I did it! Metricstein on Youtube!

Climbing Giant Mountain

The second half of break I went to the Adirondacks and climbed Giant Mountain! It took about 4 and a half hours to climb to the top and about 2 and a half to get down (sometimes on a sled!) I told the class about it today and they wanted to see some pictures, so here they are!

A steep climb up!

Finally at the top!



Sliding back down on my sled!

Metricstein: The Play!

(A group of mad scientists gather in front of a table.)
Austin: We are Scientists!
Grace: But we are MAD
All: Mad Scientists! Bwaaaaaa-ha-ha-ha!
Alanna: What are we mad about?
Sophie: We’re mad because we are not the smartest in the world.
All: Grrrrrr.
Celia: We want to be the smartest of all scientists.
All: Yeah! The Smartest!!
Nick: But someone else is smarter.
All: Booooo
Hunter: Albert Einstein.
All: Boo, Albert Einstein.
Tristan: We should have his brain.
All: Yeah!
Sophia: Then we would be the smartest.
All: Yeah!
Xander: I want his brain!!!
All: Yeah! Albert Einstein’s brain!
Cody: So we will build a creature that will go get Albert Einstein’s brain.
All: A creature, Yeah! Albert Einstein’s brain, Yeah!
Nick: We’ll make the creature strong, and fast, and terrible.
All: Bwaaaaa-ha-ha-ha-ha
Sophie: We will sneak up on Al’s castle and the monster will grab his brain and we will come back here and stick it in the monster’s head.
All: Yeah!
Ethan: We have our monster!
Ruth: We accurately measured every part using the metric system.
Scientists snicker and whisper as they reveal:
Jaquan & Grace: Ta-Daaaaa! Metricstein!
Greyson: We rolled up some old towels that belonged to an Olympic runner.
Hunter: We covered them with rubber. (Holds up the legs)
All: Ooooooh
Sophia: We made the feet out of clothes irons and stretched some old socks over them.
Alanna: We found these special shoes that grip really strong.
All: Ooooooh.
Xander: The belly is made of some jello that nobody wanted.
Andrew: We made it super strong and very resilient.
All: Ooooooh.
Tristan: We made the arms from some old used drumsticks.
Jaquan: We covered them with melted crayons.
All: Oooooh.
Nick: The hands are made of nail polish containers.
Cody: We compressed them together with iron and rubber.
All: Oooooh.
Austin: The mouth has shark’s teeth we found on the beach.
Andrew: The cheeks are balloons.
Grace: The eyes are chipped marbles.
Greyson: The ears are shells and melted crayon wax.
All: Ooooooh.
Celia: The heart is made out of old jewelry.
Ruth: We melted jewels and carved a heart. It’s like a red ruby.
All: Ooooh.
Andrew: Next! We will fill it with blood or something liquid to make it alive.
Austin: I’ve got special monster juice.
Nick: What is it?
Ruth: I don’t know we just found it in the back of the refrigerator.
All smell it.
All: Eeeyew. That’s perfect!
Celia: Not too much! The Heart can only pump a volume of 2.4 liters.
Austin: We’ll have to measure the volume of juice in a graduated cylinder.
2 actors become cylinder. A cloth becomes the liquid. All watch the liquid being poured into the cylinder.
Grace: One liter. Twoooo liters.
Ruth: Stop. Be careful. It’s 2.4 liters.
Cody: That means 2 liters plus 400 milliliters.
Andrew: One hundred milliliters, 200 milliliters, 300 milliliters. 400 milliliters.
Ethan: What about the meniscus?
All: Oooooh
Sophie: Look at the liquid. It curves up the sides of the cylinder.
Grace: You have to read the level at the bottom of the curve.
Xander: 2.3 liters.
Jaquan: More!
Pours more.
Hunter: 2.4 liters.
Tristan: Great! Pour it in the monster!
(They pour. Sfx Then they all take a step back and watch expectantly.)
Monster comes alive. Stretches, yawns, sees the scientists
Monster (Ev): AAARGH! Me need brain!
Alanna: Oh yeah. We got it.
Sophia: Let’s go get Einstein’s brain.
All: YAY!!
Tristan: What will we bring it back to the laboratory in?
Sophie: I’ve got a Styrofoam box.
Austin: I’ve got a metal trash can.
Alanna: Which one will keep it warm the longest?
Cody: Let’s pour hot liquid in them and see which one holds the heat longer.
Ruth: I have my stopwatch! I’ll time for one minute.
Greyson: I’ll stick my fingers in and feel it.
Tristan: Nooo. That’s not scientific! You might get burned.
Ruth: Yeah, let’s be accurate. It’s a brain we’re talking about here.
Ethan: Use thermometers.
Sophia: We have 1 liter of liquid for each container
Hunter: Thermometers ready!
Andrew: The liquid starts out at 75 C.
Nick: Thermometers in!
They insert thermometers in the liquids.
Celia: Which side of the thermometer will they read? One side says F the other side says C.
Xander: F is for Fahrenheit. C is for Celsius.
Cody: In science, we use Celsius. It’s all part of the metric system of measurement.
Ruth: Time!
(They compare thermometers.)
Sophie: Ooooh. The Styrofoam definitely retains heat longer.
Grace: Bring the Styrofoam box!
Alanna: Let’s go!
Austin: Come on Metricstein.
Metricstein: Me like walks.
(Metricstein starts out fast heading offstage R.)
All: Hey! wait up! (follow)

(Einstein enters from L)
Einstein (Ben): (to audience) Hello, my name is Albert Einstein. I know you are all here to watch some scientific experiments but I’m afraid there seems to be a little trouble. I can see through my binoculars that a group of Mad Scientists are heading this way. They look pretty crazy. A large monster-like creature is leading them. Oh my. I hope I have enough pretzels and corn chips for everyone. (exits L)

(Scientists and Metricstein enter from R.)
(Several actors take positions on floor as rocks.)
Alanna: Whoa! Look at this river!
Grace: We’ll never get across.
Sophie: We could jump over on those rocks.
Celia: Yes, those rocks are evenly spaced across the water.
Ruth: They look too far apart.
MM: Me can do it. Me can jump far.
Sophia: But our legs are so much shorter than yours.
MM: (pats their heads) Too bad.
Xander: We can measure the length of your step.
Greyson: And we’ll measure the distance between the rocks.
Andrew: I have a metric ruler.
Tristan: I have a metric stick.
Andrew: Ruler!
Tristan: Stick!
Andrew: Ruler!
Tristan: Stick!
Xander: Stop! They are the same thing. Let’s measure the rocks.
They measure.
Andrew: 1.6 meters!
Tristan: 160 centimeters!
Andrew: 1.6 meters!
Tristan: 160 centimeters!
Celia: Stop! Those are equal measurements.
Ethan: There are 100 centimeters in a meter.
Hunter: They stepped one meter plus 60 centimeters.
Greyson: 160 centimeters
Sophie: or…
Grace: 1.6 meters.
Sophie: Now measure the distance of their step.
Alanna: Start here!
Ruth and Sophia take a big step from the beginning point.
Alanna: Measure!
Andrew: 1.5 meters or
Tristan: 150 centimeters.
Andrew: (to Ruth) You step 1.5 meters.
Tristan: (to Sophia) You step 150 centimeters.
MM: It same thing.
Celia, Alanna, Grace, Sophie: JUST JUMP!
Everyone stops bickering quickly and get ready to go.
M: I go first.
He jumps the rocks followed by Ruth and Sophia. All follow. Hunter goes last by leap-frogging. Exit stage L. Rocks look up.
Rocks: Hey wait for us!
(Rocks run after them L.)
Einstein enters DL and sits in a chair. Scientists enter and sneak across from UL to UR They bunch together in UR corner. They signal Metricstein to go get Einstein’s brain. Metricstein advances on Einstein threateningly. Metricstein grabs Einstein’s head. Scientists can barely look.
M: AAARGH! You got nice hair. It soft.
Einstein: Oh thank you. I use an herbal shampoo. I like your hair too.
M: Thank you. It made out of spaghetti with red sauce.
Einstein: Would you like a chip?
M: Thank you. Mm. Good.
Scientists are signaling madly to Metricstein to take Einstein’s head.
Einstein: Who are those people?
M: My parents.
Cody: What are you doing? Get the brain!!
M: Me like him.
Austin: We want to be as smart as Einstein!
Jaquan: We need his brain!
Einstein: But you are plenty smart.
ALL: Huh?
Einstein: You used scientific measurement. You measured the distance between the rocks and the length of their step.
All nod.
Einstein: You measured volume.
M: Blood!
All nod.
Einstein: You measured temperature.
M: (points to Styrofoam box) Brain box!
All nod.
Einstein: You built Metricstein out of recycled materials.
All: That’s true.
M: Me like me! (hugs self)
Einstein: And best of all.
Everyone leans in to hear.
Einstein: …you used Imagination!
All: Imagination!
(All high 5 and shake hands.)
Greyson: Wait a minute! What are we going to use for a brain?
They show the empty box threateningly. Einstein looks at Metricstein.
Einstein: He’s plenty smart. He’s got good genes.
M: Mommies! Daddies!
Einstein: Here! (puts a pie in Styrofoam box)
All: What’s that?
Einstein: It’s the Noble Peas Pie!
All: Yay!
(All sing a fabulous song.)

THE END

Our Metric Measurement Song!

Ball and Ramp

Scripts

Today we started working with a drafted script of our play, "Metricstein." Students are learning about cueing each other, how to position themselves in front of an audience, how every action they take matters on stage, and how to say their lines with meaning, feeling, and movement.

METRICSTEIN

As the Hangar Theatre Project progresses, the class has brainstormed a really cool play plot that is coming together nicely. To practice the opening scene, Sophie volunteers to play "Metricstein" as the other mad scientists stand around thinking of how to bring her to life.

Hangar Theatre Project!

Friday we launched the Hangar Theatre Project! Camilla, our actor, met with our class and created a web on everything the students know about "theatrical production." Later, John Simon, our musician, met with the entire 4th grade to sing songs, tell stories, and get the kids singing and moving. Below, the kids play "John Simon Says" and sing "Yellow Submarine."

Inauguration Day

Tuesday Caroline Elementary was fortunate and forward enough to make the decision to watch the Inauguration on cable TV. The whole school gathered in different classrooms by grade. The hallways were silent and emptied as eyes were glued to the screens of this historic moment. The children stood when the crowd at Washington was asked to stand, and clapped for president Obama throughout the event.

Balances

Friday we worked with balances. We put an object on one side and gram weights in the other and learned that when the balance is even on both sides, we have found the mass. Below, Andrew practices, and at the other table Hunter, Ethan, Austin, Greyson, and Nick look on to find the mass of Nick's hat.

Density

During the last couple science lessons we studied density. After finding the mass of a liquid and dividing it by its volume, we figured out the density of water, corn syrup, and oil. Then I put all 3 liquids in one beaker and we observed what happened: they moved into separate layers! A neat thing to make at home is your own "lava lamp."

Scientific Method

This week we've started a new science unit: Measurement. Today we completed our first lab practicing the Scientific Method: making hypotheses, conducting an experiment, recording our results, and coming to conclusions. We completed the "Mystery Powders" lab where we tested the reaction of 6 different powders when water, iodine, and vinegar are added to each powder sample. Below, Ethan uses his pipette to add the liquid to the powder. Ruth and Celia add vinegar to their baking powder and observe that it fizzes and bubbles!

Longhouses in the Display Case!

Our longhouses have been moved to the display case in one of Caroline's hallways where they have received MANY compliments! One teacher even said that these are the best longhouses she's seen in her many years of teaching here!

Model Longhouses

AWESOME job class! I can tell you and your families worked VERY hard on these!

Cody's:

Alanna, Greyson, Jaquan, Nick, and Andrew's:

Sophia and Ruth's:

Tristan's:

Hunter's:

Austin's:

Sophie's:

Celia's:

Ev's:

Grace's:

Ben's:

Native American Names Activity

Hello class! Today you are going to adopt your own Native American name. This is the site on which I found my dog Takoda's name. You will choose a name which either sounds cool to you or the meaning of the name is significant to you or reflects your own characteristics. Write the name and meaning on your notecard, then post a comment about what name you chose, its meaning, and why you chose it.
Boys click here
Girls click here

Tribal Research

Thursday students researched the 6 tribes of the Haudenosaunee: Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Tuscarora. Students worked in groups of three and practiced good note-taking skills. Observe below!

Coffeyhouse Stories

Thank you to everyone who helped out, brought something, or made this night special with your company! The students performed so well and should be proud of themselves!

Coffeyhouse Stories

"Coffeyhouse Stories" is tonight at 6:30PM in Miss Coffey's classroom! Here is a special sneak-peak video of what you'll hear tonight!

Jeopardy!

Today we played a fun math review game of Jeopardy! The students reviewed decimals by comparing them, ordering them, adding and subtracting them, measured and drew line segments in cm and m, and converted units in the metric system. I could tell that we have a such a close and respectful class as they cheered each other on and were such great teammates! Today felt like a very special day where everyone felt good about themselves and their choices.

The Metric System

Over the last couple of days we have been studying the Metric System in math. We discussed places we see things measured using the Metric System, like buying a 2-liter bottle of soda or seeing a temperature listed in degrees Celsius. We have really been concentrating on the fact that there are 10 millimeters (mm) in a centimeter (cm), 10 centimeters (cm) in a decimeter (dc), 100 centimeters in a meter (m) and 1,000 meters (m) in a kilometer (km). Below, Xander and Jaquan find things around the room that are around one centimeter, decimeter, or meter.

Haudenosuanee Clans

Recently we have learned about the clans of the Haudenosuanee tribes. Our own class has been placed into clans: the Eel Clan, the Hawk Clan, the Beaver Clan, the Bear Clan, the Wolf Clan, and the Turtle Clan. Below, students draw and color a picture of their clan to hang on their desk.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone got to spend some quality time with their families over these last few days off! I personally traveled to my hometown near Rochester to see my dad, mom, sister, brother, and family dog Charlie. It's nice to spend time with those we love and who love us!

Here are a few excerpts from the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address that parallel things I am thankful for. Let me know if you read it to your family on Thanksgiving!

The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.

The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.

The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.

The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.

The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.

Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.

4th Grade Concert

Great job for everyone who came to the 4th and 5th grade chorus concert last night! I was really proud of you. Keep up singing... I sang in chorus when I was in school and found it was a great hobby and a nice way to make some wonderful friends!

Story Bags

Over the last week we've been sewing story bags! According to a Haudenosaunee story, the story bag holds items that remind the teller of each story they tell. For many this is their first sewing project of their lives! Perhaps the parents will have a chance to see these story bags at an upcoming event... to be announced soon!

Election Day Tomorrow!

To prepare us for election day tomorrow, Mrs. Clark's 5th graders presented the whole 4th grade with two non-biased informational posters on each of the presidential candidates regarding issues such as education, health care, economy, the war in Iraq, and the environment.

Later, Mrs. Snyder read us a book about a child who dreams of being the president someday.

Tomorrow, every student in Caroline will have the chance to go to the library and cast their vote for who they would WANT to win the election tomorrow. At the end of the school day, the results of Caroline's election will be announced. But remember, we won't know the ACTUAL winner until Tuesday night!