Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Scientist have the BEST DAY EVER!

While the upper grades took standardized tests last week, we learned all about Scientist!  We learned that scientist are people who study the different things in our world and use the knowledge they gain to explain to other how they work.  We learned that scientists conduct experiments to test their hypothesis, or guesses, record data, and share their conclusions, or findings, with others.

After discussing all of the different things we could study, planets, animals, oceans, dinosaurs, etc we conducted our own experiments.  We had quite a few friends who said they wanted to study color or magic potions so we conducted an experiment that used a little bit of chemistry and physics.

When presented with two cups of colored water, one empty cup, and two paper towels we were asked how we could mix the colors without touching the cups.  Ava suggested getting each paper towel we and making the paper towels touch.  So we did just that!  As the paper towels touched in empty cup the water climbed the paper towels and mixed together to make....

GREEN water!


Our second experiment that we conducted had to do with weather.  We learned that scientist who study weather are called meteorologist and we see them every day on the news sharing their findings in the weather forecast.

Our experiment was to make rain clouds!  We started by making a cloud with shaving cream.


Then we added food coloring to represent moisture in the atmosphere.  We learned that water on the ground evaporates into the air and collects in the clouds.  

When the clouds get so full of water that they cannot hold anymore, it rains!

This week we also got to watch our 4th grade reading buddies conduct their own science experiments.  Each buddy made their own volcano, testing different formulas of household products to make the biggest eruption.  It was so fun to watch our buddies hard work pay off, and it was a bit messy when some of our buddies mixed diet coke and mentos!

On Friday we helped the big kids celebrate the end of testing!  Free dress, bouncy houses, pizza for lunch, snow cones, and a movie made for "THE BEST DAY EVER!"
Mrs.Dobbins even came out and played with us!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Easter EGGstravaganza!

We had a wonderful week together before Easter, learning all about the real reason for the special holiday and making cute Easter crafts.

We made our bulletin board with sweet rabbits that remind us that God sent his Son to earth  to die for our sins because he loves us so much.

Not only did we turn ourselves in to bunnies for Easter but for our letter of the week, W, for Holy Souls Wabbits!

God's love is so big that he has the Whole World in his hands!

God's greatest display of love was in his death on the cross.  We learned about Jesus' journey through the Resurrection Egg Story with Mrs. Straessle during religion each day.  Each of the 12 eggs has an item that tells part of the story of Jesus birth through death.  If you have never heard of Resurrection Eggs I recommend checking them out, they are a great aid for sharing the Easter story with young children and all of our students loved them!

We also made beautiful stained glass crosses to hang in our classroom windows.

We ended our week together with an Easter Egg Hunt!  We had a great time walking to Prospect Park, hunting eggs, playing on the playground, and eating a picnic lunch!