Eagle Cam

Baby Eagles: hatching soon.

Tune in to video cam:

http://www.dickpritchettrealestate.com/eagle-feed.html

Hydroponics Projects Pictures and Share outs

Here are a few of the amazing projects that came in!!

Parent Invitation

Greetings all!!

Next Thursday, 12/22 we will be having a hydroponics showcase for families!!

Their work has been extraordinary and we want them to be able to share to a wider community. The third grade classes will be visiting, as well to link to their studies of plants.

We invite you to come after 10:20 on Thursday, 12/22. Please be sure to stop by the office to sign in!

Thank you!
Hope you can make it!

Ms. Tuttle

Hydroponics update

Greetings--

The hydroponics hype is underway!!!

Hopefully, you have already heard about this, as students have been created blueprints, revising ideas, researching types of systems and their pros and cons as they consider what would best work for their building location.

The final project is due next Friday, December 16.

Classes have been spending time in engineering groups, revising ideas, integrating new ideas, and going deeper into topics about hydroponics use. In addition, they are using sites to ensure they are solid on information on plant parts--form and function in an effort to maximize growth of their plants.

Materials were sent yesterday to student engineers as they "shopped" in class--seeds, tubing, some pumps, and root riot/rock wool, plastic net pots, etc. Students "shopped" according to their material needs for their designs.

The rubric was sent home yesterday (on paper) and was shared via Google Classroom.
Attached to that on line, is a graphic organizer (handed out today), that will help compile final ideas after/during the planning and building process.

Looking forward to some innovative designs!
Ms. Tuttle

Hydroponics Project

Student engineers are designing hydroponics systems to build for home use.

They DO NOT need to build a working system. Some families decide this will work in their homes, and some students build models.

We will build up tasks over the next couple of weeks, providing information about types, plant functions, and engineering feedback.

Be on the lookout for next steps over the next week.

I will post again when rubric is handed out. (Probably Tuesday)

Tonight, students are doing version 1 of their home hydroponics system. These will be revised along the way before building. They also need to measure and record location information on their blueprint.

Thanks for your support!

Have a great day.
Ms. Tuttle

Deep learning and application of ideas!

Students are done with their presentations in science.
Amazing work on integration personalized investigations with outside research. They were grouped by their choice of questions. They then designed and conducted their inquiries, making modifications as necessary.

They collected data in both qualitative and quantitative data and used this data to make a graph and discuss  results.

Then, they did outside research that correlated to their findings.


Ideas addressed were plants' response to

1. salt and halophytes, use of road salt and pros/cons
2. light/dark and photosynthesis
3. soil types and ph and nutrient conditions needed for plant growth.
4. vinegar and acid rain's impact and human response that alleviated some of the issues
5. food coloring and plant's ability to transport materials
6. temperature and adaptations in extreme climates
7. fertilizer and its impact on plant growth
8. limited space and allelochemicals and potential use in cancer research

It was an amazing culmination of student thinking and ties to outside applications and research.

Please be sure to have your children share their presentations and/or learning from this rich work.

Ecosystems Tests and current work

Greetings families!

We have started the second quarter. Wow--time does fly!

Students all received their graded tests this week. If they didn't share with you, please ask them about energy flow in ecosystems.

Currently, we are wrapping up a 2 week investigation. Student groups choose their own investigation questions, designed tests, revised as necessary and collected data.

They have created graphs to share their findings and are also using qualitative data to support claims.

They are compiling slides to share findings and integrate outside research.

Ask them to show you their slides and explain their amazing experiments. Sometimes, the "accidents" led to new understandings too!


Here are just a few pictures to share from their work:

solidarity for ripped pants

We are united!

Student materials and classroom prep

Greetings families!

I hope that everyone has a chance to vote today!

Have the students watch the results as they roll in this evening! It should be exciting.

Just a quick note to request help for class preparation.

Many students are forgetting to charge their chromebooks at night. Could you help by ensuring that your children have a routine and standard charging spot?

There is not usually a spot to plug in during class, as there are ongoing experiments set up everywhere.
(Ask them about these!)

In addition, now is a great time to restock pencils and other standard school supplies.
Thanks!
Ms. Tuttle

Quiz on Wednesday: student message

Quiz on Ecosystems on Wednesday, 11/9

Students, don't forget to practice your vocab and review models this weekend. In addition, go outside and see how many pathways of energy you can discover in your environment.

Draw them out to practice models. Be sure to label the role of each organism in the model.

You have learned much! Read on.....

We have been looking at models that show how energy moves through an ecosystem.

We have studied: food chain, food web, energy pyramid.

Within these, we have learned about producers, consumers (at varying tropic levels), and decomposers.

You should be able to draw each model and explain how it models energy flow in an ecosystem. In this explanation, you must use scientific vocabulary.

In addition, you should be ready to identify the benefits and limitations of each model.

To prepare for this, we have modeled with cards, with drawings, discussions, and notes. We have also played online games, used SMART software, whole class Kahoot, and kinesthetic models.

This was supplemented with readings and a graphic organizer to pull out key vocab which they put in their "TIP" chart.
These words are also in the classroom in a pocket chart, which is frequently referred to and always on display.

This weeks homework and in-class discussion centered around these ideas.

You should have your "TIP" chart for vocab, which you should have been using this week for homework to ensure a solid understanding of the vocab.

Also check out:
Other sources include study jams under the Science center--Ecosystems and sheppard software. 

Link back to biotic/abiotic components:
A follow up question on the quiz deals with identifying impacts of biotic and abiotic components on an ecosystem.

Small containers needed

Greetings,

We are accepting donations of small pots for our experiments. Any that you have aprox 4" would be great!
Thanks!
Ms. Tuttle

pH project assigned today.

Greetings families,

Today, the pH project was assigned. We reviewed the rubric, looked at student samples, and discussed steps for success, which are listed below.
The rubric was handed out to all students and there is a copy on Google Classroom, should students lose it.
I handed out pH strips and discussed safety measures as well. Adult supervision is required for cleaning supplies, etc.

The final project, with data table and rubric is due on Friday, October 21.



Please have students email if anything is unclear.

Thank you!!

See below for steps to take along the way:

pH Project Steps and Suggested Timeline

Part 1: Test and record items. Begin research for "4." Finish Part 1 by Saturday, Oct. 15.

1. Find 10+ items to test for pH. Be sure items are SAFE to use.

2. Make data table to record both qualitative (color, description, notes) and quantitative (numerical) data.

3. Test items and record in data table.

**Data table should be handed in with project.
**Get approval from Ms. Tuttle for "4" topic.


Part 2: Display and Analysis

4. Organize the info! After drafting your ideas, choose the best method to neatly organize data and begin.

5. Analyze: Write about what you found in your testing. Be sure to use an opening sentence. Support statements with examples.

**Finalize outside research for a 4 and write what you learned in your own words. Be sure to cite your sources.

Hand in everything on Friday, October 21. 

Guest Scientist helping with pH tests and explanations

Thank you to Scientist Lawrence Cohen from Millenium Pharmaceuticals! He spent the day with us in grade 6, helping with pH tests and explaining the science behind it!

Permission Slips Due

Greetings families,

Please turn in all of your permission slip forms. Forms and info were sent home on Friday.
These get turned in to your child's homeroom teacher.
Thanks!
Ms. Tuttle

Maker Space!

Today was our first visit to Maker Space--

Check out some of our exploration! Ask your children what they will try next time!

6-3 First Visit to Sheffield Cove

Investigations in Ecosystems allows us to explore the world around us.

Today, we began looking at parts of the estuary.

Day 1 Fun!!! Great start to the 2016-17 school year!

Hands on engineering design project!

Fun was had by all! Great collaboration and problem solving.

Hurricane Island Application Reminders

Just a reminder:

Scholarship available for students from Jamestown for a program at Hurricane Island in Maine!

The applications are due on Tuesday, June 7th. Forms can be given to Mrs. Goodburn. If turned in to me, I will be happy to forward.

Here is the link for middle school programs running this summer.
http://www.hurricaneisland.net/middle-school/

Please be sure of availability for the week to which you are applying.

There are extra forms in my "extra paper box" for students that may need another.

Good luck!

K'Nex parts?

We are now accepting donations of K'Nex, and Legos--particularly wheels and parts for vehicles.

We would love to build multiple vehicles and replicate their design in our studies of Newton's theories and investigations on force.

Small cars, like matchbox and others are also welcome!

Thank you for your continued support. 

We are working hard to keep their minds and hands engaged! 

Ms. Tuttle

P.S. As the sun shines brightly, the classroom heats up. Please help your child remember a water bottle everyday to keep them hydrated. 

NASA Airship weather game

Here's the site for the game for W, 5/25/16.
It will be done as an in-class center.

Have fun!

Weather game: move airships around the globe

Can be single or multiple players

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/wild-weather-adventure/en/#/review/wild-weather-adventure/game.html

Science Assessments

Hello families,

Students demonstrated their knowledge this week on conduction, convection, and radiation.
They did an amazing job modeling and explaining key concepts  (Science Practices and Earth and Space Science in Aspen, respectively)!

Most scores were sent yesterday and today! Be on the lookout.

(Note: Some in 6-3 had technical difficulties in PARCC, so have extended time for their other assessments.They should be returned on Monday. Students that were absent will be receiving these next week.)

Thanks!
Have a great day!

Charlene Tuttle

Sea Perch Pics

Yesterday was the culmination of the hard work of the student engineers. Over the past few months, they have built their underwater ROVs. This includes soldering a circuit board, drilling, measuring, modifying, and lots of troubleshooting!

They outfitted them yesterday and we used a pool of a gracious Jamestown family to meet some underwater challenges! 

Everyone did an amazing job!

SeaPerch families, all the pictures were emailed to student accounts. Be sure to check them out together. Here are a few for all to enjoy.

Ms. Tuttle

 

Peeps in Space Pictures.

The project that we did in April was a HUGE success!

Students went through multiple versions of "space suits" for their Peepstronauts!

Here are class pictures with final engineering designs!
 (I would have loved to keep these in school, but due to the sugary content, I was afraid of returning from April break to an ant feast!)

Winners to speak LIVE to the Space Station

Congratulations to Hunter and Nayan!!

They will be speaking LIVE to the International Space Station this Friday! They were among 12 students in the state who were chosen from an online contest. There were 210 students from RI who submitted questions to ask to the ISS. Theirs were among the best!! 

You can tune in from anywhere in the world at:

 1145AM-1PM EST

 The actual link is:  http://livestream.com/accounts/9685187/events/5301163   (Viewers will need a no-cost Livestream.com account and should pre-check their access through school firewalls and content filters).  Direct contact with the space station is forecasted to start at 1240PM Friday but earlier viewing is encouraged. .

If you are local, you can go to the big screen at: 

The general public can watch the full presentation beginning at 1145AM Friday on a 21 foot screen  -- courtesy of newportFILM -- at nearby St Lucy’s Church, 909 West Main Rd, Middletown.  Free tickets are available though rispacechat2016.eventbrite.com

Tune in wherever you are!!

Ms. Tuttle

Modeling Clay or Playdough?

Now accepting donations of modeling clay and/or playdough.

I figured before I stopped at the store, I'd see if anyone has a surplus.

We will be using this in an exploration next week.

Thanks!
Ms. Tuttle

Quizzes sent home today

Please check your child's quiz and have them return it to school. It will be stored in their science binder for later.

We have already gone over some key concepts, mainly climate vs. weather, and effects of the angle of the sun on earth.

Thanks.
(Sorry-it was a multiple post day.So many great things happening!)

CharleneTuttle

Peeps in Space Designs

A few action shots of student engineers designing suits for their Peeps.

They researched ideas, created blueprints, built, tested in the vacuum chamber, evaluated design ideas, revised design, rebuilt, retested, and on it goes.....

Great work!

Ask Astronaut Tim Questions

You still have time to submit questions to Astronaut Tim. They are due by April 10. (Sunday)

Check out the information on Slide 11 (Assignment 6) on the Peeps Blendspace. Then, click on the link to submit questions. You will have to provide your own transportation to the site.

Or, click here for a direct link to the form.

Have fun and good luck!!!
Ms. Tuttle

Student Work Updates

Greetings families--

Please be sure to check out your child's work that came home this week. All science classes wrote essays on Earth Materials. We did an experiment on different types of earth materials (air, land, water).

They designed the experiment, collected data, then graphed it .From this, they analyzed the results, using specific data points to support their claim. In addition, there were multiple opportunities for content validation through discussion, and drawing in class.

These were all scored and returned this week. Students have the opportunity to revise, if necessary.

Social Studies: In 6-2 and 6-1, Organic Food packets were completed and returned. Please check these out as well, for  many need to finish.

The end of the quarter is Tuesday. Please ensure they bring their work in for grade enhancement by then.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Have a great weekend.

Charlene Tuttle

Science Saturday on April 30th!

Here's a great opportunity for the whole family!

Our district partners with GEMS-Net, a network based out of the School of Education at URI to bring NGSS-aligned science to the classroom! On Saturday, April 30th, GEMS-Net is hosting a free Family Science Expo at the University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center from 10 AM until 2 PM. 

Bring the whole family!

Ideas and activities will be showcased from curriculum for students ranging from Kindergarten to 8th grade. 

You’ll also have the chance to connect with URI science and engineering departments, Save the Bay, Roger Williams Zoo, and more!

Peeps in space!

Hi all,

Use this blendspace to prepare for Peeps in Space:

https://www.tes.com/lessons/TaQuX3GPbNCpBg/peeps-in-space

Have fun!

https://www.tes.com/lessons/TaQuX3GPbNCpBg/peeps-in-space

Earth materials: heating and cooling

 6-1 and 6-2:

Using your graph explain how earth materials absorb and reradiate heat energy.

Make claims about the rates at which they absorb and release. Support your thinking using examples from your data.

15 chicks!!

They are SO cute!
I'm at school now!

There were 5 in the incubator, one "freshly hatched-" wet and stumbling.
The rest generally dry. I will move them into the brooding box.

You will be so excited!
Ms. Tuttle