WhAt Is UP wiTh NATURE
Week 30 Highlights:
WORM WEEK: Hoedown Underground!
The Bells viewed a video, WILD! Science: Worm Farm Hoedown Underground, about a scientist completing investigations and experiments with worms! The Bells had the opportunity to watch this short film and report back to the class with 1 new piece of information they learned about worms. This was communicated using a drawing that was completed during our viewing.
We also made plant observations this week. Some growth has been seen from our individual gardens, but not for all of us. We took the time to journal our plant's growth, gave the Bank of Beljung $0.05 for each water use, and brainstormed the reasons some plants experienced growth while others did not.
More viewing and sharing took place using a different tool, the iPad, after viewing Earth videos using the @Science360 app.
The adventures of Wiggle and Waggle were also introduced, followed by the Bells creating their own adventure to take with Wiggle and Waggle. They wrote a piece that offered details about their adventure and illustrated a picture to match!
Mrs. Vincent came into the Bell classroom to share worm information and allowed us to observe our own individual ants!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh NATURE
Week 28 & 29 Highlights:
FROM SEED TO PLANT
We have continued to think about our Earth over the last two weeks. The Bells have been busy using technology to investigate the materials our Earth gives us, as well as started planting projects.
The Bells went seed shopping, counted the seeds chosen for their gardens, and planted their seeds in soil... but it came at a price!
With money bags in hand, the Bells went to the Bank of Beljung to pay for their seeds and soil. Once paying for the materials, water costs were explained and implemented. Now each time a "garden" needs to be watered, the Bells pay the Bank of Beljung for this material.
Our own gardens are only one way to help our Earth be a healthier place! In addition to planting, we have explored numerous other ways we can take care of our planet. It is through our reading research that we were able to brainstorm these ideas and use them for a journaling activity.
Be sure to check out the Bells writing / art connection project hanging outside of our classroom! Each Bell wrote about their favorite way to help the Earth, colored a coffee filter Earth / sprayed it down, and used their own photograph to complete the task. Below is our final product!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh NATURE
Week 27 Highlights:
FROM SEED TO PLANT
This week we started thinking about our EARTH. The children identified that our planet includes many different elements: humans, animals, plants, insects, air, land, water, and so much more. We began discussing how each part of our Earth is connected, and our activity concluded when the children were each given a picture of something found on our planet to categorize.
Two stories were highlighted throughout the week to emphasize the components of a growing plant on Earth and the importance of these plants on our planet. A class goal has been to have the students ASK and their classmates ANSWER questions about the text during reading. Be sure to ask your Bell about our class "~Reading Wand~".
FANCY PLANT WORDS
SEEDLING ROOTS STEM SHOOT OXYGEN SOIL SPROUT
We did not only begin reading and exploring plants through texts, but also arranged preparations for our own class garden!
We were fortunate to have Eddie's mom complete a spring Art Appreciation project with the Bells. This is now on display in our classroom. Feel free to come in and check it out!
WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 26 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #11
Water Completion!
This week we wrapped up all of our water efforts! The Bells were fortunate to finish their unit with a trip to the Chicago Children's Museum. It was there that we...
Acted as community workers and put out fires
Built forts using different materials and tools
Went digging for dinosaur bones
And of course, got a little wet and wild at the Water Works exhibit
WATER WIGS
Our art connection continued this week and the Bells learned how the water wigs are created, completed their final "Water Wig" journal, andadded their silly face to their own water wig.
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 25 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #10
Getting Ready to Approach the Surface!
This week we got a little techy! As part of our class goals, the Bells are creating an UNDERWATER STORY using digital tools and one another! To get started the Bells began to brainstorm their ideas from all of the resources we have been exposed to over the last two months.
They were then introduced to an iPad app, iCardSort, which allowed the Bells to put all of their ideas in one place. With assistance they used this app to record their thoughts.
The Bells were then asked to think about their story as having a beginning, middle, and an end. iCardSort was used as a constant reference to keep our goal in mind and begin the writing process.
To develop their story EDUcreations is being used. At this time the Bells are still in the process of authoring their class book. More info to come next week!
Art Connection: Real People Doing Real Things With Water
The Bells have been creating their own projects, but we also explored the project of a special photographer that completed his own titled, "Water Wigs". After viewing several of these shots the Bells got to thinking.... HOW DID THEY DO THAT?
...And so as a class the Bells recorded their thoughts as to how they believe the photographer was able to create these crazy "SpLaShInG WatEr WigS". Not only that, but they loved the fluorescent color combinations so much, they began creating their own wigs! This writing project is also to be continued...!
In addition to all of the reading and writing completed in class, the Bells also used the iPads to complete an activity with manipulatives and a 100's chart AND celebrated Pi Day by watching this video...
WHAT PI SOUNDS LIKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK7tq7L0N8E
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 24 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #8
Things Got Chilly!
On Tuesday the Bells kept an eye on the SNOW STORM via window observations, as well as checking The Weather Channel's Oak Park Weather Map each hour. During indoor recess we also spent time with Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus gang as they had their own weather adventure!
We read A RAINY DAY. Our focus area while reading is to identify "fancy words" the author has included in the text. A RAINY DAY included: gloomy, splash, strike, & flood. These were all words recognized by the children and used for discussion to understand their importance to the nonfiction text.
FIRST we FROZE it, THEN we MELTED it!
Each Bell brought in an object to freeze in water. They recorded an illustration of their object, placed their objects in a container, added as much or as little water as they wanted, and into the freezer it went!
NOW HOW WILL WE GET OUR OBJECTS BACK?!
The Bells broke into groups to see which method melted ice in 10 minutes or less...
TABLE #3 Used tools to assist with melting and earning their objects back
TABLE #4 Used water to melt the ice and earn their objects back
Table #1 Waited for time to pass to see if their ice would melt
Table #2 Used salt to melt ice and get their objects back
At the end of what seemed like the LONGEST 10 minutes of our lives, we found that water melted the ice quickest in the conditions of our classroom... and we got our objects back! Our class rating system is below:
#1 Use water to melt ice
#2 Use salt to melt ice
#3 Use tools to melt ice
#4 Wait for time to pass to melt ice
To give us some perspective on melting ice, the Bells engaged in a discussion on the use of salt on our snow / ice covered sidewalks and streets. They compared the conditions of our classroom with the winter air and talked with one another about how throwing more water outside to melt ice would not be a good solution for our neighborhood.
To wrap up, we watched Collin's science fair experiment video - he is pretty funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9VMDpk_bKw
MAGIC MONDAY: What do you get when you combine "magic powder" and water?
Pretend Snow!
+ 
= 
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 23 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #7
Workin' with Water!
The Bells used a plastic bag, water, and 10 beads to complete addition math problems!
During our time with Mrs. Vincent the Bells split into 2 groups for a student led reading opportunity! Way to go Bells!
SAIL AWAY, SAIL AWAY, SAIL AWAY!
On Friday the Bells extended a project from earlier in the week. Boat construction began promptly after arrival and lasted throughout the morning.
Our GOAL: Create a boat that floats without taking on water.
Our PROCESS:
Gather materials at the dock table...
Construction at our individualized work stations...
First attempt at floating the boats...
Back to the dock table for more materials & problem solving...
SUCCESS!...
A drawing of our design completed our project... you know, in-case any other boat makers want to use our design!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 22 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #6
Coming Up for Air!
On Monday we came up for air from our underwater adventures and learned about Chinese New Year! We wore celebration attire, sang songs, and made dragons to protect us during 2013!
~ Underwater Princes & Princesses ~
New Underwater Reading Adventures
This week we used the story "Manfish" to help guide our thinking while reading. Our focus questions included:
What is the author telling me? What are the fancy words?
Are there meaningful words? What does the author want me to understand?
Celebrating Valentine's Day on Thursday
We met Herman Parish, Ameila Bedelia author!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 21 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #5
SAND AND SNOW!
Underwater Ocean Animal Reading & Writing
BEACH PARTY!
(Water Word Chain) (Science 360 App)
(Word Writing in Sand) (Beach Day Poem)
(Beach Day Sentences)
Catch the ball / Pick a beach word / Create a sentence to share
Beach Day: Writing with a Purpose!
SINK or FLOAT ExPerIMeNtS took place in the Water Lab on Friday!
WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 21 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #4
(and what a RAINY one it was!)
Rainy days meant puddle play...
RAIN ART!
We made art, put it in the rain, and watched to see what happened...
and this is was the end result!
Rain Reading
Where rain falls, the water cycle, and the process of rain falling from the sky were all topics explored using this text!
Rain Writing
After reading about rain, what better idea than to write about rain!
We were able to complete this task with our classroom buddies :-)
Rainy Day Play
Magic Monday!
TADA! This week the children observed a cup of water being turned over on a piece of paper. The cup was not supported underneath, but yet no water poured out!
Did we mention we were celebrating 100 days of school under the sea?!
The Bells celebrated by bringing in posters of 100 items!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 20 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #3!
Problem Solving With Water
A problem was presented to our certified water explorers that only they could solve!
HOW WILL YOU GET WATER FROM ONE CONTAINER INTO ANOTHER?
Use a funnel for the transfer. Cut holes in one container and stack them!
Pour the water!
Problem Solving With Water Part II
As a class we explored our bridge transfer idea with a paper towel.
WILL THE WATER WALK TO THE EMPTY CONTAINER VIA THE PAPER TOWEL?!?
We became a class divided on the predicted outcomes....
"IT WILL NOT WALK!" "IT WILL WALK!"
THE WATER WALKED!
Impromptu Water Experiment
(continued)
FINALLY! Our container of ice turned water evaporated after 10 days!
OUR FAVORITE LAND / WATER ANIMALS
During Parent / Teacher Conference Week check out our animal reports in the hallway!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 19 Highlights:
Water Exploration Week #2!
Water Painting
(we realized our water paintings disappeared as the day continued!)
Impromptu Water Experiment
During Monday morning recess the Bells collected ice in their pockets (...or so I learned).
Their reasoning behind this behavior was to see how long it would take for their ice to
evaporate. And so we decided to combine our pocketed ice, devise a plan, and make some
estimations.
<--- Solid Ice Melting ---> 
Water Experiments with a Scientist!
Tuesday... Mr. Ko, parent from Ms. Smith's class, joined us for some science fun with dry ice!
WHAT IS UP WITH WATER?
On Friday we further explored liquid water and it's properties. In our water lab we were introduced to tools that will be used througout our unit!
MAGIC MONDAY!
Emily volunteered herself to wear a protective paper hat during our magic trick. Once filling a Ziploc with water, one by one we poked 12 pencils through the bag. Luckily no water was splashed on our volunteer!
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WhAt Is UP wiTh WATER (and the Beljung Bells...)
Week 18 Highlights:
Intro to Water Exploration!
Outdoor investigation of our environment
Where do we find water?
(oceans / puddles / fishbowls / oh... and toilet bowls!)
A "Water Drop Dice Game" assisted us with addition and subtraction concepts
Comparison of LAND & WATER ANIMALS
Underwater Creatures were small on day #1 and grew by day #2!
We were sure of this because we took ruler measurements on both days!
Exploration of the phases of water took place using balloons filled with
water (liquid) / ice (solid) / air (gas)
and observations about each were made to record in our science lab.
Inquiring minds wanted to know what would happen if you smashed our solid balloon....
And so we found out!
(we got a broken balloon and ice chips for all!)
Did we mention the implementation of Magic Mondays?!
On Monday Miss B. completed a magic trick in which she balanced a can
(with very little water in it) on it's side!
...AND THE CROWD WENT WILD!
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This Week's BUZZ with the Beljung Bells...
Week 17 Highlights:
SPACE CAMP: Preparation & Return To Our Home Planet, EARTH!
DURING OUR LAST WEEK IN OUTER SPACE WE....
PLAYED "PASS THE LIGHT"... A Space Sight Word Challenge in which the astronauts were separated into teams to identify sight words worked on to this point. Each astronaut had the opportunity to be 'first' to shine their light on the sight word called out by the Challenge Coordinator (Miss B).
Meet Team SPACE SHARKS Meet Team SPACE BELLS
2 POINTS awarded for the team that identified the word first /
1 POINT awarded for the team that identified the word second
Points were added together as a class to indicate the number awarded to each team. CONGRATS TO ALL!
EARTH & MOON FACT COMPARISON / CATEGORIZATION
CRATER WRITING Each astronaut chose if they wanted to TELL A STORY about the craters made last week or if they wanted to write about their crater using 'DESCRIBING WORDS'.
SHARED PART 3 of "THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS: SEEING STARS" with our 5th Grade Book Buddies
Expanded on the topic of stars to achieve a better understanding of CONSTELLATIONS. As a class project each astronaut used their body to create an image of what their own constellation would look like in our night sky. Photographs were taken, the images were simplified, and stickers were used to show star formations.
FRIDAY WAS OUR LAST DAY IN OUTER SPACE!! We entered the shuttle for the last time, buckled into our rocket seats, and closed the hatch before heading back to Earth! Before our departute, Brody contacted Mission Control and all astronauts were asked to activate their control panel by entering their 4 digit secret code used during our launch from Earth.
Our class watched a simulation of a space shuttle re-entering the Earth's atmosphere & landing back on solid ground.
Once our mission was completed, a cermony took place in which each astronaut was presented with a certificate of completion from Oak Park's Space Camp.
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST.....
WE CREATED A MOON CRAFT TO CAPTURE OUR MEMORIES IN SPACE.... Each astronaut's picture was taken while simulating a climb to the moon. This image was then minimized and placed on each of their ladders headed toward the moon!
WHAT A MEMORABLE JOURNEY IT WAS!
Up Next....
wait until you see what we have planned for our WATER UNIT!
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This Week's BUZZ with the Beljung Bells...
Week 16 Highlights:
SPACE CAMP: CrAzY for CrAtErS!
This week the astronauts...
Reviewed SPACE VOCABULARY about the MOON by placing each correct fact into our classroom CRATER!
EVERYONE SAY, "CRATER!"
SLEEPY CRATER PARTY
...took place on Tuesday! Each astronaut watched a simulation of how a crater is formed, as well as took a virtual tour of the crater, "Tycho", using Google Moon! Each astronaut was then given their own crater (hula hoop) to place anywhere on our "moon". They named their crater and a map was designed our of moon.
MEET the HIGH MOON! MEET the MIDDLE MOON! MEET the LOW MOON!
JOURNALING ABOUT OUR CRATERS
WRITING & READING IN OUR CRATERS
MOON RHYMING COMPLETION IN OUR CRATERS
WHOLE CLASS CRATER DEMONSTRATION
CRATER SIMULATIONS DONE BY ASTRONAUT BUDDIES
We used flour, corn starch, and paprika for our simulations. The astronauts were given very specific instructions, MANY TIMES, to NOT put their hands into the flour.... This was the end result of our experiment...
30 SECOND DANCE PARTY ON THE MOON
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This Week's BUZZ with the Beljung Bells...
Week 15 Highlights:
SPACE CAMP: Life on the Moon!
This week the astronauts...
Used the following website to calculate their weight on the moon.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/