Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

On Monday, April 23rd, the Lower School will be collecting needed supplies to help support the work that the Center does. We have two rescue turtles in our science lab right now that were once so close to death that the volunteers didn't think they would make it. But now they are healthy and happy swimming in their pool, because they cannot be released back into the wild. They are not indigenous to Wisconsin, and most likely wouldn't survive. The Center rescues, rehabilitates and releases over 600 patients a year. So, the Lower School would like to help them out with a one-day fundraiser by collecting things like bags of Purina Cat Chow, rolls of paper towels, gas cards to assist in miles driven for rescues, and gift cards for Sendik's and Pick 'n Save to purchase greens. Please bring donations to the Tower Lobby on the morning of the 23rd. There might be a surprise there for you too. Remember, "Every day is Earth Day!"

4th Grade Science Fair

The excitement is building on the 4th grade floor as we get closer to the science fair date. Remember, it is Monday, April 30, 2012, in Mellowes Hall. Please come and view all the excellent work done by these great scientists. Talk with them and ask them questions about their projects. Their are so many interesting topics to hear about. The 4th graders will be with their display boards from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. We are also asking parents and friends to fill out a "Kudos" card for each project visited. This will give the students some feedback about their poster presentation.

"Go for Launch"

Did you notice how quiet it is on the third grade floor? That is because all the 3rd graders have earned their "Astronaut" badge and are now on a space mission to Mars. The 3rd graders have been NASA design engineers, rocket assemblers, gone through Mission training, spent 2 days in Mission Control to launch their rockets, and now are doing some scientific investigations while they are on their long journey to the "Red Planet". The astronauts are trying to figure out why we have seasons back here on Earth, what the different pahses of the moon are, and then they will be ready to land on the hostile Martian surface. Before they put their spacecraft down, they need to find a safe spot to land, one free from Martian impact craters. They will explore how these craters formed by doing an investigation called "Modeling Martian Craters". On their way back to Earth, they will take a look at how reduced gravity might have affected their bones after such a long time in space. Keep tuned to our "NASA" blog to find out how are astronauts do on their 2012 mission. "Good Luck, Astronauts!"

Rock Hounds

The second graders have become rock hounds and detectives. They are busy investigating what a rock is, and what the three main groups of rocks are. By learning about the rock cycle, the students can now tell you how each of the groups of rocks are formed, and what are the characteristics of these rocks that set them apart from each other. They found out that some igneous or "fire-made" rocks are shiny or glassy, or maybe they are sparkly, and even some can be very lightweight. The students learned that sedimentary rocks are made from sediments compacted together and that they might even contain a fossil or two. They even learned that rocks can be changed into metamorphic rocks by heat and pressure, and these rocks are very hard. Take a look in the science notebooks at their great diagram of the rock cycle and ask them a few questions about how rocks are made.

The second graders head off to the Schlitz Audubon for more extensive work on rocks and soil. After they return, the students will be back in the lab to learn about fossils, make some mold and cast fossils, and learn about "petrifaction". Do you know what that is? Check back in a few weeks to find out.

Where did March go?

It is hard to believe we are already in the middle of April. March flew by, especially with a visit from Ms. Jean Lord of Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. She brought several different species of owls with her to meet the 4th graders. She even had a live, Great Horned owl named Espree. The children learned about all the work the center does to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured animals back into the wild. Some of the animals, like Espree, who is blind in one eye, cannot go back into the wild, so they become ambassadors for the center and help spread the word to respect and care about all living things. The Environmental Action Team (E.A.T.) and the 4th graders are having a fundraiser for Pine View to collect some need supplies to help the folks there care for over 600 patients a year. Check your Friday folder for a complete list of the supplie needed.

The 4th grade is now busy prepping for the Science Fair which will take place on April 30, 2012, in Mellowes Hall. Parents and other guests may visit and talk with the children about their research between 9:00 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. I hope everyone gets a chance to come and see the fantastic projects done by the 4th grade students.

The 3rd graders have just completed "Mission Training" and have earned their 2012 Astronaut badge. They can now launch their spacecraft and take off for their mission to explore the surface of Mars. While out in space, they will also investigate why we have 4 seasons, the phases of Earth's moon, how bones are affected by being in space, and a close-up look at Martian craters. The 3rd grade Astronauts are going to be very busy for the next few weeks.

The 2nd graders are busy observing the growth and changes in their tadpoles. They are also beginning their unit on Rocks and Minerals, and are busily preparing for their trip to the Schlitz Audubon for an in-depth lesson on soil and minerals.

The 1st graders are studying the rainforests of Brazil and we will coordinate a water cycle lab for them in science. Later in May they will be studying the Earthworm and designing several tests to see how the worm behaves in different conditions, like light and dark, or wet and dry.