Animal Adaptations and Habitats  

      

Come take a look and discover how Mrs. Delancey's First Grade Class took a journey into the habitats of the world and discovered the amazing world of animal adaptations. The students worked together using literature to research and discover how each animal has specific adaptations designed to their special habitat. They then packed their bags (by designing a suitcase) to incorporate the items and materials they would need to survive and adapt in a specific habitat. What a trip they had!

All About Animal Adaptations and Habitats

Mrs. Sumrall's first grade class has been investigating animal adaptations and different habitats from around the world.  Students discovered that animals have to adapt to their environment in order to survive.  For this project students chose a habitat to visit.  The students created a suitcase which included appropriate clothing and other items needed to survive in their habitat.  

These students were visiting the Rain Forest.  They chose to make rain jackets and rain boots out of spare rubber.

This student was creating a warm jacket to wear in the Arctic.

As you can see, the students absolutely loved creating their suitcases and packing them with all of the necessary supplies.  

Matter

Is Oobleck Solid or Liquid?

For this experiment Mrs. Vick’s class used the text, Bartholomew and the Oobleck” to discover the characteristics of solids and liquids.

A King’s Mishap

Mrs. Vick had begun the activity by reading Dr. Suess’s book, “Bartholomew and the Oobleck.”  Students listened to a story involving a king’s mishap.  The mishap occurs when his magicians make a new creation called Oobleck.  Oobleck becomes a royal mess!

Make a Prediction

Once Mrs. Vick had finished reading, the students had made predictions as to what they think will happen when they mix the ingredients to form Oobleck.

Let the Fun Begin

Students mixed all the ingredients: water, cornstarch, and food coloring.  They then as a group described their Oobleck concoction with their senses. 

What a Fun Mess

Students quickly realized the characteristics of Oobleck.  If the students had held it still, it behaved like a liquid.  However, if students attempted to roll it up, it had behaved like a solid.

Students had discovered the ingredient cornstarch is made up of long chains of atoms.  When the students had moved it slowly past one another, it had flowed like a liquid because it was able to easily slide past each other.  However, when they had squeezed, rolled, or stressed it, the “atom chains” had intertwined and formed a solid. 

This is known as, “Non-Newtonian Fluids,” it does not have the typical properties of either solids or liquids.

Once the students were finished playing with their Oobleck creation they were able to discuss their findings with their group.  The students then filled out their recording sheet to show what their creation had looked like as a solid form and a liquid form.

As you can see they had quite a bit of fun playing with this gooey Oobleck mess.

It's a Matter of Matter!!!

Ms. Rutherford's Second Grade class joins in on the exciting exploration of texture, color and feel, using pumpkins!  What a great way to investigate the standard of matter!