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 April 8 - 12

Here's a review of our Science Lab activities for this week:

• Kindergarten: We worked on our sorting skills again today; this time, we sorted plants and other objects we found after taking a walk through the playground. Students had to come up with a "sorting rule" at their tables -- I was so impressed with their work! We also looked at how baby plants and animals look like their parents. Home extension: Take your student on a walk and allow him/her to collect random items. When you get home, ask your student to find a sorting rule so that every item has a specific group.
• 1st grade: First graders are spending two weeks learning about seeds! Today, we looked at the parts of a lima bean and compared them to the parts of a red bean. We soaked the seeds in water so we could dissect them more easily. Home extension: Ask your student to summarize this investigation at home, and then recreate it using different seeds.
• 2nd grade: We focused on learning more about marine biology this week by researching a little about sea creatures. Each student received an informational sheet about their animal and a realistic replica; students could work with a partner to find out more about this animal. We're going to share our results with the rest of the class next week. We are so excited to learn more about the ocean's food chains! Home extension: Ask your student about their assigned sea animal.
• 3rd grade: This was week #1 of our three-week project over owls. Students got to learn more about owls --  specifically, the barn owl -- and their pellets. We examined the outside of the pellets and prepared to dissect them fully next week. Home extension: If your student is excited about dissecting the pellets, allow him/her to practice with a virtual dissection. {Click HERE to access the virtual dissection.} He/she could practice identifying bones!
• 4th grade: We learned about electromagnets before conducting an investigation about electromagnets: does the number of coils make a difference? Home extension: Ask your student to summarize the electromagnet investigation from today. If you have a nail, a battery, and some wire at home, he/she could even recreate it to show you how neat an electromagnet is!

October 22 - 26

Here's a recap of this week's Science lab activities:

• Kindergarten: We learned about sorting this week. We sorted pumpkins and colored shapes. Home extension: ask your student how and why a scientist might need to sort things. Present your student with a pile of random objects and ask him/her to sort them.
• 1st grade: We saw a change in matter (popcorn kernels) when we applied heat. We also worked on our graphing skills; we graphed our predictions and the results of our investigation. Home extension: ask your student how matter can be changed by heat. Allow your student to assist/observe you cooking dinner to see changes in other types of matter (food) when heat or cold is applied.
• 2nd grade: We got to practice measuring the mass of various types of matter with a spring scale. We also discussed the fact that not all things are matter. Home extension: ask your student to tell you which things are not matter and why they are not (matter takes up space and has mass...if something doesn't fit those two criteria, it's not matter!).
• 3rd grade: We held a "raft rally" this week. 3rd graders collaborated with their table teams to try to build the smallest raft possible (out of aluminum foil and straws) that would float and hold 15 pennies. Home extension: try this activity at home with your student! Allow your student to show you what boat/raft structures work and why.
• 4th grade: Although we didn't spend time in the Science Lab this week, we did participate in a science adventure; 4th grade went on a field trip to the zoo. We saw a lot of interesting animals, gathered more information for the 4th grade animal projects, and had a lot of fun! Home extension: ask your student to tell you more about the animal he/she is researching. Discuss the zoo trip with your student: What was your favorite animal? Tell me one interesting fact you learned about the animal. Etc.

Have a great weekend!