Storyline:
Culmination: Thursday, March 11. the children will be divided into four groups. Each group will have one 30 minute time slot. I will be sending information out next week about the specifics.
Last week was a very busy week at the park.
Monday: A ship lost a 100 gallon oil barrel in Biscayne Bay and it was leaking oil very slowly. The question posed to the children was what would happen to the oil? We completed a scientific inquiry and found out several things. The children brainstormed ideas of what might happen to the oil and water. We completed several experiments that tested our hypothesis. The children learned that oil is lighter (less dense) than water and rises to the top of water. We learned a very big work - hydrophobic (does not like water). In simple terms the molecules of oil do not like the molecules in water so they stay away from each other.
Wednesday: The children arrived at school and the park had been closed due to the spread of the oil. Most of the animals left Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. However, several of the park animals were affected by the oil. A dolphins blowhole was partially covered and could barely breathe. One of the Loggerhead Sea Turtles was stuck on the beach and was overheating because it could not get back to the water and the flamingo's wings were covered in oil! Again, we competed another scientific inquiry. We wanted to find out how the oil affected the bird' wings and how we could get the oil off of the animals to make them safe again. We found out that feathers are waterproof and water rolls right off wings. We learned that dry wings and wet wings weigh the same. We learned that wings with oil on them weigh more than dry wings. We also learned that oil makes wings stick together and are heavy. Front his experiment we found that oil made the birds unable to fly because the wings stick together and are too heavy so the birds can't fly. Next, we tried cleaning the wings with warm water and warm water with soap. Again, based on our experiment, we concluded warm water and soap worked best to clean the oil off of animals.
This week: Most off the animals are now gone from the park due to the oil spill. This week we will complete another scientific inquiry on cleaning the oil up from the bay.
Last week there was also a lost hiker in one of the national parks, so the children completed a first aid and safety course on Thursday.
HOMEFUN FOR THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, Feb. 23: It is 100's Day ! Sorry for the late notice!!! Please help your child count out 100 snacks and bring them to school on Tuesday. Please refrain from bringing candy. Raisins, cranberries, chocolate chips, peanuts, almonds, popped popcorn, teddy grams all would be wonderful choices.
Wednesday, Wednesday 24: Home Links as well this week.
Writing: We will finish up our research papers this week and begin working on some poetry.
Math: This week we will be focusing on comparing weights and lengths of the animals in Biscayne National Park.
Conferences: There will be no school on Wednesday March 17 through Friday, March 18. Conferences will be Thursday, March 18 and Friday, March 19.
Please know that I will not be holding conferences on Wednesday as I will need the day to prepare for the conferences on the following to days. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
The Regional Reading Conference I attended was fantastic for several reasons. First, it made me realize I am doing many good things in the classroom (yeah). Second, I have so much new information to synthesize it is completely overwhelming. Lastly, I can't wait to SLOWLY implement some of these new ideas into the classroom. I took sessions on differentiation, the "Boys Brain", teaching vocabulary and Reading Workshop models in the classroom. I listened to amazing speakers that also shared wonderful thought provoking messages. I am always amazed when I go to conferences or take classes. There is so much to learn and there are so many ways to become a better teacher. I love it, even though at the same time is it somewhat depressing!
I hope you have all had a nice weekend!
Becky
