Book Buddies

We are excited about having Book Buddies! We meet with Ms. Miller and Mr. Evans' first grade class on Friday afternoons to read the books we've been practicing all week. We also listen to our partner read to us. This has been a real motivator to get the Hounds to reread their books. We encourage them to reread to help improve their fluency (so they sound like good readers).

Light and Shadows

Our science experiment following Groundhog Day involved light and shadows. We learned some big new words: transparent, translucent, and opaque. Below are pictures of the Happy Hounds in their groups exploring shadows.

100th Day of School

Defrosty and $$ Bridges

In the years past, we've studied winter weather as part of our Social Sciences. This year the Hounds experienced a week of winter weather first hand. But, we just couldn't leave out this super-cute Funky Food activity - Defrosty the Snowman. You can find out how to make these at home by going to Family Fun's website.

Carley, John Robert and Jarred

Audrie, Ashton, Alanna, Joshua, and Marshall

Audrie and Miss. Kelsey (Mrs. Lisa's daughter and our high school helper).

How cute! Audrie and Makayla dressed alike.

Our science experiment for Jan. 28th was file card bridges. We made different style bridges and counted the number of pennies that each would hold.

Alanna, Tori, and Marshall

Melanie, Makinna, and Talia

Shelby, Harly, and Delayne

10 pennies and still counting.

Motivated! Motivated! Motivated!

The Happy Hounds are excited about learning! We have many Hounds who are taking more than one AR test a week and many who are moving up more than one sight word list a week. In the slideshow, are pics of the Hounds doing their daily motivation dance and enjoying popcorn at the AR Popcorn Party. Also pictured are the Lexia, Sight Words, and AR charts outside our room. The Hounds love placing stickers on the charts to track their progress.

Thanks so much for your help at home.

Together we will make sure your child is more than prepared for first grade.

Science Fun

Soap Cotton Candy

First, we tested different brands of soap to see which ones sank and which ones floated. Ivory was the only one that floated. Now to find out why..........

We "cooked" the Ivory soap in the microwave for a couple of minutes. It puffed up like cotton candy, had a very unique texture, and smelled wonderful.

The answer behind all the fun: Ivory soap has air bubbles in it. When the moisture in the air bubbles heats up, it turns to steam which takes up more space and causes the soap to expand. They do this by "mixing" the liquid soap for a longer period to allow the air to get trapped in the mixture. This was discovered on accident in the 1800's by an employee who took a lunch break and forgot to turn off the mixer! At one time, Ivory was advertised as the

"soap that floats".




Burning Money



What did that just say???

First we soaked a dollar bill in a solution of alcohol and water. They recommended we use a $20 bill, but I didn't feel confident enough in my science ability.



Anxiously awaiting their teacher to torch the money.

Awesome!!! Check out Tori and Ashton's faces.

Not even a black mark on the money. Way cool!! To find out how, you can go to Steve Spanger's website and search

"burning money".

We did have a lesson on fire safety after doing this experiment!!!!

Scales and Slimy Skin

On January 7th, Elachee Nature Center's, Ms. Michelle, came to our school to teach us about reptiles and amphibians. We learned some cool facts and got to touch several of the animals.

She taught us some differences between frogs and toads, but we couldn't touch this guy

because he breathes through his skin.

Up close with a corn snake.

Talia touching the snake with the help of Mrs. Martin.

Talia, Audrie, and the turtle.

Lots of cool things to look at and touch.