December 17 - 20

We had a great last week of school in 2012 at Old Union! Check it out:

• Kindergarten: We learned a little about constellations before constructing our own constellation with white crayons and star stickers. Students were able to work on their presentation skills when they told the class about their creation. Students also learned more about the three types of clouds: Cirrus, Stratus, and Cumulus.
• 1st grade: We learned a little about snow, weather, and animals' winter habits today. We made "snow" with my special "snow powder," compared its mass to that of plastic bear weights, and drew snowflakes of our own. Finally, we talked about what animals do in the winter and how they get food. We decided to construct a simple, yet effective, animal/bird feeder out of Cheerios and pipe cleaners.
• 2nd grade: We did an investigation about friction and movement patterns today. We had 3 different surfaces to test: cardboard, wax paper, and sand paper. Each table was assigned one of the three surfaces and was instructed to conduct 3 different tests with each one. We wanted to know how quickly a toy car would race down the ramps of different surfaces when the ramps were held at different heights above the table, and we wanted to know what movement patterns these cars would exhibit, based on their surface on which they raced.
• 3rd grade: This was "Kids Rule the School" day, and I was supposed to be the teaching assistant of the fabulous Miss B. on this day. Unfortunately, I had to stay home sick with the flu on both Wednesday and Thursday, and the Science Lab was cancelled altogether on Thursday. I'm looking forward to making up that day and having a new "teacher" in my room, though! :)
• 4th grade: We experimented with a "mystery substance" today called Oobleck. I pre-made the Oobleck due to time constraints, but students were responsible for trying to figure out if it is a solid or a liquid -- it was tricky, and I think it's still up for debate! 

I'm not including any "home extensions" in this post because I want you to take these next two weeks to relax and spend time with your families. Learning is always important, of course, but families are much more important.

Thank you to all who stopped by this week to wish me a merry Christmas or to drop a little something on my desk. I feel truly blessed to be a part of such a loving and generous school and community. 

I wish you and yours the happiest holiday of them all. See you in two weeks!

December 10 - 14

I guess the countdown is officially on for winter break; I heard lots of kids remind me that next week is the last week until "next year." :)

Here's our weekly update:

• Kindergarten: We learned more about the patterns in the Earth, specifically focusing on the seasons and the patterns of day and night. Students brainstormed some fabulous ideas about what special things happen in each season, got to add a picture to a part of our season mural, and played a game that involved reading and thermometer and dressing a teddy bear appropriately for the weather. Home extension: Pick out a tree near your home, and "adopt" it with your student. Allow your student to observe the changes of the tree over the course of a year. Students could even write or draw their observations in a home notebook.
• 1st grade: We studied weather and air this week. We read a book that taught us more about various types of weather and discussed how weather affects our lives. Then we learned about weather vanes and how they help people make predictions about the weather. Afterwards, we made our own weather vane to take home. Home extension: Allow your student to use his/her weather vane in your back yard at home. He/she can keep a log of the direction of the wind and the temperature for the day; then, he/she can use those patterns to try to start predicting the weather.
• 2nd grade: We created 3 different types of paper airplanes and tested them to see which model flies the furthest. We also observed the ways that airplanes moved in the air and tried to come up with reasons why certain designs flew better than others. Home extension: With your supervision, allow your student to Google paper airplane directions and make a few different kinds. He/she can conduct a similar investigation to this week's lab lesson at home.
• 3rd grade: This was week 2 of our volcano project. On this day, we constructed volcanoes out of soil, sand, water, toilet paper rolls, and baby food jars. We made our volcano models look as lifelike as possible before we activated "eruptions" in each one. Home extension: this website not only tells how to make a "volcano eruption," but it also gives variable suggestions so that students can make this into a true experiment. You may want to allow your student to conduct these experiment extensions in the back yard, due to mess. :)
• 4th grade: We continued our matter investigation this week with a foil boat competition. Each team was challenged to make the strongest boat possible out of 1 foot of aluminum foil. (We measured the strength of our boats with hexagram weights.) Students were able to experiment with boat shape and surface area to see what design would hold the most weight. Home extension: If you have a small, plastic tub and some foil, your student could recreate this investigation at home. He/she could experiment with different lengths and widths of foil and use pennies to measure the amount of weight the boat can hold.

See you next week!

December 3 - 7

Wow! I cannot believe it is already December! We are having such a blast in Science Lab that time has been flying. :)

Before we get to the weekly update, I just wanted to say an extra THANK YOU to all of those that helped or supported OUES's first annual Super Science Sale last week! It was a lot of fun and a great success! 

Here's what we did this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about temperature this week. We studied how the temperature changes through the year, how temperature impacts our lives, and how to measure temperature. Home extension: If you don't already, start having conversations with your student about the daily temperature, and let him/her decide what to wear, based on the weather.
• 1st grade: We learned all about air this week. We learned that wind is moving air, and we did an investigation to figure out how much wind it takes to move certain objects. Home extension: Ask your child about the wind investigation and allow him/her to re-create it at home with random, household objects.
• 2nd grade: We learned more about sound energy this week. We saw how sound waves look by modeling them on an slinky, we made "clucking chicken" noises with sponges and cups, and then we made our own cup telephones. It was fun to observe the vibrations and the way sound travels. Home extension: Fill various-sized glasses with water and allow your student to tap them with a spoon to create sound.
• 3rd grade: This was week 1 of our volcano exploration unit! Students learned all about volcanoes and made a model volcano on paper. We are so excited to create model volcanoes with soil and sand next week...and even more excited to make them explode! Home extension: While your driving for errands or the holidays, ask your student to look out the window and identify as many landforms as possible. There probably won't be any volcanoes where you're going (), but we've learned about other landforms, too, that your student could be on the lookout for.
• 4th grade: This was our first week into our matter unit, and we kicked it off with a fun investigation about making potatoes float. We got to conduct an experiment with our table groups to see if potatoes will float in salt or sugar water, and, if so, how many spoonfuls of sugar or salt it takes to make the potatoes float. Home extension: Allow your student to try a variation of this experiment at home by taking something that doesn't usually float and adding salt or sugar 1 spoonful at a time to see if you can make it float. Your 4th grader is an expert at this, so let them show you how it works! 

Green Thumb Club members, if you and your child would like to attend the Tuesday, December 11 meeting at Calloway's Nursery, please arrange transportation for your child. We will begin the meeting at 3:15 pm. If your child can't attend, no worries! We will gladly welcome him or her back at our next meeting on Tuesday, January 22. 

GTC Meeting at Calloway's Nursery

Green Thumb Members,

I wanted to remind you that the Tuesday, December 11 GTC meeting will be held at Calloway's Nursery. Calloway's in Southlake is located at 291 E. Southlake Blvd. Their phone number is 817.416.0736, in case you need directions!

The Green Thumb Club is partnering with Calloway's this year to receive great discounts, information, and fun! All who attend this meeting (parents included!) are eligible to win a $25 gift card to Calloway's.

Because of travel time, this meeting will begin at 3:15 pm and last until about 4:00 pm. You will need to arrange transportation for your child. {Students who do not have transportation will need to skip this meeting and go home after school the way they normally do.} This will be the last GTC meeting until Tuesday, January 22.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SSS 2012

I wanted to be the first to welcome you back to Old Union after a long (and hopefully restful) week of Thanksgiving festivities!

As a reminder, the Super Science Sale will take place in the Science Lab this week from Monday, November 26 through Friday, November 30. The sale hours are as follows:

Monday: 8 am - 3:30 pm

Tuesday: 8 am - 3:30 pm

Wednesday: 8 am - 3:30 pm

Thursday: 8 am - 5:30 pm

Friday: 8 am - 2 pm

All students will visit the store for 30 minutes of their regular Science Lab time. Parents, please feel free to shop with your child during his/her recess time. Students are also welcome to shop after school.

No live animal purchases will be allowed without a signed animal permission slip. Purchased animals will be kept in the Science Lab until dismissal time so as not to disrupt student learning in the regular classroom. If your student plans on purchasing a new pet and is currently a walker or bike rider, you may consider picking your child up for that day so that the pet makes it home safe and sound. :)

Volunteers, thank you so much for signing up to help me with this fun event! My sign-up form online should send you a reminder e-mail about your commitment 2 days prior to your time slot. If possible, please try to arrive 5-10 minutes early so that the previous workers can update you on shop events and policies. I will be in and out of the Science Lab all week, so I'll be relying on my wonderful volunteers to help the lab run smoothly this week.

I look forward to making this a fun and scientific week!

November 12 - 16

Here's what happened in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We had a shortened class period on this day because of the Veteran's Day assembly (which was wonderful -- thank you to all that were involved, and thank you to our Veterans!). Kinder students explored rocks and used science words to write about them in our notebooks. Home extension: go on a "rock hunt" with your student, asking him/her to find a "cool" rock outside. Then use adjectives to describe the rock with your senses.
• 1st grade: We've been learning about soil and how it's useful for our world. This week, we made "soil in a cup." We constructed this with our table teams, using food to mimic the real-life layers of soil. Home extension: allow your student to make their own version of "Soil in a Cup." Ask your student what edible materials might best mimic the layers of the soil.
• 2nd grade: We learned about the 3 types of rocks and how they're made. We also learned how to make models of these types of rocks using crayon shavings! (We were going to do this activity in class, but due to the Thanksgiving luncheon shortened science lab schedule, we did not have time today.) Home extension: ask your student to describe the 3 types of rocks and how we mimicked them with crayons. Go on a "rock walk" at home or at the park, and try to find each of the types of rocks. Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, make your own crayon rocks by looking at the directions HERE.
• 3rd grade: We explored fossils by looking at pictures and models. Then we made our own fossils by pressing an item of our choice into special dough. Home extension: have a conversation with your student about how fossils are formed. You may even consider letting your student make his/her own fossils at home in playdough.
• 4th grade: I did not get to see 4th graders this week, due to Dragon Day. I look forward to seeing all my 4th grade friends next week, though!

The Super Science Sale will take place in the Science Lab during our next week of school (November 26 - 29). Read more about the sale by clicking HERE. Sign up to help in the store by clicking HERE.

Our next meeting of the Green Thumb Club is Tuesday, November 27. I look forward to seeing you all!

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving break!

November 5 - 9

Here's what happened in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We explored the change in matter when we apply heat or cool. Students played a fun simulation game on the Promethean board, and then we went "ice fishing!" Students learned how salt lowers the freezing temperature of water and why city officials might put ice on the roads after a snowstorm. Home extension: Allow your student to help you cook dinner; he/she can observe how ice cools a drink and the oven warms food.
• 1st grade: We observed 4 different types of soils and learned more about the role that soil plays in our environment. Home extension: Allow your student to explore the soil in your backyard or at the local park. Have a conversation about how soil is necessary.
• 2nd grade: We observed a change in matter when we added salt to ice and formed a mixture; we made homemade ice cream! Students were permitted to take one bite of the ice cream in class so that we could observe the matter with all 5 of our senses. Home extension: ask your student to bring home the ice cream recipe and make a batch for the whole family.
• 3rd grade: We learned about 8 different types of landforms. Afterwards, we created the landforms at our tables with special "moon dough." Home extension: ask your student how a picture of a dinosaur could help him/her remember the types of landforms.
• 4th grade: This was part 2 of our living adaptations project. Students were able to bring in their own craft supplies (and use mine, as well) to construct a unique living organism with at least 3 adaptations. Students could use construction paper, cotton balls, beans, beads, pipe cleaners, glitter, sequins, etc. The students did a great job; I was so impressed with their creativity and innovation! Below is a video slideshow with several students' final products:

The Super Science Sale is quickly approaching! Read more about our sale by clicking HERE. Parents, if you are available and willing to help, we could really use an extra hand! Click HERE to go to the volunteer sign-up form to pick a date and time that is convenient for you.  

Green Thumb Club will meet on Tuesday, November 13th, as it is the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Meet outside by the picnic tables (unless the weather doesn't cooperate -- then meet in the Science Lab). Pick-up is at 3:45. 

Also: Old Union now has a Facebook page! "Like" it by clicking HERE.

Have a restful weekend!

 

October 29 - November 2

Here's what happened in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We used our best estimation skills to predict how big around my pumpkin was, and then we checked our estimations. We also measured my pumpkin in a non-standard unit (beans) and did a quick sink/float investigation. Home extension: allow your student to practice measuring in non-standard units by providing some random objects to measure (pencil, shoe, book, table, etc.) and a non-standard measuring tool (beans, paper clips, pretzels, etc.).
• 1st grade: We spent the whole hour conducting a float/sink investigation. We tested lots of objects and learned that the shape (not necessarily the weight) influences whether it will float or sink. Home extension: give your student a piece of clay, playdough, or aluminum foil and allow him/her to experiment with different shapes to see what floats and what sinks.
• 2nd grade: Due to the Storybook Character Day parade and classroom presentations, we had a shortened lesson today. Nevertheless, we learned about salt water and fresh water on this day. We very briefly got to discuss the differences between the two types of water and some facts about surface tension, and we did a couple of quick investigations with the water. Home extension: allow your student to mix up his/her own batch of salt water and perform his/her own experiments with it.
• 3rd grade: We finished our matter unit by conducting experiments to make paper clips float in water. Home extension: ask your student to show you how to make a paper clip float in water. He/she can also explain a little about surface tension.
• 4th grade: This was week 1 of our living organisms adaptation project. Students were asked to take this hour in the Science Lab to research more about adaptations and to begin planning their project. Next week, students will use kitchen/art/craft resources to create their very own Texas organism with adaptations. Although I do have aluminum foil, some tissue paper, beans, toothpicks, feathers, and construction paper, supplies are limited, so students are welcome and encouraged to bring additional craft supplies from home next week. Home extension: talk to your student about his/her living organisms adaptation project. Ask him/her where his/her organism will live and what kind of plan he/she has created. Discuss the adaptations that organism will have and why it would be necessary for it to adapt that way.

As a reminder, the first annual OUES Super Science Sale will take place from November 26 - 30. You can read more about this sale and its parent volunteer opportunities by clicking HERE. You can also view the paper flier (sent by Heath Scientific) that lists some available items/prices and the animal purchase permission slip by clicking HERE.

Enjoy your weekend!

Super Science Sale

I am so excited to announce that this year, OUES will be hosting the first annual Super Science Sale!

The Super Science Sale is similar to the Book Fair, but it offers science materials, instead. There will be educational toys and games, science equipment, and even live animals, all offered at reasonable prices by Heath Scientific. 

The sale will be held from Monday, November 26 through Friday, November 30 and will be set up in the Science Lab. Students who know what they would like to purchase are welcome to come at any time during the day, with their teacher's permission. Each individual class will be escorted to the sale for about 30 minutes that week with their class, as well. Regular sale hours are 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, but the sale will be open until 5:30 pm on Thursday, November 29.

All proceeds will go to the OUES science program. The funds will help supply consumables for experiments, food and bedding for the lab pets, science equipment, and other science-related supplies.

You can view a black and white copy of the Heath Scientific flier by clicking HERE. The flier includes a list of most available items and their prices (with tax included). The flier also includes the animal purchase permission slip, which is mandatory if your child wants to bring home a new pet. 

Parents, if you are available during the sale, I would love to have a few extra hands in the lab to keep things running smoothly and efficiently! I've created a volunteer sign-up form online; you can visit it by clicking HERE. All you need is a valid e-mail address in order to sign up for a volunteer time slot. Please feel free to send the above link to anyone else you know that may be available and willing to help.

I can't wait!

October 22 - 26

Here's a recap of this week's Science lab activities:

• Kindergarten: We learned about sorting this week. We sorted pumpkins and colored shapes. Home extension: ask your student how and why a scientist might need to sort things. Present your student with a pile of random objects and ask him/her to sort them.
• 1st grade: We saw a change in matter (popcorn kernels) when we applied heat. We also worked on our graphing skills; we graphed our predictions and the results of our investigation. Home extension: ask your student how matter can be changed by heat. Allow your student to assist/observe you cooking dinner to see changes in other types of matter (food) when heat or cold is applied.
• 2nd grade: We got to practice measuring the mass of various types of matter with a spring scale. We also discussed the fact that not all things are matter. Home extension: ask your student to tell you which things are not matter and why they are not (matter takes up space and has mass...if something doesn't fit those two criteria, it's not matter!).
• 3rd grade: We held a "raft rally" this week. 3rd graders collaborated with their table teams to try to build the smallest raft possible (out of aluminum foil and straws) that would float and hold 15 pennies. Home extension: try this activity at home with your student! Allow your student to show you what boat/raft structures work and why.
• 4th grade: Although we didn't spend time in the Science Lab this week, we did participate in a science adventure; 4th grade went on a field trip to the zoo. We saw a lot of interesting animals, gathered more information for the 4th grade animal projects, and had a lot of fun! Home extension: ask your student to tell you more about the animal he/she is researching. Discuss the zoo trip with your student: What was your favorite animal? Tell me one interesting fact you learned about the animal. Etc.

Have a great weekend!

Tree Planting Ceremony

Dragons,

I wanted to remind you about the tree planting ceremony that will take place on Tuesday, October 23 at 3:00 pm near the OUES gardens.

Old Union received a generous grant of several beautiful trees from Bob Jones Nature Center. Some of our Green Thumb Club members will speak at the presentation, our boy and girl scout friends will have a part in the ceremony, the choir will serenade us with a fun song about trees, and we'll enjoy some refreshments while we plant those trees!

If your student would like to stay after school to attend the ceremony, we should be ready for parent pick-up near the playground by about 3:45 pm. 

We'd love for you to join us in this celebration!

October 15 - 19

Here's a recap of our week in the Science Lab:

• Kindergarten: We learned more about our senses of smelling and hearing as a way of observing matter. We played a sound egg memory game and did 5 smell tests. Ask your student about their favorite things to hear and smell.
• 1st grade: We did an investigation to find out the effects of heat and cold on matter. Ask your student if food coloring moves faster in warm water or cool water.
• 2nd grade: We had a shortened period due to testing, but we still had fun weighing various objects on a primary balance. Students were able to use hexagram weights to find out the exact mass of objects on our list. Ask your student to explain how to operate the primary balance and how to use the hexagram weights. You could even ask your student to predict the mass of various objects around your house.
• 3rd grade: We conducted a brand-new experiment ("Lava in a Cup") to learn about mixtures. Ask your student to explain their group's experiment and results.
• 4th grade: I was unable to be in class on this day, but we had a fabulous substitute, so I know the students had a great time and learned a lot! 4th graders conducted an experiment about bird beak adaptations to figure out which beak type is most conducive to eating various types of food. Ask your student which bird beak they used in class, and which food was easiest to pick up.

 Reminders:

• Next week is Red Ribbon week. Please refer to the previous post to figure out how to show your support each day! You could even recite the Red Ribbon pledge each morning on the way to school. OUES is proud to be drug free!
• Tuesday, Oct. 23 is the tree planting ceremony. We would love to see you in the OUES garden around 3 pm!
• Wednesday, Oct. 24 is picture re-take day and group picture day. Green Thumb Club members are invited to be in the club yearbook picture! If your student did not get a chance to attend the meeting but is planning on joining the GTC, please feel free to be in the picture! We are wearing OUES t-shirts to support Red Ribbon week.

Have a great weekend!

Red Ribbon Week

Just a reminder: Red Ribbon Week is next week (October 22 - 26)! OUES is proud to be drug free!

Red Ribbon Pledge:

I pledge to be drug free.

I pledge to take care of my body.

I pledge to be myself.

I pledge to stick up for things I believe in.

I pledge to choose good friends.

Monday: Hats off to being drug free (wear your hat to school).

Tuesday: Give drugs the boot (wear your boots to school).

Wednesday: OUES shows good character by being drug free (wear your OUES t-shirt to show school pride). **This is also picture day for retakes and group pictures, including Green Thumb Club!

Thursday: I’m voting for my future -- I’m drug free (wear read, white, and blue).

Friday: Team up against drugs (wear a team shirt and show that you're a team player).

Week of October 8 - 12

 Hello, all! Here's what we did this week:

• Kindergarten: I missed seeing my kindergarten friends in the lab this week! There was no school on Monday, due to a staff development day. Home extension: ask your student about matter and how to observe matter with the 5 senses.
• 1st grade: We learned about volume and found the volume (in beans) of several different containers. Home extension: ask your student to explain volume and give a couple different examples of the types of matter.
• 2nd grade: We did a short activity over sink and float with various brands of bar soap. Then we put Ivory soap in the microwave and watched a fun change occur when we added heat to the soap. Home extension: ask your student to describe the change in matter (soap) when we applied heat.
• 3rd grade: We completed part 2 of our "Milk in Motion" experiment. All the planning from last week paid off as students got to perform their very own experiments. Home extension: ask your student to explain the experiment process and their personal experiment with milk from this week.
• 4th grade: We began our discussion over adaptations with a look at desert plants. We compared attributes of a cactus to attributes of a non-desert plant. Then we did an investigation with sponges and Vaseline to learn more about cacti. Home extension: ask your student how a sponge and Vaseline are like a cactus and why cacti might need a waxy coating on their skin to survive in the desert.

Our first meeting of the Green Thumb Club was this Tuesday, and we had a great time meeting all our GTC friends and taking a walk around the garden! Parents, please fill out the permission form and return it to me as soon as possible. You can also download a copy of the tentative GTC meeting schedule to hang on your 'fridge.

Group picture day is next Wednesday (October 17)! Even if you didn't get a chance to come to the first meeting, please join in the group picture if you are interested in being a part of Green Thumb Club!

Have a great weekend, Dragons!

Week of October 1 - 5

Time for the weekly catch-up!

• Kindergarten used their sense of sight to observe properties of a liquid form of matter. This involved using a dropper to combine different colored drops of water. 
• 1st grade did a rockin' balance investigation: using 5 rocks, students used their hands to predict which was the heaviest and which was the lightest. Then we tested our predictions by placing the rocks on a balance and comparing their weight to mini teddy bears. 
• 2nd grade had a shortened Science Lab schedule due to testing, but we still had fun! We had a Tic Tac race to answer the experiment question: what is the fastest way to dissolve a Tic Tac in your mouth?
• 3rd graders entered into Part I of their first experiment: Milk in Motion. After a quick demonstration involving milk, soap, and food coloring, students came up with a question and planned the procedures for their experiment. Part II occurs next week when students will be given time to investigate. 
• 4th graders didn't get a chance to come to the Science Lab this week, due to Dragon Day. Don't worry, though -- I have something fun planned for next week! 

Don't forget to visit our class Instagram to view some Kodak moments. While you're at it, check out our tweets on Twitter!

The first meeting of the Green Thumb Club is next Tuesday, October 9. Students can stay after school and meet in the Science Lab at 3 pm. Pick-up is at 3:45 at the east doors by the Science Lab. Parents, please fill out this Participation Permission Form and return it to me ASAP. Also, here's a copy of the tentative GTC meeting schedule to hang on your 'fridge.

Have a great weekend!

Fall Festival at Calloway's

Calloway's Nursery, a partner of OUES's Green Thumb Club, is having their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 6 at all Calloway's locations.

There will be coffee for parents, pumpkin seed tasting, plant displays, a free pumpkin for every child in attendance, and other fun things!

It starts at 9 am and ends at 7 pm. Sounds like a great way to kick off the fall season!

Tree Planting Ceremony

You're invited! Click to enlarge

 The following press release is courtesy of Bob Jones Nature Center: http://www.bjnc.org/

Thank you for sharing this article with us, BJNC!

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Bob Jones Nature Center Wins Grant to Grow People’s Garden

Southlake, TX – September 10, 2012 – The Bob Jones Nature Center (BJNC) announced that it has received a $2,470 grant from the national nonprofit Alliance for Community Trees to plant trees at three Carroll ISD elementary school gardens in Southlake.  The schools are Jack D. Johnson Elementary, Old Union Elementary, and Rockenbaugh Elementary. These sites will be considered local People’s Gardens, part of the nationwide network of gardens supported by the USDA People’s Garden Initiative. 

The Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) People’s Garden Grant Program is a new national initiative launched in 2012 to explore and deepen the connection between trees and urban agriculture. With support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, ACTrees has provided funding to 30 communities in 21 states to plant trees that produce fruit and nuts or provide shelter to community gardens.

“Trees are critical to healthy people and healthy communities,” said ACTrees Executive Director Carrie Gallagher. “We are excited to offer this opportunity to the Bob Jones Nature Center and the three schools to demonstrate locally that trees are an integral part of sustainable community agriculture.”

Each selected school includes kindergarteners through fourth graders who participate in hands-on garden activities.  Through these hands-on experiences students recognize the basic needs of plants and environmental factors affecting plant growth.  Each school will be receiving trees to provide a shade component to their gardens. Planting is planned for October 2012. The Bob Jones Nature Center is also working with the Citizen Forester program of the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council.  The program presents an opportunity for individuals to become skilled at planting, pruning, and maintaining trees in an urban environment. It also provides interested persons with the chance to get involved with local city and county agencies and help their community take care of its public trees. Tree plantings for Old Union and Rockenbaugh Elementary Schools are planned for Tuesday, October 23.  Johnson Elementary tree planting is scheduled for Thursday, October 25.

About the Bob Jones Nature Center

The Bob Jones Nature Center (BJNC) is a 501c3 non-profit organization working in association with the City of Southlake at the Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve and is dedicated to the preservation of the Cross Timbers ecosystem and natural resources, offering   programs and classes for all ages.  The Preserve, a City of Southlake park, is located at 355 E. Bob Jones Road in Southlake.  The park is open seven days a week from 7:00am to 8:00pm (during daylight savings time) and is the gateway to miles of equestrian and hiking trails on the Walnut Grove National Recreation Trail. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. For more information, call 817.939.1110 or e-mail director@bjnc.org.  The phone number for the facility is 817.491.6333.

About Alliance for Community Trees

Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. With over 200 member organizations in 44 states and Canada, ACTrees engages volunteers to take action to improve the environment where 93% of people live: in cities, towns and metropolitan areas. Together ACTrees member organizations have planted and cared for over 15 million trees in cities with help from over 5 million volunteers. For more information, please visit www.ACTrees.org, follow us on Twitter @alliance4trees, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/AllianceforCommunityTrees.

About USDA People’s Garden

The USDA People's Gardens Initiative is a national program with the vision that the simple act of planting a garden can help unite neighborhoods in a common effort and inspire locally-led solutions to challenges facing our country - from hunger to the environment. Learn more at www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden

About Citizen Foresters

Citizen Forester volunteers are committed to helping their community take care of its public trees.  Trained to plant, prune and properly maintain trees in an urban environment, Citizen Foresters are involved with many projects, including assisting with tree inventories, training and pruning newly established trees, measuring street trees for clearance, mulching trees in public parks, and participating in public tree planting programs and tree give-away events.  The Citizen Forester program is sponsored by the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council.  For more information call (817)392-5738 or visit the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council’s website, www.ctufc.org.  The Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council (CTUFC) is a non-profit organization promoting urban forestry programs, education and awareness in a 17-county region.  CTUFC is comprised of members from various backgrounds drawn to the organization because of a love of trees and the role they play in our urban environment.

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We would love to see you at our tree planting ceremony on Tuesday, October 23, right after school. Students will read portions of the program, the choir will sing a song, and the Boy and Girl Scouts will be there! Refreshments will also be provided.  

See you there!

Week of September 24 - 28

Phew! I can't believe it's already the last teaching day of September!

So much has happened in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten students learned about germs and proper hand-washing techniques. We put on some special, glowing lotion (to mimic how we can't see our germs without a special science tool, but they are always there!) and held our hands up to a black light to see our "germs" glowing. We practiced washing our hands and then looked at our "germs" under the light again to see what we'd missed. Ask your student to show you how to wash all the germs away at the sink.
• 1st graders learned about the 3 types of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. We even got to hold each type of liquid in a baggie. Our solid was the baggie itself and "Mrs. K's special solid" (an alka-seltzer tablet), the liquid was water, and the gas was the fizz from the combination of two of those items. Ask your student to tell you about what happened to the baggie's shape when we combined the special solid and the liquid.
• 2nd graders also talked about matter. We saw the 3 types of matter on our table, as well, but our matter was in a clear cup so we could exercise our observation skills and write down everything we saw, touched, smelled, and heard in our science notebooks. Ask your student to tell you about this activity and some of the descriptions he/she wrote.
• 3rd graders focused on matter molecules this week. We talked about how molecules look when they're in different types of matter (molecules in a solid are very close together and still, molecules in a liquid are a little farther apart -- sometimes bumping into each other -- and always moving, and molecules in a gas don't touch but are always moving). We played a game where we pretended we were giant molecules and had to move around the room at different speeds and distances from others, according to what type of matter we were. Ask your student to show or tell you about molecules in cold milk, a warm breeze, and a shoe. 
• 4th graders are starting their organisms and environments unit. Last week, we practiced making microscope slides and looking at them under the microscope. This week, we looked at algae from pond water under the microscope to see if we could find any moving protozoans. We also looked at onion slides with a drop of dye and a leaf. We talked about the food chain and how life might be different if certain objects in the food chain did not exist. Ask your student to tell you how to create a slide for the microscope and what some of these objects looked like when magnified.

I've been trying my best to take pictures of the students during their activities, although sometimes I get so caught up in helping and teaching that I completely forget to take pictures! In any case, you can always view our latest photographs on our class Instagram by searching for @MrsKarasClass through the app on your smart phone. You can also view the pictures on the web by using this link.

My classes are also trying to find time to tweet at the end of each class. They would love some readers and even a response or two! You can view our tweets at www.twitter.com/MrsKHasClass. Anyone can read our messages -- not just those that have Twitter accounts. You must have a Twitter account to reply to one of our tweets, but it's quick and easy to sign up!

Have a terrific weekend!

Green Thumb Club

Dragons,

I wanted to let you know about an after school club opportunity: the Green Thumb Club.

The Green Thumb club will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month (if school is in session), from 3:00 to 3:45 pm. The students get about 10 minutes for snack and circle time, 15 minutes for a nature craft, 15 minutes of working in the garden, and 5 minutes of clean-up and transition time. The other GTC leaders and I have some fun activities planned for Green Thumb Club this year and would love for your student (and you!) to join us!

This year, the OUES Green Thumb Club is partnering with Calloway's Nursery. We will hold at least one club meeting at Calloway's (TBA) this year. In return, Calloway's Nursery will provide two $25 garden gift cards (during the meeting held at Calloway's), discount coupons for members throughout the year, and at least 1 special discount day for garden club participants! If you'd like more information on Calloway's Nursery, please feel free to visit their website and sign up for the My Texas Garden e-mail newsletter.

The first meeting of the Green Thumb Club will take place on Tuesday, October 9. Everyone is welcome to join!

Hope to see you there!

Week of September 10-14

Dragons,

Here's what happened this week:

• Kindergarten played my "magic box game" to preview and predict what we might do in Science Lab this year. We also decorated the cover page of our science notebooks.
• 1st Grade learned about lab safety. We started off with a demonstration that exploded! Then we talked about how to keep ourselves safe during experiments. Finally, we practiced wafting and wrote about it in our science notebooks.
• 2nd grade learned about lab safety and some science tools. We played a game called "What's in my Bag?"
• 3rd grade learned about lab safety and some science tools. We went on a scavenger hunt to identify various science and safety tools around the room.
• 4th grade learned about lab safety. We borrowed some iPads and had a QR code scavenger hunt!

Some classes had the opportunity to send a tweet this week, too! I told the students about our class Twitter and explained how Twitter works. Then I gave students an opportunity to contribute a sentence to our summarizing tweet and encouraged them to tell the world what we learned and did in Science Lab that hour. I typed exactly what students asked me to type -- right down to smiley faces and hearts (for "We < 3ed it!" -- a student request).

You do not have to have a Twitter account to read our messages; just go to www.Twitter.com/MrsKHasClass and scroll to read. If you prefer to have updates sent to your phone via text message, you do not have to have a Twitter account for that, either! All you have to do is text "follow @MrsKHasClass" to Twitter's shortcode, 40404, and you'll start getting realtime updates. (Standard messaging rates do apply, so I don't recommend this option for anyone without an unlimited texting plan.)

I hope to begin posting pictures of the students in action (both on the blog and on our class Instagram) sometime next week. (I'm currently waiting to make sure that all parents have given permission for their student's picture to appear on district-related websites.)

I've spent some time reviewing the supplies in the lab, and I've realized that I could use a few donations. I don't want anyone to go out and buy these things, but if you've got them hanging around your house and you're not going to use them, I'd love to see the following items make their way to the lab:

• Food coloring
• Snack size baggies
• Aluminum foil
• Colored paper
• Beans (dry)
• Rice (dry)
• Cinnamon essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Baby powder
• Vanilla extract
• Plastic cups (preferably clear and 9 oz, but we will take what we can get!)
• Straight pins
• Clear tape
• Glue sticks
• Coffee filters
• Paper towels
• Kleenex
• "Wet ones" or Clorox wipes
• D cell batteries

I also wanted to let you know that the sign-up sheet for volunteering in the science lab has been posted; you can find it by clicking on the "Volunteer" tab at the top of this page.

Thanks for making my first few weeks at OUES so fabulous!

Wanted: Lab Assistants

4th Grade Dragons,

I am going to offer you a very special position: I would love for you to be my Lab Assistants!

Lab Assistants will come to the Science Lab on Fridays during 4th grade recess. You will work in groups of 4 on a rotating schedule, so you won't miss every Friday's recess!

Lab Assistants will be responsible for feeding the animals, cleaning the cages, and giving our animal friends some TLC.  Lab Assistants might also help me set up for some upcoming experiments and activities in the lab.

You can find out more information about the Lab Assistant job and how to apply by clicking on the form below. If you're interested, please fill out the application and return it to me by Friday, September 21, 2012.

Click here to view the form

I'd love for you to apply!

 

Animal Friends

Dragons,

I wanted to introduce you to our two lab pets: Cha-Cha and Thelma. My OUES friends have been having fun getting to know our lab pets during the past week!

Cha-Cha is our chinchilla.

She's a little shy but very sweet. She sleeps inside her home for most of the day, while taking breaks to run on her wheel or climb to the top of her cage for some food. When she decides to move, she darts around so quickly!

Thelma is our guinea pig.

There has been some discussion in the 4th grade as to Thelma's name; we had a hard time deciding if she is Thelma or if she is Frieda. It was a split decision, and I'd already been calling her Thelma (a tip from a few younger OUES friends), so we're going to stick with that name. :) 

She's a hoot! She runs around her cage and darts in and out of her little house all day long. Thelma likes attention, and she'll come to the edge of the cage to get a closer look at you if you get near. One thing I love about Thelma is that she greets me when I walk into the classroom in the morning. It's true: Thelma runs to the side of the cage and gives me a little squeak; it sounds like she's telling me, "Good morning, Mrs. K!"

Any time you're at OUES for a visit, make sure you stop in and say hello to our furry friends!


  

Welcome Back!

Dragons,

Welcome back to another fun year at OUES. I'm SO excited to meet all of you!

Students, I recorded a special message for you! If you were at "meet the teacher" time last Friday, then you probably have already heard this message. If you missed it, though, you can still hear it by using a smartphone, iPod Touch, or iPad with a QR code reader app to scan the QR code below:

After you scan, just press the "play" triangle in the middle of the screen.

{I love using QR codes! If you don't already have a QR code reader application loaded on your smartphone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you may want to use this list to pick out a good app.}

Parents, please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions, comments, or concerns. You are always welcome to visit and/or volunteer in the lab, if you'd like.

I thought I would take a moment to explain some of the features of this blog... I know there is a lot going on!

Top Tabs {located above the posts}

Meet the Teacher: Since I'm new to the district, I created a page to tell you a little bit about myself. There, you can read my mini bio, class mission, and teaching philosophy. There is also an opportunity to tell me a little bit about you so that I can better tailor our science lab lessons to my OUES friends.

Contact: There are several ways to contact me, and I welcome your feedback at any time.

Volunteer: There are lots of ways to help in the Science Lab! Please visit this tab in order to find out about volunteer opportunities. 

Sidebar Features {located to the right of all the posts}

Get E-mail Updates in your Inbox: All you have to do is put your e-mail address into the box and click "submit." You should get an e-mail almost immediately to confirm that you'd like all of the blog updates sent to your inbox. This is a great option for those of you that would like to read what's happening in the science lab, but get so busy that you may forget to check the blog.

Stay Connected: Click on any of the beaker icons to "stay connected" to our class. The green mail beaker will open your e-mail client and start an e-mail message to me. The orange RSS beaker will allow you to add our blog to your RSS feeds. The light blue "T" beaker will take you to our class Twitter. The dark blue "F" beaker will take you to Old Union's Facebook page. "Like" us to stay updated on OUES news.

Instagram: I'll be using Instagram to capture some of those "Kodak moments" in the science lab this year. If you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch or an Android device, you can download the Instagram app for free and view our pictures on the go. For those of you that prefer the web approach, click HERE to visit our Instagram online.

Class Twitter: Twitter is so fun and easy to use! If you're completely unfamiliar with Twitter, you can read their FAQ by clicking here. If we have time at the end of class periods, I may allow the students to tweet a short message about our investigation experience for you to read. I'll also use the class Twitter to remind you about things going on at OUES (picture day, no school, meeting times, etc.). If you already have a Twitter account (or decide to join), you can receive text updates to your phone (standard messaging rates do apply); if you don't want to sign up for Twitter, you can always just view our updates on the web. You can also view our class's tweets without ever leaving this blog page. Just watch them appear in the Twitter widget on the sidebar. 

Blog Archive: Looking for a post from a particular month in the past? Find it here.

OUES Links to Visit: These are links to other blogs within the school.

Kid-Friendly Website Links (LiveBinder): LiveBinder is basically a virtual three-ring binder. I found some neat, kid-friendly websites that review science skills; feel free to let your student browse them at home! I've arranged the binder by science topics that I teach, according to the TEKS, so that you can easily find everything you need. Most of the websites in the binder are links to games, but some are experiments you could do at home, some are videos (educational and appropriate), and some are links to our other class websites. I l-o-v-e LiveBinder, and I think you will, too!

Classifications: Looking for a post over a particular subject or grade level? Find it fast by using this feature!

If you have questions, please feel free to comment below or contact me in another way. 

Once Upon a Dragon...

Dragons, 

I can't wait to meet you and show you all kinds of fun things this year! We are going to have so much fun in Science Lab.

Come in early to meet the teacher on August 24, from 8:00-9:00 am. If I don't see you then, I'll see you on August 27 -- the first day of school. I can't wait!