How big and how far?

Today in science, we learned about Earth's moon and the lunar cycle.  One of the things we explored was the scale of size and distance between Earth and our moon.  We used a small globe and an even smaller styrofoam ball to model the size difference, but we weren't sure about the distance.  Our prediction was that, according to our scale, the little Earth would be 32 centimeters from the little moon.

But, what we learned is that our moon is actually 30 Earth diameters away from us.  So, using that scale we actually needed to make the distance over ten times our prediction!  360 centimeters!  Check it out:

Turns out that space is mostly made up of just that: space!

STEM Day Remembered

Last week, we went on a field trip to Clayton High School to take part in the annual 5th grade STEM day.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Students and teachers were mixed into random groups across all three elementary school 5th grades and traveled through stations emphasizing STEM in careers.  Stations included: bio-med, robotics, electronics, botany, aeronautics, Bloxels, and engineering/calculator graphing.  Teachers and high school students facilitated activities at each station to help us learn.  It was a great day!  Enjoy some shots I was able to capture as I traveled with my group:

Fun with chemical reactions!

Today, we had our final celebration of learning in the science lab with Mrs. Hwande.  We applied our learning about chemical reactions to the observation of an especially famous type of chemical reaction caused by dropping Mentos candies in Diet Coke.  The students got to observe what happens when we drop two candies into a small bottle of soda in the sink.  Mrs. Hwande, however, knew she could really impress them with another set-up.

The results were indeed impressive!  Enjoy!

Time Machine Field Trip: The Great Migration

I hope you heard the news that yesterday we had an unusual day.  

In fact, we took a time machine back in time to study an important period in our nation's history: The Great Migration.  Don't worry!  We were prepared.  Each student brought with them a suitcase they had made, with help from Mrs. Marquart, for their journey to the early 1900s.  We also had the guidance of some amazing adults in our community to help us at each stop along the way.

Here you can see the suitcase Alice made while she fills out her identification card detailing what years she chose to make the journey, who she traveled with, where she traveled from in the South, where she traveled to in the North, and the types of work she did in each place. 

Our first stop in the time machine was the American South.  We learned about what life was like for people living during this time in this region, specifically African Americans who would eventually participate in The Great Migration.  

We learned that unjust Jim Crow Laws in the South were designed to keep African Americans separated from white Americans in every way: even drinking fountains!  

Since we had gone back in time, we decided to take this journey with them.  In order make this journey, we needed to learn about how we could travel: by foot, car, train?  No matter which way we traveled, we needed money to pay the way.  Some of us had saved up money for the trip, but some of us had to see the labor agent to make a deal to have the way paid in exchange for the work we would do in the North.  There were even some among us who were generous enough to pay the way for others on the journey.  

Learning about how we could travel North and how much it would cost us depending on the years we left the South, our city of departure and destination, how many people we were traveling with, and the type of work we would be doing.

The Labor Agent made arrangements for travel North in exchange for job assignments.

The Ticket Clerk made sure you paid the appropriate fees to take the train North.

Here we go, getting on the train North!

We had to learn a song first to sing and clap our way North on the journey, "The Great Migration!"

Once we arrived in the North, we had to figure out living arrangements and get to work right away.  Some of us would just be supporting ourselves, some would have family members to support living with them, and some of us would be working to save money to send South so that family members could join us in the North.  We learned even children worked during this time period!

Those of us who arrived in the North in the earliest years of The Great Migration got first pick of housing and jobs.  Those that followed learned that they might need to stay with friends and family, or even seek help from the Urban League Representatives to help them find work.

You had to make sure you had your papers in order when you met with the Housing Agent.

Working on the railroad!

Housekeeping and laundering were often the positions people who migrated found in the North.

There were no fancy washing machines like we have today.

Parents, ironically the jobs station was the most favorite station, according to our class.  How many of you have trouble getting your kids to do chores around the house?  Remind them of this simulation next time!  :)

Mrs. Taylor was a tough factory boss!  She only gave directions one time and you had to make your quota.  This factory made lampshades.  

Our factory workers paid close attention!

The railroad coming right along!

Happy housekeeper!

Making lampshades as fast and as correctly as they could!

Finished lampshades in the factory.  

After all that work, you gotta eat, right?  Good thing our next stop on the journey taught us about Southern food culture and how it spread to the North with The Great Migration.  Travelers sampled macaroni and cheese and cornbread.  Yum!

Learning about Soul Food and how it is made with love.

Mac n' cheese made with love by our cafeteria staff: Ms. Crystal, Ms. Debbie, and Mr. Steve.

Cornbread made with love by our cafeteria staff.

Once our bellies were full, we continued on our journey to learn about how the arts flourished as a result of the Great Migration.  We got an opportunity to view performances by African American singers, dancers, and musicians.  We also looked at artwork created by African American men and women that was inspired by The Great Migration.

Viewing the famous Nicholas Brothers dancing. 

Viewing Louis Armstrong performing.

Our final stop on our journey was one prompting some reflection.  We learned about African American writers whose work was inspired by The Great Migration.  Using the poem, "I Want to Write" by Margaret Walker as a thought prompt, we discussed the feelings that were stirred in us while reading her words as we reflected on our experience on this journey.  Though we went over our time with this conversation, we could have talked longer!  Students shared some powerful insights! 

Thinking deeply about Margaret Walker's poetry.

I hope they continue reflecting on this, especially as they prepare for our school's annual Black History Night celebration coming up on February 22nd at 7 at Clayton High School.  I know I'm looking forward to it!