Bubbleology!

Spelling-  I am so proud of these kids for the studying they have done!  We had a brief review today of vocabulary, and they rocked this list!  Classes such as science, literature, social studies, and grammar are really benefiting from these weekly interdisciplinary lists.  Keep up the good work!

Handwriting- Today's handwriting lesson was a much needed one, because it involved a infrequently used letter: Q.  The class practiced making uppercase and lowercase cursive q's.  Even those who already knew how to write the letter had frequent tail problems.  The lowercase q wants to become a g!  Please work on this at home if your child needs the practice!

Grammar- Before our new lesson, I wanted to be sure that each student had a good grasp of the material that we have learned so far in grammar class.  Each of them diagrammed sentences which incorporated adjectives, adverbs (describing verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs), and helping verbs.  This class builds upon previous lessons, so it is important that no one falls behind!  After we discussed the answers to each problem, we reviewed the list of helping verbs, as well as the definitions of a sentence (a group of words that expressed a complete thought) and a verb (a word that shows an action, shows a state of being, links two words together, or helps another verb).  Each student needs to be working at home to memorize the lists and definitions that we learn in class.  We need that knowledge to move on to more difficult material! 

After our review, the class learned about direct objects.  They also learned to diagram sentences involving direct objects.  They also learned about Subject Pronouns (I, he, she, we, they) and Object Pronouns (me, him, her, us, them).  They are listed in Lesson 24 of their workbook. 

Math- The 3A class took a test today.  The 4A class continued their lesson on fractions.  They worked through the "tree" method for finding common factors in the numerator and denominator.  Ms. Jennifer will have a video posted for tomorrow that will break down the process for both parents and students.  Afterward, the class played a game with fractions.  They each drew a card that showed a fraction.  As a team, they had to find card from their stack that illustrated the fraction.  Once the student and his or her team found the match, he or she had to turn the card over to find an action verb... and had to do the action (hop on one foot, walk sideways, etc) across the grass to Ms. Jennifer!   Both classes are still working on their multiplication tables.  They are quizzed, individually, on the next multiplication table on their chart.  Once they master it, they check it off and move on to the next one.  It is not a race against each other.  It is a personal challenge!

Science- What a day!  In science today, Ms. Gail taught a "Bubbleology" lesson.  The class moved, in teams, from table to table.  At each table, there was a bowl of solution.  They had to try to blow bubbles on the table with each solution.  They had to measure the diameter of each bubble and document the largest diameter.  In the end, they compared the measurements to figure out which solution was the best for bubbles!  After the activity, the class discussed solutions, tension, and air pressure.  Using balloons, different balls, and a funnel, Ms. Gail demonstrated recently discussed science concepts. 

Literature- Ms. Gail began class by going over the comprehension questions for the week.  Then, they continued in "Summer of the Monkeys", reading chapters 13 and 14.  We have been flying through this book!  The class seems to be really enjoying it, and doing a fabulous job with the reading comprehension and vocabulary!  Our next book will be The Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth Speare.  I will have them for $6.99 for anyone who needs one.

Social Studies- Today, the class learned about the Emancipation Proclamation.  They are doing a great job at absorbing a great deal of information!  As discussed before the year began, this is an advanced class.  The students are doing a great job at meeting expectations.  Next week, we will be learning about the Gettysburg Address.

Agriculture- Today was an eclectic agriculture day!  There was a lot going on, and a lot to learn.  First, we checked out our carrot seeds.  The 3rd/4th grade class planted their seeds a little later than the 1st grade class.  The 1st grade class's seeds have sprouted!  Hopefully, this class will have sprouted carrot seeds by next week.  The peas that were planted by the class a couple weeks ago have really taken off in the garden!  The kids took what they learned at home about winter vegetables in Georgia and applied it to the garden in front of them.  They saw the cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, and broccoli growing strong.  They learned about zones, and how different seeds need to be planted a different times depending on the weather in the region.

The kids then listened as I explained a problem that has been going on for a few weeks.  Now that it is fall, the days are getting shorter.  Because of this, the chickens are laying less eggs.  This is a natural cycle for chickens.  They need a certain amount of daylight hours in order to lay eggs at their peak.  I asked the class why this is the case, and they nailed it!  Chickens don't need to lay eggs and make baby chicks in the winter... it is too cold for them!  Because we have not yet finished incubating eggs for the year, we actually need our lavender orpingtons to lay eggs for us so that we can have more orpingtons in the spring!  Plus, we spend a lot of money every week on chicken feed, and need enough eggs to recoup our cost.  So, I wired up the chicken coops to a light that is set on a timer.  The light goes on at 4:00am, giving the chickens a longer "day".  Next week, I will explain why the light is set to go on in the morning instead of at dusk.  The chickens need a gradual darkening period in order to roost properly.  Also, if the light goes out suddenly, chickens will often panic, smothering each other.  We checked for eggs and saw that the hens laid almost double the eggs that they laid yesterday!  It is definitely working.

Our drama presentation will most likely be Friday, December 14th at 6:30.  Location TBA!

As we visited the animals, the class noticed some "action" with our goat, June.  The class knows that June is expecting babies soon, and I explained that what they were seeing was most likely her mucous plug!  I explained that all mammals give birth to live young, and that the mucous plug is a little plug that "holds the baby in".  I told the kids that I would definitely keep them posted if anything exciting happens over the weekend!