Feb. 25, 2014 Blog Posting

Preschool Class –

Today, we began discussing our Science Fair presentations.  Several students said they might do something on animals.  I offered the class to start a new study on animals or planets.  Animals won.  We will begin this new topic next week.

HOMEWORK:  NO HOMEWORK!

Level One –

Our chant to practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

Discussion on our science fair presentations was part of today.  We also worked on an experiment with a toy car and how different surfaces affected its speed. 

HOMEWORK:  NO HOMEWORK!

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

HOMEWORK:

Think about your Science Fair project.  Remember to think about your variables.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me:  libbymonte@yahoo.com.

I will not be able to answer any email on Monday before class; therefore, please email me before then.  Thank you.

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q  

HOMEWORK:

Think about your Science Fair project.  Start filling out your  project worksheet.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me:  libbymonte@yahoo.com.

I will not be able to answer any email on Monday before class; therefore, please email me before then.  Thank you.

Feb. 11, 2014 Blog Posting

Feb. 11, 2014 Blog Posting

Preschool Class –

Today, we continued our study of density – how tightly bound together molecules are. 

We demonstrated that salt water is more dense than tap water; therefore, some items can float on salt water and not on tap water.

HOMEWORK:  Find something at home that sinks in tap water.  Do you think it will float in salt water?  Draw a picture of your prediction.  Bring the item to class and we will test it on our salt water next week!

Level One –

Our chant to practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

Today, we once again demonstrated the property of water to stick to itself.  We put drops of water on a penny and watched the water form a dome before it overflowed.

We then reviewed the datum that soap weakens water’s surface tension.  We then tried to put the equal amount of soapy water droplets on the penny as we did with tap water.

HOMEWORK:  Think about what interests you for scientific experimenting.  Let’s talk about your science fair ideas next week.

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

This week’s focus: More on the Scientific Method

Your Learning Goal:

Think of questions and form hypothesis that would be testable.

Video to Watch and create your own notes:

Example of the Scientific Method

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuG75c-xZ94

HOMEWORK:

Please think up one scientific question and a hypothesis that you could develop from that question.  If you have any problems, please feel free to email me:  libbymonte@yahoo.com.

I will not be able to answer any email on Monday before class; therefore, please email me before then.  Thank you.

Bring your completed notes back to class on Tuesday.  Remember try to find the most important bits of data from the video and record those in your science notebook.  Please also bring any questions you have about the videos. 

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q  

This week’s focus:  More on the Scientific Method

Your Learning Goal:

Think of questions and form hypothesis that would be testable.

Videos to Watch:   

Conducting an Experiment Using the Scientific Method

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuzu0OphyDY

You should have learned a bit more about experiments that follow the scientific method.

If your experiment is conducted correctly, then another person should ___________________________.

Why does she use four glasses and why does she repeat the experiment?

Scientific Method – Myth Busters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAC0NSFNEPQ

Be able to identify the parts of the experiment.

HOMEWORK:

Please think up one scientific question and a hypothesis that you could develop from that question.  If you have any problems, please feel free to email me:  libbymonte@yahoo.com.

I will not be able to answer any email on Monday before class; therefore, please email me before then.  Thank you.

Please bring your video notes, questions and hypothesis to class on Tuesday.

Scientist Assignment:

Where did your scientist(s) attend school?  What was his or her scientific training?

Feb. 4, 2014 Blog Posting

Preschool Class –

Today, we continued our discussion of states of matter.  We reviewed the concept of density – how tightly bound together molecules are. 

We found that salt water is more dense than tap water.  The colored tap water actually sat on top of the blue colored tap water.

We also demonstrated the different densities of liquids by pouring corn syrup, water, vegetable oil, and rubbing alcohol into a bottle and watching the layers form.  

Homework:  Find a bottle of Italian salad dressing.  Let the liquids settle and notice the layers.  Draw a picture in your journal.  If you do not have Italian salad dressing, ask your parent to mix some oil and water in a jar for you.

Level One –

Our chant to practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

Today, we practiced our prediction skills again and reviewed the surface tension of water. 

We learned that soap breaks that surface tension.   Several demonstrations of items that would float on water, but not on soapy water, confirmed this.

We also performed a few demonstrations of water molecules “running away” from the soap.

HOMEWORK:  Show your parents or sibling the floating pepper trick.  Have fun!

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

This week’s focus: Hypothesis

Your Learning Goals:

1. What is a hypothesis?

2. Why must you observe first to create a hypothesis?

3. In what format should you write a hypothesis?

Videos to Watch and create your own notes:

Science Pirates Songs – Hypothesis Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giC6ZYBIeFY

The Scientific Method Part 3:  Writing a Hypothesis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toXn1iFaBzQ

When watching this video, please put these phrases in your notes and fill them in:

A hypothesis is a _________________ prediction.

The format for a hypothesis is a If, ________ statement.

Bring your completed notes back to class on Tuesday.  Remember try to find the most important bits of data and record those in your science notebook.  Please also bring any questions you have about the videos. 

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q  

This week’s focus:  Testing A Hypothesis

Learning Goals: 

·       Be able to define a controlled experiment.

·       What is a fair test?

Videos to Watch:   

Scientific Method – Test Your Hypothesis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46R7Tnz0Fno

This video is 13 minutes long.  It has super great data.  There is a monkey dance song in the background that I found annoying.  What do you think?

There are four questions at the end of the video.  Please try to answer these.  We will go over these in class.

Scientist Assignment:

You should continue your research on your scientist.  How do you think your scientist performed a controlled experiment?  What did she or he do to ensure it was controlled?

All Earth Science Classes - Jan. 28, 2014

Jan. 28, 2013 Blog Posting

Preschool Class –

Today, we continued our discussion of states of matter.  We reviewed and then learned about density – how tightly bound together molecules are.  Some items are very dense – like a rock.  Some items are less dense – like a cotton ball.

We demonstrated this concept by weighing the same amount of different matters.

HOMEWORK:  Find something in your house that is more dense than water and will sink in your sink or bathtub.  Can you find something less dense than water that will float on top of the water?  Draw a picture in your journal.

Level One –

Our chant to practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

Today, we practiced our prediction skills again and reviewed the surface tension of water.  We reviewed that water molecules like to stick together and this creates the “strength” of the water’s surface to support weight.

We demonstrated the “stickiness” of water molecules by watching water rise above the surface of a container before it overflowed.  We used our magnifying glasses.  Yay!

We had a lovely time with classmates sharing their science treasures.  Thank you, Amelia, Ruby and Charleigh!

HOMEWORK:  Show your parents or sibling how water rises up over the edge of a glass before it overflows.  You can predict how many drops will hold together until the glass overflows.  Test your prediction.  Have fun!

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

This week’s focus: Scientific Variables

Your Learning Goals:

1. What is an independent variable?

2. What is a controlled variable?

3. What is a dependent variable?

Videos to Watch and create your own notes:

Science Variables

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2606GQmDqY

Bring your completed notes back to class on Tuesday.  Remember try to find the most important bits of data and record those in your science notebook.  Please also bring any questions you have about the videos. 

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q     

This week’s focus:  Writing a Hypothesis

Learning Goals: 

·       Be able to define and give examples of good hypothesis.

·       Be able to explain why you take notes in the format that you have chosen.

·       Be ready to share a hypothesis that your scientist may have created.

Videos to Watch:   

How to Write a Hypothesis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5x0oBMAk9g

This one (the one above) is nine minutes longs.  It contains lectures from two different teachers.  Listen carefully and see if you can understand the specific formula for all hypotheses (the plural form of hypothesis).

How to Formulate a Hypothesis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp2fbzWZDmA

Science Pirates Songs – Hypothesis Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giC6ZYBIeFY

Scientist Assignment:

You should continue your research on your scientist.  Please come to class ready to share one hypothesis your scientist may have formulated.

Jan. 21, 2013 Blog Posting

Kindergarten Class –

Today, we reviewed the three states of matter – solid, liquid, and gas.  We reviewed the traits of these states.

We changed the state of matter in class.  We melted a candle thus turning solid wax into a liquid.  The best part was turning chocolate chips into a melted liquid and chilling it back into a solid.

Homework:  Find some matter in your house that can change from a solid to a liquid, or liquid to solid, or any change of state.

Please draw a picture of that matter in both states in your Science Journal.

Level One –

Our chant to practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

Today, we practiced our prediction skills. 

First, we learned about the surface tension of water.  We conducted a few demonstrations about water tension.  After we made several observations, we began and demonstration but stopped halfway.  Each student made a prediction about the outcome based on our prior knowledge.

HOMEWORK:  Find something at home that you think can be held up by the water’s surface tension.  Test your prediction.

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

This week’s focus: Scientific Variables

Your Learning Goal:  Be able to answer this question: 

1) What is an independent variable?

Video to Watch and Fill Out your Note-taking sheet:

Bring your completed notes back to class on Tuesday.  Please also bring any questions that you have about the videos. 

NOTE:  Only watch this video up to Spring Break. (3:56)

Science Variables

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2606GQmDqY

 Parents, I think there is a large amount of information on this eight-minute video.  I would like to take it in bite-sized pieces.  Please use your discretion with your own student.

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q     

This week’s focus:  Variables in Scientific Experimentation

Learning Goals: 

·       Be able to create a scientific question with an independent and dependent variables.

·       Continue to explore a note-taking format that best suits your learning style.

·       Find out some basic information on your scientist and what might have been one independent and dependant variable he or she chose.

Videos to Watch:   

Science Variables

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2606GQmDqY

You Know All Your Variables (One Direction Parody)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIoddS_uTbc

Testable Questions Using Independent and Dependent Variables

This video is largely just a straight four minute talk.  Please bear with me on this.  It is good information.  Listen to it twice and try to take good notes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSlsVb9X1sY

Scientist Assignment:

You should begin your research on your scientist.  Please come to class ready to one independent and one dependent variable he or she might have chosen.

Gabby – Lise Meitner

Tamirah – Dorothy Hodgkin

Dan – Wright Brothers

Mary – Virginia Apgar

Sophie – Laura Bassi

Angie – Caroline Herschel

Cecilia – Mary Sommerville

Montana – Jane Goodall

Jan. 14, 2013 Blog Posting

Preschool Class –

Our students are still focusing on the three states of matter.  Today, we learned some properties of each:

Gases: molecules far apart, usually can’t see gas, takes the shape of its container

Liquids: molecules close together, visible, takes the shape of its container

Solids: molecule together tightly, visible, usually holds its shape

Your young scientist was presented with a Science Journal to record things he or she notices in their world.

We learned about tally marks today.  They may need to practice this with you or at least get a refresher.

HOMEWORK:  Watch a friend, parent or pet for one or two minutes.  Record how many times he or she blinks using tally marks.   If your child can write, he or she can spell out the name of the person or pet.  A drawing of the observed one is totally okay.

Level One –

Today in class, we reviewed observe and infer.  There should be a handout pasted in your student notebook. 

If you get confused or are unsure in any way, please email me: libbymonte@yahoo.com.

HOMEWORK:

1) Continue to practice the chant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

2) Observe a place, person or animal.  Record three factual observations – something that is a fact, not opinion.  Then, make one inference from all the information that you have.

(Example:  I see a neighbor’s house at night.  There are no cars in the driveway.  There are no lights on in the house.  There is a package from the postal worker on the front porch that has not yet been picked up.  Those are my facts.  I will infer that my neighbor is not home.)

3) Please record this in your science notebook and bring it back to class.

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

This week’s focus: Creating a Scientific Question

Your Learning Goal:  What is a good scientific question?

VIDEO:  A Testable Questions (Very short video with examples of Testable Questions)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeJRLHtCCBg

There are notes from class and a homework assignment.  The notes should be pasted into your science notebook.

HOMEWORK:  Compose one bad scientific question for each of the points from your notes.  Example (Good Scientific Questions are not about opinions.  My bad question is:  Is hot chocolate the best drink for the winter?)  (Good Scientific Questions can be proven true or false.  My bad question is:  Do aliens live on Mars?)

When your bad questions are complete, think hard and create TWO scientific questions about which you could create an experiment or do a test.

If you are not sure and you want to chat with me, please email me any time – libbymonte@yahoo.com.

Bring your notebook back to class on Tuesday.  Please also bring any questions or cool observations that you would like to share. 

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q     

This week’s focus:  Testable Questions

Learning Goals: 

·       What makes a good scientific question?  

    Be able to list several do’s and don’ts. 

·       Continue to explore a note-taking format that best suits your learning style.

·       Continue to find out information on your scientist.  Try to find out what she or they did specifically in words that you and all of us will understand.  Please think about a good scientific question that she or they would have asked.  Think of good question that would be testable.

Videos to Watch:   

Science Fair: 

Asking Testable Questions Notes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5XMbpfDxF8

A Testable Questions (Very short video with examples of Testable Questions)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeJRLHtCCBg

January 7, 2014

Jan. 7, 2014 Blog Posting

Preschool Class –

Let’s get ready for the Science Fair!  Yes, your young curious student can prepare a display for the HLACNY Science Fair.  In class, we will continue to do experiments and gradually learn how to ask a good question, how to make a test for that question, and then make conclusions.

I have found a video series – Dino Dan by Sinking Ship Entertainment – that exposes the youngest scientist to the scientific method in an easily digested format.  The cool, colorful dinosaurs are an added bonus. These videos are in our library system and I strongly encourage you to share these short videos at home with your student. 

Today, we learned the three states of matter – solid, liquid and gas.  We played a game identifying substances correctly.  We captured the gas created when a liquid (vinegar) and a solid (baking soda) mixed to create a gas (carbon dioxide). 

Here is a video for your student to watch for fun on the three states of matter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btGu9FWSPtc

Level One –

We are going to explore the scientific method in preparation for the upcoming Science Fair.  Yes, your child can perform a very basic experiment, learn something fun, and present it at the Science Fair. 

Here is a cute chant that we are going to learn in class:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyOUTZXaII

Please have your student practice the chant at home.  

The site below that will give you an overview of what we will be learning.  Though the steps are a bit different from the chant, the material is the same.

 http://www.smartfirstgraders.com/scientific-method-for-kids.html

Your student will be exposed to some new vocabulary.  Each will be provided with a home study sheet weekly.  It is hoped that you will assist your budding researcher with his or her homework.

After we have completed our study of the scientific method, I will assist these eager scientists during class time to find an experiment or project that will meet their interests and age level.  If you find one with your child, that is no problem!

I have found a video series – Dino Dan by Sinking Ship Entertainment – that exposes the youngest scientist to the scientific method in an easily digested format.  The cool, colorful dinosaurs are an added bonus. These videos are in our library system and I strongly encourage you to share these short videos at home with your student. 

Homework:

• Review chant several times.
• Sit and observe your backyard for ten minutes.  Write down what you see or draw pictures.  Bring that back to class to share.

Level Two –

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q

This week’s focus: Making Good Observations

Your Learning Goal:  Be able to explain what makes a good observation.

Videos to Watch and Fill Out your Note-taking sheet:

Scientific Observation

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My1UTMIHbyI

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsMH9VtdGYM (You will hear the word inference in this lesson.  We will discuss that in class.)

Bring your completed notes back to class on Tuesday.  Please also bring any questions that you have about the videos. 

Did I miss any important ideas from the videos?  Let me know!

Level Three -

Link to our song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA86dYxrg4Q     

This week’s focus:  Scientific Observations

Learning Goals: 

·       Be able to define and give examples of qualitative and quantitative observations and inference. 

·       Explore a note-taking format that best suits your learning style.

Videos to Watch:   

Qualitative and Quantitative Observations (This video is made by the made by SillyScienceTeacher.  Do you think she is silly?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94rIH6O92x0

Observations vs. Inferences

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XJCjkVzieI

Observation & Inference Notes (Check out this style of notes.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfJ-eB-dl_Q

Scientist Assignments:

You should begin your research on your scientist.  Please come to class ready to share some observations that your scientist made.  What did she or they observe?  How did she or they observe it?    

Gabby – Lise Meitner

Tamirah – Dorothy Hodgkin

Dan – Wright Brothers

Mary – Virginia Apgar

Sophie – Laura Bassi

Angie – Caroline Herschel

Cecilia – Mary Sommerville

Montana – Jane Goodall