Ms. Bloom's Science Room

Summer Update

2009-07-29T20:24:00.001-07:00

Hi All,

I am not sure if anyone reads this blog anymore but I wanted to post an update on the animals.

I'll start with the bad news first: One of the hermit crabs died so there is only one left. :( I am very sad about this because hermit crabs are so cool and they have such wonderful personalities.

The good news is that the goldfish seems to be doing very well as are the isopods. There are so many in that terrarium! It's amazing!

I hope everyone is doing well. I hope kids aren't watching too much TV and instead, spending time outside, playing and exercising, reading and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

I miss you all!

- Ms. Bloom :o)

Thank you!

2009-06-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hello Graham! I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone for such a wonderful send off. I will miss you all so much! I will miss everyone and I will miss the opportunity to help all of you grow as scientists. Take care and keep working hard! - Ms. Bloom :o)

THANK YOU!!!!

2009-05-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the students who wrote cards and showered my with gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you all so much! Thank you students! Thank you parents! Thank you PTA for such an AWESOME lunch today!!

I love being your science teacher. I love working at Graham. I really love my job and I hope that I will be able to teach at Graham next year. I'm hoping for the best!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!

Oh dear!

2009-05-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a VERY long time since I updated the blog. Here are the latest Science Room happenings:

1. I mentioned it before but the millipede died several weeks ago. I am very sad. It seemed like it was sick starting about a year ago. When I first got it it would eat fruits (melons, carrots, apples) but later on it wouldn't eat anything. I hope it died of old age and not from anything I did wrong with it. :*-( I miss it. When it was healthy and active it was a really cool organism.

2. Science STAR testing is complete. Thank you to all the awesome, smart, genius 5th graders who tried their best on the test. Like I said before, I don't care how they do, I just wanted them to try their best. I think if everyone tried their best they could do pretty well and show people all the stuff they have learned. I hope I didn't make any of them nervous, I just wanted to pump them up so they would put effort into taking the test (sometimes some of those 5th graders can be lazy!!). So, now that the test is over I am happy. I am looking forward to seeing the results in August. Thank you guys for trying so hard. I am proud of you and I am very happy and proud to be your science teacher. Thank you for working hard.

3. Open House was a success! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Science Room during Open House. It was great to see so many students having fun with their families in the Science Room. People were playing with oobleck, bubbles and Science Room animals, looking at specimens through the microscopes, and doing art projects like making twirlers and pinwheels. I hope everyone has been able to wash off the food coloring from the oobleck by now. I'm sorry the oobleck was so messy. If I am still at Graham next year I won't put food coloring in the oobleck again. That will keep hands cleaner!

4. I don't remember if I mentioned it before but one of the hermit crabs died awhile ago, too. The first half of 2009 has not been such a good time for the animals of the Science Room. :(

5. The Science Room looks a little different now. I moved all the items that were in the "pantry" to the storage room that Mr. Parenti gave me. Now the room is neater and there are not little nooks and crannies for the mice to hide in. :) I like how the room looks and I like how I was able to fit everything using the shelves I have. I also like how I was able to put up the shelf brackets by myself (not without some frustration though! -- see photo below).

Animal Update

2009-03-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

It's been awhile since I updated! The animal situation has declined in the science room.

The hermit crab that stopped wearing a shell a few weeks ago died last week.

Today I came in and found the millipede dead. :(

I cleaned out the millipede tank and transferred the isopods to that big 10 gallon tank. The isopods are the only organisms that seem to be able to survive in the science room. There are many teeny, tiny baby isopods. It's very exciting.

mala maestra!

2009-02-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

It has been since the day after Christmas since I posted! I feel so bad. But, like you all know, I have been VERY busy! I was sick for awhile and then I was also gone for many days for GLAD training. When I get back from being gone it takes awhile to catch up and get things going again. This week has been quite wonderful though. I am so glad to be back and teaching everyone!

One exciting thing I've been working on recently (along with Mrs. Sanui and Mrs. McCarthy), is Family Science Night. It will be in March and I will be sure to publicize it a lot so don't worry! You'll hear about it plenty!

And ANOTHER thing I've been working on is coaching girls' basketball with Mrs. Sanui. I am very excited about this because Mrs. Sanui knows a lot about basketball and I like blowing my whistle and telling kids what to do - what a great team we make!! :)

Beware! The end of the trimester is coming up... That means more assessments!

Next trimester will be Earth Science:
1st grade: Air and Weather
2nd grade: Rocks and Soil
3rd: Sun, Moon and Stars
4th grade: Geology - rocks, minerals, landforms, weathering, erosion, deposition
5th grade: Weather and Water
6th grade: a little bit of ecology before science camp and then back to Earth science when we return!

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Hi All! I don't know how the classroom animals are doing. I am assuming they are doing fine. Mrs. Toft and Mrs. Roa agreed to go in over break, twice each, to help feed the animals! Thank you to Mrs. Toft and Mrs. Roa! That saves me from having to go all the way down to Newark from Oakland (where I live). I hope the animals are doing well. I am sure they are.

I hope everyone is having a good break. Keep reading and getting exercise. Not too much TV and video games!

hermit crabs

2008-12-02T17:53:00.001-08:00

I almost forgot to mention! I have seen all three hermit crabs. They are all in a shell. One is in the "Ron" shell. It's hard to tell who's who nowadays though....

Happy December!

2008-12-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Happy December. We're finishing up our Life Science activities this week. Next week will be Physical Science and new seats. I have been doing a lot of planning with the teachers. I am very excited about this coming trimester. We will do a lot of good science in Room 9!

- Ms. Bloom

End of Thanksgiving Break Post

2008-11-29T15:25:00.001-08:00

Hi All!

I am in the classroom right now. I came in to feed the animals. I fogor to come in on Wednesday so the animals hadn't been fed since Monday!! =:-o All the animals are alive though.... well... I only see one hermit crab but other than the two missing hermit crabs, all the animals seem to be alive.

The classroom is clean and I am very excited for this upcoming trimester. I am going to make everyone work very hard! I am so excited! I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Monday!!

Take care,

Ms. Bloom :o)

Thanksgiving Break Update

2008-11-24T23:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

First, I have to say that I am sorry I haven't been updating more. I have been very busy at school. First, I was preparing grades for report cards and then I was preparing for next trimester. We will be doing PHYSICAL science!!

First Grade - Solids & Liquids (gases we'll get to spring trimester)
Second Grade - Balance & Motion (balance, rolling, spinning, magnets, simple machines, vibration/sound)
Third Grade - Matter & Energy (matter in the science room and light & energy with your classroom teacher)
Fourth Grade - Magnetism & Electricity (magnetism with Mrs. Carlin and electricity and electromagnetism in the science room)
Fifth Grade - Mixtures and Solutions (chemistry with me and periodic table stuff with your classroom teacher)
Sixth Grade - We'll be moving on to Unit 2. First we'll finish up our plate tectonics labs and then we'll move on to the convection current labs. After that we'll do a minerals lab and then a few weathering and erosion activities. Ahhh... isn't geology fun. (I hope you said yes.)

I really wanted to post an update about how the animals have been doing lately. Overall, I would say they are not doing well. :( Half the animals in the science room don't seem to be eating at all and half the animals in the science room don't seem to be able to get enough food!

Fish - The fish have been eating the micro sword plant that I added to the tank in the beginning of the year (I wanted to add plants to help keep the water oxygenated). I suppose they are getting hungry. I feed them a TON of food though! How could they still be hungry? At least they're not eating each other! (Knock on wood.)

Turtle - Betsy has not been eating much at all lately. If I put a scoop of food she takes two bites and leaves the rest to float around for days and/or get stuck in one of the two filters. It makes the water filthy and stinky. More importantly, why isn't she eating? Is she sick? It's the same food she's always had and she always seemed to like it before. I don't understand.

Hermit Crabs - The hermit crabs seem to be fine. For awhile now two have been out and about and one (Ron?) has been "missing." Well, I found him today while I was cleaning the tank! I was mixing up the sand after I took out all the poopy sand and threw it away. While I was mixing the sand I mixed out a hermit crab OUT OF HIS SHELL!!!!!! I took a picture with my camera phone. Sorry the quality is not good. I was shocked!!!!! I guess he/she was molting. I hope that I didn't shock it so much that it's going to die now. That would be sad. :( I covered him/her back up with sand. If he/she dies my teacher-friend says we'll know because it will REALLY stink in the crabitat.
I told her that with the science room it's often hard to figure out where a certain stink is coming from.... haha. :( I took the video with my camera phone so the video quality isn't good at all.
Millipede - Like I've been saying for awhile, the millipede isn't eating either. She used to nibble on carrots, cucumbers and apples but I haven't seen her do that in MONTHS. It is sad. :( I hope she's not sick or getting so old she's going to die soon. :(
Isopods - A delightful as always, sitting on their little log. I wonder if they ever get bored of just sitting on their log, doing nothing all day. I wonder what they do at night, maybe they are more active in the dark.

*whew* What a lot to report!

Be sure not to watch too much TV or play too many video games this week! Get exercise outside and read a book (or two)!!!

- Ms. Bloom :o)

Wii friends

2008-11-11T20:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

You can add me as a friend on Wii. My number is: 7426 3688 0867 7015.

It's OK to play video games once in awhile but remember that it's also important to play outside to get fresh air and real exercise. Also, try doing something with your friends that doesn't involve video games!

- Ms. Bloom :-)

Upcoming Events

2008-10-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

It's been awhile since I blogged. There's been so much going on in the Science Room, it's hard to keep up! There are several school-wide events to be aware of though and those are easier to write about:

Monday, October 13th -- No School!! We have a teacher work day, so stay home and have fun while I go to school and learn more about how to teach you better!

Friday, October 17th -- Walk-A-Thon! Start getting sponsors for the Walk-A-Thong. Money raised goes into your teacher's ASB account for your class. With that money, the teachers can help pay for field trips and other things to help you learn!

Friday, October 24th -- The Harvest Festival! I thought the Harvest Festival was so fun last year! It's like a carnival! This event is also a fundraiser for the school, so the more tickets you buy to play games means the more money the school will have to go on field trips and get stuff for the classrooms!

See you on Tuesday,

Ms. Bloom

Check outside Wing 2!!

2008-09-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

I just made a Science Information for Everyone bulletin board outside Wing 2!!

It has important information like:
- Harvest Festival Adult volunteer sign up sheet
- Walk-A-Thon countdown
- Science Room Blog URL
- Missing Science Assignments lists for 4th, 5th and 6th graders
- Fall Trimester Life Science and Investigation and Experimentation Standards focus information
- Science Room Wish List

I hope no one messes it up!! Don't let anyone mess it up!! Tell them to stop and tell me so I can fix it right away!!!

Snail Girls

2008-09-15T19:36:00.001-07:00

NO ONE better do this when we get snails in the third grade classrooms later on this trimester!!!!!! Disgusting!!!

the millipede

2008-09-15T19:20:00.001-07:00

Hi all,

For the past few weeks the millipede seems like she's been sick: she's not as active as she usually is and doesn't seem to be eating a lot. Also, the mites she used to have on her aren't there anymore. I went to the East Bay Viviarium and asked for advice. It could be one of several things... maybe she will molt soon (wouldn't that be exciting?) and insects usually slow down before they molt. Also, it seems like it is definitely not humid enough in the tank for her. Tomorrow morning I am going to add some moist soil to the habitat. Also, I will put Saran Wrap on the cover to help increase the humidity. We'll see what happens. I hope she starts to feel better.

At the vivarium they had a baby giant african millipede. I took a picture of it with my cellphone's camera. It's an up close picture so it looks bigger than it really was. In reality it wasn't bigger than a quarter. It was soooooo cute!!!!!

Mrs. Wecks has a website

2008-09-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

Mrs. Wecks' kindergarten class has a website! Welcome to the WWW Mrs. Wecks!

http://mrswecks.googlepages.com

Celebrate!

2008-09-01T14:29:00.001-07:00

SCHOOL'S STARTING TOMORROW!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!

Get ready for school!

2008-08-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that school is going to start soon!
Here is a picture of me from this past Thursday, right before we started our teachers' meeting. :-)

The animals are back in the classroom

2008-08-24T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

My friend, Max, and I took the animals back to the science room. They seem to be doing alright. The millipede still isn't eating. :(

Max also did the bulletin boards so thank you Max.

The classroom is STILL not ready!! =:-0 I am going to go to school tomorrow to keep fixing it up!

- Ms. Bloom :)

STAR Test Results

2008-08-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

Check this out. Graham keeps improving in Science!!!

Ms. Bloom is a technological genius!!!

2008-08-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I am blogging from the classroom... which means that I was able to put my computer back together!!! Yea for me! I am a technological genius!! The classroom still isn't ready but it's coming along. It will be ready for the first day of school though. Don't worry!

Putting the class back together

2008-08-20T21:44:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I went to school today to unpack the science room and prepare it for the beginning of the year. It's starting to come together but there's still A LOT to do!! There are so many boxes to unpack and put in their place.

I fed the pets today. I am looking forward to taking them back to school. My goal is to have the room ready for the pets on Monday. We'll see what happens.

- Ms. Bloom :o)

Back in the classroom again

2008-08-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

I went into the classroom today! It's CRAZY!! Boxes and furniture were everywhere! My brother helped me move bookshelves around. For the most part, the room will look very similar to how it looked last year. There will be a "pantry" in the back for all the science materials that we have. I am very excited to go into school tomorrow and do more organization and cleaning. My brother is going to make a low shelving unit for the front of the classroom. :) I saw Mrs. Rebosura, Mrs. Sheridan, Mrs. Zandona, Mrs. Paxton and Mrs. Carpenter today.

P.S.

2008-08-18T13:29:00.001-07:00

My brother took good care of the animals while I was gone. They're all alive (I think). :o)

I'm back!

2008-08-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I'm back from Israel. I am very jet-lagged and disoriented. I am going to go to school soon. Apparently the classrooms are done and the boxes are back in them. My brother is going to come in and help me get the classroom back together so I will be ready to teach you all in just a few weeks. I am excited for school to start again. Here's a picture of me in Israel:
I'm in a cave at Qumran.

Hi Everyone!!

2008-08-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I am still in Israel, learning about Jewish things and how to speak Hebrew. I hope everyone is having a good summer. I hope people are eating healthy, getting exercise, reading books and not watching too much TV or playing too many video games!!

This weekend I am going to go to the Dead Sea. I will try to videotape some science experiments while I'm there. I'll make a DVD and show them to you all when school starts!!!

I miss everyone and am looking forward to the beginning of school. You all are going to learn A LOT this year!!!! Get ready for a challenge!!!!!!!!!

Ms. Bloom is going to school!

2008-07-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I'm in Israel now. I am taking classes to learn Hebrew and about Jewish stuff. I like being in school and studying.

I am looking forward to starting OUR school year. :)

- Ms. Bloom

Ms. Bloom's brother to take care of Science Room pets while Ms. Bloom is gone

2008-07-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

Hi All. I will be going to Israel for a MONTH, starting on Sunday. I made arrangements for my brother, Ben, you can call him Mr. Bloom, to take care of the animals, so don't worry. :)

Fourth of July

2008-07-06T10:49:00.001-07:00

Hello all!

Happy belated 4th of July!

I don't know about the traditions of your family but in my family the 4th of July is a very big deal! There is a parade in my town that I participate in every year. I march with the band. Can you find me in the picture below? Can you tell what instrument I am playing?

What the Science Room looks like now!

2008-06-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

I stopped by the school today and took photos with my cell phone. Here they are. I hope the workers finish in time!!!
Yeah! The floor is going to be fixed!Akk!! Where'd the cabinet that was over the sink go!?!?!?! I need that for chemical storage!!!

All hermit crabs present and accounted for

2008-06-30T01:08:00.001-07:00

I feel like I should mention (finally) that all three hermit crabs are present and accounted for, in the crabitat (hermit crab habitat = crabitat). You may recall that at times, Hermione tends to go missing.... well, she's in a while, shiny shell (a new one, for her) and she's back. All three crabs seems happy and healthy - they are active and eating plenty. :) Now, I just have to see what's up with the millipede. Why hasn't she been active lately?

Quick Update

2008-06-23T22:02:00.000-07:00

A few things:

- I was gone for a few days and the two crayfish are gone. I think Betsy must've eaten them. :( Too bad. I liked having them in the tank.
- Check out the following link: Martian Skies
This cool photo (above) shows what Earth and the moon look like from Mars!!!!

Thank you to Mr. Bloom and Mr. Bloom!

2008-06-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

My Dad and Brother fixed the turtle tank. Now Betsy has a reliable place to bask and she LOVES it!In the photo above you have: Betsy and the fish/aquatic snail tank on top of the table and the hermit crabs, terrarium and millipede under the table, along with all the supplies on the side of the table.

Hot Water

2008-06-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

I just put ice in the turtle tank and fish tank. The temperature in my apartment is about 80˚F (~27˚C). The water in the turtle tank is registering at about >78˚F and the fish tank water is at 23˚C. It is hot! Too hot!

The puffy guppy is dead

2008-06-17T20:54:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

I have sad news: The puffed up guppy that we figured was either pregnant or had cancer..... Well, it kind of exploded today.... or, at least, that's what I think happened. I looked into the tank a few hours ago. The shell of the fish was on the bottom of the tank and there were a few guts-like things floating around the water. Hasta la vista puffed up fish. I hope you are more comfortable now than you were before in your puffed up condition. We'll miss you.

The animals' new home

2008-06-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

With the help of three friends, I transported the following to my house in Oakland:
- one 10-gallon tank with fourth grade comets and aquatic snails in it
- one 55-gallon tank with Betsy, two crayfish and two large goldfish
- the terrarium in the 10-gallon tank
- one 10-gallon tank with two (possibly three) hermit crabs
- one 10-gallon tank with one giant millipede in it

I am feeding Betsy right now. I put some water in the storage container with the blue top. I am giving her some leftover fruit salad - it seems like she especially likes the grapes and watermelon.

Read a book!!!! Play outside!!! (Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen.)

Have a GREAT summer!!!

2008-06-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone has a GREAT summer. Please do not watch TV, play video games and eat junk food all the time. Go outside and play. Read books. Spending quality time with your friends and family. Enjoy yourselves now and get ready for a a great year of science starting in September!!!

Field Day -- A SUCCESS!!!

2008-06-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

What a GREAT event Field Day is!!! It's so fun!!!! What was your favorite event? My favorites were "Bucket Brigade" where you try to fill up your team's bucket with a sponge and "Beach Relay." I got sunburned. :( Thank you to all the parent, grandparent and 6th grade volunteer helpers. Thank you to Mr. Schmidt for doing such a great job organizing the event!!

All You Need to Know About Teeth

2008-06-07T19:54:00.001-07:00

I made this video with my cousin. Everyone can check it out but the content addresses first grade science standards. :-)

Big days for the Science Room

2008-05-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday and today were big days for the Science Room.

On Friday we added two (the only two) of Mrs. Sanui's surviving crayfish to the turtle tank. Now, there are 2 crayfish, 1 red-eared slider (aquatic turtle), and about 3 fish. I took a smaller guppy-like fish out. It is fat and looks like it might be pregnant. I don't know how that's possible because I don't think there are any other fish of its species in the tank... We'll see what happens. It could be that the fish is just bloated or has some sort of fishy cancer.

Today I put a little hideout in the turtle tank. It seems like one of the crayfish has taken the spot near the filter and bubbler underneath Betsy's basking spot. The other one was hiding underneath the brick that keeps the other filter in place. We'll see if either prefer the little ceramic hideout log I put in there. The water's a lot clearer today - thanks to Anthony! Great work on Friday Anthony! He helped do a lot of dirty work!

Oh! The fish tank.... that's new. I put the fish, scuds and aquatic snails from Mrs. Villo's class' aquariums and Mrs. Woodhead's class' aquariums into one 10-gallon tank. :) That's the fish tank I'm talking about.

Now the science room has:
- One 55-gallon tank with 1 red-eared slider, 2 crayfish and about 4 small goldfish/guppy-type fish.
- One 10-gallon tank with many small comet goldfish, a few scuds (gammarus) and many aquatic snails.
- One 10-gallon tank with 2 (maybe 3, but probably not) hermit crabs.
- One 10-gallon tank with a giant millipede in it.
- Five containers of silkworms that are starting to spin their cocoons and pupate.
- Three containers of darkling beetles in various stages of their life cycle: larvae, pupa and adult.
- Let's not forget the glass case of dead moths and butterflies that kids like to look at.

;)

Not such a good weekend for the Science Room

2008-05-19T10:40:00.001-07:00

I took 18 dead small comets out of the tank this morning. Akk. Remember, we lost about 8 or so last week. Not such a good weekend. :(

Time lapse fast growing corn, roots and leaves growing

2008-05-16T23:40:00.001-07:00

I don't want to leave out the first graders....

Strategies For Animal Survival Vol I

2008-05-16T23:37:00.001-07:00

Third graders should check out the first 1:30 of this video. It gives GREAT examples of behavioral and physical adaptations that animals have that help them grow, survive and reproduce. Enjoy!

A video for third graders!

2008-05-16T23:35:00.001-07:00

Adaptations - Addresses 3rd Grade Life Science Standard 3a.

CB Frog Life Cycle Video

2008-05-16T23:32:00.001-07:00

Second graders should check this video out also. It directly addresses 2nd grade life science standard 2b.

Silk Worms

2008-05-16T23:29:00.001-07:00

Second graders should check out this video!

Betsy is restless

2008-05-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

I am still at school doing work and Betsy is very busy in her tank trying to move things around. I think she is trying to rig up a basking area. I don't think she could get onto the area we set up before. She is trying to move the bricks around, which is proving to be a challenging task for her. I hope she doesn't disloge the filters and spray water out of the tank like she did before. What we really need for her is a 75 gallon tank, a new, huge basking area and filters strong enough to filter that large of a tank (like a Magnum 500). Does anyone have $500+ they can donate to the Science Room? :-)

small comets

2008-05-15T09:22:00.001-07:00

I bought at least 75 small comets (goldfish) yesterday for the 4th graders - we're starting aquatic environments - and already, at least 6 have died!! :( Grrrrrr....

Interesting science fact of the day

2008-05-13T07:27:00.000-07:00

Snails can poop while they are hanging upside-down from the lid of the habitat. (Bonus fact: the poop can stick to the top of the lid.) (Bonus, bonus fact: Ms. Bloom thinks that is really gross.)

Tragedy strikes again

2008-05-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

The second little crayfish that didn't have any pincers was found dead on Wednesday morning. Ouch.

6th grade updates

2008-05-08T15:06:00.000-07:00

I updated the sixth grade page of the Graham pbwiki site.

Oh! The tragedy!

2008-05-05T12:31:00.001-07:00

One of the smaller crayfish is DEAD. He was murdered this weekend, torn apart bit by bit.

You can see that the carcass is in three pieces...

I find it sad that the victim is one of the two crayfish in the habitat that had no pincers. The other two crayfish in the habitat have one pincer each.

Here is a photo of the other crayfish habitat. The 8 original crayfish were separated based on size.

The second graders' silkworm larva are doing well and continue to grow as we feed them mulberry leaves (did you know there is a mulberry tree in the kindergarten yard?).

Information for 3rd graders

2008-05-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

Interested in finding out more about our crayfish friends?

Check out Crayfish Sexes and Sustaining America's Aquatic Biodiversity.

Welcome back Hermione!

2008-04-28T14:43:00.001-07:00

I noticed a few days ago that Hermione is back. She's missing again, but hopefully she'll come back when she's ready. I believe she digs under the sand and hides for awhile. I am not sure why she does that. Is she hiding from Ron and Harry because they're picking on her? Is she going to molt? I don't know.

Open House Wrap Up

2008-04-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who visited the Science Room during Open House. It was nice to meet your parents and to see students showing off their knowledge to the people in their family.

Welcome back!

2008-03-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

School starts back up again tomorrow! Welcome back! I hope the animals are OK! I haven't fed Betsy since Wednesday.

First through fifth graders: Get ready for LIFE SCIENCES!!!!!!

Check out the Science Room's new interactive website!

2008-03-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

Check out the Science Room's PBWiki Website. This new website can be edited by all Graham teachers, staff, students and parents. Check it out!

What a STINKY MESS!!!! =:-0

2008-03-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Betsy was VERY NAUGHTY over the weekend! She made the nozzle of one of the water filters spray water OUT of the tank and all over the floor! This resulted in a bunch of stinky turtle water sitting on the floor and making the science room smell worse than it normally does. Fortunately, Steve Scholes (our PM custodian) put in a nice smelling air freshener to help with the smell.

Apparently, the ratty and yucky carpet broke the custodian's vacuum cleaner. Get your parents to help get the science room a brand new carpet!!!

Oh, yea....

2008-03-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

And remember to have fun!!! (But be safe!)

Happy Spring Break!

2008-03-19T21:53:00.000-07:00

I am wishing everyone a very fun and restful Spring Break! Go outside! Don't play video games the whole time! Read a book. Don't eat too much junk food! Eat healthy food!

Busy Staff Work Day

2008-03-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, this is Ms. Bloom reporting to you from her desk. I am very busy today working on putting together second trimester/earth science grades, planning for third semester's life science units, working on lesson plans for this week (as well as substitute teacher plans for tomorrow when I am gone for a meeting) and, yes, working on putting together NEW seating charts! (I know upper grade students, especially, will be glad to hear I am working on that.) I hope everyone is not watching too much TV or eating too much junk food. Read a book and eat some fruits and vegetables today! See you all on Wednesday!

Welcome Mrs. Sanui to the WWW!

2008-03-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Third Graders,

Mrs. Sanui has started a blog for her class to help them with their animal reports. Here is the URL: sanui.blogspot.com. Good luck with your research!

Great job performers!

2008-02-28T20:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone did a great job on their class' performance this week! Congratulations!!

Help save government funding of our schools!

2008-02-27T14:43:00.001-08:00

Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed a state budget that would cut education funding by $4.8 billion. This averages over $800 per student. This would have dramatic effects on school and district programs. Hopefully, our state legislators can put pressure on the governor to improve his upcoming revision to the budget in May.

Newark residents can contact the following legislators. Urge the legislators to put pressure on the governor.

Ellen Corbett http://dist10.casen.govoffice.com/
District Office: 1057 Mac Arthur Blvd
Suite 206
San Leandro, CA 94577

State Capitol: State Capitol
Room 3092
Sacramento, CA 94248-0001
(916) 651-4010

Alberto Torrico http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a20/
District Office: 39510 Paseo Padre Parkway
Suite 280
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 794-2580

State Capitol: State Capitol
Room 3160
Sacramento, CA 94249-0020
(916) 319-2020

Is the giant millipede feeling well?

2008-02-17T14:58:00.000-08:00

I think the giant millipede isn't feeling very well. In the morning I find her curled up near the heater. Eventually she goes into her little log house. I haven't seen her eat in WEEKS. I've tried apples, apricots, spinach, banana and carrots. I haven't seen her eat and I am worried. I don't really know what to do.

Everyone else seems to be doing fine though.

NASA photos

2008-01-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

Mrs. De La O sent me a link to pictures from a NASA shuttle in space. They're really neat.

Toasty, toasty!

2008-01-18T10:39:00.000-08:00

I attached heaters to the hermit crab tank and the millipede tank. The hermies hang out right next to their heater. I put the small one on their tank, I think I will go get them another to make it a little warmer in there. Because of the heat, I will have to think of something to help keep the humidty up... water will evaporate more quickly now that it's warmer in the tank.

The hermies are home!

2008-01-11T10:42:00.000-08:00

Oscar brought back the hermit crabs. Hermione and Harry seem fine but I cannot seem to find Ron. I wonder where the hermies go when we can't find them.

Betsy and the millipede seem to be doing well also. Helpers will probably come in after school today to help clean the tank.

Welcome back!

2008-01-08T23:16:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone! Welcome back to Graham School and welcome back to the Science Room! Betsy seems to be doing well and the millipede is back. Oscar is bringing the hermies back tomorrow. (I can't wait to see them, I miss them!)

Fed Betsy today

2007-12-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! I fed Betsy today. She seems pretty mellow but brightens up when I start to feed her. I made her a food medley of sorts - regular floating sticks, crickets, meal worms, veggie bits (store-bought food from the big yellow container), and another kind of floating food she seems to like (also store bought from the clear container). It's very exciting.

I hope everyone is enjoying their time off school (and reading books!!!).

:)

The millipede has a home for the holidays!

2007-12-18T20:40:00.000-08:00

Charlene is taking the millipede home for Winter Break. I hope someone can take Betsy home!

A home for the animals...

2007-12-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

The Science Room animals are still looking for someone to adopt them over Winter Break. Is there room in your home for Betsy?

Hasta la vista 6th graders!!

2007-12-10T22:36:00.001-08:00

Have a good time at Science Camp!!!

Deck the Halls With... Betsy the Turtle!

2007-11-30T16:37:00.000-08:00

I would like to find a volunteer family willing to take Betsy home for Winter Break. You will get all the supplies needed (food, water conditioner, heat lamp, filters, bubbler, informational literature, etc.).

Who wants to spend Christmas with Betsy!?!?!

Science Room Update

2007-11-30T16:33:00.001-08:00

Hi all!

It's been awhile since I posted. It's been a busy time in the science room! We started Earth Science in the first through fifth grade classes. First graders are beginning their study of air and weather, second graders - geology focusing on soil and rocks, third graders - sun, moon and stars, fourth graders - geology focusing on rocks and minerals, fifth graders - focusing on the solar system, water cycle and experimentation and investigation methods (with a focus on controlling variables, etc.).

The animals are doing well.

Thanksgiving week update

2007-11-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

I am at school on Tuesday afternoon. I came in to feed Betsy and to check in on Harry, Ron, Hermione and the millipede. The hermit crabs seem to be doing well. The millipede seems fine. It is somewhat cold in the science room, so I am a little concerned about that. Betsy seems fine. I put a banana in her tank on Sunday and she ate about half of it. The water feels so warm but it is only 75 degrees F (pretty much exactly as it should be). Betsy's water is pretty gross. I put food pellets in the tank but she hasn't eaten them. She sits on the bottom of the tank, not moving. There is algae-type growth on the sides of the tank and on the filter. I hope she is OK. When we come back I hope John, Luis and/or Robbie can clean the tank and change the water.

Informacion en espanol

2007-11-16T07:50:00.001-08:00

Esquina de Información del Salón de Ciencias

o Visite el salón de ciencias en la Páguina de Web del Mundo http://msbloomsscienceroom.blogspot.com/
o Gracias a Mrs. McLaren, Alisha, Isabel, Mitchell, Raymond, Jesus y Jessica por ayudarme a preparar y alistar el lugar de Laguna de los Patos del salón de ciencias para el Festival de Otoño.
o Gracias a todos los que donaron toallitas desinfectantes, toallas de papel, lápices, borradores, grampadoras, ganchos de ropa, bolsas plasticas, desinfectante de manos y jabón. Sus donaciones nos ayuda a mantener el salón de ciencias limpio y seguro para los alumnos. Seguimos necesitando las toallas de papel. Ciencias es divertido, pero a veces puede ser un poco sucio.
o Hay dos otras maneras de ayudar en el salón de ciencias: Visit DonorsChoose.org (clave para buscar: 119277) o AdoptAClassroom.org (buscar a la maestra: Rachel Bloom) para donar algun dinero. El salón de ciecnias está tratando de recaudar fondos para comprar un tanque grande y nuevo para Betsy (un tanque de 75 galones lo cual necesitará un nuevo sistema de filtro) y una alfombra para sentarnos (para los alumnos de 1er y 2do grado cuando vienen al salón de ciencias).
o Padres, favor de mandar a sus hijos de CUARTO, QUINTO y SEXTO grado a la escuela con un folder para sus papeles de ciencias. Alumnos del 1er al 3er grado ya tienen sus folderes. Otra vez, mandar a sus hijos de 4to. ; 5to. Y 6to. grado con un folder para sus papeles de ciencias.
o Nuevas unidades de ciencias: Estaremos empezando a estudiar la CIENCIA DE LA TIERRA en Noviembre 26. Chequear el blog del salón de ciencias para ver cual será el tema de sus hijos en ciencias.

Thank yous!

2007-11-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Ethan and his mom for helping to inventory on the physical science FOSS kits after school on Tuesday!

Thank you to the girls who came in this morning to help tidy up the room.

Even more new stuff

2007-11-12T15:47:00.001-08:00

I also picked up 9 new feeder fish at Petco. When I put them in there the big feeder fish started chasing them!! Last time I looked in there I could see 3 small feeder fish. We'll have to check tomorrow to see what happens. I didn't think the big feeder fish would try to eat the new feeder fish. They were supposed to be for Betsy!

I also got two new types of food for Betsy (*yummy*) and tank cleaning solution (it helps solubilize organic waste to make it easier for the filter to clean the water, making the water cleaner, clearer and less stinky).

New Stuff, cont.

2007-11-12T15:43:00.001-08:00

I went to Petco today. I got a new millipede habitat. She has been acting VERY strange lately.

She would climb up to the top of the plastic container and start to chew the blue top. I don't think that is very safe. I wanted to get her a bigger habitat that has more elements in it to be more interesting and exciting for her. Now, she has a big 10 gallon tank and more pieces of bark to crawl on.

New Stuff

2007-11-12T15:39:00.000-08:00

Hi! Happy Veteran's Day. I am at school preparing things for the new trimester. We're going to start Earth Sciences very soon!

I submitted the following things to be in the upcoming December newsletter:

SCIENCE ROOM INFORMATION CORNER

Visit the Science Room on the World Wide Web! http://msbloomsscienceroom.blogspot.com
Thank you to Mrs. McLaren, Alisha, Isabel, Mitchell, Raymond, Jackie, Jesus and Jessica for helping set up and man the Science Room Duck Pond Harvest Festival Booth!
Thank you to everyone who brought in disinfectant wipes, paper towels, pencils, erasers, staplers, clothespins, plastic bags, hand sanitizer and soap. Your donations help keep the science room running safely and smoothly. Keep those paper towels coming! Science is fun but can also be messy at times!
There are two other great ways to help the Science Room: Visit DonorsChoose.org (keyword search: 119277) or AdoptAClassroom.org (teacher search: Rachel Bloom) to quickly and easily donate some money online. The science room is trying to raise money for a new, larger tank for Betsy (a 75 gallon tank which will also need a new, fancy water filtering system) and a special carpet to sit on (that the first and second graders will use every time they come to the Science Room).
Parents, please send your FOURTH, FIFTH and SIXTH graders to school with a folder for their science papers! First through third graders already have science folders. Again, please get your 4th, 5th and 6th graders a folder for their science papers as soon as possible!
New Science Units: Graham will begin studying EARTH SCIENCE on November 26th. Check the Science Room Blog to see what your child's new science topic will be.

Thank you!!

2007-11-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who went to the Science Room Duck Pond booth at the Harvest Festival! I had a lot of fun watching everyone pick ducks, wear goggles covered with blue tape and choose prizes. Thank you to all the families who donated supplies to the science room!!! It is SOOO appreciated!! Thank you for your kindness and support!! We got a lot of kleenex (which is great since cold season is coming) and some parents even donated Clorox wipes!! They will help keep the science room safe and clean for our students and children! Thank you to Daniel (from Mrs. Villo's class) and Kaytlyn's (from Mrs. Sheridan's class) mom for helping set up the booth!! Thank you to Jessica, Alisha, Isabel, Jesus, Jackie (a middle-schooler!), Mitchell and Raymond for helping man the booth. It was a big three person job (two at the least) and I couldn't have done it by myself! (When I tried to it did NOT go very well!!) I am so glad that there are so many kind and thoughtful students at Graham that are so helpful. It was great getting to meet more parents and it was great seeing students out and about having fun! I hope everyone has a good weekend. See you on Monday, ready to learn!!!!

Observations

2007-11-03T12:58:00.001-07:00

I saw the millipede at the water dish on October 31st. It looked like she was actually drinking the water. I had no idea that she actually drank the water. I thought she got most of the water she needed from the fruit she ate. I guess not. This is a very exciting observation. If only students were at school at 7am and 7pm to observe all these interesting behaviors of the animals that I get to see!After the Harvest Festival last night I saw the hermit crab (I believe this is Harry) climbing on the thermometer (measure temperature)/hygrometer (measures humidity). This is the first time I have seen any of the hermit crabs climb on the hygrometer. There has been evidence that they do that because I have gone in several times and the hygrometer has been knocked over but I have never actually seen any of them climbing on it. It would be Harry climbing. Hermit crabs, in general, like to climb but Harry is definitely into climbing. I am glad I put that piece of bark in the crabitat. The hermit crabs love climbing up it (especially Harry and Hermione).

Exciting Times!

2007-10-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

These are exciting times at Graham School! I am REALLY looking forward to the Harvest Festival! I really think people will like the Duck Pond game. You win a prize EVERY TIME YOU PLAY!! I have the prizes at my house and everything else I need for the game.

All I need now are a couple of 5th or 6th graders to help me out at the booth (parents/adults can help too!).

I have already had several kids turn in donations with the FREE PLAY coupon!!! How exciting!!!

Everyone come play the Duck Pond game at the Harvest Festival and help support the Science Room!

P.S. Betsy's water is GREEN. (Again.)

Help the science room get a new carpet!

2007-10-26T22:12:00.001-07:00

I submitted a proposal on DonorsChoose.org. Check it out!

Duck Pond Booth at the Harvest Festival

2007-10-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

The Science Room will be having a "Duck Pond" booth at the Harvest Festival!! "Duck Ponds" are great because you get a prize every time you play. I will give out coupons this coming week for a free play. All you have to do is donate a box of Kleenex or a bottle of hand sanitizer or a roll of paper towels or a box of pencils and you will get a free play at the Science Room Duck Pond booth at the Harvest Festival on Friday, November 3rd.

Support the Science Room and play the Duck Pond game at the Harvest Festival!!

a big day for the animals!

2007-10-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the walk-a-thon. How fun!! Thank you to Alisha, Esther, Berenice, Yalitza, Isabel, DJ, Jesus and Zack for helping sell science juice and watching the animals during the walk-a-thon.

We had the millipede and hermit crabs out during different times. Young, preschool-aged children seemed to LOVE the hermit crabs. It was so great seeing kids so interested and excited about the strange creatures they had never seen before!

Thank you to everyone who purchased science juice! You are helping raise money that will go towards taking care of the animals. Everyone loves Betsy, Harry, Ron and Hermione (and even the giant millipede!) so it is important that we take care of them.

Taking care of them is expensive though! On Thursday I bought another Fluval 4plus filter for Betsy's tank. The day after John, Robbie and Luis helped clean the tank and change the water, it was still GREEN! I will go into school tomorrow. Hopefully the water won't be as green anymore. I also had to get another heating lamp light bulb. The other one burned out. These bulbs are important because they make heat for Betsy to bask under AND they are full-spectrum lights which is important for Betsy's physical and psychological health.

Thank you for such a fun walk-a-thon! Wasn't the music great!?!?! I am so proud of all my students who walked so much and worked so much to earn money for our school.

all animals present and accounted for

2007-10-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

All the hermit crabs are in the crabitat. For awhile I couldn't find Hermione. And then, Ron was MIA for a few days. Now, all three of them are in the crabitat. I wonder where they were when they disappeared...

Betsy's water is green... still. I don't know why.

The millipede has been a bit more active lately. I haven't given her calcium lately. I will try to remember to do so soon.

Many kids have been helping in the science room after school! Thank you everyone!

Donate to the Science Room!

2007-10-14T21:22:00.000-07:00

I put the science room on a website called Adopt-A-Classroom! Now people can go online and donate money to the science room. I want to raise money to buy Betsy a new tank and filter supplies for the classroom. www.adoptaclassroom.org

Science Room Wish List

2007-10-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

The Science Room would appreciate any of the following items:
- hand sanitizer
- pencils
- staplers
- paper towels
- plastic cups
- small plastic bags (sandwich size)
- liquid soap
- disinfecting wipes (i.e. Clorox wipes)
- wooden clothes pins (with spring)
- pencil erasers

Thank you!!

Thank you!

2007-10-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you to Jesus and Steven for helping after school today!!! They sorted rocks that the 6th graders have been studying and got a bit disorganized!

5th Grade Elements Project

2007-10-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

I heard Ms. Amarante's class will be doing a research project on the elements. Unfortunately, there aren't really any books in the science room to help you with this. Here are some websites that seem pretty good though:

http://www.chemicalelements.com/

Try this one!!: http://periodic.lanl.gov/default.htm

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elem_intro.html

Hermione found!?!

2007-10-07T13:21:00.001-07:00

I went into the classroom today and found two hermit crabs sitting on the sponge. One was definitely Harry and the other one was in Hermione's shell. Does that mean Hermione was in there the whole time? What is going on? I did not see Ron in the crabitat though so now HE is missing... What are those crazy crabs doing?

The millipede has been eating well lately. She stays under her log most of the time but in the morning I do see her crawling around.

Betsy is doing well, I supposed. I am trying to feed her more. Her water is a bit green. Maybe there will be some students available to help change the water on Friday.

A big THANK YOU the following students for helping in the science room on Friday afternoon: Alisha, Diana, Monserrat, Emily, Robbie, John, Luis, Berenice, Isabel, and others whose name I have left off the list by accident.

Academics

2007-09-30T13:15:00.001-07:00

Here is a general description of what each grade is learning about so far:

First Grade:
Recently finished - solids
Currently on - liquids
Vocabulary - rigid, flexible, round, soft, pointy/sharp, opaque, transparent, translucent, viscous, colorless, bubbly, foamy

Second Grade:
Recently finished - balanced, spinners (tops - spin by applying force as a PUSH)
Currently on - spinners (zoomers - spin by applying a PULLing force)
Vocabulary - counterweight, balance point, spin, rotate, axis

Third Grade:
Currently on - Energy, different forms
Soon to be working on - Energy transformation and converstion
Energy forms studied so far - light, motion, sound, heat, electrical, chemical

Fourth Grade:
Currently working on - electricity, simple circuits
Soon to be working on - conductors/insulators, series and parallel circuits
Vocabulary - motor, light bulb, circuit, switch, insulator, conductor, D cell, electricity receiver, electricity source

Fifth Grade:
Just finished up - mixtures, solutions, separating mixtures
Currently working on - chemical reactions
Vocabulary - mixture, solution, dissolve, separate, evaporate, screen, filter

Sixth Grade:
Just finished up - identifying Grand Canyon rocks
Soon to be working on - correlating Grand Canyon rock layers, studying the Colorado Plateau
Vocabulary - calcite, limestone, shale, sandstone, acid, magnifying lense, correlate, layer

Worried about the animals

2007-09-22T21:19:00.001-07:00

I have not been in the classroom for several days. I am worried that the animals have not been fed. I am going to school tomorrow and I will feed them! In the future I will try to make arrangements with students to feed and take care of the animals when I am absent.

Curriculum Update

2007-09-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

First Grade
FOSS Unit: Solids and Liquids
Just Finished: Solids (important vocabulary: rigid, sharp, opaque, transparent, round, soft, flexible, etc.)
Current Spot: Liquids in a bottle
Important Vocabulary words: viscous, transparent, translucent

Second Grade
FOSS Unit: Balance and Motion
Just finished: Balance (counterweight, balance, etc.)
Current Spot: Spinners
Important Vocabulary words: spin, rotate, axis

Third Grade
FOSS Unit: Energy and Matter
Current Spot: Energy - the different forms (heat, light, electric, chemical, etc.)
Important vocabulary words: convert, source, electricity, light, heat

Fourth Grade
FOSS Unit: Electricity and Magnetism
Current Spot: Magnetism in their classroom, simple circuits in the science room
Important vocabulary: circuit, wire, D cell, electricity source, electricity receiver, motor, light bulb, open circuit, closed circuit, switch
Future Spot: series circuits and parallel circuits!

Fifth Grade
FOSS Unit: Mixtures and Solutions
Current Spot: Separating a mixture
Important Vocabulary: mixture, solution, screen, filter

Sixth Grade
FOSS Unit: Earth History
Current Spot: Studying the layers of the Grand Canyon
Future Spot: Differential erosion, rock layer correlation
Important vocabulary: calcite, limestone, sandstone

Betsy's home

2007-09-13T19:25:00.001-07:00

I have been feeding Betsy more fruits and vegetables lately (baby spinach, watermelon and strawberries). The problem with doing that is she is such a messy eater. Her tank is DISGUSTING! There is so much... gunk in the tank. Organic materials floating around dirtying up the tank. This is why it is so important that we raise funds to get her a bigger tank AND a really good filtering system that includes and undergravel filter as well as a in tank filter like the Fluval 4+ that we have now. This whole system could cost $500 or more! It will be at least $200-250 for the new tank and $200-250 for the necessary filtering systems.

Ms. Evans-Vasquez's class - 2nd grade

2007-09-03T21:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Ms. Evans-Vasquez's 2nd graders will begin a FOSS science unit on BALANCE AND MOTION. Information for parents can be found here (in English), and here (en espanol) and here (the English version of the Spanish version). Enjoy investigating balance and motion with your children at home!

Cleaned up the millipede's habitat

2007-09-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

I changed the substrate in the millipede habitat.

The crabs seems like they are doing well, as does Betsy.