Science

Yesterday was only the eighth day of science (including the beach day) and we have been busy bees! First graders started off the year exploring the difference between living things and non-living things through a song, a game in the classroom and sifting through a "beach-in-a-bucket" matching once living and non living components. We all participated in a very impressive beach clean up (more on the 5th/6th blog page) and many 1st grade students observed a live clam using its foot and siphon to dig back into the sand. So cool!

Lately, we have been investigated different ground types as part of our continuing discussion of habitats. Pictured below are some of the 1st graders exploring sand, clay and potting soil by gluing a sample to a paper, viewing their own "paper slides" through the microscope, and experimenting with how quickly or slowly water drains through the soil types.

We ended this week with an engineering challenge of building the tallest freestanding structure using only popsicle sticks and clothes pins. There were an impressive variety of designs and approaches. Height to beat in this class: 18 inches.