Ms. Smith

Great Blue Heron nest webcam

I’ve loved watching a nest of 5 baby great blue herons via live webcam, produced by Cornell University. Following the link to check it out!

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=2433

Jenney

Add comment Posted in First Grade Science ,General ,Kindergarten Science ,Second Grade Science ,Third Grade Science May 14, 2012

Wingmasters event at the Stockbridge Library

Hi all!

There is an upcoming event at the Stockbridge Library that I thought you would like to know about. It is the Wingmasters Birds of Prey Program on Saturday, April 28th at 11:00 a.m.

More info:

The Stockbridge Library Association will host Julie Collier of Wingmasters on Saturday, April 28 at 11:00 a.m. 

Wingmasters is a partnership of two people dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of

North American birds of prey.  Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks are both licensed raptor rehabilitators based

in Massachusetts.  Together they care for injured birds of prey.  Most of the birds they rehabilitate can

ultimately be released back into the wild, but in some cases the birds are left permanently handicapped.

Julie and Jim are further licensed to provide a home for these non-releasable raptors, and to use them for

educational programs.  Since 1994 WINGMASTERS has presented over 5,000 programs at schools, libraries and

museums throughout New England.

Ms. Collier will present a program involving five North American birds of prey. Children will learn about

birds of prey, the rehabilitation of injured birds, and a wealth of facts and folklore about these birds.

The presentation will introduce live eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls to the children, and will explain

predation and the characteristics of raptors. 

The program is free and open to the public and is supported by a grant from the Stockbridge Cultural Council.

For more about this event and others at the Stockbridge Library, please call (413) 298-5501 or visit the

library's Facebook page or website at http://www.stockbridgelibrary.org.

Add comment Posted in First Grade Science ,General ,Kindergarten Science ,Second Grade Science ,Third Grade Science April 23, 2012

It must be Spring – the peas are up!

The first week after returning from vacation, the First Graders planted peas in the garden. Today, while out watering, we noticed that teeny, tiny pea plants are shooting up from the soil. Yay!! These are peas that students will harvest before leaving for summer break. We will freeze them for Thanksgiving Soup.

Add comment Posted in First Grade Science ,General April 11, 2012

Air is Everywhere

The new unit in Kindergarten Science is called “Air is Everywhere”.

By the end of the unit, students will know:

Air occupies space.
Air has weight.
Warm air rises.
How a suction cup works.
What compressed air is and how it can help humans carry out tasks.
Wind is the movement of air.

We will have fun exploring wind by playing with kites over the next few weeks! Kindergartners are also going to begin a unit on local wildflowers, as well as getting out into the garden to plant some pumpkins and flowers.

Add comment Posted in Kindergarten Science March 30, 2012

Bat House Making Workshop at Pleasant Valley

I like to pass along things that look interesting…..

There will be a Bat House Making Workshop at the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, March 31st from 1:30-3:00 pm. This event is open to families with children ages 5 and up. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. The cost includes building materials for the bat box. Bring a hammer if you have one.

Workshop description from Mass Audubon: “Having bat houses on your property is a way to enjoy observing these useful predators of flying insects (such as mosquitoes) at your own home. Beginner and expert woodworkers are welcome to join Rene Laubach, bat enthusiast, as he demonstrates how to construct a bat house for your property. He will begin the program with a slide show about bats in our area and their natural history. Proper care and placement of your bat house will also be discussed.”

This workshop would probably also be fun for older BCD students who have had a few semesters of Shop Class.

Add comment Posted in First Grade Science ,General ,Kindergarten Science ,Second Grade Science ,Third Grade Science March 28, 2012

Kindergarten Science

The kindergarteners have been exploring magnets in Science. They’ve done experiments to see what magnets will and will not “stick” to. Students learned that magnets stick to some metals, but not all. They’ve learned that magnets work through water, wood, and plastic.

We also recently did a unit on local, wild mammals. First students learned what a mammal was, then we talked about what “local” meant. We learned about bobcats, coyotes, deer, fox, porcupines, black bears, oppossums, beavers, raccoons, and river otters, to name a few. I purchased plastic figurines of these animals and the children had fun using them in imaginary play.

Add comment Posted in General ,Kindergarten Science February 17, 2012

Bird Banding Demo at Pleasant Valley

Just passing along some info:

There will be a Bird Banding Demonstration at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, February 11th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. It is open to families with children ages 3 and up. It is free for members, $4 for nonmembers. Children are free for members, $3 for nonmembers.

Description: “Here’s a chance to observe handheld birds. Join us as we demonstrate the proper use of mist nets and band the birds that are captured. You will learn what valuable information can be obtained by this fieldwork. Participants will help gather data and release the birds unharmed. Free with regular sanctuary admission. Participants are free to come and go during the program. “

Add comment Posted in First Grade Science ,General ,Kindergarten Science ,Second Grade Science ,Third Grade Science February 7, 2012

Second Grade Science

It’s been all about sound in second grade science. In the last few weeks students have learned that sound travels in waves of vibrations, the difference between pitch and volume, and that different sized vibrations create different pitches. Next week students will create and build their own musical instruments.

Students explore tuning forks in the pictures below:

Kleenex box guitars

Playing water glasses

Good old fashioned paper cup and string telephones

Add comment Posted in General February 3, 2012

Grade 1 Science

The first graders are deep into their study of liquids. We’ve done experiments to learn about the ways that liquids are different from each other: thickness, color, texture, use, edible vs. non edible, etc. We’ve talked about the two ways that all liquids are the same: they can all be poured and they take the shape of the container they are in. Below are some pictures of the students engaged in water play with graduated cylinders, beakers, clear tubes, turkey basters, and funnels. I was reminded of how important a role play has in scientific discovery when one student said, “When I put weight into the water, the water level rises up.” This comment led to a class discussion of Archimedes, his bathtub and the king’s crown.

Add comment Posted in First Grade Science ,General January 27, 2012

Second Graders study systems of body

The Second Graders have been studying some of the major systems of the body: skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory and digestive. As students learn about their major organs, they color pictures of them, cut them out, and paste them onto their body tracings.