We had a great time at Nathanael Greene Park today, as we studied plants of different habitats, deciding how they would be classified botanically.  The students were enthusiastic and attentive, although we cut the day just a bit short, as we heard thunder and chose to play it safe and head back to school.

The classroom is a beehive of activity as the students prepare their science fair boards for judging.  We have had several strong experiments with practical applications.  I am impressed with the quality of research that this group has performed.

Our superheroes have performed all four challenges, with several creative solutions.  We had two or three standouts with each challenge, and I know now that this class is capable of coming up with a way to save anybody in any situation!  You will have a chance to see their creations, as well as their challenge solutions at the trimester celebration on Thursday at 2:30.

The fifth graders are also constructing scale model structures for their Peeps following the principles of architecture that we have studied in math.  We have a houses, a library, day care center, underwater residence, greenhouse, Mars habitat, and several other structures.  We hope to have these at least partially finished in time for the trimester celebration.

In addition to structures, we have had some other fun with Peeps.  We have submerged them in various liquids to see what will happen , and we have invented tools to propel them as far down the track as possible.  There is nothing more fun to watch than flying Peeps!