Changes and Challenges

We are still in the season of change, changes in colors on the trees, changes in the weather, etc. As you can see from the picture, the beautiful maple tree in front of our main entrance has really changed its colors. This is the same tree being studied by the SK class of Ms. Duffy. They made some sketches to help them remember what the tree looked like in the fall, and Mrs. Z. used an iPAd app called "LeafSnap" to make sure it was a maple, actually a sugar maple. We were sitting around the tree discussing what was happening to the colors when one little boy mentioned that the chemical chlorophyll was going away. I asked how he knew that and he said an older sibling had talked about it. The students were also able to discuss more about the tree and now they consider themselves "arborists". I am so proud of the work they are doing. The first graders are observing their clouds and Mrs. Z. is working with them on the S'Cool NASA Project. We are "ground truthing" to check if the satellite is seeing what we are seeing. We are doing our second observation today. The second graders are busy with "living and non-living". They are hatching and observing brine shrimp, and determining what characteristics make something a living thing. Third grade went on a seed collection walk last week. They categorized the seeds as to the method of travel or dispersal. Students noticed that seeds that had hooks or barbs on them stuck to their clothing. They called these the "hitchhikers". Some seeds were carried by the wind and others were eaten by animals and then dispersed in the scat. After the walk, students then tested a variety of seeds in the lab, using fans to simulate the wind. They made predictions as to how far each seed would travel, and then they tested. Milkweed won hands down. The fourth graders worked on adaptations this past week. They designed a streamlined and a non-streamlined fish and raced them in a tub of water. They made observations as to the speed and distance traveled, and how each shape moved through the water. It was a great lab using the scientific process, and finding out if their hypothesis was supported or not supported. Right now, they are taking a look at the Great Lakes and their shorelines, water volume, human populations, and pounds of fish caught. Both of these labs involved two classes at a time and the students really worked well together. I have registered the Lower School for the Siemens "We Can Change the World" Challenge. Its purpose is to teach students to become stewards of the environment while empowering them to enhance their fundamental and 21st century skills. The challenge process has 5 parts: learn; plan; act; share; and extend. I'm hoping that by participating in this challenge, the LS students will become agents of change. Check out for more info.

An Animal Nobody Loves

Here's a riddle for you. I am not a popular animal, although I do perform some very important jobs. I am related to a very popular animal, one that children really like and aren't afraid of. Most people think I give them what I have, but that's just a myth. I have very rough skin and can protect myself from my predators. By Halloween time, when people think of me, I am usually hibernating. Who am I? I am "Millie" the toad from Mrs. Keppler's PK classroom. I went on a nature walk last week with my PK friends and they found a nice spot in the woods for me to make my winter home. Some of my friends were still a little afraid to touch me, but I had one special friend who was very gentle when he picked me up. He took me to say good-bye to all my friends and then let me go. Some of my friends noticed how easily I blended in with my surroundings. See if you can spot me in the picture. Thanks again, PK, for letting me visit with you for a while, and helping you learn more about toads and frogs. See you in the spring!