Mrs. Comincioli's Classroom Corner

As a part of our living things unit, we created a hanging garden in our classroom.  We divided the class into 6 groups.  Each group “planted” 9 different lima beans.  Each lima bean was planted in a plastic bag with paper towels and hung on our bulletin board.  The variables for each plant were different.

• Plant A – Don’t water the lima  bean
• Plant B – Water the bean with a vinegar-and-water mixture
• Plant C – Cover the bag with construction paper
• Plant D – Do not put wet paper towels in the bag
• Plant E – Coat the seed with petroleum jelly
• Plant F – Cut the seed in half and plant both halves in the bag
• Plant G – Rotate the bag one turn each day
• Plant H – Add one cup soil to the  bag instead of paper towels
• Plant I – Water the bean with a mixture of liquid fertilizer and water

We wrote our hypothesis for each plant and will be observing them for the next 7-10 days to see which ones grow and if our hypothesis are correct.

We started our plant unit and the first thing we learned was the make up of a plant cell.  We learned about the different parts of the plant cell and drew a diagram of it.  We also observed an ivy leaf and a green onion under a microscope to see what a cell looks like.  On Friday we had a quiz over the parts of a cell.   The quiz was to create a cell out of graham crackers, icing, jelly, and candy.  After we created the cell, we had to explain where each part was and what its job is.    Once we had done that, we got to eat the cells and they were delicious!

One of our guided reading groups is reading a book about the Great Smokey Mountains. Today we were reading about the Eastern Screech Owl. We learned that the Eastern Screech Owl doesn’t build its own nest. It lives in nests other birds have made, in caves, or in hollow trees. We made the connection that owls are “green” animals because they reuse nests created by other birds. If animals can be “green”, so can we!

We’ve been studying the human body the past few weeks. Students have been working in groups to become “experts” on a particular system in the human body. Today we did an experiment using a “pulse-o-meter”, which is made of a ball of clay and a toothpick. You place the toothpick in the ball of clay and then put it on your wrist. As your pulse beats, the toothpick moves. You have to watch carefully to see it though! We counted each movement for 15 seconds and then multiplied by four. This gave us the heart beats per minute, which is your pulse!

We did various activities, such as jumping jacks, standing still, sit-ups, running in place, etc. We took our pulse after each activity and then worked with a partner to create a double-bar graph with the information. We found that the more activity you do, the higher your pulse is because your heart is beating faster and getting that blood pumping through your body.

By: Tristan, Andrew V. and Tyler

We wanted to know which paper clip would rust the fastest in different liquids. We tested Coke, bleach, carbonated water, salt water, water, and vinegar. We placed a paper clip in each cup of liquid. Our hypothesis was that Coke would create the most rust on the paper clip. We were wrong! Bleach created the most rust on the paper clip.

By: Elvira, Ailyn, and Lisy

We wanted to know which brand of paper towels was the strongest. We tested Bounty, Viva, Awesome, and Tuf brands. Our hypothesis was Bounty would carry the most eggs. We got each paper towel wet with water. We held the edges of the towel and put eggs in the middle of the towel. We tested to see which paper towel would hold the most eggs without breaking. We were correct in our hypothesis! Bounty carried 32 eggs! Wow!

By: Andrew B., Tony, Ryan, and Johnny

We wanted to see which kind of candy would have the biggest reaction when placed inside a cup of Diet Pepsi. Our hypothesis was that Mentos would have the biggest reaction. We tested sour Skittles, Mentos, Sweettarts, and Eclipse gum. We were correct! The Mentos fizzed over the cup!

By: Victor, Trevor and Hunter

We wanted to find out which soda would produce the most fizz. We tested Pepsi, Sunkist, and Mt. Dew. Our hypothesis were all different. Hunter thought it would be the Mt. Dew. Trevor thought it would be the Pepsi and Victor thought it would be the Sunkist. We shook each soda 10 times each and opened it over a measuring cup. Victor and Trevor were correct! Pepsi and Sunkist both produced the same amount and the most fizz!

By: Mara, Liza, Genesis, and Yessica

We wanted to know which string was the strongest. We tested nylon, cotton, shoe lace, and yarn. We tested each string by putting weights on them. Our hypothesis was the shoe lace would be the strongest. We were correct! Shoe laces are very strong!

By: Jessica, Yaxeni, Samantha, and Maritza

We wanted to find out which brand of gum would stretch the longest. We tested Trident, Orbit, 5 gum, Extra, Spearmint, and Winterfresh. We all had different hypothesis. Jessica thought Trident would stretch the longest. Yaxeni and Samantha thought Spearmint would stretch the longest and Martiza thought it would be Orbit. But, we were all wrong. It was 5 gum!