Invention Convention week 1

what a great first week at the CS!

our first two weeks will be dedicated to Invention Convention.

we pondered what is an invention? what is an inventor? and then researched the answers.

we found out that an invention is created by an inventor and it can be created because of a need or to make life easier.

as a group, we researched inventions the students were curious about. 

here are a few inventions the students wanted to learn more about:

* the first real gasoline automobile- Karl Benz- 1885/86

* first lawn mower- Edwin Budding- 1827

* bubblegum- Walter Diemer- 1926

* cell phone- Martin Cooper-1967

we also inspected the classroom and building to locate all the inventions we could find. we learned that all inventions that have a US Patent will have a patent #.

the students also came up with classroom rules for the summer.

we took a walk to the duck pond to feed our feathered friends :)

and we can never pass up the opportunity to stroll through the Covered Bridge :)

we stopped to look at the fish and turtles, too!

we received our Chinese lesson from Mr. Bowen.

the students learned to say hello, cat, and mama.

we also learned about the invention of the disposable diaper.  we wondered, how do disposable diapers absorb so much fluid and how much fluid do disposable diapers absorb? the students estimated how many cups of water the diaper would hold and then we found it the answer was 3!  the students also discovered what a polymer is by observing polymers inside the diaper we dissected and then watched as we added water to 1/4 c polymers (insta-snow)

you can view an example of this experiment on YouTube, as well!

journal entries:

Kids' Macrogalleria also has tons of info on polymers for kids!

during library time, the students created projects using various materials.

the students learned that the traffic light was invented by Garrett Morgan. Students were asked, "Why do we need traffic lights?" and discussed safety. Next we took a walk around campus to notice and count how many traffic lights we saw. We visited the traffic light at the President’s Home and the traffic light in front of Bibb Graves. 

we also discussed the crosswalk, its sign, and safety rules. Miss Hunter pressed the button to show the students what to do when reaching a crosswalk.

 When we returned to the classroom, the students began to construct their own traffic lights using various materials  (paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, paint, markers, glue, yarn, scissors, etc...) our new traffic lights will be added to dramatic play areas and the open play area for all to enjoy!

this is a picture of Miss Hayley's awesome traffic light outside the older kids' classroom :)

journal entries:

Ms. Ross read Samuel Todd's Book of Great Inventions.

"The philosophical preschool star of Samuel Todd's Book of Great Colors returns in this fresh and funny kid's-eye view of the world. Samuel tells of the really important inventions--like the belt loops that help hold up his pants, and his trusty backpack."

@ Amazon

to end the week, we discussed Thomas Alva Edison and Benjamin Franklin and their inventions. then we tried to invent a battery using lemons, copper wire, pennies, and paper clips. the lesson we learned? experiments that look great on paper, do not always work in real life. but we gave it a good try! 

we had quite of few gone on vacation today, sniff sniff, so the girls and I decided to have a nail day this afternoon :D