Virtual Labs

Third graders also began working on a virtual lab through Science Fusion.  During the lab, scientists discovered "What's in an Ecosystem" and focused their studies on a forest ecosystem and a coral reef ecosystem.  Since some classes won't have science enrichment next week due to the short week, third graders can finish the lab at home by clicking the link here.

http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/science/fusion/common/dlo_player/digital_lessons/na/G3_LI_00208/index.html?type=teacher&grade=3

Designing an ant keeper

The third graders showed off their engineering skills this week by designing an ant keeper that would allow students to observe parts of the life cycle. Diagrams included labels, measurements, and a materials list. They presented their designs to the class. Furthermore, students showed excellent teamwork. 

Week of December 1

The 5th graders extended their understanding of a variety of body systems this week.  After reading the Science Studies Weekly Newspaper, students used their knowledge to create news reports.  Students integrated technology with ease and expertise as they filmed their news reports on iMovie.

 

 4th grade students continued to work on animal adaptations this week by selecting an animal of their choice.  Students studied both physical and behavioral adaptations. One of the things that students found most fascinating are the interesting and outrageous way some animals take the art of adaptation to the extreme.

The 3rd grades have completed their Power Points about the Desert Elephants.  Their use of  technology and superb teamwork skills has just been an amazing sight to see. Well done, third grade! Next week we will move into unit 4 with an in depth look at ecosystems and interactions.

Model Membranes

Fifth grade finished engineering their model membranes this week.  Check out their engineering journals to see how they captured the five steps of the Engineering Design Process.

Rain Forest Ecosystems

Today the fourth graders began a Video-Based Project to work with a team of scientists to learn about ecosystems, adaptations, an life cycles.

Check out the video from home:
http://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/content/hsp/science/fusion/nm/gr04/video_based_projects_9780547705286_/index.html

Designing Model Membranes

Fifth graders made connections to the cell unit this week in their second Engineering is Elementary project. They are building model membranes while exploring the role of a bioengineer.

Desert Elephants

Third graders began research projects about Desert elephants. They will explore adaptations, ecosystems, and food webs. 

Ever wonder what an alligator eats?

The fourth graders studied the unique habitat do the mangrove estuary this week. We explored how this special habitat affects what the alligators ate as well as several other animals while discussing the flow of energy through the food chain. Students also explored how salinity affects the migration patterns of alligators. Our work connected to math as students graphed the types of food alligators ate, and calculated averages in salinity.

Life Cycle of Plants

Activities for 3rd grade
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/plants/plantlifecycle/
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2science.html#lcycles5b

Literature Connections

The third graders listened to First Garden: The White House Garden and How it Grew by Robbin Gourley this week.  They had a lively discussion and made some real-world connections as they learned about life cycles of different plants.

 

What are the parts and functions of a flower?

Fourth grade used the following resources to expand their knowledge of plant parts and functions:

Test your skills with these online flashcards.
http://quizlet.com/11172357/flashcards

http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/plants/flowers.htm

New units

The third grade began Unit 3 this week as they studied the life cycle of plants.  We completed our first virtual lab which allowed students to explore things that we couldn't do in a normal classroom setting.  In this case, we can speed up time and see how a plant grows for 50 days right before our eyes. You can redo our virtual lab at home by clicking the following link. How Do Living Things Change?

Fourth grade also began studying plants in Unit 3 with a focus on plant structure.  They created vocabulary foldables to keep as a future study tool.

The Fifth graders have begun another engineering unit to enrich their ongoing Living Systems unit.  They will use the Engineering Design Process to design a model membrane, which allows students control over what passes through. Students also explored Bioengineering as they read listened to the story of Juan Daniel's Futbol Frog.  The story gave us some new insight about environmental problems affecting El Salvador. 

Completing the Engineering Process

3rd, 4th, ad 5th graders completing their first engineering project this year.  All grades learned and followed the Engineering Design Process.

Whether students engineered wacky bubble wands for the Bubble Bonanza, created model rockets, or designed buildings that were earthquake resistant, everyone was successful in following these five steps.  Way to go ENGINEERS!

Open House at Outdoor Lab

Cool Careers - Grade 5

Fifth graders finally finished their biographies and iMovies for their unit on Cool Careers in Science!

Check out our videos!
Mariner's Science Biographies
Honeybee's Science Biographies
Terrific's Science Biographies
Wizard's Science Biographies

Comic Crazy - Grade 4

Fourth graders showed their understanding of the scientific method by creating comics that not only teach but also entertain.

Asking Questions - Grade 3

Third grade scientists focused on asking questions this week.  We classified different types of questions as research questions, opinion questions, observation questions, and experimental questions.  Students applied their questioning skills while investigating ice balloons.

Communication - Grade 5

The fifth graders recorded their speeches this week featuring a self-selected scientist.  After completing all of their research, the fifth graders wrote a biography about their scientist.  They communicated their findings with others by creating an iMovie.  They deserve a round of applause because it is no easy task to give a speech in front of your peers at any age. Well done!

Graphing Gurus - Grade 4

The fourth graders refined their graphing skills this week by creating bar graphs from last week's Swinging Pendulum experiment.  We used the mnemonic device TAILS to help us remember the parts of a graph. Title, Axis, Interval, and Labels. We also discussed that graphs are used for helping us see patterns in our data. Students also did a wonderful job making predictions after observing the graph's decreasing pattern.

Expanding Our Minds - Grade 3

After studying a variety of cool careers in science, and using an array of science skills themselves, the third graders showed much growth as they drew a second picture of "What Does a Scientist Look Like."  We no longer see scientists solely as men wearing lab coats.  The scientists are out in the field, studying in nature.  Excellent job, third grade!

Cool Careers in Science - Grade 5

The fifth graders finished up their in-depth look at cool careers in science.  Next week they will share their research with classmates and make an iMovie of their work.  Check back soon!

Putting the scientific method to work - grade 4

The fourth graders applied last week's notes about the scientific method to an investigation this week.  The question was asked: which type of swing will go back and forth the most with only one push, a longer swing or a shorter swing?  We created and tested a variety of pendulum lengths to find out. 
When asked what you want to tell the world that you learned today?  This was one student's reply.
"I learned that a short pendulum swings more times in 30 seconds than a long pendulum."
Jack R.
Ms. Godfrey's class

Investigating and Observing - Grade 3

The third graders refined their observation skills and made predictions about items hidden in the "Mystery Bags."  This is an activity you could recreate at home with household and everyday items.  Ask students to identify what sound it makes and what it feels like before making a prediction.

"I hear rattling.  It feels round and hard which makes me think it is beads or beans of some kind."

How Scientists Work - Grade 5

The fifth graders dug deep into a whole new world of science careers that they didn't even know existed.  The crazy part is that many of the science careers that they will be applying for one day don't even exist yet.  Fifth graders chose one scientist to learn more about and will be writing a biography over the next few lessons.  Research has just begun so check back soon!

Studying Science - Grade 4

The fourth graders explored mystery sound boxes this week. They made observations, inferences, and hypotheses based on what they thought was in the mystery box.  I am sorry to say that I wouldn't tell them what was actually inside.  It was more important that they demonstrated such skillful observations.  It didn't matter if they were right or wrong.

Later in the week students reviewed the steps of the Scientific Method.  You can watch the video at home or even sing along with the karaoke song http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm

Investigating Questions - Grade 3

The third graders opened up their minds after discussing "What does a scientist look like?" Many of the original drawings shows male scientists with crazy hair and wearing lab coats.  After exploring a variety of science careers such as a Computer Graphics Engineer and an Orthotist, the third graders have a much broader outlook.
"A scientist can be anybody because even we are scientists who make observations", said one third grader.  They finished up the week distinguishing qualitative observations vs. quantitative observations.

Our First Week

This was a big week in STEM enrichment.  We spent some time getting to know each other with icebreakers as well as discovering that STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  All of the Knights seemed very excited about what lies ahead.  We also worked on some team building activities because scientists can't change the world alone. 

Throughout the week we also used a variety of skills that (by no coincidence) are also skills that good scientists use.  The students felt that the skills they focused on most this week were GOOD COMMUNICATION, ANALYSIS, DESIGNING & TESTING A PLAN, DRAWING CONCLUSIONS, MAKING MODELS, ASKING QUESTIONS, and CLASSIFICATION. 

Pictures coming soon!

Ocean in a Bottle

Since some of you are spending your summer at the beach, you can make a model of the ocean using some everyday household items.  Ask a parent/guardian to help. Here is a link for directions, http://www.instructables.com/id/Ocean-in-a-Bottle/