Daisies

Dear parents,

Students have been growing daisies.  The seeds were planted and the class has been taking turns watering them.  After Thanksgiving, they came home with me.  I will put them in little cups, so your child can take one home.  A few sadly did not sprout, so I will send home more seeds in place of a cup. 

Respectfully,
Rachel Sbiick

Life Cycle of a Pumpkin

Dear parents,

Students drew the life cycle of a pumpkin.  They drew the seed, the vine, the vine with a blossom, the pumpkin, and the jack-o-lantern.  The class created a book about this.   Students put their hands into the pumpkin to feel the seeds inside which will give us more pumpkins (if we plant them).  The students enjoyed making observations and conclusions. 

Respectfully,
Rachel Sibick

Hard Water vs Soft Water

Dear parents,

Michael presented an experiment to identify that tap water in some places may contain minerals and the effects of minerals.  Michael added Epsom salt to distilled water.  Next, he put distilled water into another container.  He added detergent to both of the bottles.  Students enthusiastically shook both bottles.  The bottle with the Epsom salt did not create bubbles, because of the minerals.  The bottle without the minerals created many bubbles.  Water without minerals is soft water.  Some minerals that can make water hard are calcium and magnesium.  The Epson salt contained magnesium sulfate and made the water hard.  Thanks for the fun experiment Michael. 

Respectfully,
Rachel Sibick