PUMPKIN MATH!

WOW, what an exciting day! We learned a lot about pumpkins today and had fun doing it! Thank you to all the amazing parents for helping to put this together - we couldn't have done it without you!!

Pumpkin Creation Centers

Before we officially started Pumpkin Math, we decide we would like to do centers. We created the following centers. 1. How tall are you in pumpkins (non-standard measurement) 2. How much do you weigh in pumpkins? (non-standard measurement) 3. How much do you weigh? (standard measurement) 4. Pumpkin Poetry (use questioning words) 5. Contraction Pumpkins (using our spelling words) 6. Fraction Pumpkins.

How We conserve water!

After completing the sink and float experiment, the boys carried the water to the garden. (We had a little glich on the way when the tub developed a leak!) We then reused our water to take care of the plants. (Another great trick you can do at home.)

Sink and Float

We had a very busy morning discovering why a pumpkin will sink or float. Here are some conclusions drawn by The Soaring Pilots:

• 
  
  Maybe the pumpkins are hollow. Maybe the stem will interfere with the floating


• 
  
  If it is a big shape (pumpkin) and does not have any openings it will float.


• 
  
  I noticed that heavy pumpkins can push water out of the way.


• 
  
  A Fairytale pumpkin has a different shape so it balances itself to stay up.


• 
  
  I also think that if it is symmetrical it will balance itself but if one side is heavier that side will go down.


• 
  
  When you put a rock in a tub of water it will sink because it does not have any air in it.


• 
  
  I noticed that it doesn't matter how big the object is it matters if it is hollow or not.


• 
  
  I've come to a conclusion that anything with air in it will float.

To read more, check your child's Tuesday folder to see all the documentation on this experiment. Continue experimenting at home, by trying other fruits and vegetables to see if the theory that things that are hollow will float.

Sink and Float

Before we began our experiments with the pumpkins, I sent the girls to get the water for the tub. I did this with a purpose in mind. The boys immediately figured out that I was doing what happens in other countries. The girls are sent for the water and the boys stay behind in school. We discussed how this fits in with our planner and our attitudes. They immediately understood that they were learning how to be empathic. When the girls returned (triumphantly)we sat down and had a discussion before beginning the experiments. In the course of the discussion, Grace said, "This has changed my perspective!" Even though they did not have to walk three house for dirty water, they began to understand how difficult it can be.

Well Done Soaring Pilots!

Art ALa Carte

We had another amazing lesson with Katherine's mom. There was a great discussion about still life before we attempted our own drawings.

RECESS

I am not sure which classroom photographer took these pictures, but I thought they did a great job! We love having last lunch because we sometimes get the playground to ourselves!

Aquaman!

The Soaring Pilots were well prepared for a visit from Aquaman! We were well informed about the need to conserve water after the "apple" experiment. After the WaterWise presentation, the students were given kits to take home and find ways to conserve water at home.

Conserving Water

Did you know that 75% of the Earth is water? However, about 97% of that water is salt water. That leaves us less than 1% of drinkable water. This led the Soaring Pilots to think of ways to conserve water and to let others know what needs to be done.

Water!

Students used mental images to create a painting of water. Each picture shows a unique and different perspective of water.

Key Concepts

We explored water using the eight key concepts of: form, function, causation, change, connection, perspective, responsibility, and reflection. During this planner, we will be focusing on perspective, causation, and responsibility.

Intro to Water Planner

As an introduction to How We Share the Planet planner, students engaged in a cooperative group activity to determine how we use water on our planet. We discovered that we use water everyday in many ways. This led us to wonder: Is there enough water?

Class Party

The class party was a huge success. The kids were happy to be back on the playground again. Thanks to the classroom photographer for taking these pictures.

Looks like it's going to be a great year!

Researchers

As we near the end of our first planner on Where We Are In Time and Place, the students had to find out what the local government was in Houston. Everyone seemed to know that Obama was the president and Rick Perry was our governor. After exploring the city of Houston website, we learned about the Mayor, city controller and the city council. The next step may be to write the mayor because all of the students had ideas on how to improve our city!

PARENTS!

Here is Jack's mom reading to the class in order to help me out! Thank you to all The Soaring Pilot's parents you have been so great helping make things for the classroom or to purchase supplies needed. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I know the kids love all the snacks that you are supplying.

A big THANK YOU for all your support!

Sam Houston Park

The Soaring Pilots had an amazing trip to downtown Houston to learn all about the history of our city. Thank you to all the parents for helping and making the trip a huge success. When we returned to the classroom we wrote some newspaper articles about our trip. Here are some excerpts:
Amazing story about kids. Kids go to Sam Houston Park and saw different historic structures like a house called Old Place. The kids saw things outside the structures then they went inside the structures and touched the things the people used in everyday life. They also experienced how they would live. by Grace
At about 12:30 in the museum Ms. Musters class entered a room to watch a movie. Whey they went to the Duncan Store they saw a lot of things that were mentioned in the movie. We actually touched and played with the stuff! At the Old Place we saw a butter maker and an teeny bed, also an outhouse! by Arianna
The Heritage Society is a lot of houses that are from he past. Today on Friday September 30, 2011, Ms. Musters' class went to three houses and did a scavenger hunt. by Sarah
Sam Houston Park is a park that stores all of the old houses. Mrs. Musters' class visited Old Place, St. John Church, Yates house and the Duncan Store. It was amazing. to all of Ms. Musters' class Bailey said, " IT WAS A SPLENDID TRIP."

Sam Houston Park

The Soaring Pilots took their first field trip to downtown Houston. We had the perfect weather and plenty of helping parents. We learned a lot from our tour guides about the history of Houston. (remember to hit pause on the playlist at the end of the blog)

Houston Timelines

The Soaring Pilots stopped by first grade to hear how they developed their timelines. We wanted to apply that information to our own idea to make a timeline of the history of how Houston was established. Our class has been reading and watching informational videos to find out more how Texas came to be Texas and how Houston the city began. After our lesson, we brainstormed the dates and ideas that would need to be on our timelines. We spend some time sharing and discussing in a conference. Next, we turned our brainstorming information into a timeline about the history of Houston.