Winter Break!

Yay, it's officially winter break!  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!  I'll see you in 2017!

Elfis' first full week!

Our classroom elf, Elfis, had a lot of fun last week!  Check out the pictures to see what he's been up to! 

Science Newsletter 12-8-16

A few science updates...

We have been learning about minerals for a little over a week and will be wrapping up before winter break.  I announced our test over minerals today which will be on Wednesday, December 14; students received a study guide and a list to study in class.  The study guide is due by Tuesday, December 13.  This is the list to study:

*There are 6 crystal shapes

*Streak helps identify minerals - the color of the powder of the mineral

*Luster - metallic and nonmetallic

*Fracture and cleavage

*Magnetite is an example that is magnetic (attracts a magnet)

*Hardness - when a mineral is harder/softer than an object, test it using the scratch test

*How to read/interpret Mohs Scale of Hardness - you don't have to memorize this!

*Color is the least reliable to identify a mineral but is still helpful

*Density - how heavy or light a mineral feels for its size (will it float or sink in water)

*Streak and color don't have to be the same but they can be

*Quartz is good in sandpaper (because it's hard)

*Diamonds make good cutting/drilling tools (because they're hard)

*2 examples of why several tests should be done to identify a mineral

*2 examples of products that are made of minerals and what minerals make them

We will be continuing to learn about minerals through next week and will continue to discuss these topics up though the test day.

Our BTG group at school is also sponsoring Operation: Bear Hug.  They are asking students to bring in new teddy bears/stuffed animals that will be donated to homeless shelters and hospitals.  The homeroom with the most brought in will earn a prize!  There will also be drawings where students who brought in stuffed animals can win up to $100!  We appreciate your generosity in advance!

Remember that we have the wonderful ability to check grades online!  Be sure to check in on your child's grades periodically so you, and they, know how they're doing in their classes!

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!  Have a wonderful day!

Holiday Visitor

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already over and that we're less than 2 weeks away from winter break!

We had a holiday visitor arrive in our classroom this week!  Elfis is keeping his eye on things in science class!

Elfis arrived on Thursday, December 1!

He was keeping an eye on mobile devices on Friday, December 2!