Science Fair II - We Won It All

The winning Groups - The Kitties - above - (they chose their own names) from Dalton Class and the Rabbits from Powell Class.


The results of the first grade science fair came out yesterday and my classes - both of them - took first place! Hooray! This is a big deal for the students and for me. It just validates my teaching and validates that great teacher program at University of Hawaii, Hilo. Thank you Annelise!
The winners in the morning or Powell class (see previous blog) was the group that made compasses to find out if the Earth has a magnetic field, and in the afternoon Dalton class the group that used a magnetic powered boat to see if the magnetic force can do work. I'm so proud of them for giving an excellent presentation in front of all the parents and judges.

Science Fair I

We've been working on our first grade science fair project (and competition) for about a month (maybe more). It all came down to yesterday's presentations in front of the parents and family and judges. The competition was between classes at the same level - four first grade classes and one second grade class.

Our Science Fair topic focused on magnets. In each class we had four groups of 4 or 5 students in each group. Each group had a question about magnets that they had to answer doing experiments.

This is the text of our parent handout for one of our classes.

Welcome to the 2008 Science Fair. The students have worked very hard to bring you their science programs. We hope you enjoy them.

The main focuses of our 2008 Science Fair are based both in science and with exposing students to working successfully in small groups.

The students conducted experiments and learned how to express the results of those experiments in a presentation and also on their science boards.

Students also experienced the challenges and rewards of working together in small groups. I’m sure your son or daughter has a few stories to tell about working in groups.

The Groups

Group One – Deer (Jeff, Emily, Coco, Joanna, Maxine)

Science Question:

“Is the Magnetic Force of Larger Magnets Stronger than the Magnetic Force of Smaller Magnets?”

Group Two - Rabbits (Ingrid, Laina, Evan, Penny)

Science Question:

“Does the Earth have a Magnetic Field?”

Group Three – Owls (Jeffery, Darren, Josh, Patrick, Philippe)

Science Question:

“Are Larger Magnets Stronger than Smaller Magnets?”

Group Four – Powells (Annika, Claire, Johnny, Angel)

Science Question:

“Can Magnets Do Work When They Attract and Repel?”

Feeling Better \ A Play

Feeling better now. The homesickness is passing. I went a play the other night. Very entertaining. It was written, produced and directed by a couple at my school. It was about woman and based on 100 interviews. It was called "Woman, The Final Act."

Sunday Homesickness

So, I wake up today early, 4 am. Feeling homesick. So I just fall asleep. My wife calls me at 7. "Where are you?" She is upset. She should be. We were supposed to take a little trip this morning. I'm too self-absorbed with the homesickness to go. I don't want to go anywhere. Just home. Back to my friends, loved ones, etc.

Since I can't go back right now this is what I did at 8am.

Homesick and Gardenias

They do smell good!

Home sicknesses is real. It comes and goes and many different things can set it off. I have it again. It's been around for a couple of days. I miss my friends in Hawaii and the Aina (land) there. Thursday I bought some gardenias at Costco. Perhaps they are the catalyst for this latest bout of homesickness.

I really love it here in Taiwan too. My family here is kind and wonderful. Some of the land is beautiful. My job is fantastic. Yet the homesickness persists.

I do have a trip to the mainland and Hawaii in August.

Future Clothes

I did a lesson on future clothes in our Windows to the World class. We watched a little Jetsons video and a strange piece on You Tube about fashion. The kids used recycled materials to make their clothes. They really got to be first graders and had a good time. I really love teaching these kids.