Friday, December 2, 2016

Debunking the Myths


Recently I read a friends Facebook post that intrigued me.  Her post, tagged with the feeling of being annoyed, discussed the myth of blood being blue before it is oxygenated.  I'm not sure when, but at some point in my life I was taught that the reason our veins are blue is because the blood doesn't change to the color red until it touches oxygen.  This got me thinking..."How many other 'facts' have I been repeating that are not scientifically true?"  And, "How gullible am I?"  

So, I started a list.  Below is a list of statements I've been told at some point in my life. These are all myths that can be debunked scientifically.  My students have begun debunking these myths, and you can click on the links to discover the facts they've uncovered.  

A penny dropped from the Empire State Building will kill you if it hits you.
Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Hair and nails continue to grow after you die.
• If a jellyfish stings you, urine will help alleviate the pain.
Left-brained people are more logical and right-brained people are more creative.
The ocean is blue because it’s reflecting the sky.
• Deoxygenated Blood Is Blue.
• We only use 10% of our brains.
• It takes seven years to digest swallowed chewing gum.
• Sugar makes kids hyperactive. 
• Poinsettias are lethal if eaten. 
• Touching a toad will give you warts.
If you swim right after eating, you will get a cramp and drown.
You should cover up your cranium in the winter, because your body loses most of its heat through your head.
• Mother Birds Will Abandon Babies if You Touch Them. 
• Different Parts of Your Tongue Detect Different Tastes.

Feel free to add other myths and comments below!  

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

2016 Toothpaste Commercials

      

Whitey Brighty Toothpaste  

     Well, after many technology issue and tears (from me), most of our toothpaste commercials are complete! Why toothpaste commercials, you may wonder?  Well, besides being interesting and engaging, it was a great opportunity to teach many skills.  First, we experimented with commercial toothpastes.  We used the scientific method to test the PH levels, starch levels, and abrasiveness of various toothpastes.   Students also learned skills such as advertising techniques, writing skills, public speaking skills, and teamwork.  This unit also gave my students the opportunity to learn to use new technology such as video cameras and video editing software. Here are some of our final products!  Enjoy!











 

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Team Building

We are starting the school year off with a lot of team building. Team building is important for many reasons. It promotes collaboration between classmates, fosters creativity, enhances leadership skills, and aids overall communication. Each class participated in three team challenges.

 1. Marker Message: Several strings were tied to a dry-erase marker. Each student held a string, and they worked together to write a message. This challenge is much harder than it looks, but all teams were ultimately successful.



2.  Toxic Waste:  A bungee cord was attached around a bucket holding tennis balls.  Ropes were tied to the bungee cord.  Each student held the end of a rope.  The object was to dump the tennis ball into the empty bucket without touching the toxic waste or bucket.  







3.  Hollywood Improv:  This was an acting challenge.  Students had to choose a random character, setting, problem, plot, movie quote, and props to use in an original team-created movie trailer.  




Monday, April 11, 2016

Missouri Creative Adventures

It was another great year at MOCA, Missouri's Destination Imagination state competition!  All three of our teams earned trophies, and the SelfieZ are advancing to Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee! We're so proud of our creative problem solvers!  

DIgos:  Jace and Tara earned 3rd place for their Fine Arts Challenge, "Get a Clue."  They successfully acted out five characters with two people!  I absolutely loved the performance and the artwork!

SelfieZ:  Oliver and Alana earned 2nd place for their Project Outreach Challenge, "The Meme Event," and they are moving on to Global Finals!  They have been teaching others about self-acceptance!  Everyone should love their "SelfieZ."


Quintuple Quiddities:  Emily, Jolee, Lilly, Ashton, and Alyssa earned 3rd place in their Improv. Challenge, Close Encounters.  Their performance had the audience going bananas!  

Friday, February 26, 2016

National History Day 2016

It was a clean sweep! All my 6th grade students are 

advancing to the state National History Day 

Competition!











Katie-1st Place Individual Presentation
Emma-1st Place Individual Exhibit
Jeremiah-2nd Place Individual Exhibit
Jack-3rd Place Individual Exhibit
Maddy and Cecilia-1st Place Group Exhibit
Cora-2nd Place Documentary
Way to go, 6th grade!

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Community Connections

Creating Community Connections with Commercials

Our videos have been becoming so popular, that we've been getting requests from teachers and administrators.  This one is promoting our upcoming student-led conferences.  The theme is "Binder Boogie," and they really enjoyed making this one!  When making commercials, students use teamwork, writing, reading, creativity, and public speaking skills.  Sharing the commercials helps us connect with our community!  We love to invite guest to our school to see the amazing things we are doing!

Please join us for our Binder Boogie and Groovy Book Fair on March 23, 2016!




Here are a few more commercials my 5th grade class has created this year...