5th Grade Acids and Bases

We used red cabbage as an indicator to test pH on a variety of liquids and solutions.
They complained only about the smell of the cabbage juice, otherwise I only heard young scientists hard at work.
This is an AIMS lesson and a good one! The students used a color change as an indicator that a chemical change had taken place.







More photos:

Tuesday, September 27, 4th Grade All About Me and Acids and Bases

ALL ABOUT ME:
ALEXSE, MEGAN, GARRISON, CARSON
Last Tuesday Alexse brought some cool pom-pom critters to share. She made them herself! Megan brought a collection of bottle cap creations that she had made. It is so good to see the students being so creative!
Carson shared some collectibles from his Dad's collection. We talked about how collections can increase in value over time. Garrison brought a dated band from a dove that he had shot while hunting with his dad!


ALLDYN
Alldyn shared his admiration for his favorite baseball star, Dustin Pedroia. He brought a biography about him and wore his Red Sox Jersey!
It is always great to take time to listen to each student!


NICHOLAS
Nicholas shared his love of the game of football. He talked about organizing his neighborhood team and shared his UT Longhorn Jersey.





LAB: Acids and Bases



Last week we found out that sponge creatures emerge faster in hot water than cold water. This week we wanted to know if acidic water or basic water would cause a sponge creature to emerge faster.

Artist Boat Trip # 1: CSI 6th Grade

At 7:00 am and Ms. Albrech'ts group was on our way to University of Houston, Clear Lake to experience classroom lessons on water quality and a watercoloring 101. Then, we went down the road a bit to Armand Bayou Nature Preserve to experience kayak lessons and kayak into the beautiful wetlands of Armand Bayou. Our instructors from Artist Boat, Katie and Abel, were so full of knowledge, we had an amazing experience. They led us through the paddling trails of Armand Bayou and explained the importance of the wetland environment. They pointed out all the different wildlife we encountered: Great Blue Heron, Mullet, Great White Egret, Snowy Egret and Terns. It was my favorite experience to watch the terns dive into the bayou's water.
We will return next Friday with Mrs.Sherrard's class!

Thursday, September 22nd Brenham Middle School 5th graders

Last Wednesday and Thursday, the 5th grade students completed an experiment to show the properties of sand and clay. They tested how much water each soil would retain and compared their results to the other students in their class.

Wednesday, Sept 21: 5th Grade Center of Mass

We completed several activities to help us learn about "center of Mass". One activity had us stand with one side against a wall (knee and upper arm must touch). The we tried to lift our opposite leg which is really quite impossible.
In the computer lab, students are working hard researching their unsolved mystery!

Tuesday Sept. 20 - Fourth Grade SPONGE CREATURES

Today was Part 1 of a Two Part Series called: How Scientists Do Science. This unit focuses on learning the Scientific Method. Students tested the time of emergence of a sponge creature in different temperatures of water. The hot water was MUCH faster than our cold water.
Next week we will study how acidic and alkaline solutions effect rate of emergence of sponge creatures.

Invasive Species / Wetland's Most Wanted / 6th grade CSI

Today we learned about invasive species to the Gulf Coast area of Texas. When we visit Armand Bayou in the next couple of weeks, we want to be aware of any of these species and see if we can locate them!
The students wrote news interviews to be published with their recorded voices. There was lots of creativity going on here! One group wrote their interview as a trial. Other groups chose to be a character which is "invaded" by the invasive species.I am looking forward to sharing these in the next few weeks.

All About Me!

One of the favorite times of the morning at CSI Grade 4 is our "All About Me" time. This is similar to Show and Tell except I really encourage the kids to bring something that others may not know about you.

Mallory showed some really cool "flip books" to show running cougars, bears and other animals of Yellowstone Park where she went on her vacation with her family this summer.We loved her picture of "Old Faithful" with her brother, Brady.

Carson brought his bamboo sticks from his karate lessons he participates in after school. We loved seeing some of the moves with the sticks!

Jackson spends some summer time finding live sand dollars under the Gulf of Mexico water! He finds shallow sand bars to dig up the sand dollars.

We celebrate each student's birthday by buying them their favorite candy. Our summer birthday students celebrated theirs this month!
Garrison, Alexse, Jackson, Colton, Alldyn, Carson, and Mallory!

Real September birthday wishes go to Justin and Kylie!

Thanks for sharing these special things about you today!!

Milk and Amelia!

The Great Milk Experiment. We used milk, food coloring and Dawn dish soap to show how the particles of milk interact with the particles of water! You should have seen that milk move.






We completed an activity using protractors which showed us how Amelia Earhart could possibly have "deviated" from her course on her flight from New Guinea to Howland Island. Other theories explain that she was a governmental spy and disappeared mysteriously or was held captive by the Japanese army. Some of the students are excited to begin research on Amelia Earhart or their own Unsolved Mystery.

What about that Milk Experiment?

Tuesday, September 6

Hello Fourth Grade! The fourth grade students LOVED getting their gmail accounts and learning about internet safety! In the science lab, we completed an activity which showed us some optical illusions! I will email the powerpoint with the optical illusions to you so you can share them with your friends and families.
Thanks, parents for bringing snacks for us. With our early lunch, it really helps in the afternoon.

Here are a few more scientist pictures: Einstein, Mr. Ogg, Marie Curie, and Benjamin Franklin like you have never seen!!