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.