Mrs. Julie Leggio

Yesterday and today we were allowed to bring our own device to school. Some brought ipods, e-readers, ipads, etc. to use during the day. How did you like being allowed to use your own device is class these two days? What kinds of things did you get the chance to do in your classes with your devices? Would you like to see us have another BYOD day here at Windsong? 

Today in Science Court we learned about the characteristics of living, nonliving, and dead things. Clara Swindell wants Walter Williamson to write a poem for her chicken bone. But is her chicken bone dead? What do you think? What do you predict the court will say? Why?

This week in the science lab we learned about the arrangement and movement of the particles that make up matter. We used cherrios to model the three states of matter. We also boiled water to see how liquid can changed into a gas, and then back into a liquid. How did you enjoy our labs this week? Were you surprised that gases could change back into its original state? What was your favorite part of the lab? Remember to think like a scientist!

We recently recognized September 11 as a tragic day in our country's history. We also celebrated Constitution Day and discussed the importance of our freedoms and rights as Americans. What a great country we live in!!! What does it mean to be an American to you? What makes you most proud of our great land? How can you show others how fortunate you are to be a part of the USA? 

Today we continued our Gobstopper lab in science. YUM! Our purpose was to find out which color Gobstopper candy lost its color the fastest once put into a clear cup of water. Was your hypothesis correct? Were you surprised at the outcome? When you got to eat your Gobstoppers, how many different colors did your candy turn?  Did you enjoy the lab? Can you tell your parents the 6 steps to the Scientific Method????

So glad to say that have made it 2 days now. I am enjoying getting to know all the kids. We have a great mix of personalities in each of the classes! We played a fun activity today in my homeroom called 3 facts and a fib. We learned so much about eachother and our families. Ask you child about their "fib".
I am hoping to use this blog periodically to communicate what is going on in class. I am hoping too, that it will help answer questions you may have about special projects or activities going on here at school. Are you excited about fourth grade? What are you hoping to learn? Are you anxious about anything? 

How exciting  Since today was March 1 somewhere in the world, we were able to participate in World Math Day! We celebrated numbers with students across the globe in a quest to set a world record in answering mental arithmetic questions. Students from 235 countries participated, and we here at Windsong represented our great USA! Students can continue to participate at home through Tuesday, March 1. How many more games can you get through? Can you reach 100 before March 1 is over and gone? How did you like the challenge? Where were your opponents from? Did anyone get to challenge someone in our class?

This past week was a busy week for our little scientists! We distinguished between mixtures and solution by experimenting with sugar/water, salt/water, oil/water, dirt/water...you name it! The best part was taking a look how a Sprite reacts- it was cool!
Next, we learned about conductors and insulators. Make sure you share with your parents our findings about the best material to keep their coffee warm and insulated. We used wires, light bulbs and all different kinds of material to find out about condutors of electric energy! The kids had a blast finding out how we could be conductors using the UFO ball! What did you like best about our experiments? What were your most surprised about? Was your hypothesis correct?

Today we celebrated International Day of Peace! All students at Windsong made pinwheels as a sign of peace. We didn't get to spin our pinwheels in the wind, but we did come together as a campus and spun our pinwheels in the gym this morning as we listened to peaceful and patriotic music. We were truly displaying a "Whirled of Peace!" We joined our Search students as they led us in our very first Windsong Pledge of Peace.