Fall SAVY 2017, Day 5- Environmental Explorations: Dig It! (Kindergarten)
Dear Parents:
This morning we began our morning with our 14 Experiments That Failed book, and then we reviewed our soil experiment from last week. We discussed what we learned and how that learning could be applied to the soil erosion problems on Queen Anne’s Island. Next, we looked at the topic of garbage. We read a book about garbage, and then we looked at the world’s largest trash dump, The Pacific Rim. After learning a lot about how to recycle our trash and reduce the amount we produce, our young scientists took another look at the posters they created to represent the problems on Queen Anne’s Island (air and water pollution, soil erosion and soil pollution). From these problems, students created a solutions poster with ideas of how to help Queen Anne’s Island diminish or eradicate those problems they identified.
Next, we read a book about the effects of oil spills on the environment. This book profiled the Valdez oil spill. Students discussed their thoughts about the environmental effects of such a happening. One student said that this made him want to cry. Next, we set up an experiment on the effects of an oil spill on the animals as well as on the ocean. Our question was: What is the best way to clean oil off birds’ feathers? Our Hypotheses ranged from: use water, use soap and water, suck up the oil with tubes, and using towels. We set up our experiment which was composed of a 3 pans of water, (two sets because students were in 2 groups to allow each student to have an important job) cooking oil, paper towels, dish detergent and baking soda, and feathers. Students poured oil in the first pan and observed how it created a small circle. Then I asked students to gently rock the pan to replicate ocean waves, and observe any changes. They noticed right away how the oil spread throughout the “ocean”. Then, students added feathers, and continued making the pan rock to create waves. They noticed how the feathers became coated with the oil. After that, students tried to clean the feathers with paper towels first, then with dish detergent, and finally with baking soda added to a pan of water. Students compared the feather samples and concluded that soap and water were best. We then sat down to create meaning out of what happened in the experiment.
After that, students began considering what experiments of their own they might like to try to learn more about how to keep our environment safe. They will finish this task next week. Next Saturday is our last fall SAVY, and you get to come into our classroom and let your student show you what they have learned! Our Open House is from 11:15-11:45. You are welcome to check your student out from the Open House. We will have the attendance clipboard with us. The Open House will be in our classroom. I look forward to meeting you all next week! Siblings, grandparents, and others are all welcome.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Tyson
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