#3 Science class

We have been very busy learing about physical and chemical properties of matter. One characteristic of matter is its density. Some of you know your students have asked to mix things up in a bottle and see if they layer out showing that different matter has different density (the amount of matter in a given space or volume).

We started by making a simple density cup, but then later we used six different liquids in our density cups. We had to make a hypothesis about where we thought everything would layer out....Most of us voted for the oil on top and that was right! Honey was on the bottom meaning it was the most dense matter we used.

Some of our students tried this at home with different kinds of liquids they had at home. Below are just a few of the first ones. We have a whole shelf full now! We also learned that if you shake things up you don't always get the original results...but that's another science lesson for later on!



#2 ELT

What is ELT? ELT is Extended Learning Time. At a certain time everyday all fifth graders stop for some extra time in reading or math. Fortunately I have the privilege of teaching math during this time. Sometimes learning voacabulary can be boring but it is so important. So no more looking up words in the dictionary and writing mountains of definitions (As parents don't you remember doing that?  I certainly do!). As you can see in these pictures we are trying to match definitions with words and examples of those words. It is alot more fun to learn vocabulary this way and students learn more than just the definitions, but what the words also look like in examples. So on this day we cut and matched vocabulary. The good news is we are getting better!

 We don't have to be in a desk in straight rows anymore to learn!  The carpet will do just fine!

 But a desk will be okay, but so will the floor!

Three Posts in One...I am a little behind...

I am so sorry I am a little behind and did not post last week. We have been very busy in class as you are about to see. I am going to make three posts today so hang on!

First let me share some fun from Mrs. Overstreet's class. Mrs. Overstreet teaches language arts and social studies and they had some acting and dress up going on last week. During a study on verbs Mrs. Overstreet introduced Old Man Ed (past tense verbs), Ms. Present (present tense verbs), and Will Whipper Snapper (future tense verbs). Although I wasn't there, it looks like they had lots of fun!



OOBLECK!

Yesterday we started a new unit in science about states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) and their properties. Today we made OOBLECK! Is it a solid or a liquid? We found out it could be both! Just like water can be a solid, liquid, and a gas! Oobleck was a lot more fun to play with though!

Today our guest blogger is Rebekah Davis from Ms. Overstreet's homeroom.  This is what she had to say about today's adventure....
THE OOBLECK is neat. becase as it touches heat its a liquid. When its cold it is a solid. its really funny.  It felt realy wierd when it was a solid. But when it turned into a liquid it freaked me out it was realy mushy in my hands.When I put it back it turned back into a solid again.It was realy fun because we were still learning about the 3 states of  matter.

(YAH! She got it!!!!)

After we made the oobleck, students had the opportunity to touch it on my hand....feels like a solid....

BUT..........

When you put it through your fingers it acts like a liquid! 

 But trying to get it out of the container it acts like a solid....

 or a liquid????

Reguardless, it was lots of fun! And we know that things can change their state of matter!!!

If you want to try this at home, pour one cup of cornstarch in something like a cool whip container and slowly add water mixing till the consistency of syrup.  Add food coloring if you wish. ENJOY and have FUN!!!

Science projects...everywhere!!!

First I must say our students did some absolutely awesome science projects! We shared them with our classmates today...some were eager to share, while some were very reluctant! Everyone got it done and most were glad to do it. I have included just a FEW highlights. Our projects are on display this week in the media center and in our hallway so come see them when you can. I even had a retired engineer come through Sunday looking at them and he was IMPRESSED!

Most interesting project goes to Bryson Davis ... "Is it Possible to Change the Color of a Rose?" If you look closely you can get the answer to the question! Great job Bryson!

 

Jacob and Eldrich were reluctant presenters, but they both did a GREAT job!

Leavy wanted to know how much salt it would take to float an egg...probably more than you think.  We had a few students do this same project all with different answers...why? They all used different sized bowls!

Here are a couple more higlights... "Does Your heartbeat Change When You Exercise?"

Does the Design of a Plane Make a Difference in How Far it Can Fly?"

Do you know how to grow salt crystals? Better yet, do you know what kind of string to use to grow the best crystals? Ask Maggie. She can tell you!

And last, but not least, if you need to drop an egg, that's a raw egg, ask Payton about what will keep that egg from breaking! Neat experiment!

A few announcements.....

• If your science project is not in, please get it in as soon as possible (that means by Friday!).
• If you have not played Multiplication Zone with your students, please play when you have time so your child can earn some Bear Bucks! If you need playing cards, just write me a note.
• We are starting division this week!
• UNIT TEST IN SCIENCE FRIDAY!

SCIENCE PROJECTS ARE AWESOME! Pictures coming soon. Thanks for all your support and help!

Center Time

This week we statred our first round of centers. Students love centers and usually you can get a lot of work/practice done in a decent amount of time....but....it takes lots of planning on the teacher's part. We had centers on Tuesday and being the crazy teacher I am we did centers in both math and science that day. The kids loved it! Here are some pictures and you can tell they are really into centers and the tasks they have to accomplish. The computer is usually their favortie. Sometimes we play games in centers.Remember the CHALLENGE is on now for parents to play a math game with their student. I sent home the directions today and if you do not have a deck of cards at home, let me know and I will provide a deck.

Have fun!  And don't forget your science projects!

 Math Boxes. Work and check your own paper with the key.

 Playing the game Sum Sense...a favorite. Can you beat your own score?

 Let's practice some multiplication!

 Science tool match...this was self checking also.

 Do you know how to use a balance and find the mass of different objects?

 Exponents, factors and values! No wimpy math for us!

 More balance fun and best of all I get to join the fun!