Plates and playdough

Geology is a favorite topic in our classroom, and in the last few weeks, we've been digging in!

We learned about the layers of the earth and studied soil sediments under microscopes and tested their varying abilities to retain water.  We performed a series of tests to identify mystery minerals.  This week, we've been exploring changes to the earth's surface caused by plate tectonics.

First, we used graham crackers and (heavily) colored frosting to model the action of the earth's plates and the soft asthenosphere on which they float.  














The children experimented with divergent plates, slowly pushing the plates away from each other to create underwater rifts or mountain ranges.

Next, the children experimented with convergent plates, pushing the plates toward each other so that either one plate slips under the other (creating volcanoes) or the plates crash into each other creating a mountain range as in the photo below.  (The trick for this model is to moisten the edges of the graham crackers).

Finally, children modeled the cause of earthquakes at transform fault lines, where plates rub back and forth against each other.

To enhance this lesson, I was thrilled to discover (at the CAST conference last weekend) a Pangea cookie cutter and mat developed in Texas Christian University's Idea Factory by students from the College of Science & Engineering.  What an incredible hands-on way to explore continental drift!  Everyone needs a Pangaea cookie cutter!  Don't you think?

 This (making play dough late at night) is why I have a bag of old flour in my freezer labeled "For Science."

Note: Graham cracker activity based on activities from Geology Rocks by Cindy Blobaum

Happy Election Day!

In honor of Election Day, we held a Kids' Favorites election.
















Our third grade leaders caucused prior to the election to determine the choices that would appear on
the ballot in each category.  A sample ballot was posted on the door for voters to review prior to going to the voting booth.

Every citizen of our classroom community was eligible to receive his/her own voter registration certificate.  I'm proud to report that 100% of our citizens chose to become registered voters, and, despite long lines, we had an impressive 100% voter turn-out at the polls.








Voters showed their voter registration certificates, signed in, received a paper ballot, voted in private booths, and placed their ballots in the ballot
box.

When the ballots were cast, the polls were closed and votes were counted.

Election Results:
Favorite Musical Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Fad: Pokemon cards
Favorite Toy: iPad
Favorite Movie: "Rainbow Rocks"
Favorite TV Show: "My Little Pony"
Favorite Book Series: Percy Jackson
Favorite Author: Rick Riordan
Favorite Museum: Children's Museum of Houston tied with Houston Museum of Natural Science




Update (11/5/14): Run-off election results are in!  When Houston Museum of Natural Science staff heard of this embarrassingly close election, there was talk of hiring a lobbyist.  It turns out such measures were unnecessary.  With an amazing 100% voter turn-out for our run-off election, the Houston Museum of Natural Science took Favorite Museum in a landslide victory!  We love science!

It's not too late for all you eligible adult voters to get out there and vote!
If you live in our area, research the candidates with the League of Women Voters Guide.
Enter your address here to find your polling location.


There's a Book for That!
Election Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays)
Granddaddy's Gift by Margaree King Mitchell
Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
Dig Into History (Nov/Dec 2014): The Beginning of Democracy