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. 

  

October 15 - 19

Here's a recap of our week in the Science Lab:

• Kindergarten: We learned more about our senses of smelling and hearing as a way of observing matter. We played a sound egg memory game and did 5 smell tests. Ask your student about their favorite things to hear and smell.
• 1st grade: We did an investigation to find out the effects of heat and cold on matter. Ask your student if food coloring moves faster in warm water or cool water.
• 2nd grade: We had a shortened period due to testing, but we still had fun weighing various objects on a primary balance. Students were able to use hexagram weights to find out the exact mass of objects on our list. Ask your student to explain how to operate the primary balance and how to use the hexagram weights. You could even ask your student to predict the mass of various objects around your house.
• 3rd grade: We conducted a brand-new experiment ("Lava in a Cup") to learn about mixtures. Ask your student to explain their group's experiment and results.
• 4th grade: I was unable to be in class on this day, but we had a fabulous substitute, so I know the students had a great time and learned a lot! 4th graders conducted an experiment about bird beak adaptations to figure out which beak type is most conducive to eating various types of food. Ask your student which bird beak they used in class, and which food was easiest to pick up.

 Reminders:

• Next week is Red Ribbon week. Please refer to the previous post to figure out how to show your support each day! You could even recite the Red Ribbon pledge each morning on the way to school. OUES is proud to be drug free!
• Tuesday, Oct. 23 is the tree planting ceremony. We would love to see you in the OUES garden around 3 pm!
• Wednesday, Oct. 24 is picture re-take day and group picture day. Green Thumb Club members are invited to be in the club yearbook picture! If your student did not get a chance to attend the meeting but is planning on joining the GTC, please feel free to be in the picture! We are wearing OUES t-shirts to support Red Ribbon week.

Have a great weekend!