Practicing the Scientific Method with Gobstoppers

Last week we continued doing science experiments.  One of the experiments we did was put four gobstoppers in water and then we observed what happens to them.  Many of the students were surprised that the colors did not mix in the water.  Here are some pictures of the class working on this experiments.

Homework for Week of September 28 - October 2

*Students should be going on xtramath.org at least two afternoons during the week and one day over the weekend.

Old York - permission slips due October 8th

Monday (Day 1):

Read for 15 minutes
Math - rounding and addition review sheet 

Tuesday (Day 2):
Read for 15 minutes
Math - sheet 1-8
Spelling -Sort words and record groups on sheet of lined paper

Wednesday (Day 3):
Read for 15 minutes

Math - sheet 1-9
Spelling - Speed Sort (record two times in your assignment books)

Thursday (Day 4):
Read for 15 minutes
Math- Sheet 1-10
Spelling - Blind Sort

Friday (Day 5):

Read for 30 minutes
Go on xtramath.org

Homework for Week of September 21-25

*Students should be going on xtramath.org at least two afternoons during the week and one day over the weekend.

Monday (Day 2):

Read for 15 minutes
Math - sheet 1-4
Spelling - Cut word cards and sort them (you don't need to write them down)

Tuesday (Day 3):
Read for 15 minutes
Math - sheet 1-6
Spelling -Sort words and record groups on sheet of lined paper

Wednesday (Day 4):
Read for 15 minutes

Math - sheet 1-7
Spelling - Speed Sort (record two times in your assignment books)

Thursday (Day 5):
Read for 15 minutes
Math- review sheet
Spelling - Blind Sort

Friday (Day 6):

Read for 30 minutes
Go on xtramath.org

Learning the Scientific Method

We have been working on a mini unit called "What is a Scientist?"  On Thursday and Friday we talked about the scientific method and how it is like a pinball machine where scientists often go back and forth while conducting their experiments.  We conducted a simple experiment to see how many drops of water can fit on a penny.  We were amazed at how many drops could fit on them.  The class practiced creating a data chart  and recording their three trials and then we talked about why it is important to do more than one trial.

Here are a few pictures from the activity:

Homework and Important a Dates for Week on September 14-18

*Students should be going on xtramath.org at least two afternoons during the week and one day over the weekend.

Dot Day is Tuesday, September 15 - wear your dots and celebrate making your mark on the world
Picture Day is Thursday, September 17
Curriculum Night for parents is Thursday, September 17 6:30-7:30

Monday (Day 3):

Read for 15 minutes
Math - sheet 1-1
Spelling - Cut word cards and sort them (you don't need to write them down)

Tuesday (Day 4):
Read for 15 minutes
Math - sheet 1-2
Spelling -Sort words and record groups on sheet of lined paper

Wednesday (Day 5):
Read for 15 minutes

Math - sheet 1-3
Spelling - Speed Sort (record two times in your assignment books)

Thursday (Day 6):
Read for 15 minutes
Math- review sheet of 1-1 to 1-3
Spelling - Blind Sort

Friday (Day 1):

Read for 30 minutes
Go on xtramath.org

Aluminum Foil Boat Challenge

We worked as teams last week to build boats out of a piece of aluminum foil.  The goal was to work with two other students to build a boat which could hold the most paper clips.  The students did a great job talking out their ideas and compromising when making their decisions on the style of their boat.  Many teams tested to see if their boat would float and some needed to make adjustments.

I was very surprised at how many paper clips these little boats could hold.  We had to search other fourth grade classrooms for more paper clips.  The winning boat was able to hold over 500 paper clips.  I was very impressed with the team work shown during this activity.  Here are a couple pictures of the boats:

Homework for Week of September 7-11

*Curriculum Night is Thursday, September 17 from 6:30-7:30.

*Picture Day is Thursday, September 17.

*We are looking for grocery store flyers for a math lessons next week.  If you have any please send in with your child.  

Monday (Day ):
No School

Tuesday (Day 5):
Read for 15 minutes
Math -Sign up for xtramath if you have not done it yet - using the letter sent home last week
Remember sneakers for PE tomorrow

Wednesday (Day 6):

Read for 15 minutes

Math - Multiplication Sheets

Thursday (Day 1):
Read for 15 minutes
Math- 

Friday (Day 2):
Read for 30 min
Go on xtramath at least once