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 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 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.

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.

November 12 - 16

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

• Kindergarten: We had a shortened class period on this day because of the Veteran's Day assembly (which was wonderful -- thank you to all that were involved, and thank you to our Veterans!). Kinder students explored rocks and used science words to write about them in our notebooks. Home extension: go on a "rock hunt" with your student, asking him/her to find a "cool" rock outside. Then use adjectives to describe the rock with your senses.
• 1st grade: We've been learning about soil and how it's useful for our world. This week, we made "soil in a cup." We constructed this with our table teams, using food to mimic the real-life layers of soil. Home extension: allow your student to make their own version of "Soil in a Cup." Ask your student what edible materials might best mimic the layers of the soil.
• 2nd grade: We learned about the 3 types of rocks and how they're made. We also learned how to make models of these types of rocks using crayon shavings! (We were going to do this activity in class, but due to the Thanksgiving luncheon shortened science lab schedule, we did not have time today.) Home extension: ask your student to describe the 3 types of rocks and how we mimicked them with crayons. Go on a "rock walk" at home or at the park, and try to find each of the types of rocks. Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, make your own crayon rocks by looking at the directions HERE.
• 3rd grade: We explored fossils by looking at pictures and models. Then we made our own fossils by pressing an item of our choice into special dough. Home extension: have a conversation with your student about how fossils are formed. You may even consider letting your student make his/her own fossils at home in playdough.
• 4th grade: I did not get to see 4th graders this week, due to Dragon Day. I look forward to seeing all my 4th grade friends next week, though!

The Super Science Sale will take place in the Science Lab during our next week of school (November 26 - 29). Read more about the sale by clicking HERE. Sign up to help in the store by clicking HERE.

Our next meeting of the Green Thumb Club is Tuesday, November 27. I look forward to seeing you all!

Have a fantastic Thanksgiving break!

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!