Science Unit: Playing with Matter!

 

Our most recent science unit focused on matter.  We learned about the 3 states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.  We attempted an oobleck experiment to see if it was a solid or a liquid.  This was definitely a messy one, but the properties of oobleck allow it to be a solid and a liquid!

Our last 3 experiments focused on a property of matter: density.  This can be a hard concept to understand because it would seem that heavy things automatically sink and light things float, but we learned that is not the case because of density.  We defined density as the amount of atoms that are packed into a given volume. The more atoms packed in, the more dense.  We experimented with sink and float, rainbow in a jar which was a layering of liquids from most dense to least dense, and using salt to affect the density of the liquids.  We had a lot of fun with these experiments!

Mystery Reader Number 5: A Brother to One, but a Cousin to Many!

 1. I am in 5th grade.

2. I am related to 6 students in 2nd grade.

3. I like to hunt and fish.

This big brother surprised his younger sister by being a Mystery Reader on Friday.  She was pretty certain the clues described him, but wasn't sure about all 6 family members he was related to.  He is a cousin to many 2nd graders!  We were excited to hear the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Numeroff.  This was a perfect choice because we will be writing our own circle stories soon.  Thanks so much for reading to us!

Mystery Reader Number 4: Animal and Cookie Loving Boy!

1. I like kitties.

2. I like chicks.

3. I like cookies.

I was thrilled when this former student said he wanted to come to 2nd grade and be a Mystery Reader.  I often get to catch up with him on the playground to hear about his newest kittens and chicks.  He sure loves them.  He also loves cookies, so the book he chose was perfect!  He read "The Duckling Gets a Cookie?!" by Mo Willems.  Thank you so much for being a Mystery Reader!  We enjoyed seeing you in 2nd grade today!

Mystery Reader #3: A Big Sister and Former Student

 1. I have 2 siblings.

2. I like to play volleyball.

3. I like to dance.

I was so happy to hear that this former student who is also a big sister to one of our students wanted to come in as a Mystery Reader.  Her brother really knows his sister and guessed her right away!  She read "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch.  This book pulls on the heartstrings of any mom!  Our Mystery Reader said she chose it because their mom always read it to them.  Later our student said that someday when he's a grown man he can't wait to have coffee with his mom.  So sweet.  Thanks for coming in and being our Mystery Reader big sister!

Mystery Reader #2: A Sweet Mom

 1. I grew up in Lanesboro.

2. I have three children.

3. I have a total of 13 nieces and nephews that either go to Lanesboro Child Care Center or Lanesboro Preschool/Elementary.

The son to this Mystery Reader called that it was his mom immediately!  This student loves farming, and she picked out the perfect book to share with the class: Charlie and the New Baby by Ree Drummond.  The new baby happens to be a calf that takes over Charlie's dog bed.  The class enjoyed asking this student and his mom all about their farm.  Thanks so much for reading to us today Sasha!

Mystery Reader #1: A Tradition Continues

 1. I wear glasses.

2. I've worked on a farm.

3. I have a dog.

Ever since Mason has been in 3rd grade he has been our first Mystery Reader.  I told him he'd have to come up with some good clues to throw off the class because I heard a few of the students predicting that Mason or Ellie would be our first Mystery Reader.  The class was definitely thrown off!  About 5 students guessed it was their grandpa.  They were sure surprised when Mason walked in!  Thanks for keeping up the tradition Mason!

Our Top Choices for the Top 20 books of 2020!

Every year we count down the top picture books from the previous year.  We start at number 20 and read one book each day until we get to the top book of the year.  It's so much fun to read these books!  We are introduced to many new titles and get to revisit a few favorites we've previously read.  After reading each book, the students choose their current favorite all the way up until the end.  Once book number one has been read, the students make their top choices and write up a short review to post in the hallway so we can spread the word of our new favorites!

Here were our favorites for 2020: