Learning Labs NEWS Vol 4 - Sept 12, 2013

Mr.J’s Learning Lab News Volume 4- September 12, 2013

What a brilliant fourth week we have had in the learning labs!  We have continued with our first month long theme: “The Arts and Sciences of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!”  Students have made their own FOODIMALS (food+animal) using real food, measured meatballs, and learned about fermentation and pickling.

Next week, we will be having a spectacular week learning about elements used in food, making geometrical food art, and studying about ICE CREAM!  We even have a super special guest demo on Thursday, Sept. 19 from SUB ZERO Liquid nitrogen Ice Cream (See attached permission slip)

STEAM REPORTS are still going great!! This year, students will create STEAM reports each week that will count for part of their grade (see the attached Information Sheet & examples).  Report sheets will be given out each Thursday (Attached to this Newsletter), and will be due every Tuesday. Students who turn their work in early will receive 10 extra credit points!

Thank you to all of the families who came to the Menchie’s fundraiser night, and that have been donating supplies for the LABS. Because of you, the MSAS Students have gotten to enjoy hands-on learning experiences.  Remember to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!

Current Materials needed:

Potatoes

Yeast

16 gauge wire

Lemons

Zinc nails

Eggs

Markers

Watermelon

Any other type of fruit

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Want to try our experiments at home?  Need a copy of any form given out in the Labs?  Then visit our NEW website @ www.MSASLearningLabs.com  And click on the “THEME BLOG” page!

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!  SET AN ALERT ON YOUR PHONE!

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

Thursday, Sept. 19- Sub Zero Ice Cream- Cooking with Liquid Nitrogen demo, noon, $3.00

Friday, Sept. 27- After school Family Movie Night- “Cloudy with a Chance of   Meatballs 2” @ Regal Oakmont 8 (More details soon…)

Monday, Sept. 30- First monthly Masterpiece Showcase @ school, 12:15 p.m. The whole school will be preforming “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows” from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Katy Perry’s “ROAR.”

Learning Labs Schedule Aug/Sept. 2013

Learning Labs schedule

Key: Sci= Science Lab, A= Arts Lab

August Learning Labs

First two weeks as Introduction

Week One

15 Both Labs- Open House: Create and fly your own paper airplanes (SOAR theme)

19 A: Begin rehearsal for “Roar” by Katy Perry, Learn about and create a Zentangle

20 Sci: Acids & Bases “Bubble bombs”

21 A: “Roar” Rehearsal, The Mortal Instruments- create our own spray art tattoos  

22 Sci: Acids & Bases “Minion Goo”

23 A:  “Roar” rehearsal, listening to music & voting for the VMA’s (Mtv)

Week Two

26 A: “Roar” rehearsal, Acrylic painting on wood

27 Sci: Acids and Bases “Gravity Falls Invisible Ink 1”

28 A: “Roar” rehearsal, Watercolor painting on wood

29 Sci: Acids and Bases “Gravity Falls Invisible Ink 2”

30 A: “Roar” rehearsal, Engineer wood pieces into abstract art statue “STEVE”

September Learning Labs

Month theme: The Arts and Sciences of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Week One

2 No School; Labor Day

3 Sci: Marshmallow lab (air- heat and pressure)

4 A: “Roar” rehearsal, Learn new song/dance (Lesley Gore “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows”), Learn about FOODIMALS from Cloudy 2 and take Cloudy inspired class pictures

5 Sci: Marshmallow and Milk lab (Create “Lucky Charms”)

6 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Learn about Menchie’s (California Dairy), Create menchie inspired art

Menchie’s Fundraiser after school (3-10 p.m.)

Week Two

9 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Begin creating FOODIMALS (Sketch & Draft/Design)

10 Sci: Pickles Lab (Fermentation process, Shrinking, etc)

11 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, FOODIMALS (Finish sketch/design, begin build)

12 Sci: Meatball Lab (Circumference, Diameter, Measuring, etc)

13 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Finish FOODIMALS

Week Three

16 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Food shape art (Geometric shapes in food)

17 Sci: Ice cream science, Elements of cooking (Yeast,etc.)

18 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Ice Cream art

19 Sci: SPECIAL EVENT- SUB ZERO ICE CREAM DEMO (Noon) Cooking with Liquid Nitrogen

20 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Begin making props (Lollipops and ROAR Claws)

Week Four

23 A: “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Finish making Lollipop and Claw props

24 Sci: Food Energy Lab: Potato/Lemon electricity

25 A: Outdoor/ On stage “S,L,R”&”Roar” Rehearsals, Cloudy inspired Chalk Art

26 Sci: Food Energy Lab: Potato/Lemon electricity, WHOLE SCHOOL REHEARSAL (2:05)

27 SCIENCES FIELD TRIP: BUSCH GARDENS Zoo School,

And….Family Movie Night after school “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”

Week Five

30 Masterpiece Showcase (12:15 p.m.) Class performances & whole school performs “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows (From Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)” by Lesley Gore & “ROAR” by Katy Perry using props made in Arts Learning Lab

October Learning Labs

Month theme: Famous Artists and Scientists with Mustaches

Learning Lab News Volume 3

Mr.J’s Learning Lab News Volume 3- September 5, 2013

What an exceptional third week we have had in the learning labs!  We have started September with our first month long theme: “The Arts and Sciences of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs!”  Students have made marshmallows expand using heat, prepared marshmallows to shrink using air pressure, mixed them with colorful milk, used technology to make FOODIMAL (food+animal) class pictures, and even learned a new song with symmetrical dance moves!

Next week, we will be creating “FOODIMALS” in arts and having Meatball & Pickle science labs.

DON’T FORGET! To celebrate our FOOD inspired THEME we are hosting a special FUNDRAISER at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt TOMORROW, September 6th.  Go to the location at River Club Plaza (5770 Ranch Lake Blvd) anytime from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the Learning Labs will receive 10% of all sales made that night!  Let your family & friends know money raised will be used for Learning Labs supplies & curriculum.

STEAM REPORTS are going great!! This year, students will create STEAM reports each week that will count for part of their grade (see the attached Information Sheet & examples).  Report sheets will be given out each Thursday (Attached to this Newsletter), and will be due every Tuesday. Students who turn their work in early will receive 10 extra credit points!

Thank you to all of the families who have been donating supplies for the LABS. Because of you, the MSAS Students have gotten to enjoy hands-on learning experiences.  Starting this week, make sure to LABEL your donations with your family name(s) so Mr. J knows who to thank, and students that donate will be Mr.J’s LAB assistants that week!

Current Materials needed:

Cartons of eggs

Food coloring (any variety/colors)

ajax/dish soap

Markers (Crayola products are Buy 1 Get 1 at ToysRus until Sunday)

Watermelon

Cantaloupe

Loafs of Bread

Pickles (Any kind, any packaging)

Salt

___________________________________________________________________

Want to try our experiments at home?  Need a copy of any form given out in the Labs?  Then visit our NEW website @ www.MSASLearningLabs.com  And click on the “THEME BLOG” page!

 

Important Upcoming Learning Lab dates:

TOMORROW, SEPT. 6- Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt FUNdraiser

Monday, Sept. 30- First monthly Masterpiece Showcase @ school, 12:15 p.m.

            The whole school will be preforming “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows” from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Katy Perry’s “ROAR.” It should be a spectacular show from the rehearsals I have seen =)