In anticipation of our apple picking field trip tomorrow, we did some Apple Science today. We weighed an apple and some other objects to see which ones were heavier or lighter. We investigated whether apples sink or float. We learned about the life cycles of apples. We learned facts about apples. We described apples. And oh yeah, we got to eat some, too! We also had apple bread.
The BIG experiment, which again allowed us to practice following the steps of the scientific method, was called "Preserving an Apple." We first talked about what preserving means (we came up with the definition: making something stay the same longer). Then we made our hypothesis. We predicted the answer to the question, "What material works best at preserving apples?" We had 8 choices! The preservatives were sugar, salt, vinegar, or baking soda. We had a control apple, and we also wrapped apples in gauze (kind of like how mummies are preserved). We will look at our apples in 7 days and record our results.
Literacy block is going along well. I am still tweaking the reading groups, trying to make sure all students are successful. Some students will be in new groups next week. I am also happy with how math is going. Mr. Rivard, our math interventionist, has been helping out to make sure all the students stay on track to officially start the second grade unit the week after next.
As we are still learning some routines, we tended to go over in time a lot this week, so we didn't have as much time for writer's workshop as I would've liked. But it's only the 17th day of school, so I know that we are fine.
Look for pictures of our field trip tomorrow!