Camouflaged Cephalopods

The moving rock trick. Is it really a rock or is it an octopus? The amazing thing about this octopus is that even though this octopus is color blind, they still can change color. This animal can create color match patterns. Take a look at this cool video to see how these animals can camouflage right in front of your eyes.

http://www.sciencefriday.com/video/08/05/2011/where-s-the-octopus.html

What We Did Our First Week... We Got Growing!

What a great first week back. The garden has provided us with such great learning opportunities. The kindergartners and first graders went to the garden to use their five senses. They saw tons of vegetables that the older students planted last year. The popcorn felt rough and smooth, pokey and soft. We smelled herbs that flavored gum such as peppermint and spearmint. We even smelled herbs that made pizza sauce. We heard everything from an airplane going by, to our classmates excited to see the pumpkin patch.  We even got to taste something new... a ground cherry. Most of the kids were very brave and tried this new fruit. The students described it as a cross between pineapple, orange, and I don't know "it just tastes good!"

Our second graders used the garden to be scientists. Scientists use tools to learn about the world around them. They used their senses and recorded what they saw, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted. They used hand lenses to investigate the garden even closer.

Third graders are learning about he metric system and how to measure. They used a metered tape measure to find out the length and width of different leaves in our garden. Did you know that some of the corn leaves were over 89 cm long? We noticed that the herbs in the garden have leaves that are small, but sure pack a flavor. Our bean leaves at the longest and widest often measure the same both in length and in width.

Forth and fifth graders went out to the garden to set up an experiment. The forth graders were learning about energy. Newton's third law states: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We used alka selzer tablets to test stored and kinetic energy. We saw how carbon dioxide gas was stored and needed to be released. The top popped off as we made observations. Fifth graders took the experiment one step farther. They are learning about variables. We tested a control, using 1/4 of a tablet with 1/2 a film canister of water. Then each group changed one thing. We concluded that the less water the better the thrust.

What a great first week. I can't wait to see what this year brings.

Irrigation Malfunction

Friday, I went to check on our school garden that we have through our farm to school grant. Yikes, dry, dry, dry. We just had an irrigation system put in and it certainly looks like it isn't working so hot. So get out the hose and water a ton. Hope that they plants perk back up. I can't wait to show you some pictures. I have to get the hang of taking them and then finding the easiest way to post them. I will get it eventually.

Taking the TPT Plunge

Well, I finally did it! I put my first product on TeachersPayingTeachers. I was so nervous about putting something on the site. I didn't really know what I was doing at first, but after a short time, I had it figured out. I realize I have no pictures of myself to use as my profile pic, go figure I am the one taking all of the family pictures. The Cranberry Science lesson I put on, was some experiments that I used when we had three short days before Thanksgiving break and did they help make things a bit more fun. Taste testing and using Wisconsin grown cranberries that my own son got on his trip to the bog made it even more special. He brought back two BIG bags and we still have some frozen. Guess I should make some cranberry bread this week, now that I remembered. I am working on a whole bunch of new stuff that focuses on the NGSS, new science standards. Can't wait to post now that I am getting the hang of it.

Taking It For "Grant"ed

Time to focus on this year's goal after spending two weeks in a science STEM grant. I really need to connect with other science teachers so that we can start helping each other incorporate the new Next Generation Science Standards. During my last two weeks, we worked on a unit that incorporates FOSS and the Next Generation standards in 3rd grade for interdependent relationships in ecosystems and Life Cycles and Traits. We also used the second grade interdependent relationships in ecosystems to create a greenhouse idea that I think will be so much fun for the kiddos. We will be using it in our 2nd grade FOSS unit, plants. Speaking of plants... we received a Farm to School Grant to build a school garden, and have we ever. Check out our garden.

Things to Remember for My Potential Science room

Wrapping paper for top of window, with cool border underneath. triangles cut out and hung on ribbon border on shelving on wooden shelf covered paper and border word wall table numbers above tables on big round circles laminated color scheme...red, blue, green, yellow, pink, purple... Accucut words (big ideas, science word wall, science stars) find cool colored table cloth for supply table front door table pick up, take with and hand in signs cans covered in cool paper with red, yellow, blue flowers could I use colored paper plates, with table numbers on it with gift wrap... don't forget the red lamp on the table by the door. Could you get old beakers for vases???? just a start for a great classroom!!!!

Inservice

It has been a while, but wow end of the quarter= BUSY. Report cards for over 430 students and new units to boot. Today, we met as science teachers to discuss next year's plan. Our district has hired a scheduling guru to help us organize our schedule...this ultimately takes away science time each week as we move to a six day rotation. We also looked at the new Core Science Standards which got me thinking, are we really ready to implement the new standards next year? Do we have materials, lessons, activities to do this? No, no, and no. So tonight I am going to crank out some activities to help in that process. Stay tuned for the "Fast" Food Chain Unit. I know that there is a ton of lessons out there, but we must tackle the Core Science component. I am excited about creating some great new lessons.