Week of December 16 - 20

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We reviewed the 4 seasons and Earth's patterns.
• 1st grade: We learned more about what animals do in the winter before making a bird feeder to take home.
• 2nd grade: We finished our mini-unit over pendulums. Be sure to ask your 2nd grader what affects the swing of a pendulum!
• 3rd grade: Because of "Kids Rule the School," 3rd grade had a special teacher -- Miss C. Miss C. taught our 3rd graders more about weather, played a weather game, and read a book. 
• 4th grade: We investigated a mystery matter called "Oobleck." Ask your student if this matter was a solid or a liquid.

Upcoming Events:

• January 7th: 4th graders are doing a matter activity that involves different kinds of fruit: grapes, plums oranges, apples, pears, grapefruits, peaches, and strawberries. We will not be eating the fruit, but we will be touching it. If your child needs to avoid any of the above-mentioned fruits, please contact me. 
• February 4th: 4th graders will do a special STEM program. A company will come to our school and teach students more about wind energy and wind turbines. Thank you to our wonderful PTO for providing this opportunity!
• February 19 - March 4: StarLab is visiting OUES. Please make sure your student wears socks during on Science Lab days during that time. Younger students may wish to wear slip on or Velcro shoes, as we will need to take our shoes off before we get into the tent. 
• March 27: Our wonderful PTO funded our first ever "Family Science Night." FSN is hosted by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The museum will have various science stations -- including a StarLab -- available for students to explore between 6-8 pm. All families that attend will receive 2 adult passes and 2 child passes to enter the museum for free. In addition, the Fort Worth Astronomical Society will set up giant telescopes in the playground area, starting at 6:30. Mark it on your calendar -- it will be a fun night!

Have a fantastic winter break! See you in January!

Week of December 9 - 13

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten & 4th grade: We didn't have school on Monday and Tuesday this week, due to a surprise snow day!
• 1st grade: We made wind vanes and learned how to use them to find out how hard the wind is blowing.
• 2nd grade: We started a two-week project over pendulums. Ask your second grader what the investigation question was this week.
• 3rd grade: We concluded our two-week volcano project today by building volcanoes and making them "erupt."

Upcoming Events:

• December 17: 4th graders will investigate a "mystery substance" during Science Lab. If your student is allergic to cornstarch, please contact me ASAP. Thanks!
• January 7th: 4th graders are doing a matter activity that involves different kinds of fruit: grapes, plums oranges, apples, pears, grapefruits, peaches, and strawberries. We will not be eating the fruit, but we will be touching it. If your child needs to avoid any of the above-mentioned fruits, please contact me. 

Week of December 2 - 6

It was Super Science Sale week at Old Union! Students were able to view and buy various science toys, equipment, and kits. Thanks for making the 2nd annual Super Science Sale a success!


Upcoming Events:

• December 12: 3rd graders are making and erupting volcanoes. This activity involves soil, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. If your student is allergic to any of these items, please contact me ASAP.

Week of November 18 - 22

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We looked at and sorted rocks.We are getting so good at writing like scientists!
• 1st grade: We investigated the effect of puffs of air on different objects.
• 2nd grade:We explored rocks by testing and sorting them.
• 3rd grade: We began our study over volcanoes by learning about its parts and each part's function.
• 4th grade: We made Cartesian Density Divers. Ask your 4th grader how it works!

Upcoming Events:

• December 2 - 6: All students will come to Old Union's 2nd annual Super Science Sale. Previews will be on Monday and Tuesday (similar to Book Fair), and purchases are welcome the rest of the week. Hours are 7:30 - 3:30 except on Thursday, when the hours are 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• December 12: 3rd graders are making and erupting volcanoes. This activity involves soil, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. If your student is allergic to any of these items, please contact me ASAP. 

Have a great Thanksgiving Break!

Week of November 11 - 15

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We saw how heat and the absence of heat can change matter. 
• 1st grade: We made compared and contrasted 5 different types of soil.
• 2nd grade: We learned about the 3 main types of rocks and observed them.
• 3rd grade: We studied about and made our own fossils.
• 4th grade: We learned about density by making a density tower.

Upcoming Events:

• November 19th: 4th graders are doing an activity that requires the use of one clean 1-liter bottle for every student. Mrs. Mertens and Mrs. Arefi are offering 10 tickets for every 1-liter bottle that is brought in! 
•  December 2 - 6: All students will come to Old Union's 2nd annual Super Science Sale. Previews will be on Monday and Tuesday (similar to Book Fair), and purchases are welcome the rest of the week. Hours are 7:30 - 3:30 except on Thursday, when the hours are 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• December 12: 3rd graders are making and erupting volcanoes. This activity involves soil, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. If your student is allergic to any of these items, please contact me ASAP.

Super Science Sale 2013

Old Union's second annual Super Science Sale will take place in the Science Lab (room E 113) the week of Monday, December 2 through Friday, December 6, 2013. The Super Science Sale features science kits, toys, equipment, and live animals for students to purchase.

The hours are as follows:

Monday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Tuesday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Wednesday: 7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Thursday: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

Friday: 7:30 am - 2:00 pm

All students will visit the store on Monday, December 2 for a sale preview. During the preview, students will be able to write items and their prices on a wishlist to bring home.

After all students have had a chance to preview the sale, we will begin shopping. Each class will have a set shopping time during the week. Students are also welcome to shop before or after school. 


No live animal purchases will be allowed without a signed animal permission slip (page 2 of this document). Purchased animals will be kept in the Science Lab until dismissal time so as not to disrupt student learning in the regular classroom; purchased pets can be picked up after the 2:45 clean up bell each day. 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. :)

If you would like to volunteer to help during the sale, please click here to sign up for a time.

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

4th Grade Adaptation Project

The fourth graders did a phenomenal job on their adaptation project! Below is a slideshow featuring some of the students and their project.

Adaptation Project 2013 on PhotoPeach

I build the slideshow using PhotoPeach. The music is from YouTube; the song is sung by Mr. Parr and is called the "Adaptations Song."

Week of November 4 - 8

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We made predictions about measuring a pumpkin and then measured it with nonstandard units. We also got to weigh a mini pumpkin and test to see if pumpkins sink or float.
• 1st grade: We learned about the layers of soil and made a model of it with our table team.
• 2nd grade: We did an investigation with cornstarch packing peanuts and learned how biodegradable items are better for the Earth than non-biodegradable items. 
• 3rd grade: We learned about the different types of landforms this week.
• 4th grade: We got to share our unique Texas animal and its adaptations to our classmates this week.

Upcoming Events:

• November 19th: 4th graders are doing an activity that requires the use of one clean 1-liter bottle for every student. Mrs. Mertens and Mrs. Arefi are offering 10 tickets for every 1-liter bottle that is brought in! 
•  December 2 - 6: All students will come to Old Union's 2nd annual Super Science Sale. Previews will be on Monday and Tuesday (similar to Book Fair), and purchases are welcome the rest of the week. Hours are 7:30 - 3:30 except on Thursday, when the hours are 7:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• December 12: 3rd graders are making and erupting volcanoes. This activity involves soil, baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring. If your student is allergic to any of these items, please contact me ASAP.

Week of October 28 - November 1

Here's what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned how to sort various things, including ourselves, pumpkins, shapes, sizes, and colors.   
• 1st grade: We conducted an investigation to see which objects float and which objects sink.
• 2nd grade: We saw how ingredients can be mixed together to make something new -- ice cream!
• 3rd grade: We participated in a "foil boat contest" this week.
• 4th grade: We used our time this week to finish creating our adapted animal and finish writing our animal facts.

Upcoming Events:

• The Super Science Sale will come to OUES for the second year in a row on December 2 - 6. It will be set up much like Book Fair -- where students have an opportunity to preview at the beginning of the week and shop the rest of the week. I'll post an updated list of shop hours when the date gets closer. 

Week of October 21 - 25

Here's what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned more about science tools and using them to collect information. We concentrated on our measuring skills this week.  
• 1st grade: We saw how matter can be changed by heat and graphed our results.
• 2nd grade: We saw how matter can be changed by heat, and what requirements an object has in order for it to be able to float.
• 3rd grade: We learned more about mixtures and solutions by making "lava" in a cup.
• 4th grade: We started our adaptations project. This week was our research, planning, and starting the very beginning of our project. Next week will involve finishing creating our animal model and finishing our lab write-up. If you have any extra craft supplies at home that you would like to get rid of, please send them to the lab!

Upcoming Events:

• The Super Science Sale will come to OUES for the second year in a row on December 2 - 6. It will be set up much like Book Fair -- where students have an opportunity to preview at the beginning of the week and shop the rest of the week. I'll post an updated list of shop hours when the date gets closer. 

Week of October 14 - 18

Here's what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: I didn't get to see my kinder friends this week due to our teacher work day. I'm excited to see them next week, though!
• 1st grade: I didn't get to see my first grade friends this week because of Dragon Day. (Dragon Day is our school-wide Professional Learning Community meetings. Students have a special encore rotation for this day.)
• 2nd grade: We learned about changing temperatures of matter.
• 3rd grade: We got to conduct our Milk in Motion experiments this week. We got some pretty cool results!
• 4th grade: We learned more about adaptations by studying bird beaks.

Upcoming Events:

• On Tuesday, October 22nd, 4th graders will start an adaptations project during Science Lab. This project requires the use of lots of arts and craft supplies. If you have any extra craft supplies at home that you would like to get rid of, please send them to the lab! I do have some supplies but probably not enough for the entire grade. Students will be constructing a brand new animal of their choice with adaptations. I'm encouraging students to think creatively for this project, so almost any supply goes!  
• The Super Science Sale will come to OUES for the second year in a row on December 2 - 6. It will be set up much like Book Fair -- where students have an opportunity to preview at the beginning of the week and shop the rest of the week. I'll post an updated list of shop hours when the date gets closer. 

Week of October 7 - 11

Here's what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We practiced using our sense of hearing during an egg match memory game and our sense of smelling during a wafting test. 
• 1st grade: We learned more about volume and choosing the right science tool for the job.
• 2nd grade: We learned more about the scientific method by conducting an experiment with Tic Tacs.
• 3rd grade: We started planning for our first independent experiment called "Milk in Motion." Students learned about "investigable questions" and how to prep for an experiment. 
• 4th grade: We rotated to various stations around the room to learn how animals' adaptations help them survive in their environment.

Upcoming Events:

• On Tuesday, October 22nd, 4th graders will start an adaptations project during Science Lab. This project requires the use of lots of arts and craft supplies. If you have any extra craft supplies at home that you would like to get rid of, please send them to the lab! I do have some supplies but probably not enough for the entire grade. Students will be constructing a brand new animal of their choice with adaptations. I'm encouraging students to think creatively for this project, so almost any supply goes!  
• The Super Science Sale will come to OUES for the second year in a row on December 2 - 6. It will be set up much like Book Fair -- where students have an opportunity to preview at the beginning of the week and shop the rest of the week. I'll post an updated list of shop hours when the date gets closer. 

Week of Setepmber 30 - October 3

Here's what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We practiced using our sense of sight during a color mixing activity.
• 1st grade: We practiced using a balancing pan to weigh various objects.
• 2nd grade: We learned how to use a spring scale and weighed objects with a pan balance.
• 3rd grade: We learned how molecules in various types of matter look, and then we played a game where we pretended we were the matter molecules.
• 4th grade: We learned more about making our own microscope slides. We had the opportunity to view living creatures swimming in pond algae, prepared slides of different plants and animals, a piece of our hair, a dyed piece of onion skin, and our fingerprint. 

Upcoming Events:

• Next week, 2nd graders will be participating in a scientific method experiment involving Tic Tacs. We will be using orange Tic Tacs, and students will be asked to consume 1 during our investigation. If you do NOT want your second grader to consume an orange Tic Tac, please contact me or your child's teacher ASAP. 
• In a couple of weeks, 4th graders will start an adaptations project during Science Lab. This project requires the use of lots of arts and craft supplies. If you have any extra craft supplies at home that you would like to get rid of, please send them to the lab! I do have some supplies but probably not enough for the entire grade. Students will be constructing a brand new animal of their choice with adaptations. I'm encouraging students to think creatively for this project, so almost any supply goes!  
• The Super Science Sale will come to OUES for the second year in a row on December 2 - 6. It will be set up much like Book Fair -- where students have an opportunity to preview at the beginning of the week and shop the rest of the week. I'll post an updated list of shop hours when the date gets closer. 

  

Week of September 23 - 27

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week;

• Kindergarten: We learned about germs and how to wash our hands. Home extension: ask your student to demonstrate how to properly wash their hands and why it's a good idea to wash our hands a lot.
• 1st grade: We started our matter unit this week. We learned about the 3 types of matter and got to hold each one. Home extension: ask your student about our investigation. He/she can name each of the 3 types of matter he/she held today.
• 2nd grade: We started our matter unit this week. We practiced observing and wafting and found out one way to change matter. Home extension: ask your student to name examples of the 3 types of matter.
• 3rd grade: We continued on our quest to learn more about science tools; we had fun with measurement stations this week. Home extension: ask your student to tell you how to use a stopwatch, a Celsius thermometer, a ruler, a compass, and a pan balance.
• 4th grade: We learned more about microscopes this week. We learned how to make a wet mount slide, the parts of a microscope, and how to operate 2 different kinds of microscopes. Home extension: ask your student to describe how to make a slide and how to operate a microscope. 

 

Week of September 16- 20

Here's a look at what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned more about science safety. Every student got to wear goggles and figure out how they protect eyes. Home extension: talk to your student about what other types of safety things are in our world. Why would a scientist need to be safe?
• 1st grade: We reviewed the use of a magnifying glass this week. Home extension: ask your student what he/she discovered about magnifying glasses. How do they help scientists?
• 2nd grade: We learned more about science tools, focusing specifically on the stopwatch, a beaker, a dropper, and a ruler. Home extension: ask your student how scientists use stopwatches, beaker, droppers, and rulers.
• 3rd grade: We learned more about science tools with a QR counting hunt. Home extension: ask your student which science tools he/she saw today and what they're used for.
• 4th grade: We learned more about science tools with some measurement stations. Home extension: ask your student to explain how to use a Celsius thermometer, a graduated cylinder, a spring scale, a pan balance, and a triple beam balance.

Week of September 9 - 13

Here's a look at what we did this week:

• Kindergarten: I got to meet my kinder friends this week! We talked about what scientists are and what they do, and what we might learn in Science Lab this year.
• 1st grade: We learned how to waft this week. Home extension: ask your student why it's important to waft in the lab. Allow your student to practice wafting in the kitchen while cooking!
• 2nd grade: We learned a bit more about science safety and tools by playing "What's in my Bag?" Home extension: ask your student why it's important to be safe in the lab and how we can be safe in the lab.
• 3rd grade: We discussed safety this week by playing a science safety game. Home extension: ask your student why it's important to be safe in the lab and how we can be safe in the lab.
•  4th grade: We discussed safety this week by participating in a QR code safety scavenger hunt.  Home extension: ask your student why it's important to be safe in the lab and how we can be safe in the lab.

Green Team permission slips were due today. If your child turned one into me, he/she should receive an "invitation" early next week. The first meeting of the Green Team is on Thursday, September 19. Pickup is at 3:20 at the east doors (by side car pick-up).

Don't forget to follow our class Instagram and Twitter to find out more details about lab investigations!

Have a great weekend!

Week of September 3 - 6

Hi, Dragons!

Welcome back to another wonderful year at OUES.

This was the first official week of Science Lab, and it went great! My first through fourth grade friends and I looked at new things in the lab, set up our science notebooks, and got to know each other a little better. I'm excited to meet my kindergarten friends for the first time next Monday.

Your Dragon might have told you that the Science Lab looks a bit different this year. Here's a peek into our room:

 

One of the new features in the Science Lab this year is the Scientist of the Month. This month, we're focusing on Albert Einstein.

Fourth Grade Friends: if you'd like to be a member of the Green Team, please turn in your permission slip by Friday, September 13th. {View documents about the Green Team by clicking here.}

If you're interested in seeing pictures of your student(s) hard at work in the lab, please follow our class Instagram. Our username is MrsKarasClass.

You can also read tweets from the students throughout the year by following our Twitter feed; our username is MrsKHasClass.

It's going to be a great year!

Week of June 3 - 5

Dragons,

I can't believe this is the final 2012-2013 Science Lab blog post. This year absolutely flew by! I had so much fun with your students in the Science Lab this year, and I sincerely hope your students can say the same.

I loved watching your students grow and learn this year; it was amazing to see their progress in such a short amount of time. Be sure to keep reading, exploring, and questioning on a daily basis!

Fourth grade Dragon friends, I am sad that I won't see you next year, since you'll be going off to Eubanks to embark on a new chapter of your life. I wish you the best of luck, know you'll do great things, and hope you come back to visit your OUES family every once in a while. :)

Thanks for a great year! Have a safe and wonderful summer, my friends!

Week of May 27 - 31

I hope everyone enjoyed their 3-day weekend!

Here's a review of our Science Lab activities for this week:

• Kindergarten: There was no school on Monday, so I missed seeing my kinder friends this week.
• 1st grade: We went on an insect scavenger hunt outside. Students were asked to find various insects, textures, colors, and shapes.
• 2nd grade: We learned about insects this week. First, we reviewed their parts. Then we went on an insect scavenger hunt outside. There are lots of Texas insects around Old Union!
• 3rd grade: We played a game about habitats this week. Each team competed by answering questions about a variety of habitats on our Earth. We had a lot of fun!
• 4th grade: This was our "big review challenge" week. We played a science game on the Promethean board with our teams to compete for prizes. I was so impressed the 4th graders' science knowledge!

Week of May 20 - 24

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

• Kindergarten: We completed a nature scavenger hunt at the pond near OUES this week. Students were challenged to find various things outside, ranging from certain insects to special textures.
• 1st grade: We studied bats this week.We had fun mimicking a bat's echolocation abilities, and we saw how parent bats find their young pup(s) in a nursery.
• 2nd grade: We learned about parts of plants this week. To investigate the role of a plant's stem, we placed white flowers in different colors of water; we'll have to watch the plants over the next week or two to see what happens. 
• 3rd grade:We learned a little more about the layers of the rainforest this week. Ask your third grader to explain the four layers to you!
• 4th grade: I did not get to see my 4th grade friends this week due to a fun and exciting field day. Special thanks to Ms. Specht and all of the volunteers for arranging it. We had a blast!

Have a fun and safe 3-day weekend!

Week of May 13 - 17

Here's a recap of our Science Lab activities this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about goldfish this week! We learned that goldfish have special physical features that allow them to live underwater. We got to observe real goldfish, do a goldfish puzzle, and play some other fun creature games.
• 1st grade: We learned about ants this week. We added ants to our ant farm and got to observe them in action. We also learned about an ant's life cycle and all of the amazing things they can do.
• 2nd grade: We studied the life cycle of a butterfly this week. We learned about the various stages a caterpillar goes through as it transforms into a butterfly. We saw how truly breathtaking nature can be!
• 3rd grade:We played a game about life cycles in the rain forest and saw how difficult it can be for certain creatures to survive.
• 4th grade:We learned more about erosion by studying how rocks can break down. We illustrated this with chalk, cinnamon, sugar cubes, and glass jars {ask your 4th grader how we did it!}.

Enjoy your weekend!

Week of May 6 - 10

Here's a review of our Science Lab activities for this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about the life cycle of a ladybug this week; students were very excited to learn more about ladybugs, since they got their first "taste" of the subject at our Earth Day Ladybug Release! We learned how a ladybug changes throughout its life, and we got to observe some live ladybugs up close. Afterwards, Mrs. Lugeanbeal was kind enough to let us borrow her tadpole aquarium again, so we got to see if and how those little tadpoles were changing. Very exciting!
• 1st grade: This was week two of our tree study. This week, we learned about different kinds of trees and how their leaves look different. We collected leaves of our own, graphed our leaves, identified the leaves of Old Union, and made a book of our leaf rubbings.
• 2nd grade: We wrapped up our ocean unit this week by completing a culminating project over ocean food chains. Students had to create a full ocean food chain in their notebook; the only "rule" was that everything had to have something to eat! It was a fun way to end our ocean study.
• 3rd grade: Since we studied owls for the past three weeks {and dug through their pellets!}, we finished our owl study by creating an owl food chain. We used our knowledge of owl pellets to create prey for the owls in our food chain. Students who finished early had the opportunity to continue trying to identify the bones they found in their owl pellets.
• 4th grade:We explored stream tables this week. We looked at different kinds of weathering and did some investigations of our own to see what happens to the Earth when rain hits the ground.

A special thank you goes to all of you that were involved in Teacher Appreciation Week. I definitely felt loved! :) Thanks for your hard work and generosity!

Week of May 29 - May 3

Here's a look at this week's Science Lab activities:

• Kindergarten: We studied the life cycle of a frog today! A kind parent volunteer donated some tadpoles to Mrs. Lugeanbeal's room, and Mrs. Lugeanbeal was nice enough to let us borrow them for the day. We learned how a tadpole grows into a frog, played some frog games, and made a frog wheel to help us remember the steps more easily. Home extension: Ask your student to show you the life cycle wheel we made in the lab, and see if he/she can explain all the parts!
• 1st grade: We started our two-week study on trees today. Students participated in tree stations where they got to observe bark, tree cookies, and pine cones. Home extension: Go for a nature walk and allow your student to observe the trees in the area.
• 2nd grade: We learned about "beach things" today, courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum's artifact trunk. We rotated through stations, sorting appropriate beach things from trash, exploring the trunk's ocean artifacts, reading ocean books, observing sand from around the world, and identifying beautiful seashells. Home extension: Ask your student to share some interesting facts they learned about beach artifacts in the lab. Next time you go on a beach vacation, your student might want to collect seashells and other beach artifacts to start a beach collection at home.
• 3rd grade: We finished our owl pellet investigation this week. Students finished cleaning the bones they found in the pellets. Afterwards, they worked on gluing the bones into their notebook and identifying the creatures to which the bones belonged. Home extension: Visit THIS WEBSITE to virtually dissect an owl pellet. Your student can then tell you what he/she found in the lab.
• 4th grade:We started our last unit of the year this week: geology. Today, we studied various types of soil and their characteristics. Mainly, we focused on figuring out how much water certain types of soil could hold. Home extension: Ask your student to duplicate today's investigation at home by experimenting with soil around your home. Compare that information to the information he/she learned in the lab.

Week of April 22 - 26

Here are this week's Science Lab activities:

• Kindergarten: In honor of Earth Day, we learned more about recycling this week. We learned about what items are okay to recycle, and which are not. We also played a recycling sorting game where we sorted recyclable material into bins: paper, plastic, and glass.Home extension: Ask your student to help you sort trash from recycling items.
• 1st grade: I didn't get to see my 1st grade friends this week because of the STAAR exams I helped monitor. But I have something exciting planned for them next week, and I can't wait to see them again!
• 2nd grade: We learned about a super-cool boat made entirely out of recyclable materials called Plastiki. We also brainstormed ways to help our ocean's pollution problem. Home extension: Ask your student to tell you his/her plan for encouraging others to use less plastic and to recycle more.
• 3rd grade: I didn't get to see my 3rd grade friends this week because of STAAR makeup exams, but I have something exciting planned for them next week, and I can't wait to see them again!
• 4th grade: We not only learned about the solar energy this week, but we also learned about the importance of sun screen! We tested various types of sunscreen against UV-reactive paper to figure out which piece of paper got the hottest and/or changed colors due to the UV rays. It was definitely a lesson to remember! Home extension: Help your student pick out sunscreen to wear every day -- clouds or shine! He/she can explain which SPF worked best in our investigation, and why wearing sunscreen is important.

Earth Day Celebration

Ladybugs are said to be friends of gardens because they help get rid of unwanted pests and their eggs. Today, to celebrate Earth Day, OUES students released ladybugs into the air around our school in the hopes of helping our gardens, forests, and the rest of the environment.  Below is a video of the event (special thanks to Mrs. Loomis and Mrs. McArthur for taking pictures, and to Mrs. McArthur for putting together our Animoto video!). 

Happy Earth Day!

Week of April 15 - 19

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

• Kindergarten: My kinder friends and I explored pillbugs (more commonly known as roly polies) this week. We got to observe them, learn more about roly polies and their lifecycle, and make a little roly poly craft to take home. Home extension: We talked this week about what roly polies eat; allow your student to use this informaton to help them keep a roly poly pet in a jar for a little while!
• 1st grade: This was week 2 of our seed investigation. This week, we observed 6 different kinds of seeds and sorted them before planting our own seed to take home and nurture. Home extension: allow your student to place his/her plant in a sunny windowsill, and remind him/her to water it every day. You could even give your student an extra challenge: measure the plant's growth every day to see how quickly it grows!
• 2nd grade: We got to share our animal research information today to the rest of the class. It was so much fun learning new information about every animal! We'll use this information later to create our own ocean food chain during Science Lab. Home extension: Ask your student to share facts about 2-3 animals they heard about from classmates today.
• 3rd grade: This was week 2 of our owl study, and it was messy! Students were able to dive right into dissecting their owl pellet this week. Students worked for almost the whole hour to uncover bones and clean them off for next week's project. Home extension: Do a Google search for "live owl webcam." There are several to choose from online; they provide an opportunity to watch barn owls in action 24/7!
• 4th grade: We tested the effects of gravity and air resistance with a challenge today: we had to build our own parachute with the most "hang time." Students had to work with their team to decide on appropriate materials before constructing and testing their parachute. Home extension: provide students with some string and a grocery sack or piece of tissue paper and allow him/her to continue the investigation at home.

 Green Thumb Club members: our next meeting is Tuesday, April 23. Hope to see you there!

Earth Day: Earth Day is April 22, but we'll be celebrating it all week long in the Science Lab next week! We'll start on Monday morning with a ladybug release -- all students will get to release a ladybug into the wild. Ladybugs are considered a garden's best friend (acting as a pest control) so we know they'll do wonderful things both for OUES's garden and for surrounding neighbors' gardens! If you're interested in playing a super-cool, online recycling game, check out Recycle City's Dumptown Game.

Week of April 8 - 12

Here's a review of our Science Lab activities for this week:

• Kindergarten: We worked on our sorting skills again today; this time, we sorted plants and other objects we found after taking a walk through the playground. Students had to come up with a "sorting rule" at their tables -- I was so impressed with their work! We also looked at how baby plants and animals look like their parents. Home extension: Take your student on a walk and allow him/her to collect random items. When you get home, ask your student to find a sorting rule so that every item has a specific group.
• 1st grade: First graders are spending two weeks learning about seeds! Today, we looked at the parts of a lima bean and compared them to the parts of a red bean. We soaked the seeds in water so we could dissect them more easily. Home extension: Ask your student to summarize this investigation at home, and then recreate it using different seeds.
• 2nd grade: We focused on learning more about marine biology this week by researching a little about sea creatures. Each student received an informational sheet about their animal and a realistic replica; students could work with a partner to find out more about this animal. We're going to share our results with the rest of the class next week. We are so excited to learn more about the ocean's food chains! Home extension: Ask your student about their assigned sea animal.
• 3rd grade: This was week #1 of our three-week project over owls. Students got to learn more about owls --  specifically, the barn owl -- and their pellets. We examined the outside of the pellets and prepared to dissect them fully next week. Home extension: If your student is excited about dissecting the pellets, allow him/her to practice with a virtual dissection. {Click HERE to access the virtual dissection.} He/she could practice identifying bones!
• 4th grade: We learned about electromagnets before conducting an investigation about electromagnets: does the number of coils make a difference? Home extension: Ask your student to summarize the electromagnet investigation from today. If you have a nail, a battery, and some wire at home, he/she could even recreate it to show you how neat an electromagnet is!

Week of April 1 - 5

Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the 3-day weekend; I sure did!

Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about plant lifecycles before planting our own [green bean] seed. Most students took the planted seeds home, but I think that at least one classroom teacher had the seeds stay in the classroom so she could help her students watch the plants grow daily. Either way, when the planted seed comes to you, please remind your student to place it in a sunny spot (like a windowsill) and water it every day. When the plant gets bigger, you can transfer it to a bigger pot or to an outside space where it has more room to grow. Enjoy your green beans! Home extension: if you have a garden, allow your student to help plant, weed, and water. If you don't have a garden, letting your student plant 1 seed of his/her choice to keep and nurture in his/her room would be great!
• 1st grade and 2nd grade: I did not get to see my 1st grade friends this week, due to the STAAR writing exam that I helped monitor. I can't wait to see them next week, though!
• 3rd grade: We reviewed measurement methods today by participating in some measurement centers. We reviewed area, perimeter, length, and width. Home extension: There are lots of opportunities to practice measurement at home! Make up a problem that requires measurement, and allow your student to solve it for you. For instance, maybe you need a rug to fit the living room; your student could measure the length and width of the room to figure out how big of a rug to buy. They could also calculate how many square inches or feet of fabric you'd need to buy if you were going to make the rug yourself.
• 4th grade: We made electroscopes today, and each student got to take home their creation! Home extension: Ask your student to dig their homemade electroscope out of his/her backpack and show you how it works!

 Green Thumb Club members: our next meeting is Tuesday, April 9. Hope to see you there!

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs

If you're free April 7th, here's something you and your student might be interested in attending:

Week of March 25 - 28

Here's a review of our Science Lab activities for this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about the parts of flowers and animals. We sang a catchy song, raced to put together a plant puzzle with labels, played a fun beach ball game about plant and animal parts, and wrote in our notebooks. Home extension: while playing outside or as an animal walks by, encourage your student to reiterate its parts and explain how each is useful. You could also tie this into the human body by singing "Heads, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" and discussing the special jobs of each of our body parts.
• 1st grade: We learned about the parts of a plant and dissected a flower. Home extension: while tending to the garden or walking past a plant, allow your student to discuss each part of the plant and how it helps the plant survive.
• 2nd grade: OUES 2nd graders have a very exciting opportunity this year: we are part of the trial Trunk Program from the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum! The library and museum is letting us borrow their very special ocean trunk, which contains all kinds of neat marine goodies. We will be studying marine biology for the next several weeks. The trunk had an amazing IMAX movie in it that provided a lot of cool and interesting facts about the ocean, so we watched that this week so we could get some background information. Home extension: Ask for a re-cap about the IMAX ocean movie! I know your student would love to talk about all the neat things he/she saw!
• 3rd grade: We learned a little bit more about light energy this week. Specifically, we focused on colors -- how certain colors blend together to make other colors and how we can separate the colors in light and in inks so we can see them all. Home extension: Your student got to make a color wheel in Science Lab this week and might have already brought it home. Encourage your student to show you how the color wheel works and explain what it means.

Because of tomorrow's snow day, I won't see my 4th grade friends. Of course, I have something fun planned for the next time I see them, though! 

I hope you enjoy your 3-day weekend!

Week of March 18 - 22

Welcome back to Old Union! It was so nice to see everyone's smiling face this week.

Here's what happened in the Science Lab:

• Kindergarten and 1st grade: We kicked off our "organisms and environments" unit by learning the difference between living and non-living things. We also talked about basic needs of plants and animals. Home extension: If you have a pet at home, allow your child to take part in feeding and taking care of the animal; that would be a fantastic opportunity to talk about basic needs and living/non-living! If you don't have a pet, you could always adopt a virtual one; click here, here, or here for my top picks. Another option is to allow your child to help you plant something and be responsible for helping it grow.
• 2nd grade: We finished our meteorology unit by learning about wind and making an anemometer. We also talked about a case of extreme wind -- tornadoes -- and how to keep ourselves safe. Home extension: Your student got to take home his/her own anemometer and wind speed scale this Wednesday. Encourage your student to measure and track the wind speed for the next week.
• 3rd grade: We finished our three week study over simple machines today by focusing on pulleys and wheels. Home extension: Go on a "simple machine scavenger hunt" -- at home, at a store, or wherever! -- and see how many simple machines you and your child can find.
• 4th grade: Since we are still studying circuits in our force, motion, and energy unit, we did a fun little activity this week that involved making "quiz cards" with circuits on the back. Students had to come up with 4th grade math questions that would help them study for their STAAR test, and they had to make sure that the correct answer created a complete circuit on the back of the card. We used multi-meter testers to quiz ourselves afterward. A few quiz cards and multi-meter testers are now in the 4th grade math rooms so that students can quiz themselves during their free time. Home extension: You don't have to have multi meter testers to do this activity! Students could create their own quiz cards at home and test them with a light bulb and D Cell battery -- they know how!

 Green Thumb Club members: Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 26. Hope to see you there!

Week of March 4 - 8

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

• Kindergarten: This was such a fun lesson -- we learned about movement! We explored different ways to move and describe our movements, observed others and a ball moving, and played with marble ramps. Home extension: play "follow the leader" with your child, asking him/her to use describing words to tell how you're moving.
• 1st grade: We focused on sound energy today. Our lesson included playing a homemade xylophone and playing a sound/matching game. Home extension: grab a few small items in your home and an empty cup. Place an item inside the cup and allow your student to try to guess what is in the cup, based on the noise they hear. Take turns playing and guessing.
• 2nd grade: We played a weather game that involved making good decisions based on the weather conditions. Students had to decide what would be appropriate to wear, how they should travel, and what activities might be best for that weather. Home extension: Allow your student to watch the weather {or look it up online!} with you and decide for him/herself what clothing might be best.
• 3rd grade: This was the second week of our study on simple machines. This week, we focused on inclined planes. So far, we've learned that levers and inclined planes help make work easier, but that there is a trade-off involved. Home extension: Ask your student to explain how levers and inclined planes make work easier, and ask him/her to explain the "trade off" involved.
• 4th grade: We got to experiment with electricity today! We built several variations of circuits using a few pieces of wire, a D cell battery, a light bulb, and a knife switch. Students saw that a circuit cannot work unless it is closed. Home extension: take a D cell battery, the lowest wattage light bulb you can find, and some aluminum foil; he/she will surely enjoy creating a complex, closed circuit in the comforts of home.

I hope everyone has an amazing and relaxing Spring Break!

Science Rocks: Mini-Camp

Join mad scientists (Dr. Johnston, Mrs. LeJeune, and Mrs. Karas) for some science fun over spring break! We will conduct rockin' science investigations every day. If you like SCIENCE, and you like to THINK, this is the camp for you!

Who can participate: any student in grades 1-4
Dates: Monday, March 11, 2013 - Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Place: Old Union Elementary, rooms C104 and E113
Price: $75/student (make check payable to Keri LeJeune)

To register, please visit THIS link or scan the QR code below with your mobile device.

Week of February 25 - March 1

Here's what we did in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We are still learning about energy, but this week, we focused on sound! We had fun playing various sound guessing games. Home extension: take your child for a walk or bike ride and allow him/her to vocalize his/her sound observations. Discuss how and why sound is important and can keep us safe.
• 1st grade: We learned about light energy this week by seeing which objects light can travel through. Home extension: give your child a flashlight and allow him/her to shine it on various objects around the house, seeing which objects are transparent.
• 2nd grade: We focused on the water cycle this week. We made our own mini-version of the water cycle in Ziploc baggies at our tables, and we even turned it into an experiment! Home extension: ask your child to share the observations of the mini-water cycle today. Was his/her hypothesis correct?
• 3rd grade: We started week 1 of our study on simple machines today. Today's focus was the lever. We learned the parts of a lever and how we can move the fulcrum to reduce our amount of work. Home extension: Ask your child to find examples of simple machines around the house. I bet you have tons!
• 4th grade: I didn't get to see all of my 4th grade friends today, due to Dragon Day. But I've got something exciting planned for them next week!

By the way: Dr. Johnston, Mrs. LeJeune, and I are hosting a mini-science camp over Spring Break this year! To get more information and/or sign up, please visit THIS link or scan the QR code below with your mobile device.

Week of February 18 - 22

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

• Kindergarten:We explored a different kind of energy today: heat energy! We performed a quick experiment to find out how heat affects hard and gummy lifesavers before playing a sorting game with heat source cards. Home extension: allow your child to join in the cooking fun with a meal that involves a microwave or oven. Seeing that heat helped transformed the ingredients into a delicious  meal will help solidify our knowledge of heat energy.
• 1st grade: We learned about heat energy in the form of friction today. We learned that rubbing our hands together creates friction, which creates heat. We tested various objects around the room to see which caused heat from the friction. Home extension: allow your student to continue this investigation at home by encouraging him/her to test various items for heat from friction. You can also play the mini-friction game we played online by clicking HERE.
• 2nd grade: We focused on light energy today and performed a series of activities to investigate it. You can view the activities by clicking HERE. Home extension: Play the Prezi presentation with your child close by, and ask him/her to describe the activities to you. Most can be recreated at home, which would be so fun!
• 3rd grade: We did an investigation about gravity today; we tested various objects to see which would fall first. We also learned a little bit about Isaac Newton and his 3 laws of motion. Home extension: allow your student to do some independent research over Isaac Newton to see how else he contributed to science. 
• 4th grade: We learned more about the water cycle, its source of energy, and the fact that water molecules are constantly moving through the water cycle by playing a game. Home extension: Ask your student to describe our water cycle movement game and what they learned. Do water molecules always follow the exact path of the water cycle? What makes the water in the water cycle move?

Green Thumb Club members: our next meeting is Tuesday, February 26. Hope to see you there!

Donations: We would greatly appreciate any Kleenex and/or empty syrup bottles that you could donate!

Week of February 11 - 15

Here's what happened in Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about light energy by focusing on sources of light. We went on a "light scavenger hunt" to find things that provide light, recorded our findings in our notebooks, and played a "light charades" game. Home extension: go on a light scavenger hunt of your own at your home. Try to find as many light sources as possible -- even the smallest light counts!
• 1st grade: We learned a little more about magnets this week by going "magnet fishing." Using a magnet tied to the end of a string, students were able to "fish" inside a baggie filled with "little fish" (small paper clips) and "big fish" (large paper clips) to see which would allow them to catch the most fish. We graphed our results and then just did some "fishing" for fun afterwards. Home extension: Using a refrigerator magnet and a bunch of paper clips, allow your student to conduct a quick experiment to see how many paper clips their magnet can hold. Is the amount different, based on which magnet you use? Hmm. I'd love to know your answers!
• 2nd grade: We focused on the moon this week. We learned why the moon looks so small when it is actually quite large, and we learned more about how it rotates around our Earth and shows different "phases" along the way. Home extension: Allow your child to track the moon phases each night. Are there any patterns?
• 3rd grade: We explored magnets by making magnetic cars today! We had so much fun pushing and pulling our cars -- without even touching them! -- around the room. Home extension: the students were able to take home all parts of the car except the magnets. If you have a couple of magnets at home, you could recreate this activity in the kitchen or living room.
• 4th grade: We learned more about the water cycle by creating an actual water cycle inside our room. Home extension: ask your child to describe our water cycle model from today, and see if you can figure out a way to recreate it using items in your house. Talk to your student about how this model mimics the real water cycle. 

Week of February 4 - 8

This was our last week in StarLab for 2013, and I think it's safe to say that everyone had a great time! StarLab is so much fun and a great learning opportunity for all that get to go inside. I can't get enough of it!

Students were able to see the constellations again this week -- both in the "real" sky and in the "dot to dot" version of the sky -- and hear some more fun stories about each. Students have been reminded that these stories are just pretend, much like Spongebob or Cinderella. Still, it's fun to learn the stories associated with each constellation.

Ask your student what constellations we were able to find the StarLab this week, and then take your student outside to see if he/she can spot them in the real night sky. I think you'd be surprised and impressed about how many constellations OUES students can name!

Green Thumb Club members: our next meeting is Tuesday, February 12. Hope to see you there!