Monday, January 29, 2018

Another Busy week

Hi everyone!  We had another busy week learning more about penguins through reading, writing, thinking, speaking, researching, calculating and creating.
We began the week with our first Artist in Residence (thank you PTA).  The artist helped us create clay penguins and each student put their own special touches to their design - we will finish this process in February with glazing:













We researched more information about what penguins eat in the wild.


We also explored water temperature by adding ice or warm water to a cup of water to lower or raise the temperature so we could understand better the temperature of the oceans of the world. - then we can better understand the conditions penguins live in!  We used/read thermometers to determine water temperature.




We also worked on an experiment about the insulating properties of blubber by putting our hand in a "glove" made from plastic and cristco then placing the glove in ice water.  Our other hand briefly went into the ice water with no glove.  We all agree- blubber helped keep our hand much warmer, and it also is part of the reason why penguins can swim in icy cold water.

We even got to create some art about an Arctic animal with our wonder guest teacher Mrs. Beach!
We had a busy week - thanks for all the support from home!


Thursday, January 11, 2018

More Penguins

We are continuing to learn more about penguins in many ways.
We read ideas about penguins together

WE measure their sizes and record the information

We learn about how much they weigh- then try to lift to see how heavy they feel.

The King penguins weighs about 30 pounds - just like this box!

measuring 36 inches - the height of the King Penguin


We find their homes on maps and globes

we create projects about what we have learned


We have had a busy week learning more about penguins - ask your young scientist what they have learned!

Friday, January 5, 2018

Happy New year!

Hi everyone and welcome to 2018!

We for off to a good start this year, easing back into the rigor of the school day after a relaxing break. We started the week creating our class monthly calendar and learning more about the book "A Snowy Day".  We used that book for our weekly literacy learning time.

We got used to each other as we created a communicated during choosing time.
But one of the exciting things of the week was starting our newest learning - all about penguins!  This learning will encompass the whole day for the next 5-6 weeks as we will learn more about penguins, ocean temperatures, reading maps, measuring length and weight as they relate to Antarctica and penguins. Ask your child each day about what they learned about penguins!


We also enjoyed 3rd grade buddy time - they showed us their report projects


Have a great weekend everyone - see you Monday