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!