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!