Force and Motion!

We explored force and motion yesterday. Each team had a 2 liter bottle and a 6oz cup. They had to figure out how to get the cup to move the farthest without touching the cups with their hands or with the bottle. What a fun (and loud) activity! We got a little visit from the AP but she was awesome about the kids having fun and learning. :) The kids determined that squeezing the bottle with their hands wasn't enough force to shoot the cup across the room so they began to stomp the bottle. This worked! Force and motion!

Pictures didn't come out too well because I was busy timing them!

 

You can see Ryan blowing up the bottle again (after stomping it flat) so he can stomp it! Smart kid!

After this, we categorized different objects (making a Venn diagram out of Hula Hoops) and determined whether they required a push or pull to function. Don't judge our dirty carpet - it was the end of the day. :)

 

 

 

 

 

Creating Bar and Pictographs!

'Creating' is the highest level of blooms taxonomy. If a child can 'create' what they are learning, it is evidence that they have mastered the skill. So, with that said, here are our bar graphs! We will create pictographs tomorrow. :)

Estimating and Graphing with Candy

Next week we will be learning how interpret information from different types of graphs. Today we estimated amounts of marshmallows and M & M's and graphed the actual results. Tomorrow we will learn about mixtures and solutions and the characteristics of both. The kids had so much fun with this activity. :)

After estimating, we counted all of our marshmallows so we could graph them.

 

So engaged in learning!

 

Counting the M & M's after graphing the marshmallows.

 

Graphing each color M & M.

 

We only had white marshmallows....so that left some of the blanks easy to fill out!

 

All smiles for math!

 

Making sure to count carefully.

 

Finding the difference of what they estimated and the actual amount.

Perry the Perimeter Bug!

 

We are learning about perimeter this week. The kids learned about how Perry is the perimeter bug who only goes around shapes. He likes to measure the perimeter of shapes! The kids worked in partners measuring the perimeter and area of shapes with Perry!

 

Perry working his way around his shape!

 

 

Labeling the sides of their shapes with Expos.

 

 

Counting the area!

 

 

Perry the Perimeter bug LOVES his shapes!

 

Yay for cooperative learning!

Creating Creepy Poems for Halloween

We have been learning about poetry these past couple of weeks. The kiddos made rough drafts about their descriptive poems based on Halloween. The students used a dictionary to figure out how to spell unknown words and then created their spider poem! We had a great time making these and listening to spooky Halloween music! They all did a fantastic job. :)

Creating "hairy legs" for the spider!

Being silly and working hard at the same time.

Looking up the correct spelling of words we don't know.

Using the new Neo technology in the classroom!

I got these 'Neos' as they are called, and each student has one. I am learning how to use this with documents through the computer. Supposedly you are able to create tests on the computer and the kids can answer through the Neos. Well, I finally got them up and running! We are currently using them to practice our basic facts and math fluency. My goal is for all of the students to know their multiplication facts by memory by the end of the year. Ask your child about the Neos! They had a blast!

The Neo2!

The kids so engaged with their new technology!

Field Trip!

We had such a wonderful time on our field trip. Here are some pictures from exploring downtown Buda, debating issues in Buda City Hall, and hanging out at the pumpkin patch!

Our little "Angels"

Sleeping and eating at the Carrington Hotel.

 

 

 

A city council member during our mock debate at Buda City Hall!

 

Thanks to the windmill, the citizens of Buda have water to drink!

 

 

Helping rebuild the gas station after the fire!

Discussing their reasons Buda should or should not have a waterpark.

 

Robbin' the bank!