{Construction Junction}

Bridges and skyscrapers-- such marvelous engineering designs! 

And they just happened to be the topic of Unit 6. 

Kindergarten and first grade learned all about bridges and constructed their own out of cubes and craft sticks or Legos. Their bridges had to cross the river without touching it. They then recorded their designs in their STEM Journals. 

The next week they learned about skyscrapers and constructed their own out of Legos, plastic cups, or straws and connectors. Some of their skyscrapers were even taller than Mrs. Hilley! 

They sketched their skyscraper designs in their STEM Journals too.

And or course, we had to read Iggy Peck Architect. 

Click on the image to hear Mrs. HIlley read the book!

 As always, there are more pictures on the Kindergarten and First Grade Page!

Second and third grades also built bridges and skyscrapers, but they used toothpicks and playdough, index cards, or Keva Planks. They documented their work through the Engineering Design Process in their STEM Journals.

 

 These guys built the tallest Keva Plank skyscraper in the whole school! It totaled 75.5 inches!!!

The Second and Third Grade Pages have more pictures!

Fourth and fifth grades built their bridges and skyscrapers out of spaghetti noodles and playdough, white paper and masking tape, straws and masking tape, and Keva Planks. 

The fourth and fifth grade record holders at 62 in., 65.5 in., and 71.5 in.:

They were challenged to build a skyscraper taller than Mrs. Hilley out of white paper and masking tape. Only two were successful, but unfortunately one didn't make it to have it's picture made. 

Check out the Fourth and Fifth Grade Pages for more pictures!

{Blown Away}

Unit 4 was all about Weather and the processes and methods of scientists. 

We began by meeting our Scientist of the Month for September, Galileo Galilei. He made many important discoveries and taught us how to use the Scientific Method to make our own discoveries. 

We also learned from Ada Twist that scientists as lots of questions about the world around them conduct experiments to find the answers to their questions.

Click the book to hear Mrs. Hilley reading Ada Twist, Scientist!

Kindergarten and First grade spent week two learning about clouds! We read about clouds, watched about clouds, observed clouds, and made our very own rain clouds!

In week three, kindergarten and first grade tried their hand at programming and coded the BeeBots to work their way through different types of weather. First graders used their STEM journals to record their BeeBot codes.  

Visit the Kindergarten and First Grade pages to see more pictures and VIDEOS!

Second and third grade learned about hurricanes in week two and tornadoes in week three. They built houses using index cards and tape that had to withstand hurricane winds. They were limited to 15 index cards and 18 inches of tape. Each group represented Category 1 to Category 5 hurricanes by standing away from their house and moving closer with each category. They recorded their designs in their STEM journals.

Week three found our second and third graders making a Tornado in a Jar. They recorded the procedure in their STEM journals and followed the steps as a group. The results were pretty awesome!

Visit the Second and Third Grade pages to see more pictures and VIDEOS!

The third, fourth, and fifth graders explored how air reacts to hot and cold temperatures. A group of third graders used Google Drawings to document their understanding. 

Fourth and fifth grades read about weather robots and learned how to use Google Drawings to Design their own.

 Week three brought the fourth and fifth graders Weather Rotations. They chose to learn about and work through activities involving tsunamis, tornadoes, and hurricanes. For tsunamis, they created flood resistant shelters. They shopped for their materials and had to stay within a budget of $40. For tornadoes, they also got to make Tornadoes in a Jar. They explored with our Ozobots for hurricanes and made a path to demonstrate the stages of a hurricane.

Visit the Fourth and Fifth Grade pages to see more pictures.

It was truly a Wild Weather Unit!!