Using and Conserving Resources and Materials

Dear Parents,


Welcome to week four of our edublog series.


I would like to tell you that this week we will be learning how to use and conserve resources and materials.


Some things we will be learning about include: Recycling, Reducing Trash, and Reusing Common items we would normally throw away.


You and your child will learn how to conserve at home, at school, at a work place, as well as in the community.

Some ways that all of us could help out is by recycling. In the classroom the students have started two trash bins that hold only paper and one that holds only plastic. I have told them that when they are full I will take them to the recycling center located at the Market Street United Supermarkets.

As a class we have also begun to discuss how we can reduce electricity and water usage. We thought that we could save electricity by turning off the T.V. if it is not being watched, also turning off lights when no one is in a room. Here in the classroom we have been opening the blinds and using the sunshine as our lights. We also discussed how to save water. The students said that they would not leave the water running when they brushed their teeth. Also they wouldn't leave the water hose running under their trampolines while they jumped.

The last thing the class discussed was reusing items such as cans, jars, milk jugs, and things like this. They decided that jars could be used to hold pencils, nails or thumbtacks. The milk jugs could be used to water the plants in the house, and cans could be used to plant flowers in.

I have posted some activities below that support all these ideas on how to conserve and use materials. They are great sites with educational activities that will be pleasing to you and your child. Explore them they have a ton to offer!

For our first activity to learn about conserving resources and materials check out Clean Sweep USA. This colorful and interactive site allows you to learn about putting waste in it's proper place, litter prevention, and beautification. All you do is double click on the people in the community and they teach you on how to use and conserve resources. You can also choose to look at garbage pizza, waste watchers, compost office, recycling rules, energy to burn and landfill lounge. These additional links provide interesting facts, information, and helpful ideas on how we can all make a difference.

Next, play a game called Which Bin Does It Go In. This game has trash come down a conveyor belt and you have to choose which bucket to place it in so it may be recycled. Good luck and enjoy!

Want to make a puzzle that represents the symbol for earth day and conserving resources. Then you should play Earth Day Drag and Drop. I played and it was definitely a puzzle to figure out. You and your child will have a blast completing it!

I know this site had a lot of reading but I definitely think it is worth it. I hope you and your child had an educational experience this week. I look forward to hearing any other suggestions that you and your child may have discussed on how to use and conserve materials.

Until next week.....Keep Exploring!

Mrs. H

Basic Needs of Living Things

Dear Parents,

Well this week is another fulfilled learning experience!

I hope you and your child are ready for what's in store!

We will be learning about the basic needs of living things.

What do you need to live comfortably? The list probably includes food, a home, clothes, and water. Some other needs might include love, an education, friends, enough space to play, and much more.

If you have pets, what are some basic needs for them? Probably the same things that we need, food, shelter, water, love, exercise, and more.

These needs are what we will be learning about in this blog. I have found some fun and informative sites that you and your child will enjoy doing together.

The first site is an interactive game named "Science In Our Environment". This game allows you to take pictures of the living things. Once the pictures are taken you can look through a magnifying glass to learn what needs must be met in order to live. Check it out!

The next activity you will play allows you to travel to the mountains, swamp, and a salt marsh.

In this activity called Living and Nonliving you decide orally if something is living or not. After you decide you click the picture and it tells you Yes, No and Why.

The last activity to navigate is called Mystery Animal Game. This is a power point slide that allows you to learn the basic needs of animals. The game gives you clues to guess what animal it is talking about, if your unsure press the hint button to receive a hint. If you think you know check yourself by clicking the answer. It will show the animals picture and you will know if you were right! Good Luck this is a tough one.

Well that's going to wrap up this weeks activities. I hope you enjoyed the games and were able to identify just what living things need to survive.

Until next week......enjoy the exploring!

Mrs. H

Grouping Living and Nonliving Things

Living/Nonliving

Dear Parents,

This week in class we will grouping living and nonliving things.

Some vocabulary that goes along with the lesson is:

Alive: means something that has life, can eat, can breath, can move, grow and die.

Grow: when something gets bigger and matures or “grows up.”

Reproduce: when something can create a baby or what we call “offspring.”

Nonliving: means something that does not grow, move, reproduce or have life.

Once Living: means something that at one time grew, reproduced, ate, breathed, and moved.

Facts:

• Human beings are alive.
• Animals, birds and fish are all alive.
• Plants, trees and flowers are all alive.
• Bugs, insects and spiders are all alive.
• Rocks, metal, and rubber are all nonliving.
• Bones, sea shells, and wood are all once living.

Below you and your child will find some Internet sites that will help you group living, nonliving, and once living things.

The first link to explore is the grouping game. This game will allow you and your child to see what characteristics make it living or nonliving. It is very educational and interactive. So have fun investigating all this site has to offer!

Next move on to living and nonliving sorting game . This site has a variety of colorful pictures that you will place under the categories of living and nonliving. It is fun and also allows you to check your answers by clicking on the check tab. If you want to keep playing just hit the refresh tab.

Want to see if your child is understanding the concept of grouping living and nonliving things? Then check out this website, Yes, but is it alive?. They will be able to reinforce all the information that they have previously learned. Hint: Remember that some things could possibly be once living.

This is going to wrap up this weeks edublog on living and nonliving objects. I hope you and your child were able to explore all that these games had to offer. To continue the understanding of living and nonliving you and your child could identify things around your house inside and out and ask he/she if it is living or not.

Until next week.....Enjoy the exploring!

Mrs. H

Butterfly Life Cycle

Dear Parents,
I want to let you know we are learning about the Butterfly Life Cycle. This link will allow you and your child to explore the different stages a Butterfly goes through.

All the lessons through out the school year will apply to our TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills) requirements. You are encouraged to look at the website and see exactly what your child will be accomplishing this year.

To see multiple pictures of each stage of the butterfly cycle click on the links below.

1. Egg Stage


2. Caterpillar or Larva Stage


3. Pupae or Chrysalis Stage


4. Adult or Butterfly Stage

To make the experience real watch this video. You will see a Monarch Butterfly appear after it has went through all four stages. It is in fast forward but you will be able to identify each stage. The video last for 3min. and 52 sec.

Let's see how well you remember the stages. Life Cycle Sequencing will allow you to put the pictures of stages in order from egg stage to adult butterfly stage. Good luck!

If you want to see how well you have mastered the different stages of a butterfly then you should play Butterfly Smarts. This game will ask you questions about the Life Cycle of Butterflies and for each one you get correct you win a Butterfly Badge.

I hope these activities have been a learning experience! Feel free to continue playing and learning more about Butterflies and their Life Cycles.

Until next week.....Enjoy the exploring!

Mrs. H

Welcome

Welcome to the Science Is All Around Us edublog. As you read and navigate through this blog you will find games, activities, and links to resources that you and your child can do together. This information correlates with our lessons throughout the year. I hope you enjoy and learn something new along the way! If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Mrs. H