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. 

November 5 - 9

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

• Kindergarten: We explored the change in matter when we apply heat or cool. Students played a fun simulation game on the Promethean board, and then we went "ice fishing!" Students learned how salt lowers the freezing temperature of water and why city officials might put ice on the roads after a snowstorm. Home extension: Allow your student to help you cook dinner; he/she can observe how ice cools a drink and the oven warms food.
• 1st grade: We observed 4 different types of soils and learned more about the role that soil plays in our environment. Home extension: Allow your student to explore the soil in your backyard or at the local park. Have a conversation about how soil is necessary.
• 2nd grade: We observed a change in matter when we added salt to ice and formed a mixture; we made homemade ice cream! Students were permitted to take one bite of the ice cream in class so that we could observe the matter with all 5 of our senses. Home extension: ask your student to bring home the ice cream recipe and make a batch for the whole family.
• 3rd grade: We learned about 8 different types of landforms. Afterwards, we created the landforms at our tables with special "moon dough." Home extension: ask your student how a picture of a dinosaur could help him/her remember the types of landforms.
• 4th grade: This was part 2 of our living adaptations project. Students were able to bring in their own craft supplies (and use mine, as well) to construct a unique living organism with at least 3 adaptations. Students could use construction paper, cotton balls, beans, beads, pipe cleaners, glitter, sequins, etc. The students did a great job; I was so impressed with their creativity and innovation! Below is a video slideshow with several students' final products:

The Super Science Sale is quickly approaching! Read more about our sale by clicking HERE. Parents, if you are available and willing to help, we could really use an extra hand! Click HERE to go to the volunteer sign-up form to pick a date and time that is convenient for you.  

Green Thumb Club will meet on Tuesday, November 13th, as it is the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Meet outside by the picnic tables (unless the weather doesn't cooperate -- then meet in the Science Lab). Pick-up is at 3:45. 

Also: Old Union now has a Facebook page! "Like" it by clicking HERE.

Have a restful weekend!

 

October 29 - November 2

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

• Kindergarten: We used our best estimation skills to predict how big around my pumpkin was, and then we checked our estimations. We also measured my pumpkin in a non-standard unit (beans) and did a quick sink/float investigation. Home extension: allow your student to practice measuring in non-standard units by providing some random objects to measure (pencil, shoe, book, table, etc.) and a non-standard measuring tool (beans, paper clips, pretzels, etc.).
• 1st grade: We spent the whole hour conducting a float/sink investigation. We tested lots of objects and learned that the shape (not necessarily the weight) influences whether it will float or sink. Home extension: give your student a piece of clay, playdough, or aluminum foil and allow him/her to experiment with different shapes to see what floats and what sinks.
• 2nd grade: Due to the Storybook Character Day parade and classroom presentations, we had a shortened lesson today. Nevertheless, we learned about salt water and fresh water on this day. We very briefly got to discuss the differences between the two types of water and some facts about surface tension, and we did a couple of quick investigations with the water. Home extension: allow your student to mix up his/her own batch of salt water and perform his/her own experiments with it.
• 3rd grade: We finished our matter unit by conducting experiments to make paper clips float in water. Home extension: ask your student to show you how to make a paper clip float in water. He/she can also explain a little about surface tension.
• 4th grade: This was week 1 of our living organisms adaptation project. Students were asked to take this hour in the Science Lab to research more about adaptations and to begin planning their project. Next week, students will use kitchen/art/craft resources to create their very own Texas organism with adaptations. Although I do have aluminum foil, some tissue paper, beans, toothpicks, feathers, and construction paper, supplies are limited, so students are welcome and encouraged to bring additional craft supplies from home next week. Home extension: talk to your student about his/her living organisms adaptation project. Ask him/her where his/her organism will live and what kind of plan he/she has created. Discuss the adaptations that organism will have and why it would be necessary for it to adapt that way.

As a reminder, the first annual OUES Super Science Sale will take place from November 26 - 30. You can read more about this sale and its parent volunteer opportunities by clicking HERE. You can also view the paper flier (sent by Heath Scientific) that lists some available items/prices and the animal purchase permission slip by clicking HERE.

Enjoy your weekend!

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!

Week of October 8 - 12

 Hello, all! Here's what we did this week:

• Kindergarten: I missed seeing my kindergarten friends in the lab this week! There was no school on Monday, due to a staff development day. Home extension: ask your student about matter and how to observe matter with the 5 senses.
• 1st grade: We learned about volume and found the volume (in beans) of several different containers. Home extension: ask your student to explain volume and give a couple different examples of the types of matter.
• 2nd grade: We did a short activity over sink and float with various brands of bar soap. Then we put Ivory soap in the microwave and watched a fun change occur when we added heat to the soap. Home extension: ask your student to describe the change in matter (soap) when we applied heat.
• 3rd grade: We completed part 2 of our "Milk in Motion" experiment. All the planning from last week paid off as students got to perform their very own experiments. Home extension: ask your student to explain the experiment process and their personal experiment with milk from this week.
• 4th grade: We began our discussion over adaptations with a look at desert plants. We compared attributes of a cactus to attributes of a non-desert plant. Then we did an investigation with sponges and Vaseline to learn more about cacti. Home extension: ask your student how a sponge and Vaseline are like a cactus and why cacti might need a waxy coating on their skin to survive in the desert.

Our first meeting of the Green Thumb Club was this Tuesday, and we had a great time meeting all our GTC friends and taking a walk around the garden! Parents, please fill out the permission form and return it to me as soon as possible. You can also download a copy of the tentative GTC meeting schedule to hang on your 'fridge.

Group picture day is next Wednesday (October 17)! Even if you didn't get a chance to come to the first meeting, please join in the group picture if you are interested in being a part of Green Thumb Club!

Have a great weekend, Dragons!