News from the Upper Hall @ CBA OAKS
Tapping into Grades Second - Fifth February 2017
Mrs. Strohecker's and Mrs. Bogle's Second Grades:
Love is in the air! We love science experiments and we are going to be investigating matter and its properties, changing matter, and learning all about the scientific method.
We will be learning about data, graphing and how to analyze data. We will even learn how to track data and make our own charts and graphs.
We are stretching our minds and reading more challenging texts and digging into that critical thinking.
We practice more lettering writing and learn how to send emails, as well as continue developing our grammar skills and use of reference materials. Mrs. Strohecker's favorite-the best dinosaur that ever lived-the THESAURUS!
We also started electives on Wednesdays. They are coding, Lego robotics, and digital photography
Third Grade Tribune: Simple Machines
Simple machines make work easier. This statement is the main focus of 3rd grade’s STEM investigation. We have discovered over the past week the six basic types of machines. The 3rd graders found the use of these machines alter the magnitude or direction of force.
Kicking off our STEM unit we explored the Lancaster Science Factory, watched related videos, and researched each simple machine. We also had some fun by making simple machines using different types of candy. Later this week we will be treated to a presentation by a real life engineer.
Over the next several weeks we will examine each of the six machines. Working in groups to design a subsystem to move an object from one point to another point. The 3rd grade class certainly will have their “work” cut out for them with the Simple Machine Unit.
Fabulous Fourth Grade Engineers
This month 4th Graders worked through the Engineering Design Process to become Packaging Engineers! In this STEM challenge, students had to apply what they learned in Science about the needs of plants, and design a package that would meet the needs of a plant in order for it to stay and remain healthy. Those needs include: allowing the plant to get air, water, sunlight and nutrients all while inside of their package! In order to successfully complete this challenge, 4th graders examined various packages and identified the seven functions of a package. They then determined what functions they must include when engineering their package, as well as the properties of each material available for them to use while engineering. This helped students complete the ask, imagine, plan, and create stages of the Engineering Design Process. Once each student had completed the create stage, their packages were put to the test! Plants were left in their package for 5 days and on the fifth day a shake test was performed on the package. We then took the plants out of their packages, evaluated their health and redesigned a second package in order to make improvements. All of the students enjoyed this hands on STEM challenge and were able to design a package in which their plant remained healthy over a period of time!
Fifth Grade is Fantastic!
Welcome to Mrs. Vail's incredible voyage with fifth grade!
Fifth grade has had a busy January working on point of view. Using the book George vs. George: A look at the America Revolution from both sides, the students examined the information, made lots of comparisons and then took sides in a debate arguing the question: Did the colonists have the right to protest the taxes? It was a respectful and healthy debate with the students bringing up some very good points about tea, taxes, and protest.
Another highlight of January was the completion of the story Red Kayak in which a young boy searching for and finds a young child who has fallen out into the cold waters of a river. In order to keep him alive until he can guide the boat back to the dock, the main character must perform CPR. The students got the chance to learn CPR and practice on rescue dummies. They then created a flyer to teach others what they have learned.
Next month we will be debating the issues the founders of our country were faced with and creating Earthquake resistance building and testing them on a shake table!