Welcome back from Spring Break! This past week, we began learning about Outer Space. We started our unit by learning all about the planets (including the three dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, and Eris). We even created a giant representation of the solar system in our classroom. (Stop in and check it out!) The children worked together to paint the planets according to the descriptions in a space picture book. Then we hung them from the ceiling in order. The children also transformed our classroom window into the sun, the center of our solar system, using tissue paper and contact paper. Next, they wrote out the planet names to use as labels for our solar system. We then compared the different planets and read stories to learn more about them. Finally, we learned a silly song about the planet names and practiced orbiting while singing it!

This coming week, we will continue to learn about Outer Space, but one of our focuses this week will be on rockets. We will take balloon rockets outside and try to catch them as they come crashing noisily back down to earth. Also outside, we’ll try out two different kinds of chemical reaction rockets! One is a called a soda rocket. When Mentos mints are dropped into a two liter bottle of Diet Coke, the soda becomes a rocket and launches itself high into the sky. The second is an Alka Seltzer rocket. When Alka Seltzer tablets are dropped into a film canister of water, carbon dioxide builds up and creates pressure. When the pressure becomes too great, the film canister launches into the sky. Both types of rockets are amazing to watch again and again! In addition to these three types of outside rockets, we will also make our very own rockets from paper tubes to fly inside our classroom. We will even become rockets ourselves as we practice counting down and “blasting off”. Finally, we will have a chance to watch a few video clips of real rocket ships launching into space!
As our Outer Space unit comes to a close, we are very excited to extend some of our learning at the planetarium! Thursday, April 22nd, at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, we will have a chance to talk about the stars and planets in a whole new way! We hope you can join us!
What’s next? After our Outer Space unit, we will begin learning about Oceans. Also, during our first week of Oceans, we will be inviting all our dads (or someone special, if dad can’t make it) into our classroom on April 28th and 29th. From 11:00am-11:45am, we will share some special activities as well as some Donuts with our Dads to let them know how much we care!

Other important upcoming dates:
Scholastic Book Fair the week of May 3rd
Muffins with Mom on May 5th and 6th from 11:00am-11:45am
As always, thank you,
Miss Kelly