How does the environment affect a plant's visible traits?

Motion & Design Challenge

The children completed a design challenge on Friday. They were working as engineers to design a lunar vehicle that could carry rocks (represented by blocks) across their work space within 4-6 seconds. Students experimented with adding/subtracting weight on their vehicle, and there was lots of trial and error with the amount of force used to pull the vehicle. I don't think you can watch the videos in this slide show, but it gives you a better understanding of their work. On Tuesday, they will write a report about how they met the challenge.

Design Challenges

Science teams presented this morning at our DESIGN EXPO. Here are some highlights:

Vehicle Design Challenge

The children had the opportunity to work in their new science teams to design a vehicle that could move one meter.  In their next lesson, they will build a "standard vehicle" which will be used for their experiments. Their teamwork and cooperation was impressive.

Harvesting Celery

Today the class harvested celery for the cafeteria and for a science experiment. We also brought in a two butternut squashes that we will use to make soup soon.

Potatoes

Potatoes are an important part of Maine's economy and also a very cool plant to study.  The children studied potatoes and listened to two read alouds.  We then used fresh herbs from our Aerogarden and Maine potatoes to make a delicious roasted treat!  The ingredients are: potatoes cut in  chunks, garlic from a press, oil, salt, and a healthy amount of chopped chives, parsley, and basil. Roast in a shallow pan at 425 for about 45 minutes, or until tender. YUM!

Learning About Plants

Today the children dissected flowers and identified their parts.  Over the past two days, the class has watered and observed their radish seedlings.  Students continue to observe their lima beans, anxiously awaiting germination.  This Friday, we'll use the herbs from our Aerogarden to roast some Maine potatoes-YUM!

Design Challenges

Last Friday, our scientists were given some design challenges.  We had one group meet their challenge of designing a rescue vehicle for saving mountain climbers who are trapped at the top of snowcapped mountains.  They met all the design requirements and presented their work.  Hopefully, the other groups will complete the challenge by week's end.  Ask your child about the challenge s/he received. 

The Propeller-Driven Vehicle

Ask your child what it was like to build the propeller-driven vehicle from a technical drawing.

Harvesting Carrots

This afternoon the class harvested carrots that will be used in the school cafeteria. Mrs. Schreiber refreshed kids on how to pull carrots and asked for suggestions for serving the carrots. We love our school garden!

Motion & Design

Ask your child about the first design challenge.

Simple Machines

The class learned about simple machines; the inclined plane, wheels and axles, lever and fulcrum, wedge, and the winding incline plane/screw.  Ask your child about it.

Tree Structure

The children learned about a tree's structure and acted out the parts.  Ask your child what s/he understands about the heartwood, xylem, roots, leaves, phloem, cambium, and bark.  Each part had its own special line or sounds.  Tomorrow, the class will continue to learn about trees by working with the other fourth grade teachers throughout the day.  It should be excellent preparation for our visit to Jillson's Farm next Wednesday.

Motion and Design

The students made observations about friction. Ask your child what s/he learned.

Motion and Design

The students built their standard vehicles from a technical drawing.  They will be used in our upcoming experiments. Teamwork and trial and error were a large part of the process.