Today was the 2nd build day for our package engineering project. We analyzed our cookie from the first build using the rubrics we created. Then we decided on the final score for build 1 using the package rubric. After that we walked around and looked at other groups ideas. Then they redesigned their package.

Winter Holiday Party

Please remember to send your child to school tomorrow with their 19 "Santa" treats!  Thank you!

Heifer International Community Service Project

Check out the cute refrigerator magnets our 2nd graders have made to raise funds for Heifer International. We are raising money to purchase honey bees for families in other countries. If you would like to purchase your child's magnet, please send a $2 donation for our cause. All magnets will be on sale Thursday evening from 5:00-7:00 during our choir concerts.

Today in engineering we created our cookie packaging.  They had to purchase their supplies and the cost of their packages determines a score on their rubric. 
After building we watched a video showing what packages go through when they are shipped.  Then we put our cookie packages through similar tests.  We then analyzed how our packages did using the rubric.  We discussed what worked well and what didn't so we can gather information for our improve stage. 

Then we discussed what was source reduction and why it is an important part of the job for a package engineer.

Then they were given all of the other optional materials for their design. They looked at the properties of the materials and then applied those properties to how it will function in the package design.

As a group we worked to analyze a sports water bottle with a pop top and grip. We had to analyze the qualities or characteristics of the package and identify how they make the bottle a good match for the product and the consumers. We filled in a Analyze a Package Chart to complete this task.

Then we discussed how each of the functions of packages is shown with the water bottle. But we talked about how this is not always true with all packages.

They worked with groups to analyze another package. Each group was given a package. They had to examine their item and then make a an Analyze a Package sheet for their package.

Package Engineering

Mr. Loftice from FedEx came to discuss package engineering with us. 

Grapevine Tour

Coding

Today we got to Skype with Aaron Pigeon, an engineer and coder.  He talked to us about how he codes and explained how to does it in his job.

And we got to ask him questions.

Magnet Kite Flying

Our engineering challenge was to build a kite that used a magnet to fly instead of air.

Magnets

We explored magnets today in magnet stations.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our students and families.  We hope you are enjoying your time with family and friends!

Lake Prosthetics (Mrs.Step's class)

Lake Prosthetics Visit

Today we got to see how real prosthetics are engineered.  We had Chris Lake, Audrey's dad come and show us many different types of prosthetics from his company Lake Prosthetics.  

Thanksgiving iBook (step & Ganus)

We just completed our first research project- Yeah!!!!!  Please ask your child to show you our finish project- our very own iBook about "The First Thanksgiving".

I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving break!!!

Wedo Robotics

We used Lego Wedo Robotics to work on force and motion.

Ositos - Choir Rehearsal

There will be NO choir rehearsal Wednesday, Nov. 19th for Ositos, our 1st & 2nd grade choir. 

See you back Wednesday, December 3rd.

Addition and subtraction gravity ramps

Today we used gravity ramps to practice addition and subtraction. 

November STEM Magazine

Below is the link to STEM Magazine for the month of November. There are several interesting topics, including an article about a Dutch designer who combines fashion design with engineering and science. Page 19 is a story about math related stress and how parents can support their children and help relieve stress. Hope you enjoy!

www.stemmagazine.com/1114.php

Push Rockets

Our engineering challenge today was to use a push force to move a straw rocket across a string. Our push force was air trapped in a balloon.

Pull motion experiment

Today we looked at how much pull force would be needed to start a water bottle rolling versus sliding. We realized it took more pull force to move it when it was sliding because there was more friction.

The force of push and pull

Did you know you could explore the idea of push and pull using a few marbles and some paint? Check out the modern art created by 2nd graders. You can see this and much more of our learning this Thursday, November 13th from 6-7 pm at our Family STEM Night.

Force

Today we looked at how the weight of an object controls how much force is needed to set the object in motion.  

Force

Today we started our study of force.  We created push and pull modern art.

Veterans Day

Some of our 2nd graders who are a part of Girl Scout Troop 1416 participated in the Grapevine Veterans Day Parade on Saturday. 

Do you know the history behind Veterans Day? The day was originally called Armistice Day and honored Veterans of World War I, which officially ended June 29, 1919. In reality, fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in November of 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.  In 1954, the 83rd Congress changed the name to Veterans Day to honor American Veterans of all wars. 

Cannon Holiday Food Drive

Cannon is sponsoring a food drive to benefit local Cannon families for the upcoming holidays. We encourage you to bring in non-perishable items from the suggested list provided below. Each grade level will be responsible for certain food items. We will collect the food items from November 3rd through December 17th. Students should bring their items to their classrooms. The Cannon administrative staff will distribute the items to Cannon families in need. This is a wonderful way to get your child involved in an effort to help others in our school community who have needs during this holiday season!

PreK: Cereal Bars; Canned Fruit

Kindergarten: Ramen Noodles; Peanut Butter; Jelly

First Grade: Instant Potatoes; Canned Fruit; Canned Tuna

Second Grade: Cereal; Cereal Bars; Canned Pasta (ravioli, spaghettio’s, etc.)

Third Grade: Crackers; Juice Boxes; Fruit Cups

Fourth Grade: Canned Chicken; Canned Vegetables: Stuffing Mix

Fifth Grade: Macaroni and Cheese Dinners; Spaghetti Sauce; Dry Pasta

Instruments

Today we concluded our study of sound with our musical instruments presentations.  They engineered some amazing creations.

Engineering Musical Instruments

To end our science learning about sound energy, students engineered a musical instrument that would produce both a high pitch and a low pitch. Their instrument could be a string, percussion or wind instrument. You can see all of our creations next week at Cannon's Family STEM Night, Thursday, November 13th from 6:00 - 7:00. Don't miss out on the fun!

Homework (Step & Ganus)

In Mrs. Step's and Mrs. Ganus' class we have set class goals.  Our first class goal is to get 100% of all of the weekly homework turned in on time and completed.  Please review over the following graphs, noticing the different subjects and percentage turned in.  We review over this with the classes each week.  At home we are requesting that you stress the importance of completing their homework and turning it in.  We appreciate your help and support!

This is for Reading, Writing, spelling, and Social studies.  (I have not graphed this week yet since our reading homework goes through Sunday)

This is for Math, Science, and Engineering.

Sound Energy

Today 2nd graders learned about sound through stations that included drums, boomwackers, xylophones, tuning forks, rulers and rubber bands. We learned that sound moves in vibrations that you can see if you touch the tuning fork into a bucket of water. You can also feel it if you touch the tuning fork. Pitch can be high or low and volume can be loud or soft.