Monday, December 8, 2014

First Graders Are Rockin' It!

We just started our rock unit and the first graders are rockin' it! They are learning how to observe properties in order to sort their rocks! They also learned that rocks can be used for a lot of different things, but the best kind of rock is one that you pick out...so the first graders dug for rocks and got to take one home!
We sorted rocks by color, shape, size, and texture.

We learned about sedimentary rocks and got to dig for a rock to take home...only feeling the texture for one to grab!



Push and Pull in Kindergarten...Building Vehicles

Our kinders have been learning about force and motion. This week, the students created vehicles to push or pull a Beanie Baby in. The students engineered the vehicles then created a slope for the vehicles to be pushed or pulled up or down. Check out some of their creations...

A force is a push and pull that gets motion going!
Beanie Babies going for a ride!

Engineering cars lets our kinders test, build, and observe!

Predictable Kinders...

Our kinders are working on setting up experiments to test their predictions...so here is there little ditty...to the song High Ho The Dairy-O. A prediction is a guess, a prediction is a guess...high ho the dairy-o A prediction is a guess.

They LOVED it. We predicted where our car would land on a yardstick. Our partner marked the spot and we tried to "push" the car to the spot. Then we predicted if a big hill would make our car go faster. We marked our graph with a sticky tab, then I demonstrated big hills and small hills. We saw the outcome. Then...the kinder kiddos got to set up the same experiment. The finished with a race between the partners...predict who will go farther...Science is FUN!

Predicting where it will end...

Predicting on a slope...

Predicting and experimenting with kindergartners...

We love Science! 



What Can We Do This Week?

I can statements for the week of December 8th-12th.

Kindergarten= I can make an object change directions using push and pull.

1st grade= I can show that rocks are different sizes by setting up an experiment to prove it.

2nd grade= I can build with solids to create the tallest tower. I can use solid words to describe what I built.

3rd grade= I can show that surface tension pulls water together with an invisible skin and that water forms a dome.

4th grade= I can show that the shape and structure of different bones mathc their purpose by comparing bone names to puzzle pieces. I can construct a skeleton.

5th grade= I can separate salt and sugar by evaporation. I can compare salt and sugar crystals by looking at a chart and comparing what I see.

For the last week right before break...we CAN engineer holiday science stations to connect science to the season!


Science Is Instagramming!

Now that you know how to get to the blog...

Now that you can find your unit vocabulary on the right side bar...

Now that you can get some great links to study...

You can also take a quick look at our instagram pictures in science! You can either follow me on instagram at..http://instagram.com/sciencewithmrsheinrich/  or you can click on the link on the left side bar to follow what we are doing as scientists!

Science is AWESOME! Now you get to see it, too!


Thursday, November 20, 2014

Water Anyone?

3rd graders are just starting their weather unit. So, let's take a look at the water cycle and what we can learn about water from these games...

Travel Through the Water Cycle

The Water Cycle Game

Discovering the Water Cycle

The Water Cycle...games, quizes, videos and more


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The Human Body Beginnings

Fourth graders...you are learning about the human body. Here are some games you can play to help you add to your growing knowledge as a pre-med student. As you prepare to learn the body systems, you will be performing minor surgery as you learn the organs of the body, learning about the digestive system, respiratory system, skeletal system, and muscular system (and more...)

So let's get started... Check out these sites...
Parts of the Body Learning Games


Anatomy Arcade Games

Digestion, Nutrition, and Skeletal Games

Human Body Games


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Let's Learn About Series and Parallel Circuits

Today, let's learn about circuits. Check out this link...

Series and Parallel Circuit Discovery

Learning can light up your life!

Mrs. Heinrich

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Time For a Variable Quiz

Fifth graders...it is almost time for the final Variable test. Here is a link to quiz yourself, review, and study from!

Variable Quizlet Practice link

Flipping out for science! 

Birds Of A Feather

Our first graders are learning about animals. Last week, we focused on birds. Students went from station to station using different types of beaks to see how bird beaks are used in different ways. The word adaptation is a key vocabulary word as we learn about animal survival. Adaptation means how an organisms body and behavior changes to survive. Take a look at our birds as they try to gather food...

A woodpecker pecks for bugs...

A robin digs for insects and worms...

A flamingo scoops the surface with their bill!

Apple Voting Day!

Students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary last week voted for their favorite kind of apple...store bought red delicious or farm fresh from Helene's Apple Orchard and the winner is....
Voting day!
Apple one...or apple two????

The winner is fresh picked! 81 for store bought and 161 for fresh picked! Way to exercise your right to vote Jefferson Jaguars!

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Conductors and Insulators

It is that time of the unit, where we are using what we know in game form and quiz form. Here is a great opportunity for 4th graders to study for the formative assessment at the end of November. First... try this fun game to review conductors and insulators by clicking on the link below:

Conductors and Insulators game

Another way to study is to click on the link that will take you to the vocabulary quiz:

electricity quizlet

Give it a try and see if you can conduct some knowledge...
I know your bright!
You are a science star!
Mrs. Heinrich

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Snap Circuits

WKCE makes it a long week for our fourth graders. To help ease the pressure, we decided to use the Snap Circuit kits to build circuits. This summer I was energy certified meaning I took three college courses in energy to be recognized by the state of Wisconsin. I got a grant to purchase some energy kits and so we got to use them. It was fun and educational! Check out the students explaining what they learned about energy and circuits...



The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Kindergartners are working on force and motion. Along with that, we are learning directions. Last week, we went on a bear hunt, determined where the bear was in our room by using direction words like on...next to...near...under. This week, we continued to learn about directions by reading the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Watch the video to see the story in action.

After reading the story, we build bridges as a team of billy goats. As we worked together, we had to be kind, share ideas, and not act like a troll. When they engineered their bridges, they got puppets to retell the story. Check out these amazing bridges...




                 Check out the video...

4th Grade WKCE Boot Camp

Our 4th graders are taking the WKCE tests this week and one section is science. Here is a great practice site to study up on science concepts that our 4th graders have learned and haven't covered yet...

5th Grade STAAR practice...for our WKCE 4th Graders

This is a great site that allows you to read a question, pick an answer...then they give you the answer with the key words highlighted in red! Nice!

Be a science star!

Mrs. Heinrich

This Week In Science...

This week in science, we are starting the new week off on Thursday. That means all of my new lessons fall at the end of the week. Let's see what we can do...

Kinders- I can build a bridge for the three billy goats and explain how the goats go over using motion words.
First graders- I can learn tell the features that make birds... birds and research different bird breeds using a research book.

Vocabulary: vertebrate=an animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone 

Second graders- I can identify the three main types of clouds, know that clouds are made of water, and know that wind moves clouds in the sky.

Three types of clouds vocabulary link: Clouds and definitions link


Third graders- I can use property words and observation skills to detect calcite in rocks. I can identify basalt, limestone, marble, calcite and sandstone. I can observe bubbles when calcite is present.
Fourth graders- I can create a closed circuit using a schematic drawing and snap kits with a team. I can identify the components of my circuit. I can create a schematic drawing of the circuit my team built.

How do we separate rocks vocabulary:
evaporation= to convert into a gaseous state or vapors

What is Evaporation? Link

Fifth graders- I can continue to construct catapult/flipper systems to test the variable of height and length. I can use my observations to work as a team to figure out the perfect distance and height of our variable to scale the walls of our neighboring castles.

What is a variable? Vocabulary:
A Variable Powerpoint to Help Explain...

Be a Science Star!

Mrs. Heinrich


Monday, October 6, 2014

I Wonder Corner In the Library: Inquiry Based Learning With Encore

I Wonder Corner
This year, we have a few new ENCORE or specialists in our building. I love our new librarian, music teacher, EBD teacher, and of course I already loved our PE and art teachers. We make a great team. This year, with our new librarian we are working on incorporating each of our special areas and tying it into the library through inquiry based learning. I took a summer class based on this way of teaching science and due to the fact that we use FOSS I have been trying to twist our questions to fit this model. This week, in the library corner we are focusing on seeds and sunflowers. We just harvested them from our school garden. Take a look at how the art teacher and librarian have helped make this corner wonderful!
Books, pictures, artists, and I wonders...

Monday, September 29, 2014

Science I Can's for the week of September 29th

Look what we are doing in science this week!

K= I can experiment with smell.

1=I can understand taht amphibians are cold blooded animals that hathch from an egg and go through various stages of development. I can compare amphibians to mammals. 

2=I can reflect on what air resistence means by showing evidence. I can prove that air can be compressed and that compressed air can move things. 

3= I can explain the many properties of the mock rock. I can compare what I am doing to what geologists do to help identify real rocks and their properties. I can identify the circumference, diameter, and depth of my mock rock. 

4=I can use a compass and iron filings to detect a magentic field. I can create a compass using common items. 

5=I can test a variable using lifeboats to show the number of passengers a boat can hold and that it is affected by variables such as placement, water movement, and boat size. I can define capacity. 

Monday, September 22, 2014

This Week In Science...9/22

What are our kiddos learning this week in science? They can....

Kinders= I can hear with my ears. 

1st= I can explain that bats are the only mammals that can fly, sleep upside down, hunt at night, live in groups, and are nocturnal.

2nd=I can build a parachute to test air resistance. I can explain how things move and are effected by air. I can define air resistance. 

3rd= I can show how to measure with metrics by measuring the length and width of a rock and the weight of the rock. I can identify the properties of the rock and explain how properties help identify rocks.

4th= I can explain induced magnetism and temporary magnets. I can show that magnetic force works through materials, but gets weaker the farther they move away from the magnet. (magnetic force decreases with distance)

5th= I can explain a controlled experiment and that only one variable is changed at a time, and that the results are compared to the standard. I can explain the dependent variable of our pendulum experiment. (the length of the pendulum determines the amount of swings in a unit of time)

Monday, September 15, 2014

Is A Mammal A Cammal?

Here is a clever song to play that includes our 5 vertebrate. It's pretty catchy...you can sing along!

Peek at Our Week 9/8-9/12

1st=Students will be introduced to the five vertebrate. We will learn what a mammal is and compare us to other mammals. I started my lessons with what would happen if all the baby animals got out of their cages away from their mothers? We described what the mother would look like it it was: a panda bear, a bat, a snake, a turtle, a frog, and a flamingo. We then made a chart to classify them. Hair or fur, shell (which is a type of scale), scales, moist skin, wings, and feathers. Even though bats have wings, they have fur, so we put it with the panda. I read the book, 
Image result for are you my mother

I challenged them to think about how they look like their family members and how we could fit into one of the groups we listed before. We made the connection that we are  mammals which was really hard for some to grasp. We drew our favorite animals and played a riddle game after listing the 5 vertebrate along with other clues. We then hung up the pictures under our categories to start making connections. We finished by playing the Animal Characteristics Game that we will play each week until our unit is done.

2nd= Students will learn about air through bubble experiments and answer the question, "How do we know air is there." We used the FOSS unit and the scientific process to prove that Air is there, Air is matter, Air takes up  space, and Air can be captured. Kids love water. Kids love amazing discoveries. Kids don't always like to write and reflect. We are working on that one.


3rd= Students will demonstrate the use of  the metric system to measure length, weight, and volume.
Students in third grade have not measured too much so far. When I asked them to recall what tool I would use to measure my weight, three out of the four classes replied, "a ruler." I was worried. However, after setting up stations for volume, mass, and length it got a bit better. Here is a freebie for you to use that I made to remind them of tools to use... We used this Measurement Flip Book to help us write down the definitions and tools inside the book.

We then completed stations that I placed on the smartboard. Here are some of the ideas: length and weight of the scissors and marker at your table. The length and weight of the block at your table. Show me the following volumes with your syringe: 17 ml, and 35 ml. We finished up with this free worksheet I found on line at math salamanders


4th= Students will answer the question, "what objects are attracted to magnets" and determine a pattern. Students will be introduced to new vocabulary that coincides with answering the question. We used the FOSS lesson to help us go through the scientific process. We finished up with our vocabulary reflections in our science notebooks: discoveries, observations, and vocabulary.

5th=Students will learn the difference between dependent, independent, and controlled variables through experimentation and demonstration. I started off by asking them what is a variable. No one knew. I then proceeded to have them follow the directions to make a paper airplane. I continued to use the words variable and control in context as kids struggled with the directions. When we were all finished I once again asked what a variable and control is. They got it. I defined the three types. Then I asked the students how can we change the airplane? We had to remember only change one thing and then test it. We practiced on my model airplane and found we could determine a dependent variable, an independent variable, and the controls. I showed them a power point of pictures of pendulums. I asked what they had in common and to define pendulum. I showed them a bird bobber, swing set, perpetual motion balls, a hypnotist's necklace, and a grandfather clock. I told them they were now in clock repair school because time flies when your having fun in science. My clock was going way to fast and I needed help fixing it. We first had to build a control which was this week. We build our controlled pendulum and then tested it. We all got the same results. Wallah, a control. We wrote in our science notebooks once again to wrap up.

Stay tuned for next's weeks...peek at my week!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

College For Kids...Roller Coaster Madness!

Let's build a roller coaster... Remember, momentum, lift , hill, potential energy, and kinetic energy as you start your design!

http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/build-a-coaster
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster/
http://rollercoastergamesonline.com/
http://dep.disney.go.com/sodi_app/

A roller coaster game for fun...
Engineering.com Roller Coaster Game

Let's check out the top 10 roller coasters of 2013. Time to do some research.

 Find the Best Roller Coasters...website

Now, for a quick coaster creation...
Brain Pop Coaster Creator

Check out this Engineering School at Epcot!



Let's Take a ride!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Out Of This World Sites

Here are some great sites for our solar system picture book. Hope these help!

NASA Site
Solar System Site For Kids
Great Pictures of Solar System
Solar System Facts

You are out of this world!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

When I grow up...

What do you want to do when you grow up? Maybe you want to be a geologist or maybe even a doctor? Well, here is a great resource for you to use...

Career facts and research info

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

This Sounds Good

Today, we are learning about echolocation and sound. Use the links to learn more about animals that use echolocation to communicate.

Listen to Whale sounds

Whale facts and more Whale facts

Echolocation Facts

Animals that use Echolocation

Echolocation Game

Hope this sounds fun!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Out of this world stations

Today, fourth graders, you will be working on four different stations.

Station one:         Models represent the natural world. 

Models have benefits or strengths.

Models have weaknesses or limitations ow weaknesses. We will be making a lunar cycle model. How can you make a model to show how the moon changes during the month.

Station two: you will explain the reason for day and night. Include text and a diagram (picture). Use the computer to help you understand.  Make a model or use the internet for your ideas.

Station three:  watch the video, take notes in your notebook. Then take the quiz.

Sun, Moon, and Earth game and quiz

Station four: fact finders. Use the books at your table to learn five facts about the the moon and Earth.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Simple Machines Arcade Words

How do simple machines make our job easier?

What are the six simple machines? What do they look like? Why would you want to use them?

Today, you will be using the website to define, draw, and understand how each simple machines makes our life easier.

When you are done, think about 10 of the  best inventions ever made. Fill out the best invention page. Be ready to discuss next week with it ALL complete!

Simple Machines definitions, pictures, and activity

Another site to help you with Simple Machines

Monday, March 24, 2014

Spaced Out

Can you describe changes in the sun's light and the day's temperature throughout a given time period?

What do you know about the sun's light?

How does the sun's light change throughout the day?

What is the warmest part of the day?

Can you set up an experiment to test these questions?

Check out the website to answer the question of the day:

Identify the Warmest part of the day

Watch the following video to help you answer the questions:
A Day On Earth

Seasons and weather help starts here:
Seasons and Weather


Friday, March 14, 2014

Body Systems Review

4th graders...today is the day that you will be reviewing the body systems that we have been studying. You will read the articles and watch the videos to learn more about each system. Then you will take the short quiz for each system. The more quizzes you finish the more points you will get for your test grade. When you finish a test with a 70% or better, otherwise you take it over, you will have a teacher check off your score. Go to the next reading and quiz and continue.

Here is your link:
http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/

Good luck! This is your last grade of the quarter so do your best work.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Cinerellas Around The World

We just finished reading Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters in I/E. Now, it is time to read another Cinderella version from somewhere else in the world. Here is a link to a ton of great versions for you to read and compare.

Cinderella Stories From Around The World

Aschenputtel

Pick your country out of the hat...find the country...compare the two stories on the Venne Diagram.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Science Is A Rat Race

This week in fifth grade, students were able to build a rat maze for a classmate's rat. We used controls: same size box, same amount of doorways, same start and finish location. We created a design and then build our model. We will see who's maze allowed Poseidon to be more successful. I hope he is hungry. Here are the mazes...




And the winner is...

Our First Roller Coasters

We want to thank Mr. Holcom from Domtar for coming into our Roller Coaster Science class. We learned what an engineer can do and what it takes to be an engineer when we go to college. We had 20 minutes to build a roller coaster out of a piece of poster board and tape. We got a tray to land our passengers on which were marbles and golf balls. 5/6 roller coasters build were safe and successful. Way to go! Take a look at our coasters!






We can't wait until the next class to add to our engineering portfolio! We sure are picking up the concept of momentum, acceleration, potential and kinetic energy in a hands on way!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Roller Coaster Time

Let's build a roller coaster... Remember, momentum, lift hill, potential energy, and kinetic energy.

http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/build-a-coaster
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster/
http://rollercoastergamesonline.com/
http://dep.disney.go.com/sodi_app/

Let's check out the top 10 roller coasters of 2013. Time to do some research.

 Find the Best Roller Coasters...website

Here is a sweet ride on a coaster...don't get sick...

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Snowflake Bentley

Here are some great sites for you to use to learn more about snow and Snowflake Bentley:

http://snowflakebentley.com/

http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm

Explore the wonderful world of snowflakes:)