BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

We Have Spirit, Yes We Do! We Have Spirit, How About You?

Calling all Heiskell students and family members! 
Thursday, September 30th, is spirit night! 
Come and display your Heiskell spirit as we celebrate our beloved school and some delicious chicken! 

Where: Chick-fil-A off of Northside Drive
When: 4:00pm-6:00pm  
How to show your spirit: wear your Heiskell t-shirt!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Ups and Downs of Air Pressure!

       In third grade science class we have embarked on the journey of studying zoology. We have been discussing how scientists classify animals, and came up with our very own mnemonic phrase to help us remember the system of classification. We then learned a few things about flight and how God gifted some animals with the amazing ability to fly. The students learned that air pressure is a key component of a bird's ability to fly. To demonstrate this principle and to allow the students to experience how air pressure works, we conducted an experiment! Read below to find out what we did!

Uplifting Pressure!

Materials Used:

  • A cup completely full of water
  • One straw cut in half (first half must stick out of the water by only 1/2 an inch)
  • trash bag 
Procedure:
  • Place the trash bag over the table and put the cup on top. 
  • Put the longer straw in the cup of water.
  • Move the cup to the edge of the desk.
  • Squat down so your eyes are level with the cup.
  • Using your fingers to hold the small straw next to the edge of the cup, blow through the other straw at an angle towards the top of the straw in the cup. (Angle the straw upwards so that the air coming out of it passes right over the top of the straw in the cup.)
  • Keep blowing and blowing over the top of the straw in the cup. 
Recorded Class Hypothesis:
  • "The water will begin to bubble and will eventually spill out of the cup."
  • "Nothing will happen to the water."
  • "The air will make a whirling sound, but no water will come out of the cup." 
Results:
  • A stream of water squirted out of the straw that was in the cup. 
Conclusion:
  • When the students blew air over the top of the straw, the moving air could not press down as hard on the water in the straw. The air over the rest of the water in the cup was not moving, so it continued to press down on the water with its full pressure.
  • Since the water in the cup was being pressed down harder than the water in the straw, water was forced up and out of the straw! 
    • This is a lot like what happens to a bird's wing. 
    • Just as the difference in air pressure over the straw and the rest of the cup lifted water out of the straw, the difference in air pressure between the top and bottom of a bird's wing lifts the wing into the air! 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A Day That Changed America's History

Last Saturday marked a special day of remembrance in American history. September 11th, 2001, brought America to her knees in prayer. Many people will never forget where they were when news of the attack spread.
However, what's more shocking is the fact that these precious third graders were too young to know what happened on that dreadful day. A teacher is not only responsible for nurturing academic knowledge, but also Biblical wisdom and a prayerful heart. These young children will not know how to pray for and evangelize to those in darkness if they are not educated to do so.
Last Friday Ms. Heiskell gave a wonderful chapel presentation concerning the events of 9-11. That afternoon I had the opportunity to further the discussion with my students. The main part of our discussion centered on Matthew 5:44. The students' comments brought tears to my eyes and thankfulness to my heart as I saw more clearly the beautiful and strong men and women of God that they are becoming. After our class discussion each student made a "Pray for America" necklace and also wrote their own prayer for our country. Specifically, one student said, "Lord, thank you for your protection. Please help us learn to pray more even when it's hard." The Lord is at work in the third grade, friends. I pray we have the humility to learn and grow from the passion of these little ones.
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
~Matthew 5:44

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

My third grade class has a famous tradition known as "The Friday Dance." Every Friday before dismissal, we raise our roofs in celebration of another completed week. As much as we love school, we are thankful for the weekend and the restful family time it brings. Thank you, Lord, for time to rest and sweet fellowship with family. Happy Labor Day everyone!

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28