Teacher Ms. Dana Sorin

News

January 30, 2008

Dear Families at St Ann,

I cannot believe it is already January- this school year is flying by! Here is a brief overview of what we studied in Science Lab in 2007, as well as what we are looking forward to experimenting with in 2008!

TK and Kindergarten: We have been experimenting with a variety of things; colors, testing various nuts and their shells, using our senses, making homemade bubbles and Gak! (as pictured to the right). This semester, we will ~ begin the year learning about magnets and density.

1 st Grade- The first graders learned about mixing different chemicals to create a reaction (Le. vinegar and baking soda), as well as determining why certain objects sink while others float and what this tells us about mass.
They also learned a lot about spiders, (ask a first grader why a spider does not stick to its own web but insects do!), why some animals have blubber, and we are continuing our study of basic animal needs, features and habitats! We will also learn about the different states of matter, rocks, soil, balance and motion.

2nd Grade- They have been studying the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas), how matter moves and what causes properties of matter to change (i.e. how stream is created from heating water, as well as freezing water to make ice). We have also been studying sound for several weeks now. We are learning about sound waves, vibrations and how sound travels through various objects (ask them about knocking a spoon against a table, and listening to a sound through a balloon!). Next, we will look into animal life cycles and weather.

3rd Grade- The third grade class this year has been studying the different states of matter and that no two states of matter can occupy the same space at the same time. We also experimented with our new vocabulary word "dissolve" and tested various solids and liquids. Next, we moved on to living things and plants. Each student made their own grass terrarium to study basic needs of all living things. We learned how to use the microscope and looked at plant cells from a tree right outside S1. Ann! This month, we are going to begin to study the various properties of soil, the human body and the Solar System.

4tb Grade- In fourth grade, we started out the year learning about cells. We used microscopes to look at potato, onion, yeast and our own cheek cells! We also studied the many ecosystems throughout the world as well as how our actions affect the Earth. The fourth grade class also dissected owl pellets after the Carolina Raptor Center came to visit to learn about owl digestion. We spent time learning about earthworms, their habitat, and their bodies. This next semester, we will begin studying rocks and minerals, magnets and electricity as well as how food provides energy for the human body.

5tb Grade- The fifth grade students studied very similar topics to the fourth grade, but in greater detail! We also reviewed cells and ecosystems, but the fifth grade students worked in small groups to research the various ecosystems and made presentations to their peers about what they learned (pictured below). We learned many new vocabulary words including our favorite, biotic and abiotic (ask your student!). We also experimented with oil and water to discuss the affects of the California Oil Spill from early December. Fifth graders also compared our nerve cells with muscle cells and learned about the organ systems within our bodies as well as dissected owl pellets. Along with the fourth grade, we observed earthwonns and then placed them in Mr. Gabes garden outside! We will move on to landfonns as well as forces in motion and technological design.

The Science Lab this past semester had a new addition.. .lab coats! Students now have the opportunity to put on their science "thinking caps" and explore the world of science!

We also had the opportunity to host the Carolina Raptor Center in early December. The employees brought in five unique raptors and hawks for students to observe, learn about, and ask many questions about! This was a great experience! Max and Firestone were our two other special visitors to the Science Lab this year. Mrs. Joanne Weeks shared her two desert tortoises' with St.
Ann's early this year and we learned a lot about their habitats and features. Thank you Mrs. Weeks!

Also, I wanted to say a very special thank you for all of your thoughtful and generous Christmas gifts. St. Ann's families have really made my transition to Charlotte successful! I am looking forward to this next semester at St. Ann's! If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me at any time.

Sincerely, Miss. Sorin