Prekindergarten Science

Students in prekindergarten are learning about construction. We have observed shapes in buildings on campus and learned about the different parts of a house. Students were engineers as they designed buildings and playgrounds. Click here to view more pictures from prekindergarten science. 

Physics in 2nd Grade

Second graders are learning about physics! They learned about Newton's Laws of Motion and participated in various physics labs in the classroom. Students were problem-solvers as they designed ramps for ping pong balls, and mathematicians as they measured the distance a Hot Wheels car traveled. This has been a fun unit filled with asking questions, collaboration, and problem-solving. To view more pictures, visit our second grade science web album.

West K Healthy Habits

At the end of the health unit, students made videos to show what they learned about healthy habits.

Far West K Healthy Habits Videos

Kindergartners just finished a unit about healthy habits. They shared what they learned in the following videos.

Kindergarten Engineers

At the end of our properties of matter unit, kindergarteners learned about engineers. They learned that engineers design and build things to help us. After reading the book Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, students went to work on their own designs. Some students created garages to store their bicycles and cars, while other designed buildings with elevators. Students enjoyed working with others on engineering projects. Click here for more pictures from kindergarten science.

2nd Grade Geologists Measure in the Science Classroom

Second grade geologists are studying the properties of rocks. They measured the length and width of rocks, used pan balances to determine the mass of the rocks, and identified various properties of rocks. It was a great way to integrate math into the science classroom. Click here for more pictures from second grade science.

4th Grade: Animal Adaptations

Fourth grade science students are learning about animal adaptations. They are answering the question what do animals need to survive? Students will compare characteristics of vertebrates and invertebrates, and will learn how animals survive in different habitats. Click here to view more pictures from fourth grade science.

Students observed invertebrates and identified their adaptations.

Kindergarten: Math in the Science Classroom

Kindergartners have been learning about the properties of matter. This week, students made observations about the size and weight of different objects. Students used pan balances to compare the weights of objects and made observations about the lengths of various objects. Click here for more pictures from science.

2nd Grade: Engineering in the Science Classroom

Second graders are engineers! Students completed their study of plants and insects with an engineering project. Through the Engineering Design Process, second graders designed hand pollinators to solve a problem. They worked with a partner as they tested materials, designed a plan, created their pollinator, and brainstormed ways to improve their design. Ask your students about agricultural engineering and how they solve problems with plants and insects! Click here for more pictures and movies from our project. 

4th Grade: Energy Crisis

Fourth graders researched alternative energy sources and chose one type to create a Public Service Announcement. Students worked collaboratively in groups of three to decide on the three reasons their source is the best. After researching, students used the Digital Media Center in the Library to film their PSAs on the green screen. It was a new and creative way for students to communicate their research with the class. Click on the 4th Grade tab above to view all of the PSAs. Click here for more pictures from 4th grade science.

 

New Kindergarten Unit: Properties of Matter

After wrapping up our unit about the 5 senses and how we observe our world, we started a new unit about properties of matter. Students will use their senses to observe different objects throughout this unit. The first lesson involved some math as we sorted objects into different groups. We also read The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale to learn about different materials that are used to build houses. Click here for more pictures from kindergarten science. 

 

2nd Graders Visit the Botanic Gardens

The second graders had a wonderful time visiting the Botanic Gardens this week. Students observed plants and insects working together in the Garden. We were very fortunate this year that the Chihuly exhibit was available for us to see as well. It was a wonderful opportunity for learning about science, art, mapping, and our community. Check out Chihuly Nights at the Gardens with your family until November 30. Click here to view more pictures from our trip to the garden and from second grade science.

Dissecting Pumpkins

Prekindergarten scientists observed pumpkins this week. They observed that it was orange, had seeds inside, was cold and gooey, and it smelled like dirt. It was a messy day in science as students used their senses to make observations.

Click here for more pictures from PreK science.

Meet Pac-Man!

Today preschool scientists met Pac-Man, Mrs. Benge's Leopard Gecko. They learned about his habitat and what he needs to survive. Students made observations about his body and his home.

Click here to see more pictures from preschool science.

Light a Light Bulb!

Can you light a light bulb using a battery and two wires? Fourth graders successfully answered this question this week during science class. Students worked collaboratively at their tables to figure out how to light a lightbulb. They built simple circuits, series circuits, and parallel circuits. Students then discussed which circuit worked the best. 

Click here for more fourth grade pictures.

How do our senses help us explore the world?

Scientists use their five senses to make observations about the world around them. In the first unit, kindergartners will learn about their five senses and how each one helps them make observations. This week students learned how to use a magnifying glass to make observations.

Click here to see more pictures from kindergarten science.

What is energy?

Fourth grade scientists are starting the year with a unit about energy. Students will understand what energy is, will know the difference between kinetic and potential energy, and will identify different types of energy. We started the unit by thinking about what we know about energy and writing ideas on a mind map. Students first wrote their ideas about energy in pencil. Next, after reading the book Energy Makes Things Happen, students added more ideas to their maps in green pen. These mind maps are an interesting way to see how a student thinks about a topic.  

 

Click here to view more pictures from fourth grade science

Zoom into Second Grade Science

Second graders started the year by looking at the world in a different way. After reading the book Zoom by Istvan Banyai, students explored Graland's campus. Students "zoomed" in on a plant or an insect, and recorded their observations in their science notebooks. Tomorrow we will start our first unit and will answer the question: do plants and insects get along? Check back for more pictures soon!

Click here to view the 2nd Grade Science Album

Welcome to Mrs. Leddy's Science Classroom!

This year students will be asking questions, making observations, collaborating, and communicating their ideas with others.