2018 Lesson #8 Geology

In class we will be learning all about rocks. We will focus on the NGSS Earth & Space Science 2 A- Earth materials and systems. We will learn about Sedimentary, Metamorphic and Igneous rock. We will learn about tectonic plates and earthquakes. We will also learn about erosion.

In science lab we will be making our own rocks out of starburst. First we will cut them up into tiny pieces (sediment), next we will smush them together to make sedimentary rock. Next we will heat them up with our hands and then put pressure on them with a heavy book to make metamorphic rock- (heat & pressure). Last, we will heat them up in the microwave until they liquify and boil and then let them cool down completely into our igneous rock. We will also be cracking open a geode in class and discussing it. We have different sets of rock collections the students will be observing under a magnifying glass and organizing into the 3 rock groups.

Science is the best and of course it ‘ROCKS’!

2018 Lesson #7 Weather

In science lab we will be learning about all of the different types of weather and how they are caused. We will focus on ESS2 D- weather and climate. I will teach the students the water cycle and about different types of clouds. We will investigate weather patterns.

We are going to make a tornado vortex in a bottle, make a cloud in a jar, observe the clouds outside through binoculars and decipher which clouds they are, make anemometers to test the wind and also wind socks for the younger classes.

I seriously love learning about weather, especially extreme weather conditions. It has always fascinated me, so that makes me super excited to teach all about it. Things are about to get exciting- BOOM! These weather puns are snow joke!

2018 Lesson #6 Owls

In science lab we will be learning all about owls. We will be focusing on LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms. LS1.A: Structure and function of a bird’s nest. LS2-1 Develop a model to describe the movement of energy & matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment. 

Owls are pretty fascinating birds. Their eyesight alone is amazing and their talons are razor sharp. They can rotate their heads 270 degrees. There are around 200 different species of owls around the world. Most are nocturnal and hunt at night. Their feathers help them blend into their surroundings and they have what is called “silent flight” so they can sneak up on their prey.

In class we will be learning all about these fun creatures and dissecting owl pellets. We will also be building bird nests and playing an owl eye game. It should be a “HOOT!”

2018 Lesson #5 Brain Science

In science class we are learning about the anatomy of a cell (LS1A), Looking at human cells (blood,hair, skin) under a microscope and proscope. We will also be learning about the brain and neuroscience (LS1 B).

The students will learn about the different lobes of the brain and what their functions are. We will play memory games, do some sight puzzles and illusions and learn about the Stroop effect. We will also be building neurons out of pipe cleaners and clay and talking about neurotransmitters. We will play a synapse game that teaches them about how neurons send messages to different parts of the body.

The students will learn all kinds of fun brain facts. Did you know the brain weighs around 3 lbs? We also have around 86 billion neurons. The human brain is protected by the skull (cranium), a protective casing made up of 22 bones that are joined together. The human brain is fascinating and neuroscience is an important medical field of science.

Here is a fun little brain joke for you. {Where are neurons put in jail when they commit a crime?…….in a nerve cell}

Have fun “brain storming” up a bunch of fun ideas to learn more about the brain and how it works.