Saturday, October 11, 2008

Experiments and Investigations: Scientific Process

Hey Parents!!!

We have accomplished so much this year! I think that it is time we get our hands dirty and conduct some of our own class experiments and investigations! As we get into these experiments and investigations, we will be using tools to measure, observe, and describe certain objects. How can we measure things by not just using a boring old ruler...Many different ways! Paper clips, Rods, pencils, and pretty much anything else...the possibilities are endless!

We are also going to learn how to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations. Sunrise Sunset gives us a great example of just that!

Gathering information using simple equipment and tools to extend the senses are another thing we will learn this week. The Magnents&Springs activity is fun and very helpful in learning that using these tools you can conduct your own experiment!

Hope you enjoyed!
Lauren

Natural Resources...What we get from them

Hello Parents...

This week is all about Natural Resources and what we get from them. We know that the natural world includes rocks, soil, and water...but how are the specific ways that we use them?

WATER...
WaterSheds&WaterQuality gives us a great example of just one of the MILLIONS of ways that we use water everyday. Can you think of any more???

SOIL...
On S.K.Worm's web site, he gives us tons of information and great activities on soil. After you visit his site test your brain and try to answer these questions...
  1. What does weather do to our soil?
  2. How does water stay in the soil?
  3. Do soils come in different colors?

ROCKS...

We see rocks everyday, but have you ever wondered how rocks were formed? To find out the answer and get a great demonstration of how they are formed go to RockHound, it's GREAT!

I hope you all have a broader understanding and greater appreciation for our natural resources!

Thanks, Lauren

EVERY LIVING THING HAS BASIC NEEDS...

Hey Parents, We all know that every living thing has basic needs. Last week we learned to sort Living from Non Living things. This week we will use that knowledge to go even deeper into the characteristics of living things and what their basic needs are.

Questions...?

I hope now we can see it takes a lot for a plant or animal to live a healthy life, and how basic needs are a MUST.

Thanks, Lauren

Living and Non Living

Hello All!

This week we will be studying Living and Non Living things.

Let's Review...


Living

  • things that eat...dogs
  • things that drink water...horse
  • things that move...plants
  • things that grow...babies

Non Living

  • things that don't move on their own...pen
  • things that don't eat...key
  • things that don't drink...paper
  • things that don't grow...phone

I have found some great activities to do with your child that incorporate the living and non living categories...CRICKWEB is a great web site for sorting living things. BBC gives you and your child a chance to categorize and learn interesting facts about living and non living organisms. My favorite web site, LivingSort is great as we get more advanced with our living and non living concepts. Not only does it have you sort, but you have to be REALLY fast at this one!

I hope this post was helpful and that you and your child enjoyed the games as well as I did!

Thanks, Lauren

Welcome!

Welcome to Miss Lauren's Science Page. This is geared for you as a parent to get envolved and explore and learn new things, while helping your child out with what we are doing in our science class. There will be activities that you can enjoy together. Hope you enjoy and find our science edublog useful!