SCIENCE
Osmosis and Cello Jello were the big science activities this week. We had a wonderful time learning about cell processes with eggs. We placed eggs into vinegar last week to dissolve the outer calcium carbonate shell. With the shell removed we were able to allow the cell membranes to demonstrate that they are semi-permeable by placing the eggs into two solutions. One solution was tap water and the other solution was salt water. The eggs both changed sizes and the yolks were drastically different due to osmosis. The salt water egg was slightly smaller and the yolk was a small, tight ball. This was the result of the salt water effecting the water amount in the yolk (vacuole) of the egg. The tap water egg was slightly larger and the yolk was large and soft due to the increase in water amount. Your children loved the whole three day lab and were so excited about he breaking of the eggs for observations! I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do! The expressions on your children's faces were priceless! (Click here to watch a video clip from this very cool lesson).
Cello Jello was the last part of the week. We used jello as the cytoplasm of our animal cells and added candy to the cells to demonstrate organelles of the cell. We learned about each organelle and how it helps the cell carry out all cell processes such as cellular respiration. This was a fun and delicious activity! Thank you for all your candy donations! They made this activity a success!
Osmosis and Cello Jello were the big science activities this week. We had a wonderful time learning about cell processes with eggs. We placed eggs into vinegar last week to dissolve the outer calcium carbonate shell. With the shell removed we were able to allow the cell membranes to demonstrate that they are semi-permeable by placing the eggs into two solutions. One solution was tap water and the other solution was salt water. The eggs both changed sizes and the yolks were drastically different due to osmosis. The salt water egg was slightly smaller and the yolk was a small, tight ball. This was the result of the salt water effecting the water amount in the yolk (vacuole) of the egg. The tap water egg was slightly larger and the yolk was large and soft due to the increase in water amount. Your children loved the whole three day lab and were so excited about he breaking of the eggs for observations! I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do! The expressions on your children's faces were priceless! (Click here to watch a video clip from this very cool lesson).
Cello Jello was the last part of the week. We used jello as the cytoplasm of our animal cells and added candy to the cells to demonstrate organelles of the cell. We learned about each organelle and how it helps the cell carry out all cell processes such as cellular respiration. This was a fun and delicious activity! Thank you for all your candy donations! They made this activity a success!
MATH
We wrapped up the year 2009 by taking an announced test on the Algebra Unit we've been engaged in for the past few weeks. This week the students will be analyzing and correcting errors on these tests. This provides me with an excellent opportunity for reteaching and individualizing instruction. I will send home these assessments this week so you can monitor your child's progress as well. PLEASE take care to sign this assessment and return to school for my records. Thanks for all of the support you show at home! Your input and guidance make a world of difference, particularly in regards to helping your children acquire, refine, and practice study skills!
REMINDERS:
- No homework was assigned over the break. New homework assignments will be made this Thursday, January 7th and will be due next Thursday, January 14th.
- Therefore, there will be NO MATHLETES THIS WEEK. We will resume our sessions next Tuesday, January 12th.
This fall has been wonderful, but we have found due to the significant amount of illness, we are running low on paper towels and disinfectant wipes. If you are able to send in either of these, we would really appreciate it! Thanks for all you do!
Happy New Year!
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