Measure twice, cut once!



The students are practicing making accurate linear (length) measurements using the metric system.  Before they make their actual measurements, they are estimating the distance first.  Estimating is an important skill that isn't used, or taught, enough, in my opinion.  The students are using metric rulers, meter sticks, metric tape measures, and a meter wheel.



Being as accurate as possible!





Hey, I'm taller than that!



We need to record all of our results!



These tape measures are long!

Start with 0.0 right up against the wall.

Bird of the Week - ll Monday, September 12th, 2011

This week's "Bird of the Week is the Blue jay. This is a very common back yard bird here in Reading and a frequent visitor to feeders. This large, showy, noisy, blue bird has a crest with white spots in the wings and tail. The upper parts of the the bird are various shades of blue. The male and female birds look alike.

While many Blue jays migrate, others live year-round in our area. Some people don't like Blue jays because they are loud and aggressive and occasionally eat the eggs and nestlings of other birds. Blue jays can mimic the calls of certain hawks.

Science Lab equipment

 As part of our introduction to Science saftey, the students are learning the names and uses of various pieces of Lab equipment. 

Pan balance scale



Beakers.

Test tube, test tube rack, and test tube tongs.

Data chart



Graduated cyclinder



Erlenmeyer flask



Bird of the Week l - Sept. 6th, 2011

Black-capped chickadee

"Chicka-dee-dee-dee. Chicka-dee-dee-dee." This is the call of the Massachusetts state bird, the Black capped chickadee. This little bird is a back yard favorite and is easily recognized. It has a small, short bill with a black cap, black bib, and white cheeks.

The Chickadee lives in Reading all year round. They nest in cavities (holes) in trees and will also nest in nest boxes. They feed on insects, seeds, and berries. They love to come to back yard feeders, often hanging upside down to feed. In the winter, they will often gather in small flocks travelling around the neighbor hood looking for feeders and natural foods.
Photos from All About Birds.

Buff-breasted sandpiper - Crane Beach

Here are some marginal photos I took of a Buff-breasted sandpiper working the upper wreack line at Crane Beach.  Click on the photo and it will get bigger, giving a better view of this beautiful bird.

Crane Beach Black skimmers!

I had four, immature Black skimmers today at Essex Point on Crane Beach.  There were also 3 Roseate, 33 Common, 5 Least, and 1 Forster's tern there also.  Also present were numerous Herring, Ring-billed, and Greater black-back gulls along with 27 Bonaparte's gulls.

Immature Black skimmer - Essex Point, Crane Beach, Ipswich. 

Forster's tern

Ruddy turnstone



Bonaparte's gull



Terns & Gulls

Science Safety!

Science safety is very important and is taught and stressed all year long.  Today, we began learning some of the main, science safety rules.  We also investigated some of the science safety equipment in the classroom.