One Tired Teacher With Trina Deboree

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦? These 4 spooky science experiments turn solids, liquids, gases, floating and sinking, and properties of matter into hands-on Halloween science your elementary students will love.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐞, I'm sharing 4 simple Halloween science experiments you can actually do in an elementary classroom using inexpensive, easy-to-find materials.
We're investigating states of matter and properties of matter with trick-or-treat bags, balloons, marbles, spaghetti, jars, and a few spooky characters who make second grade science a lot more fun.

🎃 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤-𝐨𝐫-𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Students investigate mystery balloons to discover a solid, liquid, and gas hiding inside.
👀 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐫
Marble "eyeballs," colorful liquids, and spaghetti "brains" give students a spooky way to observe and compare properties of matter.
🧙 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Students investigate Halloween-themed solids, liquids, and gases while practicing careful scientific observation and measurement.
🧟 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Students predict, test, observe, and explain what happens when Frankie investigates which Halloween objects float and which sink.

Plus, I'll share a bonus investigation with Victor Vampire that gets students thinking about how temperature can change the properties of matter.

But these Halloween science experiments aren't just about making science spooky.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭, 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞, 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐖𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
What do you think will happen?
What do you notice?
What happened?
Why do you think that happened?

And if you really want to lean into Halloween this year, skip the traditional party and have a 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Pull out the science lab coats—or let your students dress up as mad scientists—set the spooky stage, and spend the day investigating matter.

Because sometimes the best science lesson begins with a child saying:
“WAIT. Why did it do that?”
That's wonder.
And it's worth protecting.

🔬 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐄:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Science-Experiments-Worksheets-Properties-of-Matter-2nd-Grade-2821992?utm_source=TDTL%20317&utm_campaign=halloween%20matter

This Halloween science unit combines hands-on investigations with spooky nonfiction reading, science vocabulary, and activities for teaching states and properties of matter in second grade.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲, 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫.

You don't have to do all four experiments. Choose one. Do it as a whole-class demonstration if that's what works.
Or turn Halloween into an entire day of science.
Use what fits. Leave the rest.

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤: We're wrapping up October with Little Science Detectives and looking at how we can get primary students thinking and investigating like real scientists.

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𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐟. Turn a favorite read aloud into an open-ended STEM challenge that gets kids creating, building, problem-solving, and thinking critically.

In this episode of One Tired Teacher with Trina Deboree, I'm sharing 𝟏𝟎 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 that naturally lend themselves to hands-on STEM projects—without turning every activity into a complicated craft or giving students a solution to copy.

We'll look at Halloween favorites including I Need My Monster, Skeleton for Dinner, Turkey Trick or Treat, The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything, Even Monsters Need Haircuts, and more.

Then I'll show you exactly how I turn Somethin' Pumpkin into an open-ended Halloween STEM project using candy pumpkins and simple classroom materials.

Instead of telling children what to build, we start with the story, find a problem, and ask:

What could YOU create?
Maybe a pumpkin becomes an apartment complex for tiny critters. Maybe it's transformed into a cart for transporting materials. Maybe your students invent something you never would have imagined.
That's exactly what we want.

𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬:
1. Read the story
2. Find the possibility
3. Ask the kids
4. Plan
5. Build
These Halloween STEM projects for elementary students aren't about creating 24 identical projects. They're about giving children opportunities to use creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving while they're completely absorbed in something that feels like play.

Because the problem may be pretend.
The thinking isn't.
🎃 FREE HALLOWEEN STORYBOOK STEM CHALLENGE:
https://www.trinadeboreeteachingandlearning.com/halloween-stem
👻 HALLOWEEN STORYBOOK STEM ACTIVITIES:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-STEM-Story-Stations-Makerspace-Task-Cards-Challenges-8560172?utm_source=YouTube%20OTT%20316&utm_campaign=stem%20halloween%20storyboxes
📦 FREE SIMPLE STEM STORY BOXES SUPPLY LIST:
https://www.trinadeboreeteachingandlearning.com/stem-story-boxes
📚 HALLOWEEN BOOKS + FAVORITE STEM MATERIALS:
https://amzn.to/4gJBdhc

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STEM Story Boxes for the Classroom: Easy Setup Guide

Want STEM Story Boxes that are ready to grab and go — no last-minute scrambling required? In this video, I'm walking you through exactly how to set up STEM Story Boxes for your classroom, plus sharing a mix of themed and general challenge ideas your students will beg to do again.

Whether you're building boxes around a specific book or keeping them open-ended for any unit, this setup works for K-2 classrooms and STEM/makerspace teachers looking for high-engagement, low-prep activities.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐱. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦. 𝐀 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡.
🎁 FREE SIMPLE STEM STORY BOXES SUPPLY LIST DOWNLOAD:
https://www.trinadeboreeteachingandlearning.com/stem-story-boxes
🔨 STORYBOOK STEM CHALLENGES:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/trina-deboree-teaching-and-learning/category-stem-story-boxes-1634365?view=gridview&utm_source=YouTube%20OTT%20315&utm_campaign=stem%20story%20box%20cat
📚 MO WILLEMS STORYBOOK STEM:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Pigeon-Has-to-Go-to-School-STEM-Activities-Elephant-Piggie-Bundle-K2-9936967?utm_source=YouTube%20OTT%20315&utm_campaign=mo%20willems%20bundle
🧰 MY FAVORITE SIMPLE STEM MATERIALS:
https://amzn.to/4gJBdhc

This October on One Tired Teacher, we're talking about Protecting Childhood and making room for the experiences children need: wondering, playing, investigating, building, creating, and thinking for themselves.

Next week: Halloween STEM Projects for Elementary Students That Start With a Story
Use what fits. Leave the rest.

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STEM story read-alouds turn picture books into hands-on learning as children build, solve problems, create, and keep the story going after the last page.

What if the last page of a read-aloud wasn't really the ending?

What if it was the invitation?

In this episode of One Tired Teacher, we're talking about STEM story read alouds and how a great picture book can become the beginning of an experience that invites children to build, imagine, solve, and create.

You'll also hear the story behind 20 STEM story boxes I recently created for children whose families are working to get back on their feet. Each box included an Elephant & Piggie or Pigeon book, simple STEM materials, and a Storybook STEM challenge.

While building those boxes, I realized I wasn't really sending STEM materials.

I was sending possibility.

Because a STEM book read aloud doesn't have to end with comprehension questions or a worksheet. Stories naturally invite children to wonder:

What would I do?
How could I solve this problem?
How would I build it differently?

That's where a STEM story becomes something children don't simply hear. They experience it.

We'll also talk about an important difference between a STEM challenge and a craft. Instead of having every child create the same project, give students the freedom to develop their own ideas and solutions.

You don't need an elaborate makerspace or expensive supplies to get started.

Some cardboard.

Some tape.

Some imagination.

And one really good story.

That's enough.

Whether you're looking for a STEM story read aloud, STEM story time, a creative first grade read aloud, or a hands-on way to extend a second grade read aloud, I hope this episode reminds you that stories don't have to end when you close the book.

Sometimes that's where the real learning begins.

The recorded episode strongly supports this framing: you move from the STEM-box story into Storybook STEM, creative problem-solving, the difference between a challenge and a craft, inexpensive STEM materials, empathy through stories, and your Mo Willems Storybook STEM resources. 

Links Mentioned in the Show:

STEM Storybooks: Elephant, Piggie, and Pigeon Bundle

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Online safety for elementary students is about more than passwords and devices. Digital citizenship starts with safety, kindness, and character.

Technology changes every year. Character doesn't.

When we teach digital citizenship and online safety, it's easy to focus on the rules: don't share passwords, don't click suspicious links, and don't talk to strangers online.

Those lessons matter.

But our elementary students also need to know how to treat people, recognize when something may not be true, think before they respond, consider another person's perspective, and understand that their choices leave a digital footprint.

In this episode of One Tired Teacher, we're looking at online safety for elementary students through a different lens.

What if digital citizenship isn't simply about raising children who know how to use technology safely?

What if it's about raising children who know how to be good neighbors—online and off?

We'll talk about why digital citizenship for elementary students belongs in every classroom, not just the computer lab, and how internet safety can include conversations about empathy, responsibility, discernment, and kindness.

You'll also hear a simple four-part framework for teaching digital citizenship:

Pause — before you post, respond, react, or believe.
Perspective — how might someone else experience these words?
Responsibility — our choices leave footprints online and offline.
Kindness — every screen still has a human being on the other side.

Because children don't just need another list of internet rules.

They need opportunities to think, talk, wonder, and practice what it means to be a kind human in a digital world.

Technology doesn't change our character. It magnifies it.

And maybe the question isn't only whether our children know how to use technology.

Maybe we should also be asking:

Are they becoming the kind of people others feel safe learning beside—online and off?

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Digital Citizenship and Online Safety K-3 Bundle

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Teaching science in primary school starts with curiosity, exploration, and questions—not simply giving children all the background knowledge first.

What if one of the best ways to teach science is to stop giving students all the answers before they've had a chance to ask the questions?

In this episode of One Tired Teacher, we're talking about teaching science in primary school and why curiosity may need to come before content.

When teaching science in Grade 1, Grade 2, and the elementary grades, limited instructional time often means science gets squeezed into the reading block. We read informational texts, teach vocabulary, build background knowledge—and sometimes never make it to the exploration.

But children are natural scientists.

They notice. They wonder. They ask questions. They test ideas, gather evidence, change their thinking, and try again.

Instead of always beginning a science lesson with "Today we're learning...", what might happen if we started with:

What do you notice?
What do you think?
What do you wonder?

We'll talk about how hands-on exploration can change the way children experience science, why informational texts can start an investigation rather than finish one, and how curiosity helps build deeper learning and human connection.

Whether you're teaching science in primary school, teaching science Grade 1, or looking for meaningful ways of teaching science in elementary grades, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to have every answer.

Sometimes you simply need to give children something worth wondering about.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

STEM First Grade Curriculum Unit

Complete STEM Curriculum Units for Second Grade

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Community-building activities for elementary students don't have to be complicated. Learn how simple conversations build connection and belonging.

Classroom community building isn't about finding the cutest icebreaker or adding one more elaborate back-to-school activity to your plans.

It's about helping children answer one very important question:

Do I belong here?

In Episode 311 of One Tired Teacher, we're talking about community-building activities for elementary students that actually help children connect.

You'll learn why simple conversations, shared laughter, different opinions, and even Would You Rather kids' questions can help turn a classroom full of individual children into a community.

An activity doesn't build classroom community just because we call it a community-building activity.

The connection is the part that matters.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why belonging comes before many of the academic risks we ask children to take
• What actually makes classroom community-building activities effective
• Why low-pressure conversations are especially powerful for quieter students
• Four things to look for when choosing community building activities for elementary students
• How Would You Rather questions for kids can create a safe doorway into conversation
• Why connection and trust aren't separate from learning—they help make learning possible

Would You Rather Classroom Community Resource

One of my favorite ways to create low-pressure opportunities for connection is through Would You Rather questions for kids.

They give elementary students a reason to listen, laugh, share opinions, explain their thinking, and discover things about their classmates—without asking them to reveal something deeply personal before they're ready.

I've created a Would You Rather bundle that teachers can use for classroom community, morning meetings, brain breaks, discussion, and eventually opinion writing.

“There's a place for me here.”

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Teacher Planning Tips That Protect Your Peace are about more than organizing lesson plans—they're about protecting what matters most before your calendar fills up. If you're looking for practical teacher planning tips that reduce overwhelm while creating a more meaningful school year, this episode is for you.

Every school year begins with good intentions. We want to try new ideas, improve our lessons, and give our students the best possible experience. But somewhere along the way, our calendars fill up, our priorities get pushed aside, and the things we love teaching often become "if there's time."

In this episode of One Tired Teacher, we're talking about planning with intention, integrating subjects, protecting your time, and using The Trust Yourself Framework to make thoughtful decisions all year long.

In this episode:

• Why teacher planning starts with protecting what matters
 • How integrating science and reading transformed my classroom
 • Why STEM doesn't have to be "one more thing"
 • The Trust Yourself Framework: Learn, Observe, Reflect, Adapt, Repeat
 • How teacher flexibility creates more meaningful learning
 • Why protecting your evenings is part of being a great teacher

A meaningful school year isn't built by doing more.

It's built by protecting what matters.

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe and join me each week as we bring more humanity back to teaching.

Resources Mentioned

2nd Grade STEM Curriculum & Science Units 

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Need fully developed sub plans for any time of the year for 2nd grade?

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Teachers Not Following the Rules | Professional Judgment in Teaching explores why professional judgment matters more than perfect compliance. If you've ever wondered whether you should follow every curriculum script exactly as written or trust your instincts, this episode is for you.

Teachers are natural rule followers. But children don't all learn the same way, and great teaching requires thoughtful flexibility. In this episode of One Tired Teacher, I share the classroom experience that changed the way I thought about curriculum, teacher judgment, and adapting instruction to meet students' needs.

You'll also hear The Trust Yourself Framework, a simple process that helps teachers make thoughtful decisions without losing confidence in their professional expertise.

In this episode:

• Why children deserve thoughtful teachers—not perfect rule followers
 • The classroom story that changed my approach to teaching writing
 • Why professional judgment matters more than blind fidelity
 • The Trust Yourself Framework: Learn, Observe, Reflect, Adapt, Repeat
 • Why teacher flexibility is a strength, not a weakness
 • How thoughtful iteration leads to better teaching and deeper student learning

Curriculum can support great teaching.

But the curriculum doesn't teach kids.

Teachers do.

If this episode encourages you, subscribe and join me each week as we bring more humanity back to teaching.

The Trust Yourself Framework

Learn. Observe. Reflect. Adapt. Repeat.

Because great teaching isn't about perfection. It's about thoughtful iteration.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Support the show

Need fully developed sub plans for any time of the year for 2nd grade?

 👉  Monthly Second Grade Sub Plans

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!

Teacher Identity and School Culture | Don't Lose Yourself This Year explores how school culture shapes teachers—and why protecting your identity matters just as much as supporting your students. If you've ever struggled to balance school expectations with your own values, this episode will remind you that you can be a team player without losing yourself.

Every school has a culture. Great school cultures inspire collaboration, growth, and connection. But even healthy cultures can quietly ask teachers to sacrifice parts of themselves if they're not careful.

In this episode of One Tired Teacher, we're talking about teacher identity, school culture, boundaries, work-life balance, and why protecting your joy, curiosity, and relationships ultimately makes you a better teacher.

In this episode:

• Why teacher identity matters more than ever
 • How school culture can quietly shape who we become
 • The importance of protecting your life outside the classroom
 • Why boundaries aren't selfish—they protect your teaching
 • How to support your school without losing yourself
 • The connection between teacher identity, flexibility, and long-term joy

You don't have to choose between being a supportive teammate and being true to yourself.

Both are possible.

If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe and join me each week as we bring more humanity back to teaching.

Links Mentioned in the Show:
Episode 306: Teachers, Trust Yourself 

Support the show

Need fully developed sub plans for any time of the year for 2nd grade?

 👉  Monthly Second Grade Sub Plans

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.”  Thank you!