Have a Wonderful Winter Vacation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojtGHXsTXmU

Today's Squishy Circuits

The Sushi Circuit!

Fun video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDZo51k2BWQ

Squishy Circuits Day 1

Today we investigated lighting the lights, conduction versus insulating dough and series and parallel circuits.  We tried to figure out if our holiday lights were built as a series circuit or a parallel circuit.  Here are some of the creations!

We are having a tough day today!

Squishy Circuits

I like to review circuits with the class each year by making Squishy Circuits.  In order to do this, the class needs a lot of Conductive Dough and Insulator Dough.  I am sending home half the class with a recipe for Conductive Dough and half the class gets a recipe for Insulating Dough.  It would be great if you could find time to make a batch of the dough over the weekend and send it to school on Monday.  It's pretty easy to make and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand!  Stay tuned to the  class blog for pictures of our inventions!

Here is a link to a website where I learned about Squishy Circuits!

http://courseweb.stthomas.edu/apthomas/SquishyCircuits/index.htm

Thermal Energy

Can you create thermal energy by mixing matter?  Ask your kids!

Math Test!

I know students have a half day today, but that doesn't mean they can't take a math test!  We have just finished a unit culminating with the double digit multiplication algorithm.  Not only can they use the algorithm, but they can check their work another way, and explain why it works!

How Is Heat Produced?

How is heat produced?

See for yourself.....

Keurig!

My nice husband bought a Keurig Coffee Maker for my classroom.  If the kids bring in insulated mugs and hot chocolate or cider, they are welcome to use it.  I think a nice hot drink helps warm us up in these cold months!