It is all about bubbles in science class.  For the past two weeks we have been studying about the Scientific Method through Bubbleology.  It has been great learning fun.  We conducted experiments to see what cleaned a soapy table better: plain water or vinegar and water.   We also conducted experiments to see which dish detergent makes the best bubble making solution:  Dawn Green, Palmolive, or Shoppers Value.  This week these scientists designed and carried out their own experiments.  All experiments asked which solution made the biggest bubble and the bubble solutions created and tested were very interesting. Some of the bubble solutions tested and compared  were:  blue Dawn and water vs blue Dawn and milk; green Dawn and water vs root beer and green Dawn; organic dish soap and water vs green Dawn.  Other students compared the effect of hot and cold on the bubble solution by testing three Dawn solutions: one room temperature, one cold and one hot.  Other students tested which Dawn dish soap - red, green or blue - made the biggest bubbles.  Students blew bubbles with the solutions and when the bubbles popped, they measured the size of the remaining soapy ring in centimeters.  After 3 trials of the solutions they were comparing, students determined the mean.  Students then presented their experiment findings to their classmates.  

Ask your student about their experiment.  

Spruce Mountain Hike September 6, 2013

We could not have asked for a better day for hiking up Spruce Mountain.  The weather was the perfect temperature and there was not a cloud in the sky.  Everyone made it up and down the mountain in good form.   The fire tower  gave us a spectacular 360 degree view of the world.  We could see the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Camel's Hump, Mt. Ascutney, Killington as well as East Montpelier Elementary School!   It was very chilliy up in the tower, quite a contrast to the warm sun on the rocks. We also took time for Nature Journaling and created a list of seasonal words and spent time drawing.  We also had some caterpillars join us on top, aptly named Spruce and Bruce.  A huge thank you to Laurie, Karen, Kim, Flor, Becky, Kristina and Willy.  The Medal for Bravery goes to Willy who drove all seven boys in one car.  We ended the day with a dance party in the parking lot!  An incredible day was had by all!

 Taking a break at the caves.

 James exploring the caves.

 More cave exploring.

 Danielle gets to the top of the caves.

 Karen, always ready to Nature Journal.

 Jenna holding on!

 Sebastian high above.

 Willy, Tom and Dane looking off to the White Mountains and New Hampshire.

 Tom and Dane enjoying the warmth of the sun.

 James and Jordon.

 Sebastian and Calen having a lunch break.

 Great Friends!   Mia, Claire, Molly and Serena.

 Mountain Ash berries from the tower.

 Danielle and James in the tower.

 Dane and Tom, what you can't feel is the cold breeze at the top!

 Mrs. Knoedler taking in the view of East Montpelier.

 Not a cloud in the sky. A perfect 360 degree view.

 Phoebe, Julia, Kate, Emily and Ginger Nature Journaling 

 Busy capturing seasonal words.

 The whole team!

 We finished with a dance party in the parking lot.

 Two more group photos.

August 30, 2013 Dear Families, In an effort to “go green” this year, I will be posting information about our classroom activities, classroom assignments and homework on this classroom blog. When you visit the blog, please sign up to follow by email and become a follower. The blog is set up so that if information is posted on the blog, you will receive an email between 5pm and 7pm that day. If you are not able to access the blog and would like to receive information regarding our classroom, homework and assignments in another way, please let me know. I would also like to set up a system to email all the parents in the classroom and will use the email address you sent in on the school information packet. If there is a different email address you would like time to use, please let me know as soon as possible. I will still be sending home important information for you in the Friday folder. We had a great first week and all of your children are wonderful. We have been participating in many Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS) activities and teambuilding activities. Students have been building up their silent reading stamina and we have started our first class read, No Talking, by Andrew Clements. In math, we are spending time reviewing math operations and making sure students have a solid command of their facts. Practicing math facts with flash cards is a great way to help your child work on their facts. 6th graders should have complete mastery of their multiplication skills. We will begin our first science unit, Bubbleology and The Scientific Process, next week. I want to give a huge thank-you to all the parents who volunteered to drive students to Spruce Mountain next Friday, September 6th, for our class hike. Please be at school by 9am on Friday, September 6th. We will leave shortly after attendance is taken and head out to the mountain. We will be back by 3:35 for busses. Cross your collective fingers for good weather. I will be sending home information about what students should bring/wear for the hike next week. I am excited about this year and all the students seem eager to learn and are putting their best foot forward all the time. Have a splendid holiday weekend. Ellen Knoedler

A Wonderful First Day of School

We had a wonderful first day of school. All the fabulous 6th graders came ready to learn. We introduced the new PBIS, Positive Behaviors Intervention and supports, to the students. All students and teachers will be using PBIS. More to come on that at Open House. Ask your child what KHFOOTY means. Please remember to fill out all the forms in the folder that were sent home with your child and return them as soon as possible. Also the orange plastic folder should be returned to school so that we can use it for the entire year to carry important information home. Please note the Spruce Mountain Hike information. This is a hike only for Mrs. Knoedler's homeroom and it is different than the All School Hike which will take place in October. If you are interested in driving students and hiking with us, we would love to have you. Also, please read the information regarding the blog and how to follow The Learning Portal. I also need you to sign the permission form indicating whether or not your child's photo and first name can be published on the blog. If you have any questions, you can call me at the school or email me. Please understand that it is difficult to answer the phone during class times or answer emails during the day but I will try my best.