States of Matter

Here are some videos we watched today to help learn and remember  the three states of matter - Solid, Liquid and Gas.

Everyone's favourite was this one - with Mario!

Apple Science Results

If you read the earlier post here about our Apple Science Experiments, below are the "after 11 days" pictures.

 The peeled apple on the left shrunk, shriveled, dried up, wrinkled and now looks like a toasted marshmallow.  The other looks the same as when it was hung up,

 The apple with 4 holes has wrinkled and shriveled around the holes but for the most part, looks the same as the one without holes on the right.

The apple we weighed and measured daily started at 133 grams and is now down to 34.  Its circumference was 24 centimeters and has shrunk down to 15.  We will keep watching it to see how small it will get!
My goal was to get students interested in the Science Inquiry Process - take a question you have an design an experiment to find out the answer.  I hope it encourages some experimentation at home too!

Apple Tasting

Today the Grade Two students had a chance to taste four different apples to compare their similarities and differences.

We worked together to think of words that best describe each kind and then decided which was our favourite, if we had one.  

We looked at the website here from Ontario Apple Growers and were surprised at all the varieties of apples that there are!

Dot Day

Students were greeted on September 15th in the morning with a display to let them know that it was International Dot Day!

Last year it was also celebrated in my class and here is a link to that blog post.

The app we used last year called Colar has renamed itself Quivervision and it seems they are pursuing some education uses of the app such as the study of cells.  We had fun colouring our dots and then bringing them to life with the IPads.  The students are eager to show their families how it looks in person at our Open House on Thursday, September 15 from 5:00 to 7:00.

Other Dot Day projects included making patterns with Bingo Dabbers and creating pictures using 6 dot stickers.  We celebrated creativity - it all starts with a dot!

Apple Science

Along with learning knowledge about the topics in the Science curriculum, students need to gain an understanding of the Scientific Inquiry Process.  Follow this link to the Manitoba Education "My Child in School" website where this and other curricula is explained in detail.  

On Friday, September 11, we began an investigation to see what happens to apples left to hang by a window.  The one on the left was peeled and the other had its skin left on.  Students tried to predict how the apples will look after the weekend and beyond.  

Two more similar sized apples were hung up too.  The one on the left had four holes poked into it with a pencil and the one on the right had no holes.  What do you think will happen?  Keep watching this blog for updates!

Applesauce

The first Science theme of the year involves learning about States of Matter and what a better way to introduce the topic than with something very plentiful this time of year, apples!

We will use the theme as a topic for working on reading and writing as well, and even for a Friday treat!  Apples were peeled and the seeds, stem and core were removed.  Then we put them in a slow cooker for a few hours with lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamon sticks. 

Everyone got a taste of hot applesauce before we went home after the first week of school.  The Cinnamon Stick was something new to many of the students.  Maybe one of the students could do some research at home to find out more about cinnamon and tell the class about it.  

Some kids thought we should try another treat next Friday, maybe Apple Crisp.

We can hardly wait!

Welcome Back To School!

The classroom is ready!  I'm getting excited for tomorrow!  How about you ?