It's Growing!

We need Milk Jugs

 Our science/social studies theme is Snow. We have melted snow and are now waiting to see how long it will take to evaporate. We will also be learning about people and animals that live where there is snow all year round. One of the activities we are doing in connection with this is to make an igloo. Naturally, we couldn't use snow to build one in the classroom so we are building one out of milk jugs.  As you can see, we have a LONG way to go. If you could send us your gallon and 1/2 gallon jugs, we would greatly appreciate it. (Please make sure they are cleaned first and send the lid along too.)

It all started with V is for volcano....

While studying the letter V, we realized that volcano started with V.  That led to wanting to know more about volcanos, which led to "Ms Spring, we should make a volcano"!

So, I decided to take the plunge and turn this into a learning experience.  Using our brand new Smartboard, I downloaded some video clips of actual volcanos.  We learned how volcanos are formed, and discovered lava is actually melted rock (gasp)!  The logical next step was to make our own volcano, which we did.  Using spray foam insulation, a bottle of diet coke, mentos, and lots of paint, we created our very own volcano. It was truly a vision to behold.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011, all systems were a go for our volcano to erupt. Mr Cayton and I carefully carried the volcano outside and the Kindergartners, Ms. Neal (one of the K-S associates), and Mrs. Joyce Mattes, a volunteer, made a big circle around the volcano. Carefully but quickly, I dropped 4 mentos into the 2 liter bottle of diet coke. In less time than it takes you to say volcano, a HUGE stream of "lava" came spewing out of the top of the volcano.  There were shouts of OOH, and AHH and even some clapping as the lava shot out and splattered down on the volcano and the fresh white snow.  Needless to say, the experiment was a success. ...and to think, it all started with Vv is for volcano!