We have had a busy past couple of weeks. In Science we have used candy and containers
of water to learn through inquiry. We
began with a clear plastic container of room temperature water. Students placed four different colored Willy
Wonka brand Gobstopper jawbreaker candies around the edge of the
container. As the candies dissolved,
the water formed wedge-shaped areas that were clearly defined with the color
from the candies. A thin layer of wax
that surrounds each layer of the candies inhibited the spread of colors.
As we watched the whole class demonstration, students began
to list a variety of questions. What if
we changed the temperature of water?
What if we used another clear liquid other than water? What if we changed the size of the container? After discussing our questions, students were
placed in small groups and asked to begin designing and writing their own
experiments. Their write up included a
question, hypothesis, materials and a procedure. These investigations include comparing Karo
syrup, Sprite, mineral oil, white vinegar and more. We will be finishing conducting our
experiments by the end of this week. Be
sure to ask your child about our class investigations.
In Technology class, we have started working with robots. Last week, the students explored the school’s
new easy-to-operate Bee Bots that will be used with younger students. These colorful little robots store up to 40
commands and can be used to teach sequencing, problem solving and more. Our class worked to program the Bee Bot
through 6”moves and 90⁰ turns across a floor mat to safely move from START to
the FINISH line without hitting any of the obstacles.
This week we began working with LEGOS MINDSTORMS. Using the traditional Legos bricks we will be
building, programming and testing our robots.
Students will be working together in pairs and we hope to complete the
building of our first robot by Friday.
In writing, we completed our pre assessment of the Opinion
piece. We have also worked to complete a
class alphabet book about Colonial times.
Our class will continue to work with Informational writing, as well as
begin our unit on Opinion writing next week.
Last Wednesday we went outside for our March nature
journaling session. The class attempted
to locate their tree that they had selected last Fall. Using maps, notes, and sketches they created
in late Fall, most students were able to return to the same tree. We also discovered some early signs of
Spring.
Our focus in Social Studies is now on The Revolutionary
War. We started with the question, “What
started the Revolution?” We learned
about the taxes the British Parliament placed on the colonies for various
products, including the 1764 Sugar Act and the 1765 Stamp Act. On Wednesday, Mrs. Paterson visited our class
and helped out as we participated in a simulation of the Stamp Act. Students learned how the colonists were upset
about new taxes on paper and the lack of representation in establishing those
taxes. Children were given a roll of
Smarties and then members of Parliament (Mrs. Paterson and Mrs. Shedd)
announced what item was to be taxed (e.g. anyone wearing blue jeans). Mrs. Paterson also played the role of “tax collector,” collecting the number
of Smarties that represented the tax.
Quickly, the colonists (students) saw their piles of Smarties disappear
as the plate for Parliament and King George III filled with Smarties. Later, students had to reflect on the
activity, writing about the fairness/unfairness of the process and how the
colonists felt about taxation without representation.
The class has also practiced for the upcoming SBAC testing. Below, is our class schedule for these tests. Please try to avoid doctor’s appointments/tardiness during these times.
3/23/16 Wednesday 10:40 – 11:25
3/24/16 Thursday 12:50 – 1:35
3/28/16 Monday 9:15 – 9:45
3/29/16 Tuesday 10:00 – 11:40
3/30/16 Wednesday 10:00 – 11:40
3/31/16 Thursday 12:50 – 1:50
