PLANTING TOMATOES! We are part of a program called, Tomatosphere™, where we use “space” tomato seeds to learn about plants in space, right here on Earth. Tomatosphere™ engages students in real scientific processes that teach and reinforce inquiry skills, while they explore concepts related to plants, space, nutrition and agriculture.
The Canadian Space Agency sent us two sets of tomato seeds to plant: one set has been sent to the International Space Station, or treated in space-like conditions, and the other set, the “control” seeds, have not.
By growing these tomatoes and conducting the blind experiment, students help contribute to the expansion of knowledge for long term space travel. We don’t yet know which set of seeds went to space. Students will watch to see how many of each group of seeds germinate. Once we send the results to the CSA, they will let us know which ones went to space.
WRITING- The students have been learning to write persuasive paragraphs lately. Students are asked to follow a particular format:
- Title
- Topic/opening sentence
- Argument 1 and Evidence
- Argument 2 and Evidence
- Argument 3 and Evidence
- Closing/ concluding sentence
Students are also encouraged to add more than 3 arguments to their writing. Ask your child what they have written about and tried to persuade others with!
CHICKEN EGGS! Since we are nearing the end of our salmon raising, why not start to raise and learn about another animal….this time…..chickens! We have set the eggs in an incubator set at 37.5 degrees and for 21 days they will grow and develop inside the egg. Students have learned that the yolk in an egg is what feeds the growing embryo and they saw videos showing the difference between a fertilized egg and one that will not grow a chick. Stay tuned….we should get baby chicks around April 28!
MORE ANIMALS! We also have 6 caterpillars in our classroom. Currently we have had them for 2 days and they are about 1cm long. Students will observe them as they eat and grow and grow and grow until they attach themselves to the top of the plastic cup they are in. It is at this point, they form a chrysalis around their body and will eventually emerge as a beautiful butterfly!
SALMON FRY!– Out salmon are now fry. They have emerged from hiding in the gravel and are now able to swim freely around the tank. Their yolk sacs have been completely absorbed, meaning they have to find their own food (in the wild). Since they are in the tank still, I feed them crushed Krill 4 times each day. The fry will grow bigger for the next couple of weeks and then we will release them into Beecher Creek. The fry will face many dangers in the creek and eventually as they make their way to the estuary and finally, the ocean. Ask your child is they can remember many of the dangers that can decreased fry numbers in the wild.
NATURE CRAFT– As part of our Flat Luna Journal, we have now switched our focus to getting outside, collecting nature items and creating something from the items they collect. Students are welcome to add the creation into their story or they can choose to keep it separate. Here are the first two creative items that have been brought in!
Just another day at the office for this kid!
