Space and our Sundae Party

Students last week picked their favorite planet and wrote a riddle.  They also created a puzzle to go with it.  Working in groups they each took turns reading their riddles, making a guess, and putting the puzzle pieces together to see if they were right.

We also had our "sun"daes in the afternoon.  They enjoyed the sweet treat!

The Space Race

The Space Race is finishing up this week.  Please make sure your child has read 3 books and returned each ticket!!

On Friday, students who have reached the sun will be making their very own "sun"dae to eat.  YUM!

Outer Space Art

We finished up our space unit by creating some space art.  Students drew pictures of what they'd look like in outer space.

Students started by tracing their hands and feet.  Then they completed the rest of their illustration and went over it with a black crayon.  Of course I just had to get the paint out and they finished them up.

Our "Sun"dae Party is Friday!!

Please make sure your child has completed their reading to enjoy a sundae on Friday!!  

A Long Overdue Post...

We finished up learning about Space.  We discussed the moon's environment and what it was made up of.

I created the moon's environment in some pie pans (Foss Kit).  The kids used magnetic marbles (which were meteorites, asteroids, and comets) to create craters on the moon.  We started by sitting on the floor and dropping them into the pan.  Then they stood up and dropped them.  They made observations about what they observed.

We also created some Space Art!  Students traced their hands and feet on a large piece of white paper.    They added the rest of their details and outlined with black crayon.  They used black to fill in the background.

And a VERY happy birthday to this sweet girl!!  She brought in these cupcakes which were quite impressive (and delicious too).

Space Race

The Space Race has begun!!  We've begun learning about planets.  To complete the Space Race students started at Pluto (which is dwarf planet) and got a ticket.

In order to move to the next planet, students need to read 3 books. They will write the names of the 3 books on the back of their ticket. When it's returned to school, we stamp the ticket, and they get a small treat.

Once everyone reaches the sun, we'll have a "sun"dae party.

Here they are launching their rockets!

Blast Off to Outer Space

Another week is about to begin and I haven't even filled you in on what we were up to last week.  The days are just flying by.

Would you go to outer space?  Most of my kids said they would if they could.

We finished up our Moon Unit and I always wrap up with some space art.  To complete this art you need LARGE white paper.  The kids have to follow my directions on creating themselves as astronauts but after that it's ALL their own creativity.

Students worked with a partner to trace their feet at the bottom of the page.  Then then traced their hands in the middle of the page.  I gave some quick instructions on how to create the rest of the body.

Once they had their outline done they went over it with crayon.  I placed black paint around the room and they laid on the floor painting. I even heard a kiddo say, "This is so much fun!"  Love it!!

Here is their artwork.  I love how unique and individual each one is.

Mission Complete for Space Race

We finished our Space Race!!  In order to move to each planet students had to read 3 books.  Once they made it to the sun they earned a "SUN"dae party.

Students made and enjoyed their sundaes Friday afternoon.

To finish up our unit, students picked their favorite planet.  They wrote a riddle and created a puzzle to go with it.

Here they are sharing their riddles and checking their guesses by putting the puzzles together.

Next up, we'll be learning about the moon.

The Moon's Environment

Our focus has been looking at the moon's environment.  The moon is made up of rock, sand, and dust.  The kiddos looked at some close up pictures of the moon's surface and craters.

We learned the craters were formed when rocks hit the moon.   Students conducted an experiment where they had to create craters on the moon.

I filled a pie pan with sand, flour, and topped it off with coco powder.  This represented the moon's surface.

Each student was given a marble (which represented a rock).  The kids worked in groups making as many craters as they could.  They began by sitting on the floor but were soon standing and dropping their rocks onto the moon.

Here are few pics!

I also uploaded a couple of Outer Space Math Activities to my TpT Store!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Outer-Space-Math

Space Race Complete

We finished our Space Race on Friday.  The kids who read and reached the sun earned a "sun"dae party.  Of course I was so busy getting those sundaes ready I wasn't able to take pictures.  While eating, the kiddos watched The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System.

Look at how AMAZING this cake is!!  Lily's mom asked if she could make cookies and the Earth.  The kids were LOVIN' the cake and it tasted DELICIOUS.

Here's Lily with the world in her hands and looking like she's ready to take a HUGE bite!!

3...2...1...BLAST OFF!!

Our planets are lined up in the hall with our rocket ships and today we blasted off!!

Here's a quick video of the kids launching their rocket ships!!

In order to move to the next planet the kids will need fuel. Their fuel will be reading 3 books and recording them on the back of their ticket!!  We're starting on Pluto and moving to the sun.  If all the kiddos complete this, they'll earn a SUNdae party!!

The kids are VERY excited to begin this.  As they travel to each planet there will be a small treat or sticker for them. We'll also be reading and learning about each planet as we travel.

Here's my stash and the easiest way I can keep track of this.

Check back in to see if we ALL made it to the sun!

Space Art

We're finishing up our Space Unit.  Today the kids listen to a read aloud and completed the chart below.

Then, they completed Space Art.  I found this idea on another blog (Ugh, I can't remember which one) and HAD to try it with my class.  I LOVE when I don't have to give too many step by step directions.  I like when they create their own art and are happy with how it looks.  They traced their feet and hands.  Then they created the rest of their bodies.  They colored in crayon and added the black water color at the end.

Look how CUTE these came out.

I'm not sure why I'm smiling.  I'd be TERRIFIED!