Excited about planets....

Today in my fieldwork, my master teacher and I discussed how I could start with science in the upcoming weeks.  The unit/lessons are going to be about the solar system.  The students will learn about the solar system, planets and the other objects/materials in the solar system.  They will write a poem, type it, then pick a planet/star/asteroid/etc and paint with water color.  I am already excited to see the final product.  I also have ideas of what I can bring in to incorporate in the lesson. :)

Race cars and science eveywhere

 Today we were given the problem of creating a race car from materials that were given to us like rubber bands, wood sticks, cardboard.  We then went outside and raced outside. The scientific method can be used to describe the process we (as students) went through while making the race car.  After trial and error, some of us were able to make the race cars successfully go down a small hill while others sadly did not move an inch.  The whole process was great because it was nice to see how even though we were given the same materials we all came up with different ideas.

We also looked at how we can incorporate science and math to almost anything.






We also did a glogster about football and the science.

Today in class (2-11-11)

Today in science class we took a pre-assessment on the scientific method to see if we knew the steps, then after learning about it through an experiment  we took it again and passed with flying colors.  The experiment we did focused on chemical reactions.  We looked at temperature and color change. We mixed water, phenol solution, baking soda and calcium chloride.  We observed, asked questions, and tested out our questions.  


Also at the beginning of class we drew our perception of a scientist.  My classmates had all different views of what a scientist looked liked and there was many stereotypical traits drawn.  

Rainforest Animal

As well as the mini field trip to the arboretum, we also started our project with another block.  We started the Rainforest Mural which integrated science and art.  On a prior day we chose a rainforest animal and started researching that animal and finding a picture we would like to simulate.

I chose the squirrel monkey.  Squirrel Monkeys are some of the most commonly seen monkeys in the Central American rainforest's. About 90% of their diet is composed of soft, tropical fruits.  The Squirrel Monkey has dexterous fingers to climb through the trees and to investigate food and find hidden insects.  They are usually found in the upper/middle canopy, but can they can descend to the ground.

 We drew our animal on the appropriate sized paper.  First, we sketched it then we painted it and added more detail with oil pastels. 

The sketch: 

Finished product:

 

Arboretum trip

Yesterday, the 3rd, our class took a mini field trip to our schools arboretum.  It was so cool! I never new the place was so big.  Before actually going to the arboretum, we talked about what an ecosystem was.  An ecosystem is a community of different species interacting with each other and with the chemical and physical factors making up nonliving environment.  A relationship between organism and the physical environment.  When we went to the arboretum we explored 3 different sites (woodlands, desert, and Mediterranean) and focused on sunlight, soil moisture, temperature, wind, water flow, plans and animals in each environment. 

 Woodlands: I enjoyed walking through this area.  The shade given by the big trees would be great for a hot day.  I really liked the rivers flowing; if you just listened quietly you heard the water flowing, birds and just nature.







            Desert:  It was so cool to see how just over a bridge and a few steps you were completely in a different setting.







Mediterranean: The terrain was sloped with rocks on the ground.

Overall, a fun lesson and time. 

Science Journal

 

My Science Journal 

When decorating my cover for my science journal, I wanted to incorporate some branches of science that students study.  I tried to put a picture that related to the science branch.  The branches on my cover are: geology, biology, ecology, chemistry, astronomy, physics, and botany. Can you guess which is which?