Awesome Density Tower with Cool Twist

So onto today's experiment which is one of my absolute favorites! The kids play a big role in the one so they really enjoy it plus you can do with stuff you have around the house- what is better than that?!




First let's start off with some materials:

There are a many places you can look up to find different materials for this experiment.  Such as here.

I just used what we had on hand:

maple syrup
honey
rubbing alcohol
water
oil
dish soap
salt

They worked great.  Now we have couple options you can layer them  by heaviest first which is easiest to do and gives the best results.  The order for that would be: honey, syrup, soap, water, rubbing alcohol, oil.  Or you could just put them in and see where they go.

For younger students this would be the easiest.  I would start with water (colored with food coloring) and then put in different liquids to see if it is heavier or lighter than water!

For older students I would have them predict first, because that would be pretty easy to do with some liquids then have them layer in whatever order they want and record their results on the freebie below! :)

Click the picture to grab your copy!

Here's some pictures of how ours went!  My camera did a funny flash but the experiment itself turned out awesome.  I used a test tube (to be science-y) but an empty water bottle or vase would work great! 


Our rubbing alcohol was green and layered right over the blue water if you can't see it very well!







A variation we tried was adding salt! It drags some of the liquids down but you can see where it settles and where the liquids float back up- FUN! 






Our salt eventually making it to the bottom, dragging along bubbles!




Once again I'm linking up with TBA for FREEBIE Friday!!!





Freebie Fridays





6

Ivory Soap Experiment and Dough Recipe

So we did a million things at camp today......not sure what got into my planning but here is one of my favorites!!!!

I'm sure you've run across this easy recipe many times but seriously just go DO IT!!! It is super fun - even my "Big" kids (aka the oldest group) was amazed that their predictions were very wrong.

All you need is Ivory soap,  a plate and a microwave- HOW SIMPLE!!

One big clue: It must be Ivory soap- no one other ones with work.  It has something to do with the air that is whipped into it.



Brace yourselves: Pop this bad boy into the microwave for no longer than 2 minutes!!!!


We took ours out at a minute after it cooled, then scrapped it off, then another minute (because I was tired of getting it off the microwave)

BE AMAZED!


BAMMMM!! My older kids thought it felt like dried shaving cream, it was smooth, crumbly, fun............in other words- AWESOME!

Well we didn't stop there: I had preschool later so we crumbled up our soap, added a little water, and tore up some paper towels and WALLLLAHHH: 

Ivory Soap Dough 


Ok ok...it doesn't look like much but it is so fun to play around with! Trust me!!

You could also add food coloring and after awhile it does get pretty hard so you could make shapes.


Who could resist playing with something that gets you clean??!  ;)





1

Question for all Teachers out there- New teacher Help!!

So I got to do something awesome today!!! One of my friends who graduated and has a job let me help her set up her classroom today.  We're both kind of in the same boat not having our own classrooms before so she wanted my input ........ and I said "Of course" (I secretly jumped up and down)

Whew....I know what all the teachers talk about- it is A LOT of work, moving everything around, getting set up.  She wanted to take inventory and see what she might need to order from school to start the year which is where my question comes in.  Being a brand new teacher,WHAT DO YOU ORDER?  

Where does one even start?!  This is not something we went over in college :(  

The principal helped start a list and we checked some websites and marked off what was left by a previous teacher, but other than that we just really didn't know

So in blog-land - teachers, I'm asking what would be something a new teacher might forget or really should remember school supply wise to ask for?  (Like out of those big catalogs)  

Storage is not an issue with lots of cabinets  but other than that...........if anyone has ideas of where to start with a new classroom those will be much appreciated!! ;)  

Thanks in advance everyone!! 





6

ELEPHANT TOOTHPASTE!!

You cannot miss this experiment!!! It is so fun and has some "WOW" results.  You'll see where it gets its name shortly!  I found the experiment here and just knew I had to try it. 


Here's the steps!  Give  it a try for yourself!!!






Materials: 
 yeast
warm water
bowl
pan
dish soap
food coloring
6% hydrogen peroxide (I used clairoxide clear developer from a beauty supply store)


Steps: 

1. set plastic water bottle in pan.

2. Mix together 1 tsp. yeast and 2 tbsp. water and let set while you make the other solution!

3. Pour 1/2 cup of the developer (peroxide) into bottle, add 4-5 drops of food coloring, and then a squirt of dish soap.

4.  Pour yeast into bottle and see what happens! :)




Prepare yourself for OOOOHHHHSs and AAAAHHHHHsss!!! It happens quickly but goes on for awhile! The reaction is exothermic and the bottle and foam gets warm as well. 

If you want the scientific explanation: (here it is copied from the website above)
"The reaction is summarized by this formula: 2 H2O2  -->  2 H2O + 02.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) naturally breaks down into water and oxygen.  It is stored in opaque containers to help slow down this process.  Catalase (an enzyme in all living things, including yeast) speeds up the reaction.  Dish soap catches the oxygen and makes bigger bubbles and the food coloring makes it look cool.  The foam and bottle feel warm because the reaction is exothermic--it releases energy as heat."



 Here's a freebie to go with the awesome experiment:   Click the picture below to get it!



I'm linking up with Classroom Freebies as well!




Classroom Freebies Manic Monday




Have a great rest of the day everyone!




8

Cool Pepper Scatter Experiment

Well another classic experiment we did yesterday involved pepper!  This easy experiment has some eye-catching results that are definitely fun to watch.

All you need is water, pepper, dish soap and a bowl.

Put some water in, add pepper -



it looks like this!  Not some impressive....

now add some dish soap- just a drop will do- right to the middle .................BAM!!!! THE PEPPER SCATTERS!!! It happens pretty fast by breaking the surface tension of the water.

I've done this experiment before and stopped after just pepper but I read somewhere (?) that cinnamon would also work so we gave it a try:





It worked great as well!!!  Always the scientists we are: we tried with both, we tried soap on the side (still worked!), we also put more pepper and cinnamon after the soap and we noticed that the substances would group together even when sprinkled all over!!!


This makes for a great visual and is an easy experiment to add to curriculum! :)

----------squirrel---------------------------------------


So after officially graduating soon, I'm thinking about getting my Masters in Educational Technology? I wanted to hear any thoughts that anybody has on it? I really love technology and incorporating it into the classroom.  I would love to hear any comments though!!!!




1

Double the Experiments, Double the Fun

So we've been really busy and working away all week.  What you ask have we been doing?  Well here is a couple project we've been working on:


Rubber Cement Resists- so easy (!) and super hands-on.  You could do so many things with them! Art projects GALORE!




Now they are not the most fancy pieces of art work ever but they are fun! All you do is put rubber cement down then let it dry,  paint over it and let dry, then using your finger rub the rubber cement off!  Easy-Peasy!!!

Pretty much every age level would love this and you can paint designs and peel as well- ours were just abstract. 

This could also make a great background for a card or other type of project that you want to do!





1

Secret Legit Invention Hunters

Bet that title intrigued you?!  (he he....)  I named this yesterday for a project we were doing.  While waiting on some of my other supplies I remember something we did last year and something Farley's post reminded me of!  INVENTIONS!!!


We did something like this before but I took it to a whole new level!


You can see our timeline for class (top right)


1. Pick Audience card (girls, boys, kids, grandparents, parents, dogs, etc...)
     Pick Purpose card (bathroom, eating/kitchen, entertainment, outside, wild...)
    Pick Adjective (electronic, colorful, creative...)


2.  Brainstorm!!  All our inventions had to help people and fill the qualifications on the card!  Boy were some hard! We even had a counselors group and we had fun with this :)


3.  Worked on our posters which had to have a title, tagline, price, why you should buy it, and the picture of course.  Ours were not too indepth because I didn't have days to complete this, but the kids were fantastic and worked great together!!!


4.  Think about the sales pitch and how they wanted to present which we just finished up today. So proud of their work.  Check out some of our samples below.


For younger age groups, I only had them pick either a purpose or an audience to make it easier!  The kids also wanted to make their inventions too! If we had lots of leftover supplies I would have let them.  This would be a great extension if you had the time.  (Farley's post- has some great examples!!!)





Audience: Grandparents         Purpose: Entertainment

This was my group!!!  We came up with a wireless controller that was compatible with every game system and had a secret cheat screen!!!



Audience: Parents       Purpose: Kitchen/Eating

Cookingbot - to cool all your food.  It comes in boy and girl types.  Looks pretty stylish to me.



Audience: Boys    Purpose: Bathroom     Adjective: Religious

I'm so proud of these girls- this would be a tough one but they came up with an awesome Noah's Ark boat (we are a religious camp)  that has some pretty cool features like animal noises and an anchor.  






Audience: Girls        Purpose: Transportation

My boys were pretty reluctant but they did an awesome job designing this car that has clothes in the trunk, makeup in the dashboard, and a built in phone all with a flower theme.  What girl doesn't love that?!

Even I had fun with this project!  Making homemade Petri dishes today look for those coming soon! :)




0

Skittles and M&M experiment (with Freebie)



So inspired once again from candyexperiments.com we conducted an experiment with Skittles and M&Ms. This experiment is very straightforward easy to do and takes very little time with COOL results.  Here is the breakdown for you:


Materials: 
a few M&Ms
a few Skittles
2 cups
warm water

Steps: 
1. Fill the cup up with a little water
2. Put candy in two cups with the letters facing up 
3. Wait about 10 min and see what happens (do NOT mix the cups!!!)

How easy is that?!  Most of the students thought is was AWESOME!  Some of them have even been trying these experiments at home- that's really awesome for me as a science teacher to get them excited about learning.

With most of the students, we don't go crazy in-depth just talk about some vocab and what they would to do next and also PREDICTIONS!  

Check out some pictures from the ones we've been trying: 


The "S" is stuck in the red (whoops) look how cool the colors look!!!!


The Ms definitely came off better and usually stayed in one piece :)  See it floating around up there!


On the left the 2 big chunks are S's (the water kinda got gross) and on the right are more Ms again!!

Sorry about how unappetizing this makes candy look - trust me the kids still want some after you finished. This does not deter them ONE BIT ;)



Check out this Freebie to go along with the experiment! It is easier for some of my classes to draw pictures and write a few words so this works great!



I'm linking up with:


Freebie Fridays






5

Daily 5 Chapter 1 book study and Linky Party




So if you've been reading for awhile you would know that I will be implementing Daily 5 this year with my cooperating teacher for student teaching.  She wanted me to read the book so we could both be ready for this year (We moved up a grade and they are already using this).  I'm pretty excited and thought this would be a good motivator to read the book.

Although upon starting, I realized I don't need much motivation (LOL) I'm already way far ahead....not the point :) 


Here are a few framing questions to ponder about Chapter One: 

1. On pages 4-6, the authors present two different pictures of their classrooms. In thinking about and reflecting on your own practice, how would you characterize your literacy block? Does it look more like the first or second scenario, or is it somewhere in between? How will you change it?

The classroom I was in, used a version of corners (kinda like centers) and the students were very independent! We hardly had any interruptions in our reading groups although this was at the end of the year so they had had plenty of practice :) 

I think after being the classroom the independence is something key to classroom success and I'm glad to start implementing Daily 5 so I can see it from the beginning.  Giving the students independence really showed me that students can be accountable for what they are suppose to do and you do not have to monitor them constantly.  I find this pretty revolutionary just because of the general idea of teaching and education but I also find it fantastic and this books gives a great way to start/ease in that seems so productive for so many teachers!


2. The typical teacher is very busy having students do lots of different activities. How is what you are having students do now in your classroom creating quality readers and writers? 

I think the important part of this question for me is "Quality" readers and writers.  Giving students lots of busy work does not equal QUALITY! Teaching them specific things to be good readers and writers (and actually wanting them to be!!!) is what teachers often strive for but do not know how to get there.  Daily 5 seems like a great way to start! Quality readers and writers aren't built by endless worksheets just to prove data.  Starting with their habits and teaching them a love for reading and writing can build a solid foundation for students for years to come.  This can also make the literacy block more enjoyable that rotating around to centers or completing tasks that students do not see as relevant, which makes them less likely to be done 


3. What sets the Daily 5 structure apart from what you are doing in your classroom?

Well I know I don't really have my own classroom, but I think I can answer from a general perspective.  I think it gives the literacy block structure and meaning. Goals for the students to become readers and writers are accomplished and we have a path to do it.  I think some teachers just use what they think will work because they are accountable for student success but actually giving some independence to students you would be surprised the results!  

Head over to 
http://seusstastic.blogspot.com/ to link up for yourself!  Hope everyone is enjoying the book as much as I am :) 


--------------------------squirrel-----------------------------------------------------
        (I, too, have stole this.  I'm sure everyone knows what it means)


Comment-a-holic


 A great link up put on by Mrs. Stanford's Class!   First, I totally agree with the robot comments she mentioned!  It is easily removed (so we don't have to keep proving we are human :)

My pet peeves:

1. Music on blogs...I like music and all but when I'm blogging I want to read and this just gets me distracted (that is not hard to do but still.........)

2. Blogging about a TON of giveaways (yes I was guilty in beginning my blog) but if you can put a bunch of them together that I find more helpful!

Link up and share your pet peeves!!!



7

Science FREEBIE and Gummy Bear Results


You can see some results of our gummy bear lab above!  The top yellow bear is a plain gummy bear and the one to the left was put in water! We estimated it grew about 2.5 times its original size.  The pink bear was put in salt water and did not grow very much at all and was still pretty firm (unlike the water bear)



Some of the kids touching and observing the gummy bears we started soaking yesterday!  Quite Fun!


Sorry its upside down, but more of our gummy bears.  Some of our favorites were soda (which changed color completely) and the bleach because it completely disintegrated and produced heat (which was definitely cool!)  



At the very end of class we created some gummy bear "superlatives" if you will and filled them in.  We went over some general observations: like any gummy bears in liquid absorb to some degree and get a little bigger at least.  We had a great time with our experiment!

Check out the freebie below which you can use with a variety of science experiments, I love to use it a lot with camp especially with younger kids because having a say in the experiment really invests the kids in learning.  Let me know what you think!

Click the pic for the freebie!









3

Everybody loves CANDY!!!!!


So this week for camp all the experiments we are doing have to do with candy!  I got a ton of information from Pinterest and this website: http://www.candyexperiments.com/ (go figure...LOL)

But the kids are so excited.....today we started off with a gummy bear lab!!! I was inspired by this pin:




But we took it to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL! I was once again amazed by the brainstorming and creativeness of the class.  We started out with our regular water, salt water, then we added vinegar, baking soda and vinegar, and sugar water (each with separate cups)


Then after the first class, I had the oldest group and each table brainstormed what they wanted to try with the gummy bears.  Look at our impressive list: 



I'm sure you can't read it all but it was long!  We wrote down what we wanted to test, then our guesses of what would happen, and we left space to fill in the results tomorrow!  Boy am I excited and I know that the kids are too!  They had so much fun coming up with things- they didn't want to stop :) 

Some of our oldest campers suggested bleach.  At first I was hesitant but because these were the oldest kids (3rd grade and up) I knew that if we could (under controlled conditions) we should give them the chance to explore....so we used a little bleach- and kept it away from our hands and faces!!!!


This was one of those happy accidents (which I love and are an awesome learning experience for science)....it was pretty cool.  Most of the gummy bears you have to wait to see what happens....NOT THIS ONE!

Take a look: 



They dissolved right away and there was even foam on the top!!! The cup was WARM also!!!  I'm not really sure all the exact science behind this (I'll look it up for class tomorrow ;)

I suggest if you try this doing it outside because of the smell and then bring it inside later! I'll update what happens to the rest of our gummy bears tomorrow and check back in this week for more awesome CANDY experiments :)




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