December classes

In December we have explored the HUMAN BODY.  We learned about 4 major organs: BRAIN, HEART, LUNGS, STOMACH.  We read books, researched information, and watched a few short videos. We also learned about BONES and MUSCLES.  We had some interesting, student led discussions about health and the implications of choices we make.

Kinders created a life size poster of themselves and attempted to label internal and external parts.

First-third grades drew and labeled a cross section of skin, our largest organ.

The second/third grade class explored the anatomy of the heart and the circulatory system.

Thursday, November 14-21, 2013

We started a new and exciting unit on the human body.  The all three classes are participating in this unit but is is scaled appropriately- kinders are not asked to do what 3rd graders are.

We started the unit by discussing INTERNAL and EXTERNAL.  We explored books about the human body and will continue to do so each time we meet to connect literacy with science.  We created a portfolio that they will place all of their activities and handouts in. 1st - 3rd grade labeled the cover of their portfolio with EXTERNAL body parts.

In class the kiddos went on a scavenger hunt for facts about SKIN.  We paired the facts with hand/body motions to help us remember what we learned.  I also had props to demonstrate the facts.

1st-3rd created a drawing of a cross-section of skin including HAIR, NERVES, LAYERS, SEBACEOUS GLANDS, and SWEAT GLANDS.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Kindergarten

Today we read a couple non-fiction texts about spiders.  Then we brainstormed facts about spiders.  Finally we practiced copying single words onto a page.  Each word represented one fact about spiders. Kiddos then were challenged to dictate a sentence about spiders then copy it from the board.

First & Second
Today we recorded our weather forecasts and created a class video.

Second & Third
We finished learning about the solar system and moved on to the elements of the scientific method and put it into practice as we designed and performed an experiment about surface temperature.

Still Catching Up...

Monday, November 4, 2013- First & Second Grade

Today we brainstormed word related to weather that we learned over the last two months.  Then, we worked on developing a weather forecast that will be filmed.

Monday, November 4, 2013- Second & Third Grade

Today we calculated the distance we could jump on different planets in our solar system.  We also compared and contrasted our weight and the distance we could jump on each planet.

Monday, November 4, 2013- Kindergarten

Today we sang a song about spiders, watched a short informational video about spiders and created a spider from construction paper.

Catching Up...

Thursday, October 31, 2013- Second & Third Grade

Our class practiced jumping 5 times.  We measured the distance of each jump in centimeters and recorded the data.  Next, we found the AVERAGE of our 5 jumps.  On Monday, we will calculate the distance of our jump on different planets in our solar system.

Thursday, October 31, 2013- Kindergarten

Today we learned about SPIDERS.  We made a LIST of things spiders CAN, HAVE and ARE.  WE started a booklet that we will continue to work on on Monday.

Thursday, October 31, 2013- First & Second Grade

Today we learned about another SCIENTIFIC TOOL called a WIND SOCK.  We  made our very own wind sock and tested it outside.

Second & Third- Monday, October 21 & Thursday, October 24

This week we created constellations using rocks and chalk.  We used rocks to represent the stars and chalk to represent the connections between the stars.  We also created and named our very own constellations

We also talked about how MATH and SCIENCE can not be separated.  We used math to calculate our weight on different planets.  We INFERRED the MASS of the planet based on our weight.  

First & Second- Monday, October 21 & Thursday, October 24

This week we continued our exploration of AIR and SCIENTIFIC TOOLS.  We learned the a WIND VANE tells the 4 CARDINAL DIRECTIONS, NORTH, EAST, SOUTH AND WEST.  We made wind vanes and tested them outside.  

We also made kites this week.  We learned that a kite will only fly if air is moving quickly past the kite.  Thursday was slightly breezy but not an ideal day for flying kites.  We made wind by running with our kites.

Kindergarten- Monday, October 21 and Thursday, October 24

I've got a double post for you today!

This week we continued our investigation about bats.  We learned a cute chant to the tune of "Freire Jacques" and made a stick puppet to go with the chant.  We made a graph on the wall to show how many kids liked/did not like bats. We also read a non-fiction piece about bats, created factual sentences and drew a matching picture.

Check out our pictures on Facebook!

Second & Third- Thursday, October 17, 2013

Today we watched a video called “All about Stars.”  We learned about the HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE, looked at different GALAXIES, and learned about the size and heat of stars.  We found out that the MILKY WAY is a SPIRAL GALAXY and that our nearest star, the SUN, is an average size star.

We finished our activity on constellations.  We made constellation viewers.

First & Second - Thursday, October 17, 2013

Today we explored wind with PINWHEELS.  The pinwheels remind us of the anemometer that we learned about on Monday.  They can help us describe wind speed.

See pictures posted on our Dehesa FB page.  Not a member? Contact Elisa Hilliard to be added.

Kindergarten- Thursday, October 17, 2013

Today we talked about what we know about BATS. Then we read non-fiction book called BATS.  After, we made a mini book about bats based on what we knew/learned.

Second & Third- Monday, October 14, 2013

Today we began exploring matter beyond our SOLAR SYSTEM.  We discussed STARS and CONSTELLATIONS.  We watched a short video on the constellations that are visible during OCT-DEC in the northern hemisphere.  We started an activity that we will continue on Thursday.

First & Second- Monday, October 14, 2013

Today we learned about air by exploring BUBBLES.  We saw that WIND can move bubbles. We learned that a METEOROLOGIST uses a weather tool called an ANEMOMETER to measure wind speed.  We built an anemometer and tested it outside.  The anemometer helped us understand that the wind was CALM.