Finding the Volume of Containers

Last week we did an experiment to find out which of two containers had a larger volume (took up more space).  We used two containers, and a gallon of water.  Our method was:

1.  Pour water into one of the two containers.
2.  Pour water from the first container into the second container.

We decided that if the second container overflowed, it had less volume than the first container (it couldn't hold all the water the first one did).  If the second container had space left, it had more volume than the first container (it held all the water the first one held, plus had room for more).

 First, we poured water into the first container.

 Then, we poured water from the first container into the second container.

The bowl overflowed!  That means it had less volume (took up less space) than the first container.

We were very surprised by some of our results!  Containers we definitely thought had a bigger volume, ended up taking up less space than the container they were paired with!

Slime!

As many of you probably heard, we made slime in class yesterday.  Our science lesson focused on observing properties.  We used our senses of sight, smell and touch to observe the properties of corn starch and water (tinted green!).  Next, we made a hypothesis for the properties of a mixture of the two.  We mixed them up, and were amazed to see what happened!  We compared our hypothesis with what actually happened during our experiment.  Unfortunately, I was so involved in slime I forgot to take pictures of our mixture, but you can make slime at home too.  It's a little messy, but cleans up easily.

To make slime, you need corn starch and water.  I used about 2 parts corn starch to 1 part water.  I added food coloring to the water before mixing with corn starch.  You may have to add more corn starch or water, a little at a time, to get the right consistency.  Corn starch slime is great, because its properties change!  You can make it into a shape if you keep moving it, but hold it still and it will ooze!  Please ask your child about his or her slime experience :-)

New Website

I have added a new website under "curriculum links".  This link connects you to the Math Fact Cafe's second grade math flashcards.  In second grade one of our math goals is to automatically recall single digit addition facts (0+0 to 9+9).  We practice these in class, but this website offers another way to practice- online!

Flashcards are sorted by strategy.  For example, the +0 problems are together, +2 problems are together, and doubles facts like 5+5 are together.  Facts are mixed together at the end of the addition and subtraction sections.  This is a great way to master similar facts before moving on to different or more difficult facts.

The website offer two ways to practice- students can interact with the site by typing in their answer, or view the facts on the computer without typing the answers.  Happy practicing!

http://www.mathfactcafe.com/view/p/2#

Polls

I've added a new feature to the blog- a weekly poll.  These anonymous questions will change each week, and we will use the results to practice graphing in math.  Please check back each week and answer each question!

Welcome to our Blog!

     Hello parents and families!  I am excited to begin blogging as a way to share our classroom with you in 2013!  I am learning how to use this blog as I go, so thank you for being patient and checking back often for updates.  So far, you can see I have added links on the right for our school and school district, and I've also added links to RAZ Kids, Sumdog and EveryDay Math online. Students can use these sites online at home with passwords I sent home earlier in the year.  I am hoping to add a few more features over the weekend as well.

I hope you had a relaxing winter break.  I am excited to get back to work with your children next week!