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 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!

Week of March 4 - 8

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

• Kindergarten: This was such a fun lesson -- we learned about movement! We explored different ways to move and describe our movements, observed others and a ball moving, and played with marble ramps. Home extension: play "follow the leader" with your child, asking him/her to use describing words to tell how you're moving.
• 1st grade: We focused on sound energy today. Our lesson included playing a homemade xylophone and playing a sound/matching game. Home extension: grab a few small items in your home and an empty cup. Place an item inside the cup and allow your student to try to guess what is in the cup, based on the noise they hear. Take turns playing and guessing.
• 2nd grade: We played a weather game that involved making good decisions based on the weather conditions. Students had to decide what would be appropriate to wear, how they should travel, and what activities might be best for that weather. Home extension: Allow your student to watch the weather {or look it up online!} with you and decide for him/herself what clothing might be best.
• 3rd grade: This was the second week of our study on simple machines. This week, we focused on inclined planes. So far, we've learned that levers and inclined planes help make work easier, but that there is a trade-off involved. Home extension: Ask your student to explain how levers and inclined planes make work easier, and ask him/her to explain the "trade off" involved.
• 4th grade: We got to experiment with electricity today! We built several variations of circuits using a few pieces of wire, a D cell battery, a light bulb, and a knife switch. Students saw that a circuit cannot work unless it is closed. Home extension: take a D cell battery, the lowest wattage light bulb you can find, and some aluminum foil; he/she will surely enjoy creating a complex, closed circuit in the comforts of home.

I hope everyone has an amazing and relaxing Spring Break!

Week of February 25 - March 1

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

• Kindergarten: We are still learning about energy, but this week, we focused on sound! We had fun playing various sound guessing games. Home extension: take your child for a walk or bike ride and allow him/her to vocalize his/her sound observations. Discuss how and why sound is important and can keep us safe.
• 1st grade: We learned about light energy this week by seeing which objects light can travel through. Home extension: give your child a flashlight and allow him/her to shine it on various objects around the house, seeing which objects are transparent.
• 2nd grade: We focused on the water cycle this week. We made our own mini-version of the water cycle in Ziploc baggies at our tables, and we even turned it into an experiment! Home extension: ask your child to share the observations of the mini-water cycle today. Was his/her hypothesis correct?
• 3rd grade: We started week 1 of our study on simple machines today. Today's focus was the lever. We learned the parts of a lever and how we can move the fulcrum to reduce our amount of work. Home extension: Ask your child to find examples of simple machines around the house. I bet you have tons!
• 4th grade: I didn't get to see all of my 4th grade friends today, due to Dragon Day. But I've got something exciting planned for them next week!

By the way: Dr. Johnston, Mrs. LeJeune, and I are hosting a mini-science camp over Spring Break this year! To get more information and/or sign up, please visit THIS link or scan the QR code below with your mobile device.