Lolly the Trolley

On Thursday, May 26th, the fourth graders went on a tour of Cleveland aboard Lolly the Trolley. We caught the trolley outside the Cleveland Aquarium. The Power House building was the original power house for one of the early electric trolley companies.

From there, we traveled uphill, where we saw miniature reproductions of the Guardians of Transportation statues from the Hope Memorial Bridge.

We passed St. Malachi's Church which was busy administering to the homeless and economically disadvantaged of the Cleveland community. 

Once in Ohio City, we saw an old church that used to be a part of the Underground Railroad.

We also got to see an old firehouse which has been re-purposed and some of the beautifully restored homes in the area.

Next, we used the Hope Memorial Bridge to see Progressive Stadium and the Quicken Loans arena.

We then toured the Public Square area of Cleveland where we saw Tower City, the world's third tallest building when it was built in 1929. 

And the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Did you know the statue at the top was done in the likeness of the artist's wife?

We got a good look down the newly designed Euclid Avenue while we were there, too. 

On the way back to the trolley parking lot, we saw places like the Cleveland Public Library, the Federal Reserve Bank, the Rockefeller Building, a replica of the first electric street light, and the Old Stone Church.

We got really lucky with the weather and the children were all very well behaved. I can truly say that a good time was had by all!

Science Day

On Thursday, May 19, fourth graders participated in a school-wide Science Day. All of the teachers put aside their regular plans and conducted various science activities with the students. Fourth and fifth graders moved through a rotation supervised by the fourth and fifth grade teachers. 

With Mrs. Fedor, students reviewed alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power.

With Mrs. Rini, students created a slide with our friends from Millipore Sigma and then viewed the slide under the microscope. Our experts then shared information about good and bad bacteria.

With Miss Lemmer, students experimented with ramps trying to discover whether the weight of the car or the height of the ramp had a bigger affect on how far the car traveled.

With Mr. Taylor, students created a simple circuit with a switch and then tested various items for conductivity.

With Mr. Williams, students explored the affects of gravity by manipulating mini roller coasters.

Finally, with Mrs. Wallace, students explored what would make a rocket (empty pop bottle) fly the highest into the sky. The pop bottle was filled with various amounts of water and then put under pressure by pumping air into the inverted bottle with a bicycle pump. When the bottle was released, it flew into the air.

Click here to see a pop bottle being launched.

Dissecting Owl Pellets

The fourth graders spent the past two days dissecting owl pellets. At first we were all a bit apprehensive...

...but, soon, the excitement of our discoveries overtook all of us!

Everyone had a great time learning as we explored the secrets of the owl's dinner menu.

 Finally, we identified...

...sorted...

...and labeled our findings.

Millipore Sigma Visits Fourth Grade

As you all know, a team of scientists from Millipore Sigma recently visited our school. Our fourth graders were lucky enough to participate in a chemiluminescence lab.

The scientists began each day with a slideshow presentation explaining what chemiluminescence is...

...how it's used, and lab safety.

Then, the scientists conducted a demonstration, during which a clear liquid and a blue liquid were poured into a funnel, then wound their way through a clear tube, and emptied into a large flask.

The entire time the liquid was moving, it glowed bright blue. Just seconds after, it stopped, the liquid turned a dark brownish black.

Next, the students got suited up...

...and the experiment began!

The students mixed two clear solutions which reacted and gave off blue light energy. After the atoms stabilized again, the solution turned yellow. 

I think it's safe to say the students truly enjoyed Millipore Sigma's visit. What a wonderful learning experience for all! Thank you to our new friends in the scientific community. We look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the fourth graders completed a small project at home that required them to reflect on what they are lucky to have.

They each received a large blank shamrock and were given the direction to fill it with pictures, words, and/or magazine cut outs that explained why they were lucky.  The students did a wonderful job being creative and adding their own touches to their shamrocks.

Before they were hung up for everyone to see, the students presented them to the class.  It was great to hear them share all of the wonderful things that they feel lucky to have in their lives.

Also, since today is St. Patrick's Day, a little leprechaun visited the fourth grade and dropped off some homework passes!

I can only imagine that the students will be excited to come in to that treat this morning!

February Book It Participants

I cannot believe it is already the second to last month for our Book It Program!  It always seems to go so fast.  Many students are working hard to read a minimum of 100 minutes a week and earn their free personal pan pizza.

I just want to say a big thank you to all the students who are reading and turning in their calendars. Another thanks has to go out to those of you at home who continue to encourage your child to read! It really does make a difference and I appreciate all of the effort being put forth.

Don't forget March is the last month for Book It so be sure to Read Your Heart Out!

January Book It Participants

Winter is the perfect time to sit inside and read!  I hope you are all enjoying whatever you have chosen to read at home whether it is a chapter book, magazine, or comic book.  Reading is reading no matter what you happen to pick up from the library or bookstore.

I want to again thank the students who participated in Book It last month.  I appreciate the reading that you are doing at home.  Thank you to those of you who are encouraging them and taking them out to redeem their pizza coupons!  Only two more months left for this year's Book It Program!