What's the "MATTER" in Room 111

Room 111 and the entire first grade have been learning about matter through many experiments and activities.

We started by using our bodies to illustrate how closely the molecules in matter are in solids, liquids and gasses.

Solids have molecules packed tightly together, so we packed our bodies tightly together.

Liquids have molecules a little further apart so we separated ourselves a bit.

Gasses are made up of molecules very far apart from each other so we
spread out to all areas of the classroom.

Next we took classroom objects, sorted them into the categories of solid, liquids and gas and drew pictures of each matter category:

The Tissue Experiment:

First the class had to guess (or hypothesize) what would happen when we turned over the cup with the tissue in it:

2.  We turned the cup over and put it into the water:

The tissue remained dry!!!

3. We wrote about what had happened and what caused the tissue to stay dry:

4. We learned that the tissue stayed dry because the gas (air) took up space and pushed the water away from the tissue.

The Snow Experiment

After taking a cup of snow from the outside, we observed what happened to this solid. It turned from a solid, to a liquid to a gas (when it evaporated completely).

We also decided that we would NOT eat the snow outside, because after it melted and turned to a gas, there was much dirt left!

Our Favorite Experiment:  

Baking Soda and Vinegar 

1.  First we wrote (and drew) our hypothesis on what would happen when we dumped a teaspoon of baking soda into vinegar:

2.  Then we combined the baking soda and vinegar:

3.  The students then documented what happened by snapping photos with their iPads.  (They particularly liked the scared faces I made when I actually thought the balloon was going to explode in my face!)

4.  We learned that the vinegar turned the baking soda into a gas which then filled the balloon attached to the bottle.

Field Trip Tomorrow

REMINDER!

Field Trip to the

Museum of Science

Tomorrow: Thursday, March 19th

• Please make sure that your child arrives to school on time as the buses are leaving promptly at 8:30!

• Please pack a brown paper bag lunch with drinks in non-breakable containers.

• Chaperones please arrive at your child’s classroom at 8:15.

Which Season Is Most Important: Persuasive Writing by Room 111

After reading many books, watching educational videos and opening links on all of the four seasons, we came to realize that each and every season has importance.  However, each student was asked to choose only one season and write a piece to persuade readers that this one season was the most important.  They were to use facts and pictures to support their opinion.  Below is the final draft of all of their efforts.  Enjoy!

Click on the Cover page below to read the entire book: (Once book opens, scroll down to flip to the next page)

The Entire Process:

1.  We listened to videos and read articles about each season.

2.  We learned about the features of a great persuasive text and

     listened to examples of good persuasive articles.

3.  We chose the season that we were going to write about.

4.  We researched facts on our iPads and in books.  Notes were 

     taken on what we had learned.  We used this information       

     to persuade our readers that the season which we had chosen 

     was the most important.  

5.  We wrote our first draft, edited it and then wrote our final draft.

Museum Of Science Field Trip Postponed

Museum of Science Field Trip is 

Postponed Until Further Notice

The Museum of Science field trip, originally scheduled for this Friday, Feb. 13th is being postponed due to snowbanks in the city and the impending storm forecasted for Thursday into Friday.   We called the Museum to reschedule but the Museum was closed today.  We will update you with the new date as soon as we know when it is.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.  

Updated Student List for Valentines!

Another OOPS!  I accidentally left Dylan's name off of the Valentine Class List.  (Sorry Dylan!)  Please remember to include him.  For those of you who need a complete list here are the names:

Students                                Teachers

Varsha                                    Ms. Farmer

Daniel                                     Mrs. Finkle

Tayah                                      Ms. Potts

Nathan                                    Mrs. Peabody

Justin                                      Mr. Rebella

Matty                                      Mr. MaGee

Roy

Aafreen

Chloe

Dylan

Jaiden

Bella

Isabelle 

Andrew

Ava

Amirah

Cole

Time Correction: Concert is at 8:30 am, Wed., 2/11

Time Change
OOPS!  The time for the Nursery Rhyme Concert is at 8:30.  Please make a note!

Valentine's Day
We are celebrating Valentine's Day on Thursday since our Field Trip to the Museum is on Friday.  I have sent a list of all the student's names home with your child.  Please let me know if you need another one.  Sending Valentine's is purely voluntary.  Please refrain from putting any edible treats on the Valentines (school policy).

Calendar of Events for February

February Happenings:

February is a short but very busy month!  Be sure to add these items to your calendar:

Grade One Concert - Wednesday, February, 11th at 8:30 am


Come and hear the first graders sing nursery rhymes with a "twist."

Field Trip to the Museum of Science, Friday, February 13th (8:30 - 1:30)


Please pack a brown paper bag lunch for your child with a drink in a non-breakable container.  If you have not sent in your permission form and payment for this field trip, please do so A.S.A.P. Chaperones are picked and should be alerted this week.  (NOTE: This is not the Curious George field trip in March.  Payment for the Curious George field trip was due way in advance to reserve our seats for the show).

Valentine's Day Swap


Although we do not have a classroom party for Valentine's Day, we will be sending home a list of all of your child's classmates, so that they may bring in paper Valentines for their classmates and teachers if they wish (this is voluntary). School Policy prohibits any candy or food attached to valentines (this includes lollipops -- sorry!) 


Wee Deliver


We have a school-wide mail delivery system under way at Francis Wyman.  If you would like to write and mail your child a note, there is a large mailbox set up in the front lobby.  Your child's address is: 111 JiJi Street, Burlington, MA 01803 (again, please refrain from sending any edible treats).