In this time of Thanksgiving, I am so thankful to all of the Ford families who sponsored their children during our Boosterthon Fun Run. Not only was it fun for the kids, but it was truly inspirational to see the determination in our students as they completed their laps. It truly brought tears to my eyes to see a student with an injury hobble along to finish his laps, and others join hands together and help each other when they were feeling tired. When I started teaching, I thought that the best part of the job was inspiring kids to learn. I was wrong. The best part of the job is how they inspire me with their acts of kindness, their natural curiosity, and their enthusiasm for learning.
Finally, I am most grateful for the Ford families who find value in what we are doing in the Science Lab.
There was a great editorial article in Scientific American this month that I would like to share with all of you. " What if U.S. culture finally started admiring and participating in science as an engine of our modern prosperity, instead of holding it on a pedestal apart? Scientific American recently served as a sponsor for the first national U.S. Science & Engineering Festival in Washington DC, and we've been media partners with the World Science Festival in New York City and others in the past. What if parents took kids to such festivals and museums as often as they went to ballgames or concerts? Maybe ultimately we could stop bemoaning the drop in science and math scores by U.S. students and our loss in global competiveness, because we'd all appreciate those topics as much as we do fine literature, art and the latest action movie." I am so appreciative of the overwhelming support that our families give to the Science Lab so that we can continue to give our kids the best possible learning opportunities and prepare them to shape our future for the better.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Science Lab Update
It's been a busy and exciting fall in the science lab. Here's what we've been working on....
Kindergarten- We have been studying different types of motions. We made a sidewalk chalk obstacle course, used toy cars and blocks to show different movements, tested the way different shapes move, and talked about the motions we see in the world around us. We will be learning about gravity next and how the sky looks different in the day vs. the night.
1st Grade- We have been learning about magnets. We learned about magnetic forces, how magnets attract and repel. We predicted which materials would be attracted to magnets and then tested to see if we were correct. We also tested to see which materials allow a magnetic force to pass through.
2nd Grade- We studied fall trees and started our unit on energy. We learned about the different types of energy (solar, wind, battery, electricity, gas) and why it will be important for our students' generation to find clean sustainable energy. We watched a video on how solar energy is being used in our world, and studied how the sun's energy gives us heat. We also did an experiment on which type of sunscreen is best at blocking the sun's energy.
3rd Grade- We have been learning about rocks and minerals. Students examined some beautiful mineral and rock samples from the Tellus Musuem. They described and tested different types of minerals and we learned how metamorphic rocks and pancakes are similiar. We will be continuing on by learning about sedimentary and igneous rocks, as well as different types of soil.
4th Grade- We finished up our unit on weather and have moved on to simple machines. Students are working in groups to create Rube Gold berg machines that are mouse traps. Their machines will have 5 steps and use at least 3 simple machines.
5th Grade- We finished up our unit on constructive and destructive forces by using stream tables to see how elevation effects stream erosion. We kicked off our unit on physical properties by using popcorn to learn about volume, density, mass and physical changes.
Stay tuned for pictures!
Kindergarten- We have been studying different types of motions. We made a sidewalk chalk obstacle course, used toy cars and blocks to show different movements, tested the way different shapes move, and talked about the motions we see in the world around us. We will be learning about gravity next and how the sky looks different in the day vs. the night.
1st Grade- We have been learning about magnets. We learned about magnetic forces, how magnets attract and repel. We predicted which materials would be attracted to magnets and then tested to see if we were correct. We also tested to see which materials allow a magnetic force to pass through.
2nd Grade- We studied fall trees and started our unit on energy. We learned about the different types of energy (solar, wind, battery, electricity, gas) and why it will be important for our students' generation to find clean sustainable energy. We watched a video on how solar energy is being used in our world, and studied how the sun's energy gives us heat. We also did an experiment on which type of sunscreen is best at blocking the sun's energy.
3rd Grade- We have been learning about rocks and minerals. Students examined some beautiful mineral and rock samples from the Tellus Musuem. They described and tested different types of minerals and we learned how metamorphic rocks and pancakes are similiar. We will be continuing on by learning about sedimentary and igneous rocks, as well as different types of soil.
4th Grade- We finished up our unit on weather and have moved on to simple machines. Students are working in groups to create Rube Gold berg machines that are mouse traps. Their machines will have 5 steps and use at least 3 simple machines.
5th Grade- We finished up our unit on constructive and destructive forces by using stream tables to see how elevation effects stream erosion. We kicked off our unit on physical properties by using popcorn to learn about volume, density, mass and physical changes.
Stay tuned for pictures!
Blasting off for Science!
The Boosterthon Fun Run is interactive, community-based and promotes three specific values: FITNESS, EDUCATION & CHARACTER. Students will be challenged to secure 10 pledges for the laps they will be running on November 4th. Students will “run” for 30 minutes and average 25-35 laps with a “lap cap” of 35 laps. All proceeds help Ford Elementary sustain the Science Lab and enhance classroom education. Thank you for your participation!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Kindergarten and 1st Grade are making scarecrows to be put out in the children’s gardens. Thank you to our Earth Parent volunteers for helping make this happen! Check them out!!
2nd and 4th grade planted vegetable gardens and these will be ready for harvest late this fall…This supports Farm to School Education!
3rd Grade has started CATO visits as of Sept. 27th.
5th and 2nd get to enjoy their lessons this week on the Nature Trail!
Outdoor garden labs had a facelift on Saturday, Oct. 2nd . Thank you to all the volunteers who came to help in this seasonal clean-up. Please enjoy the beautiful scenery and nice weather with your classes reading, writing, etc. in the outdoor classrooms!!
Pinestraw orders are being taken this week only: Due Oct. 8th. All proceeds support our outdoor classrooms. Please consider donating a bale to the Seeds of Hope Garden. The Seeds of Hope Garden is in need of maintenance and funding will not be available until next spring when the beds are turned over. Extra order forms are available in the front office. Thank you!
Seeds of Hope Scarecrow Contest and Potluck Dinner is coming October 24th at 4:00 pm! A cash prize will be awarded to the class teacher/leader with winning entry! Look for the flyer in your mailbox. Register by emailing ColleenCauffiel@gmail.com by Oct. 18th.
Monday, September 27, 2010
FALLing into Science!
Happy Fall everyone!! Did you know that September is statistically our DRIEST month and has an average temperature of 71 degrees. In case you haven't guessed, we have been talking about the WEATHER in several of our classes!! A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the parents who have volunteered in the Science Lab. I appreciate you taking the time to assist me with many of our outdoor lessons. I am very grateful to have an extra set of hands when taking students outside. I continue to be amazed by the observations of all of my students and I am so proud of their enthusiasm for learning about Science.
Here's what we've been learning about:
Kindergarten- We have been comparing and contrasting different animals, we used our senses to observe animals during a "safari" on the Nature Trail, and we talked about animal babies and mothers. Next we will be learning about different types of motion and movement.
First Grade- We have been learning about the weather! We learned about thermometers, made rain gauges and a wind catcher to measure the wind. We talked about the water cycle, did an evaporation experiment and made a precipitation chart. Next we will be learning about magnetic forces.
Second Grade- Solids, Liquids, and Gasses.... Oh my! We've been doing experiments with the states of matter. We used Alka Seltzer to demonstrate the three phases of matter, melted crayons and then froze them, to see a solid melt- turn into a liquid- then back to a solid in a different shape. We also planted fall vegetables with Earth Parent volunteers. We will be moving on to a study in energy next.
Third Grade- I'm excited that we've had the opportunity to explore habitats and organisms on the nature trail. We've done habitat studies on animals, a plant/tree survey, discussed animal and plant adaptations, and studied how seeds travel. I am very excited that will be using Rock and Mineral samples that I borrowed from the Tellus Science Museum during our next unit of study!
Fourth Grade- Weather has been the main focus of our study. We have discussed the water cycle and have participated in several activities to reinforce the concepts behind the water cycle. We talked about how clouds are named and made a cloud chart. We did an experiement on transpiration and planted fall vegetables with Earth Parent volunteers and we studied weather instruments. Our next unit will be convering forces motion using simple machines.
Fifth Grade- Who knew that constructive and destructive forces could be so much fun?? We used graham crackers in an experiment on plate tectonics. We made and erupted volcanoes. We studied the science behind earthquakes using six different stations and are finishing up by experimenting with the different types of weathering and erosion. We will soon be moving on to a study of Matter and learn about physical and chemical changes.
Here's what we've been learning about:
Kindergarten- We have been comparing and contrasting different animals, we used our senses to observe animals during a "safari" on the Nature Trail, and we talked about animal babies and mothers. Next we will be learning about different types of motion and movement.
First Grade- We have been learning about the weather! We learned about thermometers, made rain gauges and a wind catcher to measure the wind. We talked about the water cycle, did an evaporation experiment and made a precipitation chart. Next we will be learning about magnetic forces.
Second Grade- Solids, Liquids, and Gasses.... Oh my! We've been doing experiments with the states of matter. We used Alka Seltzer to demonstrate the three phases of matter, melted crayons and then froze them, to see a solid melt- turn into a liquid- then back to a solid in a different shape. We also planted fall vegetables with Earth Parent volunteers. We will be moving on to a study in energy next.
Third Grade- I'm excited that we've had the opportunity to explore habitats and organisms on the nature trail. We've done habitat studies on animals, a plant/tree survey, discussed animal and plant adaptations, and studied how seeds travel. I am very excited that will be using Rock and Mineral samples that I borrowed from the Tellus Science Museum during our next unit of study!
Fourth Grade- Weather has been the main focus of our study. We have discussed the water cycle and have participated in several activities to reinforce the concepts behind the water cycle. We talked about how clouds are named and made a cloud chart. We did an experiement on transpiration and planted fall vegetables with Earth Parent volunteers and we studied weather instruments. Our next unit will be convering forces motion using simple machines.
Fifth Grade- Who knew that constructive and destructive forces could be so much fun?? We used graham crackers in an experiment on plate tectonics. We made and erupted volcanoes. We studied the science behind earthquakes using six different stations and are finishing up by experimenting with the different types of weathering and erosion. We will soon be moving on to a study of Matter and learn about physical and chemical changes.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Super Science
Thank you for visiting the Science Lab Blog. We've gotten the year off to a GREAT start!! Here is what we have been learning about:
Kindergarten- We have been comparing and contrasting animal characteristics. Up next: Critter Catching on the nature trail!!
First Grade- We have been learning about the weather and how we can measure it- so far we have covered temperature and wind. Up next: clouds and rain gauges.
Second Grade- We started an ongoing study of trees and how they change during the year. Each student selected their own tree to study through the seasons. We also started the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Up next: Potions and a Scavenger hunt to look for matter in the natural world.
Third Grade- We have been exploring habitats and animals on the Nature Trail. Up next: Plants and their habitats.
Fourth Grade- We have been learning about the states of water, and clouds. Up next: The water cycle and precipitation.
Fifth Grade- We have started learning about constructive and destructive forces- plate tectonics, and earthquakes. Up next: Volcanoes and Erosion.
Thank you for your continued support of our Science Lab here at Ford!!
Kindergarten- We have been comparing and contrasting animal characteristics. Up next: Critter Catching on the nature trail!!
First Grade- We have been learning about the weather and how we can measure it- so far we have covered temperature and wind. Up next: clouds and rain gauges.
Second Grade- We started an ongoing study of trees and how they change during the year. Each student selected their own tree to study through the seasons. We also started the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Up next: Potions and a Scavenger hunt to look for matter in the natural world.
Third Grade- We have been exploring habitats and animals on the Nature Trail. Up next: Plants and their habitats.
Fourth Grade- We have been learning about the states of water, and clouds. Up next: The water cycle and precipitation.
Fifth Grade- We have started learning about constructive and destructive forces- plate tectonics, and earthquakes. Up next: Volcanoes and Erosion.
Thank you for your continued support of our Science Lab here at Ford!!
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