Welcome to Our Classroom Blog!

Welcome Aboard!! I am excited to start this new journey with you and your child! I will use our classroom blog as a communication tool between home and school. It will also serve as a way for you all to be a part of the learning taking place in the classroom. Home and school play a vital role in the success of every child, and I am excited to form partnerships with each and everyone of you. Thank you all in advance for your continuous support.

A little bit about me...

I have been blessed with five wonderful years at Oakland Elementary. This upcoming school year will be my sixth year of teaching. I have taught 4th and 1st grade. I am married to my wonderful husband, Corey. I am a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Go Gamecocks!! I recently graduated from Converse College with a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision. My favorite foods: macaroni and cheese, pickles, and sushi! My favorite things to do: swimming, bike riding, and spending time with family and friends. I cannot wait to meet all of you on August 13th at Meet the Teacher! I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of your summer vacation!

Our WONDERful Visit from Wonderopolis!

Last Friday Wonderopolis visited our school. It was a great honor for them to visit our class in the Wonder Room. Prior to their visit the students learned about hydroponics from the Wonderopolis website and they wondered...

How do you grow plants in water?

What supplies do you need to grow plants in water?

What type of water should you use to grow plants in water?

During the visit, the students learned how to grow plants in water, what supplies is needed, and the type of water needed. After their "wonders" were answered, the students actually began the process of growing a cutting in water. The cuttings were of Rosemary and Spearmint. 

Some of the cuttings are beginning to root. How exciting! Check out Adam's cutting of Spearmint below. 

Our Garden

As part of our plant PBL, the students are planting their own garden. Last week, the students planted cantaloupe, tomato, and cucumber seeds. They also planted flowers. They had to dig the holes for the seeds and flowers and pat down the dirt. After everything was planted the students took turns watering the garden. Tomorrow, the students will plant more flowers! 

I am excited to see our small but amazing garden grow! 

Our sunflowers are growing!!!

Our sunflower seeds are beginning to sprout!

The students have learned through an experiment that if you do not provide plants with air, sunlight, and water they will not survive. Our experiment consisted of providing one plant with everything, one plant with only air and sunlight, and one plant with nothing. Over a few days, the students observed that the plant that was provided with only sunlight and air was wilting and the plant that received nothing was also beginning to die. 

The students have done a fantastic job taking care of their sunflower seeds/plants. They are providing the seeds with water, sunlight, and air. One morning last week, the students were ecstatic because some of the seeds were sprouting! 

How do roots help plants?

The students have learned, through informational texts and videos, that roots help keep plants in the ground and provide plants with water. How do roots provide plants with water? This question/wonder was answered today as the students conducted an experiment (described below) and watched an informational video.

Experiment: 

The students received a stalk of celery in a cup of water. The stalk of celery represented roots. The students then added food coloring to the water. For the remainder of the week, the students will observe the stalks of celery.

The students made predictions about what would happen to the celery and what the celery would do. Many of the students predicted that the celery would soak/slurp up the dyed water, just like roots soak up water. Some of the students predicted that the celery would turn the color of the food coloring. 

After one week, the celery began to turn the color of the food coloring. The celery soaked/slurped up the water, just like roots! 

Are seeds living things?

For part of our plant PBL, the students visited the Wonder Room to classify and identify different types of seeds. The students learned that there are many different types of seeds, and seeds are indeed living things once they are provided with water, air, sunlight and many nutrients because they grow and change. The students classified the seeds based on their color, shape, and size. 

Sunflower seeds were classified, and the students have planted sunflower seeds to observe the seed grow and change. The students are taking great care of their sunflower seeds- providing the seeds with water, sunlight, and air. We are hoping the seeds will begin to sprout the beginning of next week. Check back at the beginning of next week to see the progress of the sunflower seeds.