “babies” were little, I was at home and it was a great way to pay for the supplies I was using so they never came out of our budget and have a little extra spending money. I LOVE working with mixed media and photography – and it is something I miss often.

.

 

Homework!

 Volcano projects for all!   

Math review for both 7a and 7b. :).  

 

Loving the Earth Sciences!

Finished and wrapped (er....zipped) up the second part of my Earth Science unit. 

 Our Dynamic Earth A unit on the forces that build and shape the earth: from Faults and Plates to Mountains, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes

28 PAGE TEACHER RESOURCE INCLUDES:

All applicable answer keys

All links included for videos

Links to images, resources, websites that will support your lessons inserted where you will need them for convenience.


Posters for Sandwich squish lab

Handouts for group activities – types of volcanoes, types of folds and faults

Teaching suggestions for lessons

Lab instructions including dialogue


22 PAGE STUDENT BOOKLET INCLUDES:


Rubric page

Questions for Plate tectonic video on YouTube

Plate tectonic activity page

Types of faults info and room for diagrams

Earthquake handouts and information on body and surface waves

Mountain information handout and cut and paste

Mapping Mountains Activity (requires an atlas) along with map

Mountain review questions and extension activity

Crossword to complete with Pacific Ring of Fire video from YouTube

Volcano information handout

Parts of a volcano definitions and hand drawn diagram to label

Types of volcanoes group activity and worksheet

Volcanic Eruptions Lab handout

Sandwich squish lab pages and rubrics


Unit project – Volcano Research Journal (including mapping activity, diagram, creative elements and a rubric to follow)

Includes Scientific Process and extension activities using Nelson Science and Technology Grade 7 text. The extension work is just that – an extension. It is not required to use the booklet or teacher resources.


Also included are the unit test, adapted test and a key for both.

This is the second portion of my Earth Science Unit. You can find the first one here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Earths-Crust-1044444

What a throwback....

From my old scrpbooking days (which I miss greatly some times!!)

http://sisterhoodofscrap.blogspot.ca/2007/05/sketch-saturday-week-4erica-hildebrand.html
http://jeanmaries.blogspot.ca/2007/09/inspiration.html

 

I forgot how much fun it was to use that creative element inside of me to make something beautiful and meaningful!!

Reflecting..

In the midst of about 4 million things that are going on in, around, and involving me I sometimes need to take a minute to remind myself that it is okay to slow down, to enjoy the little things, to stop pushing myself to do more and content myself with doing things that are pleasing not just obligatory.

Read a book slowly and savour the characters, the settings, and the dialogue.

Write poetry and savour using language

Read a story to my kids making sure all the voices are just right before they go to bed even if it means being 15 minutes late. 

Play the Die Rise map on zombies with my husband even if it means staying up 45 minutes later to finish some marking.

Take the time to really listen to a student’s story so they know I really care. Give some advice and hope it means something.

Spend a little time in the word getting to know the only one who will never leave, hurt, or forsake me.

Drink my coffee while it is hot.

Rule 46: Enjoy the little things.  

 

:o)

It's a new day....

I have not actually blogged in a looooong time. Does it count that I had great intentions of blogging?  I feel like so much is going on but I really have nothing to say.  That is a humbling experience for someone like me - who always has something to say. In fact right now I have a combination of "Yo, my name is Nicholas and this is ridiculous, got mad gummy money... and the lines of Charlotte Smith's Sonnet LXXXIII. The Sea View - THE upland shepherd, as reclined he lies; On the soft turf that clothes the mountain brow, Marks the bright sea-line mingling with the skies; Or from his course celestial, sinking slow, The summer-sun in purple radiance low... sloping off of my tongue as I type.  I am a deep well.... :o) 

I a very much enjoying teaching my grade 7's this year.  It helps that I have known most of these kids since preschool since they are in Freedom's class.  We have a lot of fun - they show me great videos and talk to me about poetry and theology. 

I have been hard at work creating my new units for grade 7.  I am teaching fractions and Earth's Crust.   I am STOKED about the Earth's Crust - being a geology/geography major and all.  I get use my first degree for something other than impressing people in passing conversation.  I have created the first portion of the unit - soil, soil profiles, rocks, minerals, and mining.  I get to work on volcano's, plate tectonics, rifts, subduction ..... the good stuff basically.

My first portion is completed and can be found here: The Earth's Crust.

The 34 page student use pack covers the composition of the earth, its layers, rock and mineral properties, classifications, and uses, the rock cycle, mining, mineral deposits, soil formation and profiles, as well as a 2 possible extending learning projects.

The student use pack includes:

• Brainstorming sheet
• Worksheets and links for two Bill Nye Videos
• Vocabulary Group Project
• Hands on activities like Rock Cycle Fudge, Properties of
Minerals Stations, and Mining Chocolate Chips
• Diagrams, worksheets, information pages
• Rock cycle sentence strip and poster project
• Property Word Search
• Crossword Puzzle Assignment
• Extension Assignments and Activities like design your
own cookie mining invention, create your own cross
word, etc.

As well as a 37 page teacher resource pack with answer keys, teaching suggestions and important links, images, instructions, scripture verses for biblical integration, vocab sheets, as well as a quiz, adapted quiz and answer keys.

Works well with Hands on Science or Nelson Science and Technology 7. However, relevant information is provided in the booklets so they are not necessary. Resources are referred to as "extending learning" activities should you wish to include them.