We were so lucky this morning.  The Grapevine Mustang Football players came to visit Cannon.  We were lucky enough to get Jared visiting our class.  The kids really enjoyed asking questions about football and high school.  Then he read them a story.  They all really enjoyed the visit.

Today we talked about what tool a meteorologist would use to measure rain.  We talked about without the tool you would only have general descriptions of the level of the rain such as drizzle or pouring.  We talked about how the tool needed to be able to measure in inches the amount of rain that fell with any given storm.  They brainstormed things that would need to be present in the design for the results to be valid.  Then they designed and we tested their rain gauges. 

This week in science we are looking at some weather tools that help meteorologist do their job.  Yesterday we investigated the thermometer and today we looked at the wind vane (weather vane).  We watched a short movie learning the function of the tool. Then we went to a website to research the way wind vanes are built and to look at some examples.  website  Then they were given the design challenge to build a working wind vane.  They were put into groups and told their supplies. (playdough, index cards, paper cups, straws, and push pins)  They had to follow the engineering design plan to come up with a working wind vane.  Check out their building.

Reminder!!!!!
Form 6:00-7:00 tonight the Dad's Club is having their 2nd annual Dads and Kids Pizza Night at school.  You will meet here at the school cafeteria at 6:00 p.m. for free pizza and drinks.  At 6:30 there will be a presentation about our WATCH D.O.G.S. Program.  Dads, granddads, uncles, step-dads and adult brothers this is your chance to have a night out with your student. 

Today in science we talked about properties of matter.  We read Seashells by the Seashore then they were all given a shell to observe.  They took a picture of the shell and then brainstormed properties of their shell.  Then we shared the properties we observed. 

This week in social studies we worked on where we are in the world.  We read the book Me On The Map .  Then we practiced searching for images using school clip art for our planet, continent, country, state, and city.  We then imported the images into Skitch and added labels.  Then we took the new labeled images and imported them into a story creator app and made our own Me on the Map book.  As soon as we have e-mail set up on the ipads I will share with you.  They look great!!!!!!!!

Today in science we worked on asking deep questions like a scientist.  We read Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Then we thought about the questions the bears asked in the story.  We came up with some deeper questions they could have asked to solve their mystery sooner.  Then I showed them a lunch sack with a mystery object in it. (plastic spoon)  I told them they were only going to get ten questions to solve what was in the bag. So they were going to have to make their questions count.  We talked about how simple guessing was not going to be an effective method for solving the mystery. They solved the mystery in 9 questions.  Check out their deep questions.

Today we practiced the scientific tool of drawing conclusions from the observations we make.  We begin by reading Imaginative Inventions.  We talked about what are some other inventions they have used?   Each team of two or three students were  provided with a household object that isn’t often used today.  The task was to come up with as many possible suggestions for what the object was used for in the time provided.  They had to take a picture and record their ideas in Educreations.   I reminded student that in an activity like this, there is no wrong answer they are just using their observations to draw conclusions.   The students then presented their objects to the class and provide what they thought it was used for.  Then we talked about each items real use.  We talked about in the past these objects were considered good inventions at that time.  We also talked about that all inventions have a life span during which they serve a specific purpose and then they are modified or something new is invented that will serve the same purpose in a better way.  It is redesigned.  

Also check with your child and see if they have taken the continents and oceans test yet.  If they haven't and you have time they might appreciate the extra practice.

One final thing for today I promise.  A parent found this great resource if anyone is interested.

Parents,

I received this invitation from the Engineering Dept. at UTA.  Just fyi....

 

We hope your year has started off well! We wanted to remind you about the free family STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) event, Engineering Saturday, at the University of Texas at Arlington this weekend. Please let your students know that they can go to www.uta.edu/engineering/saturday for more information and to register for the Saturday event. Parents are also welcome to attend and learn more about UT Arlington and our engineering programs. Thank you!

Dr. Carter Tiernan

Assistant Dean, College of Engineering

University of Texas at Arlington

Beth R. Isbell

Director,

Engineering Student Services Center

Nedderman Hall, Room 242

 

Parents this year there is some changes in the GCISD dress code.  Please read the dress code on p. 36 of the handbook so you are aware of the changes. Handbook  Thanks for helping us follow the dress code.