Planting Seeds

Our Week in Review 5.19 - 5.23

Building Bridges

This morning Kerrin Connors and Jeffrey Rodgers from United Technologies Corporation visited with us. Karen and Jeff gave a presentation that focused on engineering. During the presentation students learned about different types of engineers: manufacturing, mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical, chemical, and many more! Students also learned about the Engineer Design Process. Through this process students learned that they will be putting on their engineering hats to design and create a bridge using Popsicle sticks. Below is the process students will be going through this week. Engineering Design Process: 1. State the Problem (build a bridge using Popsicle sticks and glue; bridge must span 14 inches; support 5 lbs. for 1 minute) 2. Generate Ideas (individually and as a group) 3. Select a Solution (based on evaluation criteria) 4. Build the Item 5. Evaluate (aesthetics, efficient use of materials; weight bearing) 6. Present Results (what decisions you made, what worked, what didn't work) and talk about these issues at the end of the week On Friday students will test their bridges!

Fly Up Day

I think plants can grow without soil because lily pads and moss can grow on rocks and in ponds. (Spencer) I think plants can grow without soil because cactus' grow in dirt not soil. (Xander) I think plants can grow without soil because lettuce is a plant and lettuce can grow hydroponically and when a plant grows hydroponically they grow in water not in soil. (Dana) I think plants can't grow without soil because soil has food it in and plants need food. (Luke) I think plants can't grow without soil because their are seeds in soil which helps plants grow. (Nadja) I think plants can grow without soil because their are different kinds of things that plants need to grow. (Madison) I think plants can grow without soil because their are some plants that grow by themselves. (Iris)

Our Week in Review 5.12-5.16

Fairy Tales: The Three Little Pigs

This week we began our fairy tale and folktales unit of study. On Monday we read The Three Little Pigs. On Tuesday we read The True Story of the Three Little Pigs! Our class has been discussing how a fairy tale may have different versions. We have been comparing different versions of the fairy tale The Three Little Pigs. We have also been talking about an author's point of view. The Three Little Pigs is written from the pig’s point of view while The True Story of the Three Little Pigs is written from the wolf’s point of view. We are going to continue to compare fairy tales and folktales over the next few weeks!

Our Week in Review 5.5 - 5.9

Wonder of the Week: Do All Plants Have Roots?

I think all plants do have roots because if they didn't have roots they wouldn't have any bees because that helps that us stay healthy and get vegetables.  (Madison)

I think all plants have roots because if they didn't have roots they wouldn't be able to grow.  How would they be able to soak up water without roots?  (Dana)

I think plants have roots because all seeds produce roots.  (Luke)

I think plants have roots because if plants didn't have roots they wouldn't have come from a seed, all seeds have roots.  (Caitlin)

I don't think all plants have roots because some plants might not need them, for example a cactus.  (Spencer)

I think all plants have roots because if they didn't have roots they wouldn't be able to soak up water, and water helps plants grow. (Nadja)

I don't think all plants have roots because cactus' when it rains and gets cold in the desert the cactus has spikes to drink water.  (Gavin)

Hot Shot All-Stars

On Friday we had our Hot Shot All-Stars celebration in our classroom.  Students earn the title of being a Hot Shot All-Star by being a Hot Shot for 5 weeks in a row.  Students who earn the title of Hot Shot All-Star have lunch in the classroom with the teacher and enjoy a treat.  On Friday students enjoyed popcorn! A big CONGRATS to the students below who were Hot Shot All-Stars. 

Mother's Day

On Friday, students spent time reflecting on their mothers.  Many students shared with the class why their mothers are important to them and how their mothers help them on a daily basis.  We hope that every mother out there had a wonderful Mother's Day! 

Letters From Our Buddies

This week we received letters from our blogging buddies!  Our blogging buddies are members of Mrs.Merced's 2nd grade class in Chicago, Illinois. We loved receiving a package from them and letter writing is a wonderful way for us to practice our writing skills! In addition to the letters, we also received the book Going Places by Peter Reynolds.  As a class we have not yet read the book, however, I know it is a wonderful story about thinking outside the box. Mrs. Merced and our class will be planning a project together about thinking outside the box.  More information to come!

Biography Lapbooks

Students have been working hard on their Biography Lapbook this week.  All students have one important American they are researching.  Most students are doing their research with a partner.  Each child has their own Biography Lapbook Notebook in which they are using to collect the following information on their important American:

-         Timeline of their important American’s life

-         Vocabulary words learned throughout their research

-         Character traits that describe their important American

-         Fun facts about their important American

-         Compare and Contrast Diagram

 

Once completed, student’s Lapbooks will be on display outside our classroom.