Year Almost Over

The 2011-2012 school year is almost over. What a great year it has been! By going back through all the blog posts, you can see what an active and exciting year we have had. The first graders are just finishing up their study of the earthworms. Some students started out a little squeamish about handling the worm, but now they are pros, and pick up their worm with confidence. The second graders finished up Rocks and Minerals, and observing the metamorphosis of a frog, although the tadpoles did not grow legs yet. The third graders are still busy with the space unit, participating in a "Live Event" with NASA Systems Engineer Tracy Drain, who helped design the MRO, Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter. Students will also be helping their SK buddies plant the pumpkin patch out by Karen's garden, so the new "crop" of SK students will be able to pick their own pumpkin next fall right here on our school grounds. The fourth graders are looking forward to their"Moving Up" ceremony, after a very busy spring getting prepared for and presenting their science fair projects, studying cave formations and glaciers prior to their big Wisconsin trip, and lastly, completing an addendum to the USM field guide that will be published over the summer. So, thanks again for following the Lower School Science blog and keeping up with our exciting investigations and activities over the course of the year. Tune in next September for even more exciting happenings in our science program as the iPads and S.T.E.M. activities are incorporated into the curriculum. See you in September!

JK Spring Nature Walk

The spring nature walk for the JK children (3 classes)on Tuesday was one of the most active and alive that I have ever been on. And I don't just mean the children! Wildflower were blooming, trees were still leafing out, insects were flying, birds were singing, and monarchs were migrating. Children saw sphinx moths that had just hatched from their winter cocoon, earthworms crawling on the ground, wild geraniums, lots of dandelions, and the most brilliant blue sky you have ever seen. Time just went by too fast for us. I think we could have stayed out there all day and not heard one complaint. The children also worked on writing and drawing their observations right there in the field. I was so pleased with what we all accomplished. Kudos to the JK teachers for having the children so well-prepared for the walk. Children could make comparisons to the fall and winter walks and tell us what was alike and what was different. Parents, please continue this excitement and enthusiasm by taking your child out on a nature walk right in your own neighborhood. You'll be amazed at what they discover and show you. Mrs. Bach's and Mrs. Aik's classes head out on Monday, May 14th.

Second Graders Become Archeologists

The second graders are finishing up their study of rocks and minerals by discovering what petrified fossils are. They set up a controlled experiment in which the only variable was the warm salt solution that was added to one of their cups with sand and a sponge bone. The other cup contained all the same materials except plain water was added. The cups dried for several days, and and then the students became archeologists armed with probes, tweezers, and paint brushes. They began to dig out the sponge bones they buried. Many changes had occurred over the week or two time frame. One bone became very hard and filled with a white crystalline material. The other bone remained much the same as the day it was buried. Students began to realize the process of "petrifaction", where living materials are replaced with minerals and harden into rock. The steps they came up with were: quick burial in sand or sediments; change in temperature and moisture; minerals must get into the bone; and TIME! Great job, second graders!

Camp Minikani "A Great Success!"

Last Thursday, despite buckets of rain and hail, the second graders had a wonderful time at Camp Minikani. One of their exciting activities was called, "Mystery Beads". Each child made a small bracelet with 5 white beads on it. But when they went outside, in between showers and storms, those 5 white beads turned many different colors. The children were learning about ultraviolet radiation, or "UV" rays. They learned that they could also be affected by these rays even on a cloudy day. At the end of the activity, they made a "Sun Safety" poster using ideas from what they would do to keep from getting sunburned. I think it helped greatly too, that we all sang John Denver's song, "Sunshine on My Shoulders" as we made our bracelets. Just like magic, the sun came out for a few brief moments so they could test out their beads. Lots of fun at Minikani!

Pine View Wildlife Collection Results

Thank you to all who contributed paper towels, cat food, and cash to support the Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. They were most appreciative to receive the donations. The Lower School collected 32 rolls of paper towels, 23 pounds of cat food, and $11.10 in cash. Your generosity was most appreciated. Hopefully, next year, we will be able to top these numbers. If anyone would like to support Pine View and its dedicated work to our sick and injured wildlfe, you can contact the Center at: (262)692-9021, or pineview@execpc.com. Pine View is located at W 4953 highway H, Little Kohler, WI 53021. You can also support the Center by becoming a member. Information is available at the website: www.pineviewwrc.org. Don't forget the collection going on right now in the Lower School for the Hunger Task Force. Keep those donations of non-persishable food items coming in. The grade with the most food collected gets an out of uniform day and popsicles.

4th Annual Science Fair Great Success!

The 4th graders just completed their presentations at the 4th Annual Science Fair for the Lower School. All 4th graders participated by researching a topic, developing a research question, coming up with a testable hypothesis, testing, collecting data, analyzing the results, and forming a conclusion. The topics ranged from Invasive Species, to animal adaptations, to nitrate pollution, to rivers and deltas, to water cycle, to habitats. The students were studying these topics all year long, and it was by random choice that they got the topic they did. Working in small groups since after spring break, they were able to build a poster board that displayed all the information they gathered. They also practiced their presentations with their peers before the Big Day in Mellowes Hall. Check out the video and you will get a feel for the excitement, energy, and enthusiasm that was present. Great job, 4th graders!