Science and Writing in Kindergarten

Science on the BIOBUS

Have you ever heard of the Biobus?  The Biobus travels around to schools teaching kids about science in its portable science lab. Our kindergarten scientists got to explore a crustacean called a “Daphnia.”  First we saw these very tiny creatures inside a tube.  Then we got to use a microscope to look at them up close.  It was amazing to see how this tiny little creature was so full of life!  The Daphnia just had a baby (right in front of some of our classmates!) and it was wiggling around near her.  We learned about her moving eyes and how her 22 lenses enable her to see in every possible direction.  Her skeleton is on the outside of her body, too.  Our kids were busy looking closely and noticing all kinds of things about this little creature.  For more information check out www.BIOBUS.org

Letter Writing with a Purpose

Our kids are learning how to ask for something they need and tell you why they need it! It’s all part of our “Persuasive writing” unit that we began this week.  After reading the book Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type, we noted how some cows found a typewriter and decided to tell the farmer that because the barn is cold at night, they needed some electric blankets! This unit encourages young writers to use words to try to change someone’s mind or influence someone’s thinking.