Ask your child about...

...biomimicry.  How was velcro, with its tiny hooks, invented? How did researching the flying squirrel influence the development of the wingsuit? Which external body part of the firefly influenced a more efficient way of lighting?

...our new essential question, "What creation can I design that solves a human problem by mimicking nature?"

...what animal he/she is researching to help answer our big question. How does his/her animal use its external body parts to help it survive? 

And as our garden grows, ask your child about our healthy basil and bean plants.

May 30, 2014 - 24 1/2 inches

We have babies!

Such excitement today when our nymphs hatched! Look below to see the baby praying mantises emerging from the egg sac. Ask your child about how the young praying mantises grow and what we need to do to ensure that they continue to grow and stay healthy.

What can happen in five weeks?

From a single lima bean seed...

May 19, 2014 - 20 1/2 inches

Look at our basil! Ask your child why the leaves look different.

Happy Mother's Day!

Look how our lima bean plant has grown!

May 9, 2014 - 13 inches

May 7, 2014 - 9 inches

April 28, 2014 - 5 inches

Did you plant your lima bean seeds yet?

A gift for our garden

Thanks to Ms. Ozawa we now have a praying mantis egg sac! Ask your child how this will help our garden. How many praying mantises does he/she think will emerge?

We gathered soil, sticks, moss, leaves, and insects to prepare a habitat for our future praying mantises.

Look to the top to see the egg sac hanging. Why do we hang the egg sac?

If we take care of our egg sac, this is what we expect to see in a few weeks...

And, if we care for the babies...

we will have praying mantises to help rid our garden of pesky pests!

S.T.E.A.M. Ahead With Your Kids…

Braeside School is hosting its first Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math Night on Thursday, May 8 from 6:30-8:00. Please join us for the lightning demonstration in the Character Cafe, art and science activities and exhibits in the gym, and math exploration in the main hallway.  I look forward to seeing you and your families!

Author Susan Wolff comes to visit!

Susan Wolff shared her story, Quackers Wants to Fly, about friendship and perseverance. We can't wait to read her next book from the Friends at the Pond series!  

What can happen to a lima bean seed in 13 days?

Ask your child what observations he/she has made with our lima bean seeds. What will happen next?

April 28, 2014

April 15, 2014

Ask your child  about the lima bean above in the plastic bag and the one below in a pot with soil. How are they the same? Different?

Our basil has sprouted!

Storytelling with Ms. Shimojima

We were lucky to have Ms. Shimojima come to Braeside and share with us several stories. Ms. Shimojima is a professional storyteller and a former Braeside librarian. We heard about clever hedgehogs in The Hare and the Hedgehog. We learned how to trick the Hairy Man in Wiley and the Hairy Man. And, if you like to be surprised, then listening to Sody Sallyratus will surely make you jump when the bear pops out! One Eye, Two Eye, Three Eye reminds of us a familiar story with a twist. Ms. Shimojima taught us Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle. Ask your child to become a storyteller and share about Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle! 

Seeds All Around Us

We shared many ideas and questions about seeds. What are seeds? Where do they come from? What do seeds need to grow? Is a plant "renewable" if it has a seed?

Our discussions led to hypotheses which led to an experiment with different tests to investigate our ideas. We made our predictions and are waiting to see what happens. Ask your child about his/her predictions.

April 15, 2014

Planting Basil

All Smiles About Waste Free Wednesday and Our New Author Study, Eric Carle

We are so excited to receive the Waste Free Wednesday trophy! Our lunch garbage for last Wednesday was less than half a pound. Way to go 1R!

Eric Carle, Author and Illustrator

We have just begun our new author study, Eric Carle. Ask your child about Eric Carle. What did he and his dad have in common? Why does Eric Carle often write about nature? If your child could ask Eric Carle any question, what might he/she ask? Look to our blog under author studies to learn more about Eric Carle!

Proud Winners of the Waste Free Wednesday Trophy!

Our class received the trophy this week for having the lowest amount of lunch waste on waste free Wednesday! Way to go 1R!

Many minds, many ideas

Effective group inquiry across first grade as we answer the question, "How can one person change a whole country?"

Ask your child about the American he/she researched for our famous American project. How did this famous American's accomplishments, contributions and character help change America? 

More group work as we help a family of mice solve a problem. Ask your child how his/her group collaborated to create a solution for this island living family awaiting a visit from their friends.