More Problems & Solutions

Problem & Solution

Writers' Workshop

We are currently creating stories that have a problem and a solution. Before we write our stories we confer with an adult then we practice our storytelling skills in front of the whole class. Everyone else listens carefully to see if they hear a problem and solution in our story. Listen to our stories and see if you hear a problem and solution!

The BLOBS that took over our classroom!

Every Wednesday afternoon we do a different science experiment that helps us better understand the scientific process and inquiry. The children always look forward to whatever we do whether it be experimenting with sink or float, examining the various properties of water, or as in today mix different solutions and see what new substance we get. The children begin each session by predicting what they think will happen and why. Their reasoning skills are getting better and better each week. This week however, the experiment really stretched our imaginations and took us to an entirely new science place. I'm not sure we will be able to recreate today's enthusiasm ever again!
Here are some of their exiting thoughts:
Charlotte - The 2 mixtures went together and made a whole other thing.
Matthew - When it happened it got very drippy and then it went to a blob.
Cyrus - When you take two cups and you dump one cup into another cup and you keep mixing it then it gets smooshed up and became a soap blob, it cleaned my hands like soap. When you smoosh it together it looks like a pancake.
Jessie - I thought that it would mix around in the cup.
Aidan - It's really slimy!
Michael - It's really slimy and goopy like a blob should be.
Alex - It's like a mushy marshmellow.
Sunthoshini - I was so surprised.
If you would like to recreate a blob at home all you need is water, white glue (Elmers), and Borax. In one cup combine 1 1/2 tablespoons of water and 1 1/2 tablespoons of white glue, stir. In another cup combine 1/2 tablespoon of Borax and 1 tablespoon of water, stir. Pour the Borax mixture into the glue mixture, stir like crazy, and voila!

Sophie the Therapy Dog

A former Vista student who is working on her 8th grade challenge at WCS will be visiting us every Tuesday morning throughout the winter with her amazing therapy dog, Sophie. This past Tuesday we met Sophie, watched her perform a few tricks, patted her super soft ears, and even received a few Sophie kisses. Maggie and Cyrus were the lucky kiddos who got to read a book to Sophie this week. Sophie is a wonderful listener and loves people. She sat with each child and looked up at them with her loving eyes as they read aloud to her. After each child read they gave her a "Sophie treat". We are all looking forward to the weeks to come and our Tuesday's with Sophie.

Jammie Jam

On Friday we counted all the PJ's that vista 1st - 4th graders have donated throughout the month for the Jammie Jam. Our grand total was 51 cozy and comfy pairs of PJ's!! Mr. Terko spoke with all the children in the kiva and expressed how proud he was of their efforts not only with the Jammie Jam but the food donations for the Williston Food Shelf and the money for Pennies for Peace. Awesome work Vistonians!! The spirit of giving abounds in Vista!!

Creativity

Many hands make light work! We certainly were busy the day we created our new December calendar. The children learned the "trick" to creating fabulous paper snowflakes and within 15 minutes our room looked as if a storm had passed by. Many of the children continue to create these wonderful works of art every morning. The look on their faces as they open each snowflake to see the pattern they have made is priceless.
Our trip to the Flynn Theatre to see the Vermont Symphony Orchestra was a huge success. Many thanks to the parents who helped shepard the children from the bus to their seats in the 1st row of the balcony, yikes! Not quite sure which they enjoyed more, their seats or the show. Here are the pictures that Tammy Jadus shared.