New Website

Hi all,

As summer is winding down, I wanted to direct you to a new website I created over the summer; we'll be using that instead of this blog from now on.

Click HERE to go to the new website, or save www.OUESscience.weebly.com as a "favorite" in your browser. 

The new website features a separate page for each grade level, so you can see what you want to see without filtering through everything else. It will also have lots of additional information about things like Green Team, Lab Assistants and Old Union's first Science Fair {coming in fall 2014}.

I'm hoping to have students guest-post on their grade level's blog, so feel free to check out the submission form on the home page and encourage your student to write a post!

Week of June 2 - 5

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

• Kindergarten: We participated in a nature scavenger hunt.
• 2nd grade: We focused on the parts of insects and participated in an insect scavenger hunt outside.
• 4th grade: We played a game on the Promethean board that focused on all realms of science. It was a tough competition! 

{I didn't get to see the other grades this week because of our half day today and no school tomorrow.}

Once again, I am shocked at how quickly this year has gone by! I enjoyed exploring science concepts with all of your OUES students this year and am already looking forward to the 2014-2015 school year.

Have a safe and fantastic summer!

Week of May 26 - 30

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and relaxing Memorial Day weekend!

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

• Kindergarten: I didn't get to see my kindergarten friends this week because of our Memorial Day holiday. I hope you and your family had a relaxing weekend!
• 1st grade: We had a nature scavenger hunt outside.
• 2nd grade: We learned how each part of a plant helps it grow and set up a stem experiment that we'll watch for the next week.
• 3rd grade: We played some games about ecosystems and habitats.
• 4th grade: We studied erosion and deposition more in-depth by exploring stream tables.

Week of May 19 - 23

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

• Kindergarten: We played a variety of science games in the lab.
• 1st grade: Old Union Field Day was this morning, and we had a special assembly in the afternoon, so I didn't get to share any science with first graders this week. We'll have fun together next week, though!
• 2nd grade: We learned about the life cycle of a butterfly. We'll be watching our class caterpillars turn into butterflies over the next few weeks.
• 3rd grade: We played a rainforest life cycle game that focused on the Brazilian Tree Nut and the creatures that depend on it.
• 4th grade: We learned about the properties of soil and how to filter soil.

Week of May 12 - 16

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

• Kindergarten: We learned about a goldfish's body and how its special characteristics make it perfect for life under water.
• 1st grade: We focused on sound and its energy this week.
• 2nd grade: We used our extensive knowledge of life in the sea to construct an ocean food chain.
• 3rd grade: We focused on the layers of the rainforest this week.
• 4th grade: Because so many of our fourth graders are involved in choir {and this Tuesday was the choir field trip}, our librarian and I combined our small classes to work on Genius Hour.

Week of May 5 - 9

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

• Kindergarten: We learned about a frog's body, life cycle, and habitat.
• 1st grade: We focused on light and its energy this week.
• 2nd grade: We participated in sand and seashell stations.
• 3rd grade: Now that we are familiar with an owl's prey, we were able to demonstrate our knowledge of an owl's food chain.
• 4th grade: Today was our scheduled visit to Eubanks to get familiar with our upcoming new school. Because of this schedule, my fourth grade friends enjoyed working on a Genius Hour project started by our librarian.

Week of April 28 - May 2

It's May already -- can you believe it?!

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

• Kindergarten: We learned about a ladybug's body parts, life cycle, and habitat. Each student took home a ladybug on Monday. You can observe it for a few days before releasing it outside.
• 1st grade: We started our force, motion, and energy unit by learning about heat from friction.
• 2nd grade: We worked hard to research a marine animal of our choosing a couple weeks ago, so today was our opportunity to share our knowledge with the rest of the class.
• 3rd grade: This was the last day of our mini-unit over owl pellets. The students tried to identify the bones they found in their pellet, tried to reconstruct the skeleton of the prey with the bones, and were able to take home any skulls they excavated.
• 4th grade: We experienced what it's like to be a drop of water by playing the water cycle game.

Week of April 21 - 25

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

• Kindergarten: We learned more about recycling: what to recycle, how to sort it, and where our trash goes.
• 1st grade: We explored magnets today by magnet "fishing" and racing.
• 2nd grade: I didn't get to see my second grade friends this week because of STAAR testing, but they continued to study the ocean with their homeroom teacher. 
• 3rd grade: This was week two of our mini-unit over owl pellets. Most of us were able to excavate the majority of our pellet's bones this week. Next week, we'll start trying to identify which prey they came from!
• 4th grade: I didn't get to see my fourth grade friends this week due to STAAR testing, but I'm excited to see them next week!

Week of April 14 - 18

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

• Kindergarten: We studied a pillbug's body, life cycle, and habitat.
• 1st grade: We learned more about leaves and made a "Leaves of Old Union" book for our homeroom.
• 2nd grade: We studied more about ocean creatures by picking a marine animal and researching it. {We'll share our findings in a couple weeks!}
• 3rd grade: This was week one of our three week mini-unit over owl pellets.
• 4th grade: We studied thermal energy by doing some product testing on sunscreen.

Week of April 7 - 11

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

• Kindergarten: We planted a seed of our own and learned about the parts of plants and a plant's life cycle.
• 1st grade: We participated in tree stations to learn about 3 important parts of trees -- bark, cones, and tree cookies.
• 2nd grade: We participated in ocean stations to learn more about the ocean ecosystem.
• 3rd grade: We did several light activities to illustrate light energy.
• 4th grade: We made circuit quiz cards to demonstrate our knowledge of circuits while practicing a few math questions for our upcoming STAAR exam.

Week of March 31 - April 4

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

• Kindergarten: We learned about the parts of animals and plants, and how babies usually resemble their parents.
• 1st grade: We learned about the parts of an ant, an ant's life cycle, how ants walk, and we got to see an ant farm in action.
• 2nd grade: We watched a really cool IMAX movie about oceans to kick off our ocean unit!
• 3rd grade: We finished our mini-unit on simple machines by making our own models with K'Nex.
• 4th grade: I didn't get to help my 4th graders perform a science investigation this week because of the STAAR writing exam.

Week of March 24 - 28

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

• Kindergarten: We learned the difference between living and non-living things.
• 1st grade: We learned about bats' extraordinary senses of smell and hearing by playing a "Mama Bat" game and testing our echolocation skills.
• 2nd grade: We learned more about wind and made anemometers.
• 3rd grade: We continued our investigation over simple machines by focusing on the inclined plane and the wedge this week.
• 4th grade: We investigated circuits by making our own with our shoulder buddy.

Special Thanks:

• Family Science Night: Our amazing PTO funded our first ever "Family Science Night," and I am so happy to report that it was a great success! Family Science Night was hosted by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History; the museum had various science stations available for students to explore between 6-8 pm. All families that attended received 2 adult passes and 2 child passes to enter the museum for free. In addition, the Fort Worth Astronomical Society set up giant telescopes in the playground area and helped students and their families pick out the constellations and various other objects in the night sky. A big thanks goes to each of these organizations for providing a fun time for us! Here's a video with some pictures of the evening:

Week of March 17 - 21

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

• Kindergarten: We explored magnets by making magnet kites and having a magnet race.
• 1st grade: We learned about the parts of a plant and dissected a flower.
• 2nd grade: We showed off our knowledge of weather and how it determines what clothes we wear, what transportation we take, and what activities we participate in.
• 3rd grade: We started our three week mini-unit over simple machines by studying the lever.
• 4th grade: We learned about insulators and conductors while making circuits.

Upcoming Events:

• March 27: Our amazing 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! Find out more about it by clicking HERE.

Week of March 3 - 7

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

• Kindergarten and 4th grade: We finished our last lessons of StarLab.
• 1st grade: I didn't get to see my first grade friends for a science lesson this week because of Dragon Day, but I'm excited to learn about the parts of plants after Spring Break!
• 2nd grade: We discussed the water cycle and started an experiment regarding evaporation. Your student will monitor the experiment for the next week with his/her homeroom teacher.
• 3rd grade: We made and experimented with foam flyers.

Upcoming Events:

• March 27: Our amazing 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! Find out more about it by clicking HERE.

Have a fun (and safe!) Spring Break!

Week of February 24 - 28

StarLab is in full swing! The planetarium will be in the OUES Science Lab until March 4th. During that time, please make sure your student wears socks on his/her Science Lab day. Younger students may wish to wear slip on or Velcro shoes, as we have to take our shoes off before we get into the tent.

Upcoming Events:

• 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!

Week of February 17 - 21

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

• Kindergarten: We learned how different objects (and people) can move.
• 1st-3rd grade: We went through our first week of StarLab. We got to see the "real" night sky and several constellations there, and then we moved to the "dot to dot" pictures and heard some star stories.
• 4th grade: We made electroscopes. Ask your 4th grader to show you how it works.  

Upcoming Events:

• March 27: Our amazing 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! 

Week of February 10 - 14

Happy Valentine's Day! Here's what we did in the Science Lab this week:

• Kindergarten: We learned about heat and how it can change different objects. To illustrate this, we conducted an experiment to see which would melt first: a gummy Lifesaver or a hard Lifesaver. Ask your kinder kiddo to tell you the results!
• 1st grade: We finished our two week lesson about seeds by sorting, measuring, comparing, and contrasting a variety of seeds.
• 2nd grade:We got excited about StarLab by making constellation tubes.
• 3rd grade: We learned about gravity and how it affects objects with different sizes, shapes, and mass.
• 4th grade: We played an interactive force, motion, and energy game show game on the Promethean board.

Upcoming Events:

• 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 amazing 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!

Paperless Classroom

It has been a dream of mine for a long time that the Science Lab might be able to go to paperless. With the district's fairly new "Bring Your Own Device" policy, I know that a paperless classroom is more possible than ever, and I am so excited about it!

Just for clarification: 

• No student would be left out, even if they don't own or couldn't bring in a device. I would either find devices for everyone or go back to paper. 
• Any apps requested for download would be 100% free. 
• A paperless Science Lab would not only save paper, pencils, and glue, but it would allow parents to see their child's Science Lab progress throughout the year. Currently, students do not bring home any work from Science Lab until the very end of the school year. With a digital approach, parents could log on at any time to view their child's work. 

Please take the survey below to help me understand how to proceed with a potential paperless Science Lab. Thanks!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Week of February 3 - 7

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

• Kindergarten: We learned about light energy by doing some simple investigations and playing a light game.
• 1st grade: We started a two-week lesson about seeds. This week, we got to dissect a lima bean!
• 2nd grade:We explored sound some more about sound by making telephones and clucking chickens with cups.
• 3rd grade: We made magnet cars and got to race them around the room. :)
• 4th grade: The wonderful PTO allowed a company to visit our school to teach about wind energy and help our students make wind turbines. It was a great STEM lesson!

Upcoming Events:

• 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 amazing 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!

January 27 - 31

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

• Kindergarten: We explored sound energy today by conducting a variety of sound investigations.
• 1st grade: We reviewed the basic needs of plants and animals, as well as the difference between living and non-living things.
• 2nd grade: We made learned more about how sound and vibrations go hand-in-hand. We participated in a variety of vibration activities this week.
• 3rd grade: We watched a mini-water cycle at the front of the room and made a water cycle wheel.
• 4th grade: We finished our powder puzzle mystery by conducing the rest of our tests and identifying the mystery powders at our tables.

Upcoming Events:

• February 4th: 4th graders will do a special STEM program. A company called All About Learning 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 amazing 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!

Week of January 20 - 24

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

• Kindergarten: I didn't see my kinder friends this week because there was no school on Monday. We'll start exploring sound energy next week, though! 
• 1st grade: We observed and recorded changes in the moon by learning more about its phases.
• 2nd grade:We learned how useful magnets can be in our lives by making a compass at our desk.
• 3rd grade: We continued our investigation of the solar system by completing our models of the solar system and playing a couple more solar system games.
• 4th grade: We started week one of a two-week series that involves solving the powder puzzle mystery.

Upcoming Events:

• February 4th: 4th graders will do a special STEM program. A company called All About Learning 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 amazing 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!

Week of January 13 - 17

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

• Kindergarten: We explored thermometers by reading them in various temperatures of water and made our own, paper thermometers.
• 1st grade: I didn't get to see my 1st grade friends this week because of Dragon Day on Friday. We'll start exploring the moon next week, though!
• 2nd grade:We conducted ramp races this week to find out about friction, slope, force, and speed.
• 3rd grade: We continued investigating the solar system by creating a scale model of all the planets and their location in space. 
• 4th grade: We finished our mass and matter investigation about water content in fruit. Ask your fourth grader which of our six fruits we investigated contains the highest percentage of water.

**DEADLINE APPROACHING:  Calling All Current & Potential  School Volunteers

Beginning in January 2014, Carroll ISD will require all school volunteers to fill out a new online application and background check before volunteering in CISD buildings or working with students. School officials are encouraging all parents, grandparents or individuals who are currently volunteering or would like to be considered as a volunteer to fill out the online application to get approved. If you are just visiting a campus for a program, lunch or a party, you don't have to apply as a volunteer, you just continue using the Raptor sign-in system. But if you intend to work with students, help teachers, serve as Dad for the Day or work in the Spirit Shop, these are just a few of the positions that will require the new online application and background check first. Once you are approved, you'll continue to check in at the campus using Raptor and then report for your volunteer assignment. All of these efforts are a part of Operation SAFEdragon. Don't get caught missing out on volunteer activities or your chance to chaperone CISD field trips. It's quick; it's easy and it's confidential! Visit the district's main website today and click on the volunteer program picture on the front or go directly to http://www.southlakecarroll.edu/pages/CISD/For/For_P/Volunteer_Program

 

Upcoming Events:

• February 4th: 4th graders will do a special STEM program. A company called All About Learning 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 amazing 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!
 

Week of January 6 - 10

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

• Kindergarten: I didn't see my kinder friends this week because they were still enjoying the winter holiday break. :) I'm excited to see them next week, though!
• 1st grade: We learned more about clouds and made models of them out of cotton balls. 
• 2nd grade: We continued our investigations over force and motion by conducting an experiment to see if a plane's design affects the way it moves.
• 3rd grade: We learned more about the our solar system and its components by playing some space games.
• 4th grade: We started a 2-week investigation about matter and mass by dehydrating fruit to see how much of it is liquid.

Upcoming Events:

• February 4th: 4th graders will do a special STEM program. A company called All About Learning 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 amazing PTO funded our first ever "Family Science Night" this year. 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!