There was great success in applying science with the sprout houses!

After 7 days the plants were doing very well and the kids were excitedly keeping up with their watering regimes. For most of the students, the amount they watered was  5 ml each day per plant. We were finally able to talk about what they had learned from growing, tending, and trying to keep accuarate records. Learning to do the work and keep track of all the things you are doing takes real concentration and effort. When we went over their charts, some found incomplete information, or thought they wrote more than they did. It was a good lesson about how to set up routines when taking accurate science data.
 During the discussion we found out that the mung beans had the best results. Everyone had 100% sprouting. We did the math calculations for all three seed types. 19/22 students had sunflowers sprout. And, only 2/22 had the sensitive seeds sprout. We talked about the reasons and thought about the particular habitats those seeds would usually be found. We notices the size difference and thought about adaptation more.

Removing the little plants was a very careful process.

Working with the seeds allowed us to think about what has been the theme of science--adaptation. Looking at form and function at animals and plants proved to be interesting and good for world connections. The kids had lots of things to say about what they noticed and figured out.

Building Sprout Houses and Transplanting to their own pots to take home

The scientific approach was used in sprouting the three seed types about 13 days ago. But it was the great resourcefulness of Ms. Angie that found these little green houses at a second hand store. Both Mr. Collins and I got some and thank you for her thinking because each student had one to use. It really made a difference in their engagement.
 Each student put together their own house following directions. Everyone did great and over all the class took about a half hour.
They showed patience
and perseverance. No plastic parts were broken and no tears. Really positive struggle because the atmosphere was cooperative and supportive. We talked that the experience should be good for all and everyone can do this.

The plastic pieces were hard to figure out. 

Then planting of the seeds-- 3 sunflower, 5 sensitive, and 3 mung. Watered and the waiting began. In three days, sprouting started! Everyone was sooooo excited!

Carefully watering

We did some figuring about how much soil and water to use. The kids planned their own schedule.

Lots of thinking, careful assembly

Checking to make sure amount is correct when water after adding soil.

Data was collected on which seeds sprouted first, and grew fastest. The kids determined how much water would be given in 5 mL increments either everyday or every other day. There was a handout we have been reading about cells- plant and animal, a plant book about parts and how seeds adapt.
Since we started the year thinking about adaptation-- form and function--that is how contextually the year's content is coming to a close. So thinking about roots, why plants reach for the sun, the leaves and the shape and hardness and age of seeds.

Bud Lightyear would like this project- Start to Finish: How to launch an experiment in a Pongsat

 The 4th grade did a research paper at the beginning of the year based on all kinds of information collected from the visit to the University of Idaho Dairy Center. This undertaking was the next step in writing non-fiction. It was to do a real experiment which meant that they had to know that the work could be repeated by another. The writing format was very specific. The criteria for the experiment clearly laid out. The experiences and readings all added to a final copy of a well written piece about a month after we started to study.

The first step was to determine that the 'scientific process' is problem solving in a specific way. And, it is something they do naturally. We documented the steps and in doing so, they learned how to set up a real  experiment.

In early April, we visited the Science Fair with the 5th grade. Partnered up, they had to find 4 experiments and write the hypothesis. They noted the overall presentation of the experiments and picked what they felt was the best presented. Lots of talking about what they saw and if they found good examples ensued for days. Having a model to work with helped them to think about what they would do with their PongSat.

We did some rough planning and visited Mr. Blount's classroom to see the modules used for the past decade of near space work. The kids wrote up a summary of all the facts they gathered.  Then the focus became what would they do. Knowing the variables of the electromagnetic spectrum, frigid temperatures, and very low air pressure, each brainstormed items. The list varied from pickles, to cotton balls, gravel to yeast and bread. Only two students had slightly close ideas-- marshmallows, but what each predicted was completely different.
Launch Day was April 19. After returning the pongs to each student, they compared the near space exposed pong contents to their Control. Good analysis

Elias and Traye proudly showing the final copy of their experiment writing with
all revisions attached.

 and conclusions were written, as well as, a few sentences about what surprised them.
Several revisions were written for the whole procedure.

The picture on the top of the blog is from the visit to Mr. Blount's room.  Here is the link to Near Space Engineering--nearspaceengineering

4th Grade Presentations at the University of Idaho 22nd Annual Engineering Expo

 A few weeks back, the PongSats went up. Each had a different experiment inside--contents ranged from pickles and Starbursts to cotton and gravel. A formal Scientific Lab Plan was written and rewritten so that each experiment could be repeated if needed another time. The kids learned the importance of formatting for another type of writing too.
Making a Hypothesis is only one step of the science process. They analyzed data, and wrote conclusions. Some were surprised by the outcomes of their experiments and some not. All presented to our class in preparation for the Expo. They learned the information about the balloon launch too and were very adept at talking about the conditions that their experiment experienced--those of low air pressure, exposure to radiation, and freezing temperatures.

Besides presenting during the Expo, groups moved around to gather information of 8 designs. The kids talked to the Engineering Students and rated projects.

It was great to have so many parents join us too. Thank you to these parents that were able to make it: Traye' Mom, Caden's Mom, Eilowyn's Dad, Cadence's Mom and Grandma, Elizabeth's Mom, Chesney's Mom, Ayden's Dad. Plus there was the special treat that Ryan's Dad and Curtis's Step Dad were presenting their projects. 

The kids are so used to catching public transit to get to a field trip. There are still pictures to put up from the Archaeology and Anthropology trips.  This class has done a great job of working together and staying focused while in the field. 

It has been a wonderful year taking these kids hither and yon for academic work. Having the University of Idaho as a resource with so many helpful and interesting people there is amazing. A huge thank you to professors
and staff!

Exploring NASA, and measuring the solar panels of the ISS

A morning of Literature Circles and then Mr. Blount visits to talk about PongSat Launch

Congratulations Pleiades Club Annual Poetry Contest Winners-- Hayden and Eilowny

 Sunday, April 26, 2015 at the 1912 Center, Hayden and Eilowny will have their original poetry read out loud during the annual celebration by the Pleiades Club to acknowledge the creativity of students from around the area. 

Event starts at 3 p.m. Way to go!!! Join us in you can!

To see home history of Idaho's Oldest Women's Organization, check out this link--Pleiades Article from way back in the day!! By Vera White

Spring has been up in the Air!! Pictures in next post...

The 4th grade got to do their first real experiment when they sent up their PongSats in the weather balloon with the NearSpace Engineering students from Moscow High School.

Each did an experiment ( a control and one in the ping pong ball) and wrote up the parts of an experiment in a formal format. They wrote about the materials, procedure, hypothesis, analysis, conclusion.They did a sketch with a side and top view of an opened PongSat before the launch. We are in the final editing of their work as they are learning that the writing process is part of all academic areas.

It was soooooooooooooooooooooooooo exciting-- can't say that enough!!

More pictures will be uploaded soon.On

On Tuesday when Mr. Blount came to talk to the class about the launch and brought in the module that held the PongSats and gave some basic facts about the launch.
The balloon made it to over 78,000 feet, the temps were -60 F, and experienced the full spectrum of the electromagnetic field.

 For more on NearSpace Engineering-- go to:   http://www.nearspaceengineering.org/


And, this is super exciting news. The kids will get to present their findings at the 22nd University of Idaho Engineering Expo on Friday, May 1.

Demonstrating Poetry Poise and Decimal Dancing

Working in small groups creating decimal problem for each other.

Elizabeth and Caden worked together to create a poem about marimbas. The kids love music class with
Ms. Donohoe. These two entered their poem was in the annual Poetry Competition from the Pleiades Society.

 The talked in "mathease"-- cubes, longs, and flats to represent ones, tens, and one hundred or one whole. There is lots of equivalents practice right now between fractions and decimals and just now starting to add percents.

Keeahna's  cat is as much of a character as she is!!!! She wrote a funny poem about him.

Isaac loves soccer and that is what is so proudly speaking about with his poem. He is even showing
that he put the writing into the shape of a soccer ball. And, he kept rewriting the poem
to get it right--love that effort!

Double checking and explaining--they listen and treat each other
with such respect.

We walked with our eyes closed on morning as the
activity during Morning Meeting. Each student was led by another to
experience the sensations of the morning sun, wind, grass, bird calls, cars, laughter. Chesney was inspired by these sights and sounds and related them in a very lovely way in her poem. The kids
that entered their poetry in the competition did a fine job reading their works to their classmates practicing
presentation skills.

So sorry this picture of Cadence is blurry! She wrote a terrific poem and too, put her ideas into the shape
that gave it a lyrical twist.

More discussion around decimals...adding, subtracting, reinforcing...

Eilowny reflected that her poem idea was inspired by Chesney's.
It was so great how proud the poets were of their thoughts!