Making Waves on Venus and the Wave Field!

After reading an excerpt about Venus in a book titled Solar System by Gregory Vogt, Kindergartners discussed Venus' attributes- namely  its white clouds, volcanoes, and poisonous gases.  Information about the need to use radio waves from a space craft to find out  about Venus sparked an impromptu trip to
U of M's "Wave Field."   I explained that Maya Lin (the same woman that designed the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C.)  designed the "field" in honor of a downed airplane pilot  and was created to resemble sound waves and even ocean waves.  The Kindergartners had a blast running, rolling, tumbling, and conquering the masterfully crafted mounds of soil, seed, and simulated surf.

A sample of an actual moon rock!

We also took a "stealth quiet" peek inside the engineering building and found a sample of an actual moon rock, Apollo Space Mission memorabilia including golf balls, and aircraft engines.

As an added treat, Kai's Mom brought in a beautiful photograph of Kai's Great-Great Uncle, Scott Carpenter, surrounded by the shuttle and attendees and adorned in his space suit.   He was actually the astronaut aboard the United States Aurora Space Shuttle!!!  The children were excited to know about Mr. Carpenter and had lots of questions about his adventure in space!  Kai beamed with pride at having such an outstanding relative!

Finally, we just had to to simulate some of Venus' volcano eruptions on the playground using vinegar, baking soda, red watercolor paint, and dish soap!   We then attempted a second eruption to see if our volcano was dormant or extinct!

Those Shoes!

Kindergartners listened to and compared two versions of The Elves and the Shoemaker.  We later read a story about a little boy who reluctantly gave away a much desired yet too small pair of gym shoes to a classmate.  We talked about what it meant to be in poverty and or in need.  We also shared stories about the journey of our own outgrown shoes and clothes.   The conversation of helping others must have sparked a spirit of giving. Our "Andy's (Warhol) Cans" count is up to 70!  Only 30 cans to go in order to reach our goal of 100 Cans!



Kindergartners also created their own shoe design then converted their images to lacing cards.  Some even practiced their shoe tying skills.  We also adorned shoes depicting various parts of the world including wooden clogs from Holland, leather slippers from India, tap shoes, and fairy slippers!  We then predicted what a wooden, foot-shaped device with a long metal screw in it could possibly be used for.

We were  then inspired to  become "elves" ourselves and solicited parents for their much loved and thirsty shoes.  Footwear of every size and color came in and were magically transformed into like new status.  Elves brushed, pasted,  and polished until their hearts content.  Afterward we inspected our work and beamed with pride for a job well done.

 

 

Trip to Leslie Science Center's "Sensing Nature"

 Kindergartners used all five senses to explore and investigate the wonders of nature.  Our program coordinator, Stefan, was knowledgeable, interesting and fun!  He led us through many activities including a "feely" box exercise, a taste test, partner sound recognition challenge, a "spot the metal animal in the tree" eye spy game, and of course up close and personal observations and handling of lots of adorable critters in the Critter House.  We also pretended to assist a baby skunk that attempted to smell out its mom!
We ended our visit with lunch and a fun-filled play date at Eleanor's house before returning to school.  

                              Feeling!

A snaky sense of touch!

         Tasting! 

Critter Room & Classroom!

Deer you hear me now?

Our sense of touch compensates for our lack of sight!
(above) Pictorials assist us with our tree critter searching.

We listened and found our sound match partner!

Space Exploration!

Space Exploration!
Kindergartners listened to There's No Place Like Space!: All About the Solar System revised edition by Tish Rabe (also a Cat in the Hat book) and The Magic School Bus Blasts into Space after discussing  what "space" really means to us.  Some said, "The planets!" "Galaxies!" "Outer space!"  Another child said, "Space means space..., you know..., sometimes when people are too close to you and you need some space!"   We also talked about what "revised" means due to our current status of our now "dwarf planet" Pluto.  We are investigating criteria for being called a "planet" and why Pluto no long qualifies according to some scientists.  This month, while blow up planets hover overhead, we will be exploring all of these ideas and hopefully many many more!



Our current chapter book selection is The Little Prince written and illustrated by  Antoine de Saint Exupery.   Ironically, this book also ponders the subject of planets, space travel, and of course the odd and sometimes illogical thoughts of adults from the perspective of a child.  Our journal entries during our listening time have been insightful and reflective just like our story.   Large flowers, planets, and interesting story lines have been depicted.


(left) Ava's interpretation of "The Flower" from The Little Prince"

Our Math unit is currently Currency (tongue twister!)  We are discussing the value of coins, observing images depicted on both the front and back of certain coins, and practicing adding coins.  We learned that none of the presidents depicted is  President Obama but instead President Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Dwight D. Eisenhower.  (Kindergartners are so funny!)  After the first lesson the children chanted "More Money Math" over and over!  We are also adding "Monticello", and "stove top hat" to our word wall.

(Right) Maia arranges various coins into the shape of "5"

On Wednesday, we attempted to identify mystery solutions then predicted which would be the best  solution to use to clean pennies.   We then placed our mystery solution selections  on trays with lots of dirty pennies  and  observed the results.   We later found out  our choices included water, vinegar, dish soap, and  coca cola that had contained ice.  We later added shaving cream, mouth wash, hand sanitizer, and coca cola straight out of the bottle to our test.  Friday will be our reveal day and we will graph our results.

Olivia explains our predictions of  potential penny cleaning solutions to Daddy!

Mason shares some of his souvenirs from a recent family trip to Paris in Madame's French class!

               Andy's (Warhol) Can Count:  55 as of 4/11/12

Cloud!

Kindergartners were treated to a real life "still life" in Tracy's Art class last Thursday when a rescued pigeon named "Cloud" stopped by from the Bird Center of Washtenaw County.
Ks heard its journey from a private owner to the Center for safe keeping.

 The first thing on the agenda was a quiet atmosphere and a meal fit for a bird.   A brief description of other birds was also given.  One of the Interns that accompanied Cloud's caregiver showed the difference between the largest bird, the ostrich's egg and that of the smallest bird-the hummingbird.   That egg is the size of a jelly bean.
 

The intern also brought a real ostrich egg that had its yolk "blown out" and shell dried.  The importance of feathers and the size and type of wing on birds was also explained.

Next, Cloud made its appearance and seemed very comfortable around the children.  We observed how its foot did not grow properly and was reverted backward but how the bird had adapted to it even in its extended lifespan.  It was also explained that this foot malformity possibly could prevent the bird from  landing properly after flight.  Cloud seemed perfectly contented, however, in his habitat at the center.  Lastly, Clouds wing was extended to observe wing details.  Kindergartners put pencil to paper and began sketching this beautiful and very peaceful creature.  The Ks (and the rest of the Art classes) will be using details from their drawings to make some three -dimensional birds of their own, Tracy stated.