Science News

Last Friday, Mike Mason visited our classroom to demonstrate more science experiments.  After a brief discussion of attributes of "living things", we created two different kinds of "goo" or "slime" that are not alive, but demonstrate some of the characteristics of being alive.  It was messy and FUN! 

The first experiment was making slime - sometimes called GAK.  There wasn't exact measuring that day, but here is a recipe I found to get you started.

Mix 1 teaspoon borax with 1 cup water.
In a separate container, mix 1/2 cup white Elmer's glue with 1/2 cup water. 
Add food color to the glue mixture, if desired.

Combine the two mixtures to polymerize.  You can use a Popsicle stick to blend.  Eventually you will need to mix with your hands.  There will be some remaining water left in your container, but that's OK. 

You can roll it into a ball and watch it bounce!  Or work it with your hands like putty. 

*Do not eat.  It is not toxic, but also not too healthy.

Store in a sealed zipper bag.

Is it a liquid, or is it a solid???  Our next experiment was to create something commonly known as "Oobleck".  You mix about 1/2 cup water with 1 cup cornstarch.  (Of course you can make adjustments to these measurements as needed.)  Stir slowly.  This suspension is sometimes called a "Non-Newtonian" liquid.  It is not like other liquids.  Play with it!  If you try to poke your finger into it fast, it won't go through.  If you poke your finger in it slowly, your finger will go right through!  Hold it in your hand!  Squeeze it until it feels like a solid in your fist. Then slowly release your fist and feel the liquid ooze out between your fingers.  



Thank you, once again, Mr. Mason and your helper, Andrew, for showing us the exciting world of science!

May News

The kids are counting down the days until summer, but there's still so much more learning to do!  May brings us a very busy month.  We are finishing up our Rain Forest unit with presentations of our nonfiction animal books created through our research. The students worked hard writing and illustrating their books, and are quite proud to display their work on the bulletin board in the hall.  Some students were even inspired to work together to create a large Rain Forest mural!   

Our next area of focus is Maine Native Americans.  We will learn about different parts of Native American life from story telling, to crafts, to other traditions of the tribes in Maine.  Through a read aloud chapter book, "Crossing the Starlight Bridge", we will learn just how similar Maine Native American families are to our families.  This unit of study will send us on a field trip to the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor on May 23, where we will extend our learning of Maine Native Americans.  We have so many parents who have volunteered to chaperone that day!  Thank you to all those who can join us!


In math, we are revisiting addition and subtraction, but this time we are using 3 digit numbers.  All the same rules apply for regrouping (see earlier blogs).  Check out your child's homework and corrected work sent home to get ideas for examples you can use to help your child practice at home.  


Dates to Remember:


Friday, May 11:  Last session of NWEA testing (morning);  Mr. Mike Mason will visit us for more fascinating science experiments (afternoon)


Wednesday, May 23:  Field Trip to Abbe Museum


Friday, May 25:  No School, Inservice Day


Monday, May 28:  No School, Memorial Day