Field Trip to the Gloucester Heritage and Maritime Museum

A very special thank you to TESPTO for fully funding our recent field trip to the Gloucester Heritage and Maritime Museum.  The students were totally engaged in learning about the habitat of  ocean animals and how their adaptations help them to survive in their habitats.  They made fish prints, used microscopes to identify zooplankton, (animal) and phytoplankton (plant), handled a myriad of ocean animals at the touch tank and even saw the skeleton of Inland, the humpback whale. 

Special thanks to our four parent chaperones...the children were beautifully behaved and proved themselves capable marine biologists!

Thank you again for your support.   Click on the arrow below to view a few highlights.      

Dear Students,

Please write three to five sentences describing you favorite part of our recent field trip.  Be sure to use at least 5 spelling words from this week's list.

Have fun,

Mrs. Madden

The Penguin Lady

The children were totally engaged this morning as they reviewed all they had learned about penguins in our study of polar animals.  Dyan deNapoli or as she is better known "The Penguin Lady" visited Steward School and brought what we had learned in class to life.  She shared models of penguins...from the smallest penguin,  Little Blue to the largest penguin in the world, the Emperor Penguin.  The children answered difficult questions superbly and proved themselves experts. Thank you TESPTO for sharing such a wonderful program which allowed the children to make connections from their learning to the real world.

Please click on the arrow below to view the TedEd video and learn more about the Penguin Lady's work and her resolve to save penguins.

Dear boys and girls,
Today we all enjoyed learning about penguins from The Penguin Lady, please write me a short letter about the most interesting fact you enjoyed from her presentation.  Be sure to refer to your index card if you need a reminder, and ALWAYS check for C-O-P-S.
Your teacher,
Mrs. Madden

Snow Day Challengers

Congratulations to those students who participated in the Snow Day Challenge...your work is insightful, accurate and very creative. Remember learning takes place in the world around you...so always keep your eyes open and use your creative imaginations!   Weather Report from Chris Brady on Vimeo.

Megan and her sister Abby report the weather conditions live from their backyard during a record breaking snowfall in Topsfield.  They both have a future in broadcasting...look out Harvey Leonard!

Gavin wrote a multiplication sentence using food coloring.

Cole & Quinn are relaxing after shoveling snow off their trampoline.

Eliza has perfected her measuring skills using a meter stick.

We are Entomologists!

We began our research skills this year with a focus on insects, as a culminating activity the children wrote a mini-research report, drew their insects and using their first person voice spoke as their insect, and finally recited a poem by Ethel Jacobson, called Insects' World. 

Please click on the image below to hear and watch all we have learned.

Dear Parents and students,
Please click on the "No Comments" button below and share two new facts you learned from our entomologists.  Be sure to click on PUBLISH and leave your first names only!

The children were captivated while they watched and listened to each insect report. 

Cole learned that the horn tail wasp is related to the termite and doesn't sting people.

Mia's  butterfly has left for her long migration to Mexico..."tootles!"

The Butterflies Have Emerged!

The students were making their final observations when "right before our eyes" (quoted from Alex) two butterflies emerged from their chrysalises! The children have named the first butterfly, Jeremy and we are anxiously awaiting the name of our second butterfly.

Every student silently observed our first butterfly emerge from his chrysalis...meet Jeremy!

We are planning to release all 19 butterflies soon so that they can safely migrate their way to warmer weather in Mexico.  Click on the highlighted word above to see a National Geographic video showing the long migration of Monarch butterflies arriving in Mexico.

Can you predict how long it will take for our classroom butterflies to make their way to Mexico? Watch the video first and then use your new knowledge to form a strong prediction, record your prediction below in comments.  Be sure to share your prediction with family and friends.

Can you see the proboscis?

One last chrysalis left, I wonder how much longer it will be before a beautiful butterfly emerges?

Fascinating Facts About Our Polar Animals

After weeks of research, writing, and editing we have completed our Polar Animal Research Reports, and as a culminating activity the children chose one fascinating fact they uncovered in their research.  Click on the picture below to hear us present our Fascinating Facts.  

We would love to hear your thoughts and what you found Most Fascinating.  Please leave your comments below and we will share them in class.

Here are our Drawing Pad Pictures!

Scientists in Antarctica

We recently traveled to Antarctica and "visited" with scientists to learn about the Emperor and Adelie penguins. The students had the opportunity to participate in a webcast where scientists answered questions about their research.  The children were totally engaged and learned so much from listening and looking at beautiful photographs of Antarctica.  Here are some of the facts they recorded after our visit to Antarctica.
                                                             
                                               Test Your Own Knowledge....
Daniel learned there is one active volcano in Antarctica.
Grace G. learned that scientists need to wear sunglasses because the snow and ice reflect the bright sun.
Louie learned that the scientists celebrated the first penguin egg during their research.
Sarah learned that there are lakes and volcanoes under the ice.
Matthew learned that Antarctica is mostly land, only 2% is covered in water.
Ashley learned that Emperor and Adelie penguins live in Antarctica.
Max and Shea learned that Antarctica's lowest average temperature is minus 56 degrees.
Ella learned that the scientists wear white insulated rubber boots.
Joelle learned that scientists live in tents, but not in igloos.
Anna learned that the Antarctic scientists wore clothing that weighed over 25 pounds to help them stay warm.
Haylie learned that Antarctic's average warm temperature is 7.5 degrees.
Olivia learned that walruses do not live in Antarctica.
Noah learned that 98% of Antarctica is ice, which can be miles thick.
Grace M. learned that the sun never sets during the winter in Antarctica.
Katie learned that the Emperor penguin is the largest penguin, which can grow to 3-4 feel tall.
Charlie learned that there are no polar bears in Antarctica.
Trevor learned that there are no waves in Antarctica.

Comparing & Contrasting Butterflies and Moths

Your children have been diligently working on their research and writing skills in science.  They have completed their insect reports and have written informational paragraphs to determine similarities and differences between butterflies and moths.  The emphasis for both writing projects was to use scientific vocabulary, factual information and strong editing skills.  I am very proud of their hard work as they wove through the steps of the Writing Process.  Your child's final drafts are proudly displayed in our classroom.
 The children chose one of their butterfly and moth comparisons and worked with a partner to create a mini slide show on our school iPads.  Please click on the link below to see and hear your child's voice as they share their learning.  Thank you Mrs. Klipfel for your expertise!

http://www.mrsklipfelstopteachingtips.blogspot.com/2013/10/butterflies-and-moths-for-past-few.html

Migrating to Mexico

Dear Families,
The last of the remaining twenty butterflies have been released and we wonder and hope if they will migrate safely to Mexico!  These last few weeks of warm weather will hopefully give them ample time to make their long journey.  It was amazing to watch the little caterpillars grow, grow, and grow each day.  Eventually each caterpillar formed a chrysalis and a week later twenty beautiful Painted Lady butterflies emerged! Your child was fascinated throughout this process and although we were happy to see them go through their metamorphic stages, it was a bittersweet good-bye.
Please take a moment to look at some of our photos.