In Science, we’re launching our new unit on Chemical Reactions. Students will learn to differentiate between physical and chemical changes and identify evidence of a reaction (such as bubbles, color change, or temperature shift).

Key Learning Goals:

• Understand how matter changes when combined with other substances.

• Observe and record evidence of chemical reactions.

• Model real-world examples of chemical changes.

🏡 How You Can Support at Home

• Try simple at-home experiments like mixing baking soda and vinegar to observe a reaction.

• Talk about chemical changes in everyday life (cooking an egg, rusting metal, burning wood).

• Ask your child to explain how they know a chemical change has occurred.

We are beginning our Life Science unit, focusing on how animals receive and respond to sensory information.

Key Learning Goals:

• Animals have internal and external structures that serve different functions.

• Animals receive information through their senses, process it in the brain, and respond in different ways.

• How animals use sensory information for survival behaviors (migration, reproduction, etc.).

🏡 How You Can Support at Home

• Ask your child to share an example of how an animal uses its senses to survive.

• Watch a short nature video together and discuss how the animal responds to its environment.

• Visit a park or local green space and have your child observe animals in real time—ask them what senses might be at work.

Dear Families,

This week in Science, we are wrapping up our Habitats unit by presenting our turtle projects. Students have been working hard in groups to research and understand the unique life cycles, habitats, and adaptations of different turtle species.

🔬 What Students Are Learning

Through this project, students have:

• Explored how habitats provide for the needs of living organisms.

• Investigated the adaptations that allow turtles to survive and thrive in their environments.

• Learned how animal life cycles vary by species.

• Strengthened their collaboration and presentation skills while sharing research with classmates.

🏡 At-Home Connection

Ask your child:

• What species of turtle did your group study?

• What is one interesting fact you learned about its habitat?

• What adaptation helps your turtle survive in its environment?

Encouraging your child to teach you what they’ve learned reinforces their knowledge and builds excitement around science!

✨ Thank you for supporting your child’s curiosity and love of learning. These projects are a wonderful way for students to see themselves as scientists and researchers!

In Science, students are continuing their turtle projects, with a focus on:

• Habitats and how they meet the needs of turtles.

• Adaptations that allow turtles to survive in different environments.

This project integrates research, teamwork, and presentation skills while reinforcing life science standards.

In Science, students are continuing their group projects on the life cycles of various turtles. They are learning how different turtle species grow, survive, and adapt across environments. This project combines observation, research, and teamwork while reinforcing key life science standards.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to share an interesting fact about the turtle species their group is researching!

In science, students are learning how animals adapt to their environments and the importance of animal conservation.

Focus Areas:

• Animal Adaptations: How traits (camouflage, migration, hibernation, etc.) help animals survive and thrive in specific habitats.

• Conservation Efforts: Exploring how humans can protect endangered animals and preserve habitats.

• Critical Thinking: Connecting adaptations to real-world environmental challenges and discussing how communities can make a positive impact.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to explain an animal adaptation they learned about and how it helps that animal survive. You might also talk about conservation at home—recycling, saving water, or protecting local wildlife.

In Science, we are studying the incredible diversity of life on Earth. Students will:

• Explore the characteristics of major biomes (desert, tundra, rainforest, grasslands, etc.).

• Understand how habitats provide what organisms need to survive.

• Investigate animal adaptations and how they help species thrive in different environments.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to describe which biome they would most want to live in and what adaptations they might need to survive there!

In science, we are traveling back in time to explore how Earth has changed across prehistoric times.

Key Concepts:

• The Ice Age: Understanding how glaciers shaped Earth’s surface and affected life on the planet.

• Continental Drift: Learning about Pangaea and how Earth’s continents have shifted over millions of years.

• Prehistoric Life: Exploring how animals and environments adapted to these changes.

Students will use observations, discussions, and visuals to imagine what life was like in Earth’s earliest days.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to draw what they think Earth may have looked like when all the continents were joined together, then compare it with a modern map.

Every Monday, we will continue our Service Learning block. This week, students will learn about the four types of service learning and begin reflecting on how they can connect classroom knowledge to real-world impact.

The goal is to help students see themselves as active contributors to their school, community, and world—building empathy, leadership, and responsibility.

Our young scientists are learning how to think, question, and investigate like professionals in the field. This week’s lessons will lay the groundwork for all future science experiments and projects.

Key Concepts:

• Science Safety: Understanding the importance of safety procedures during investigations.

• Science Tools: Learning to identify and properly use tools such as thermometers, magnifying glasses, rulers, and beakers.

• Scientific Method: Exploring the process scientists use to ask questions, make predictions, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions.

• Changes to the Earth: Investigating natural processes (such as erosion and weathering) that shape our planet.

Parent Tip: Ask your child to teach you one of the safety rules or to explain the steps of the scientific method in their own words—it’s a fun way to reinforce learning at home.

Service Learning – Making a Difference from Day One

Starting this Monday, we will be introducing Service Learning as part of our science curriculum. Service learning connects academic concepts to real-world community needs, giving students the opportunity to:

• Identify ways they can positively impact their school and community.

• Develop empathy, responsibility, and problem-solving skills.

• Work collaboratively on projects that promote environmental stewardship and community well-being.

This week’s focus will be on understanding what service learning is and brainstorming ideas for projects we can explore throughout the year.

Parent Tip: Ask your child what community issue they feel passionate about—it’s a great way to connect home conversations to our classroom goals.

We are launching our science curriculum with an exciting new unit: Earth and Space Science!
This week’s focus is an introduction to Studying Earth and Its Ecosystems. Students will explore Earth’s natural systems and how scientists study the planet’s structure, patterns, and environments.

We’ll be asking big questions like:
🌍 What is Earth made of?
🌱 How do ecosystems interact?
🧪 How do scientists investigate our planet?

We’re so excited to begin our scientific discoveries this year!