Impromptu Marble Run challenge with KEVA planks!

Our 3rd graders put their engineering hats on today to tackle a fun and challenging project: building a marble run using only KEVA planks. With no glue or connectors, they had to rely on gravity, balance, and teamwork to get their designs just right. They did awesome! This was a fun little activity to kick off the start of Fall Break :)

Our classroom is turning into a rainforest!!

 Something truly special is blooming in our 3rd-grade Quest classroom! Over the past few weeks, our students have been immersed in a vibrant, hands-on study of the rainforest, with a creative art project at the very heart of their learning.

Our young artists have been hard at work, drawing and painting the diverse flora and fauna of the jungle. From vividly colored macaws to camouflaged chameleons and sprawling vines, their beautiful creations are filled with the energy and life of this incredible habitat.

This artwork is more than just a gallery—it's a building block for a bigger, more exciting final project: transforming our entire classroom into a rich and immersive rainforest environment. Every painting and drawing will find its place as we construct a canopy, install hanging vines, and populate our very own rainforest with the animals the students have so thoughtfully crafted.

We can’t wait to share the finished classroom rainforest with you all! Stay tuned for more updates on this wild learning adventure.

The Big Reveal: When a Science Experiment Sparkles!

 You know an experiment is a hit when the students gasp in awe! That's exactly what happened this morning when our 3rd grade Quest students checked on their homemade crystals. Yesterday, they created a supersaturated borax solution and submerged pipe cleaners hanging from a thread. The magic happened as the solution cooled, forming shiny crystals all over their pipe cleaners. It was a fantastic reminder that science can be beautiful and a lot of fun!

*Check out the video at the end to see how our crystals sparkle in the sun!

We participated in the #KindnessRocksProject :)

Students were out and about today, hiding the Kindness Rocks! It was a beautiful day to spread some sunshine!

 

Using a mineral identification kit to ID mystery rocks!

Today, our classroom transformed into a mineral identification lab! Students were excited to examine a collection of "mystery rocks," each with its own unique set of clues. To discover what was inside these hidden specimens, they put their geology skills to the test with a series of exciting experiments. 

Testing the Clues:

Color:.

A classic first step! Students carefully observed the color of each mineral.

Hardness:.

Using the Mohs Hardness Scale, they tested how easily a mineral could be scratched, revealing its strength. 

Streak:.

They rubbed each rock on a streak plate to see the color of its powder, a key identifier. 

Luster:.

Students observed how the minerals reflected light, learning about metallic and non-metallic types of luster. 

Magnetism:.

A simple but effective test for certain minerals, they used a magnet to see which rocks were attracted to it. 

Fluorescence:.

Under a special light, some rocks glowed, adding another fascinating layer to their investigation!

Learning the rock cycle with Starbursts!

My class recently got a lot tastier, thanks to a hands-on lesson about the rock cycle. We used Starburst candies to explore how the three main types of rocks—sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous—are formed right in the classroom.

The journey of a candy rock...

Our junior geologists started with three different colored Starbursts, which represented the different kinds of sediments that exist in nature.

1. Sedimentary Rock: First, the students tore their candies into small, colorful shreds to mimic how natural forces like wind and water break down larger rocks into sediment over time. Then, they pressed their "sediments" together tightly, forming distinct layers just like a real sedimentary rock.
2. Metamorphic Rock: Next, using the heat from their hands and a little extra pressure, the students rolled and squeezed their rocks. The colors began to twist and blend, showing how heat and pressure deep within the Earth can morph one type of rock into another.
3. Igneous Rock: The final, and most exciting, step involved the microwave. We briefly melted the metamorphic rock in the microwave. The candies bubbled up, transforming into a gooey, molten magma. As the candy cooled and hardened, it became a brand new igneous rock—shiny, bubbly, and completely different from its original form.

Our class learned that the rock cycle is a never-ending journey, and their final igneous rock can one day be weathered down to become sediment again, starting the whole process over. And the best part? They got to eat their experiments!

Rock Scavenger Hunt

This week, my observant 3rd graders embarked on an exciting outdoor adventure – a rock scavenger hunt right here on school grounds! They were tasked with finding a variety of rocks, focusing on different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. This hands-on approach allowed them to truly observe and appreciate the geology hidden in plain sight. 

Armed with their scavenger hunt checklists and magnifying glasses, the students explored the school grounds. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they discovered everything from smooth, rounded river stones to rough, jagged pieces of concrete.

We even had a few unique finds that sparked some serious scientific curiosity! One group uncovered a beautifully banded chert, and another found a fascinating rock with sparkly bits – perhaps mica or quartz! 

This activity wasn't just about finding rocks; it was about fostering observation skills, encouraging scientific inquiry, and getting our bodies moving outdoors. 

Check out some of the cool rocks they found!