because it MATTERS!

What a great day to learn about heat (when the weather is getting colder!). 

We had a SCI-FRI day - all science all Friday!

Today we learned about heat.  And we used that energy or heat to change matter.  We made a hypothesis on how to melt an ice cube.

Righley said, "leave it on your desk." Maddie said, " put it in the pencil box."  Jonathan thought to hold it to the light.  After forming our hypothesis, we tested it out.  After a little waiting (and some wet desk), kids started to touch their ice cubes.  Madeline and Gabriel noticed that when they held it in their hand the ice melted faster. 

After all was said and done, we realized that the heat from our hands was the best way to make ice melt fast.  Kaylann even said that the room was hotter than the freezer so that in time the ice would melt from the heat of the room. 

Later we used heat to change a liquid to a solid by making pancakes.  It was exciting to see the change happen right before our eyes (and it was yummy in our tummy).

What's an oddball?

Wearing PJ's to school is ODD! One spelling group found an odd word in their word sort. The word give is an oddball because it has the CVCe pattern, but the vowel doesn't say it's name.

Short Vowel Rap!

This is a great way to check if you are using the correct vowel when writing.  After learning this song, our interactive writing has been more jazzy!

Because I Say So...

This week was an ACTIVE math week. We ended our lessons on odd and even with a challenge! I gave each pair of students a handful of cubes. I asked them to tell me if the amount they had was odd or even, and to prove it.

Students put their heads together and were creative in their proof. Each team had to explain their thinking, and nobody could say "because I said so".

Musical Math

I know it has been a great day when after a lesson someone says with a huge smile on their face, "thanks for letting us do that!" (thanks Righley for making my day).  We are learning about odd and even this week.  Students have worked to think about numbers as a set of something (not just an abstract symbol).  Today we played a little musical math by checking to see if our numbers were odd or even.  I wished I had filmed more of the lesson before the activity.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

Learning in the field!

Wow, what a great day of learning!  We started the morning with a lot of rolling, running and jumping at the Miller Outdoor Theater!  Kids were everywhere.  We had an early picnic lunch and then headed to the cool (both cool looking and cool AC) Museum! 

It was great to learn about money and how an economy works.  We learned about Africa (I love that Madeline was pointing out all the thing "we wouldn't see in Texas).  We dove into the think tank, and had to use our brains for some real life problem solving.  See what the kids thought...

Logan - "Everything was my favorite"

Myles "loved working my job"

Madeline "We saw technology show us how phones work"

Jonathon "It was great!"

Aniyah "I loved driving the ambulance and turning on the bright lights"

Righley " I liked to be the checker in the grocery store"

Thanks to the volunteers, and PTA for giving us this trip!  It was a great day!

Building a REAL Community

Take a look at our community.  We have been learning about maps and directions.  This week we learned that a model is a smaller representation of something.  Each student made a model of their house.  I was amazed with all the details.  Shervin added a swing set.  James made sure his was on a cul-de-sac.  This is my favorite kind of learning - hands on and creative!