Plant Cells

 

We've learned a lot about animal cells, but today we kicked off our exploration of plant cells by making a model.  Students were able to choose items from candy, to yarn, to rice to represent different organelles within a plant cell.  It was great to see their creativity at work.  I especially loved that no two student's plant cells looked the same.  They diagramed them, and justified their choices.  Fun with science!

Bats and Soil Samples

With Halloween just around the corner we went a little batty today!  We talked about fact vs. opinion when it came to bats.  Did you know that bats are the only mammal that can fly?  Our class brainstormed facts that we knew, and watched a video to learn some more.  We also discussed if we thought bats were cute or creepy.  Overwhelming our class opinion was cute.  What??  Owen and I were not persuaded, and we said creepy!  Students then analyzed and graphed the data.  We also practiced some oral direction skills, tracing to make double, and cutting.  Little things that will help us with projects throughout the year. 

 

Since we are still in the midst of our Living and Non-Living Things unit, we also talked about non-living things that make up ecosystems.  Today we focused on soil.  My soil scientists collected six samples from around school.  We charted and labeled the samples so that we could talk about similarities and differences.  Students decided that the soil from the vegetable garden would be the best for growing plants, and that the soil from the baseball field would be the worst!

Our Terrariums

On this lovely fall morning we headed outside to make our very own terrariums.  I love teaching about living and non-living things through these pint sized ecosystems.  I also love my pint sized scientists! 

 

They carefully filled their terrariums with living and non-living things like soil, rocks, plants, and oxygen. 

 

Oh and of course a dinosaur or two!

A Science Lesson in Compassion

 

My 3rd graders have been learning a lot about using their observation skills.  We've been using our sense of touch, hearing, taste, smell, and seeing through many science experiments over the last several weeks.  Last week we put our sense of touch and kindness to the test.  My sweet students made a touch and feel book for a very special little girl.  Baby Nora is almost 8 months old and was born with Trisomy 13.  A chromosonial disorder that has presented her with many challenges from her heart, to her motor skills, to being blind.  But she is one tough cookie!!  She has already beaten so many odds, and is a tremendous blessing to her mommy, daddy, extended family and friends.  Through Nora we've learned to count our blessings, be thankful for how each of us were created in unique and glorious ways, and to fight and good fight.  She's is one of a kind and so are each of my students.  I'm proud of them for creating this special book just for her! 

Neighborhood Scientist: The Vet

We've been learning to think like a scientist, and off we went on a walking field trip to see an everyday scientist in action.  Just down the street is an animal hospital, and that's where we found lots of science going on.

The students were able to look at a variety of X-Rays to make predictions about what was causing the dog pain.

They saw the boarding area where the cats and dogs are cared for during their stay.

Students asked LOTS of good questions about scienctific tools, procedures, and more.

 

 

This group of junior scientist is definitely an inquistive bunch!  I love that about them!  

Rembering September 11th Today and Always

Science is Popping with Excitement

We've been having some fun around here!  Over the last week we've been learning about the scientific method.  We've been paying close attention to our senses and how scientist make keen observations.  We practiced by doing a lab called "Science is Popping with Excitement!"

 

The first graders got in on the popping excitement too with their 3rd grade science buddies, but they also desgined their own experiment.  They asked the question, "Which car will go farther?"  This allowed them to make observations, pose questions, state a hypothesis, test, retest, and draw conclusions.