WED. AND THURS. MAR. 5-6

HISTORY 2 - Learned about Joan of Arc and how she had 2 visions telling her to lead the French in battle. She fought the English and made it possible for the French Prince Charles to be crowned king. The French rallied and won the war. Joan had been captured by traitors to King Charles and handed over to the English, who burned her at the stake after a year in a dungeon. Lots of good discussion about this subject. See their summaries for my comments. We also learned about how medieval markets grew into towns where former serfs became craftspeople and opened shops. The towns were dirty and crowded but because so many serfs came there and learned trades, feudalism ended. For extra credit, the boys can do research and write a short essay (2-3 paragraphs) about one of the trades (weavers, iron workers, bakers, stone cutters, etc.).

SCIENCE 2 - Began the unit on plant life cycle. Learned about the stages - seed, seedling, flower, fruit and then repeat. They had a lot of good questions about how different plants make seeds and how they grow. We reviewed parts of plants and what plants need to live and photosynthesis. We also talked about the parts of seeds (seed coat, cotyledon and embryo). Learned that gravity lets the seed know which way to grow roots. We started an experiment to demonstrate this - we put bean seeds in a jar and after they grow roots to 2-3 cm. we'll turn the jar upside down and see what happens to the roots (they should turn to grow downward again).

SCIENCE K- Learned about water and air pollution and how we can prevent it. Demonstrated water pollution by putting different objects on a tray to represent trash, pesticides and other pollutants and poured water on them to see that washed into the bowl (a lake or pond). We demonstrated air pollution by putting a white mug over a flame and seeing the black grime that formed there. They wiped it off to see how the pollution is hard to see in the air but is there anyway. They had good ideas for how to keep the earth clean - pick up after yourself and other people, don't put poison on the ground, and go diving to clean the lakes, to name a few. They are excited that the sunflowers we planted at the beginning of the year are growing. Good class.

WE NEED NEXT UNIT SCIENCE K HANDOUTS FOR NEXT WEEK.

WE CAN DO PRIZE BOXES TOMORROW IF EVERYONE BRINGS THEIR POINT FOLDERS.

Rachelle