Second & Third- Thursday, September 26

Today we-
 -explored the LUNAR PHASES
 -learned that WAXING refers to the appearance getting bigger and light on the right
 -learned the WANING refers to the appearance getting smaller and light on the left
 -looked at the 4 week CYCLE

First & Second- Thursday, September 26

Today we:
 -learned that METEOROLOGIST FORECASTS the weather
 -made observations about today's weather
 -discussed the use of a THERMOMETER
 -learned the TEMPERATURE can be measured in DEGREES FAHRENHEIT
 -created a model of a thermometer

Kindergarten, Thursday, September 26

Today we compared the size and shape of leaves.  Played a memory game (which we are getting much better at) with leaves.  We also sorted leaves based on size, shape and texture. We observed the details of leaves by creating a crayon rubbing of them.  Finally, we communicated what we have learned orally and through drawings.

Second & Third, Monday, September 23, 2013

Our investigation of the Sun turned toward the Moon today.  We applied our knowledge of earth's tilt, rotation around the Sun, light sources and shadows.  

Today we:

-created a model of a SOLAR ECLIPSE with a baseball, flash light and the wall

-created a model of a LUNAR ECLIPSE with a baseball, flash light and a bouncy ball

-watch two short virtual models of eclipses

-made a paper model of the eclipses and demonstrated the position of Earth, Moon, and Sun during the two different eclipses

First & Second, Monday, September 23, 2013

Our investigation of AIR continues!

Today we:
-reviewed the key concepts that we have learned about air
-learned that the sides of a balloon put PRESSURE on the COMPRESSED air inside
-explored the direction a balloon rocket would travel when there is an opening and the pressure forces the air out of the balloon
-remembered that AIR is MATTER, has WEIGHT and TAKES UP SPACE

Kindergarten, Monday September 23, 2013

Our investigation of trees continues. Today we looked at the SHAPE of felt leaves (modeled after leaves not found in our area) and COMPARED them to familiar shapes such as a line (not technically a shape), heart, circle, oval, ect.

We then compared the shape of leaves found in our area to familiar shapes.  We talked about how they were SIMILAR and DIFFERENT.

Finally, we selected a leaf to glue to our paper and traced the common shape it resembled.

We discussed that trees are LIVING and produce leaves of one kind.  Each tree produces one kind/shape of leaf.

Second & Third Thursday, September 19, 2013

Today, we applied our knowledge of sunlight and shadows to our fun "lights-out" activity.

We turned off the light and turned on our flashlights.  We wanted to find out how distance and position of the the LIGHT SOURCE effected a shadow.

The kids taped paper to the wall, positioned a figurine in front of the paper and determined where they would place their light source.  Next, they measured the distance from the object to the light source.  Then, they traced their object's shadow onto the paper taped to the wall.  Finally, they repositioned their light source in a new location and repeated the process.

We had a great time!

First & Second- Thursday, September 19, 2013

Today we learned more about AIR.  We made a parachute from a napkin, thread, tape and a paperclip. We noticed:

-A paperclip attached to a napkin falls slower toward the ground than a paperclip not attached.

-As a parachute is pulled down by GRAVITY, AIR RESISTANCE pushed up on the parachute.
-Air resistance slows down the parachute.

Kinder- Thursday, September 19, 2013

Today we went on a leaf walk.  We looked for leaves from trees, collected them, and compared their shapes.  After our leaf walk around the building, we came inside and drew a picture of our leaves.  We discussed the difference between CONIFER and BROADLEAF.

If you have time, take your kiddo for a walk through Balboa Park with the intention of looking at the different leaves.  You can even collet them and bring them to class on Monday.

Second & Third Monday, September 16, 2013

Today we explored SHADOWS.  Our exploration revealed:
-shadows face away from a LIGHT SOURCE
-a shadow is caused by an object blocking a light source
-the sun rises in the east and sets in the west

Today we traced our shadows and made predictions about how it would change as the sun appears to move across the sky.

We also made a model of the Earth with it's AXIS tilted at 23.5 degrees.  We discussed how this TILT influences the seasons in the NORTHERN and SOUTHERN HEMISPHERES.

(Pictures posted on Facebook page)

First & Second Monday, September 16, 2014

This group is really tapping into their inner scientist.  Today we reviewed that Air is MATTER. we created hand motions to remember the 3 forms of matter: SOLID, LIQUID and GAS. 

We know that Air is a form of GAS. 

We used vials, water and foam balls to learn more about air.  We learned that when you push the vial straight down into the water, air is trapped inside.  We also noticed that the ball floats because it contains air.  

The major point we learned from our exploration is that AIR TAKES UP SPACE!

(photos posted on Facebook)

Kinder Monday, September 16, 2013

Today we created a booklet to show the parts of a tree: ROOTS, TRUNK, BRANCHES, LEAVES.

We also played a matching game to practice COMPARING trees and noticing the SIMILARITIES and DIFFERENCE.

(photo posted on Facebook page)

Thursday- Second & Third

Today we began a unit on the solar system.  We are focusing our attention on the center of our solar system, the Sun, and how it relates to Earth.  We had a great discussion and demonstration from some kiddos on the Sun's and Earth's position and how the Sun APPEARS to move.

We learned that a COMPASS can help us describe the position of the Sun in the sky and that the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.  We looked at a compass to help us identify the 4 CARDINAL DIRECTIONS. We practiced a chant and hand motions to help us remember the new terms we learned today.

 "A compass is tool that tells us the 4 cardinal directions.  The 4 cardinal directions are north, east, south, and west."

Finally, we made our very own compass and took it outside to test it.  To make it work, place it in direct sunlight with the pin sticking up vertically.  Turn the paper circle until the shadow of the pin falls on the correct time.  We went out at 10:00 am so we made the shadow point to 10:00. North will be halfway between the shadow and the number 12 on your paper clock. The compass is most accurate March 21 and September 23. On these dates, the shadow of the pin approaches due North as noon nears.

For further study and exploration, look up a video on how to use a watch to find the cardinal directions. It is a similar but slightly different method (helping you identify the southern direction) and easy to do.

Thursday- First & Second

Today we began a unit on air.  We used the materials in bags like this one to explore how they interact with air.  This helped us to make observations about air like:

-Air takes up space.

-Air can make an object expand.

-Air can make objects move.

-Air pushes up on an object like a feather as it floats to the ground.

We also learned that air is a for of MATTER.  We will be developing this concept further throughout our study.  

Last, we recorded what we learned through pictures and words.

Thursday- Kinder Science

Our class is beginning a unit all about Trees.  Today we started by drawing what we thought a tree looked like.  We then took our learning outdoors and explored the trees nearby.  We identified the roots, trunk, branches, twigs, leaves and even some ants crawling around.  

We learned a new word- OBSERVE: to look carefully. We noticed that not all trees look alike.  We labeled the parts of a tree and used our bodies to express each of the parts.  

We also began to look at how conifer trees are different from broadleaf trees.  We need to talk a little more about this before they will recognize the terms.

Also, as you are out and about, encourage your child to observe the plants.  Some questions to ask:

 -Is it a tree? Does it have a trunk?

-Describe the leaves.

-What shape are they?

Encourage your kiddo to bring some leaves to school.  We will be pressing them in the phone book. 

We are in need of a phone book.  Please send it in if you have one.

First Day Fun

In science today:

-We learned each other's names

-We read and discussed What is Science?

-We read and discussed Meet Einstein.

-We explored a variety of tools that are used in science: microscope, balance, pipet, eyedropper, tape measure, graduated cylinder, magnifying glass, copper wire, matches, thermometer and a few more i can't remember.

-We guessed what each is used for

-We discussed how math and science are related. 

-We used DEDUCTIVE REASONING to make a PREDICTION about what hidden item was in the PlayDoh ball.  Kiddos used a toothpick to poke the ball of PlayDoh and make predictions about the item lodged inside the ball.  

We also set expectations:

-Science is fun. 

-Science is not always filled with rockets and explosions.

-Sometimes science is a slow process that might feel "boring" but really just takes time.

-Science makes us think and ask questions.

-Science can feel hard when we are trying to make a good hypothesis or understand an outcome.

  

Thursday: 

Kinders- explore trees

1&2- explore air

2&3- Cardinal directions, compass, sun

Need:

If you have an old phone book, we could use one for the kinder class.

Topics to be covered in each class...

Kinder Science Schedule

First and Second Schedule

Second and Third Schedule