Ms. Parrott's Class

Owl Pellets

2010-11-08T05:38:00.000-08:00

The students have recently been learning about the adaptive characteristics of owls. We dissected owl pellets to see to of the unique characteristics which makes owls special. The students were able to see what the owl had eaten and place the various bones together to create the meal of the owl.

Explosion

2010-11-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

The students combined vinegar and baking soda to create carbon dioxide. The students then used the steps of the scientific method to explain the process.

Multiplication

2010-11-08T05:33:00.001-08:00

The fourth graders really worked hard to master their multiplication facts. The students took timed test over their basic facts earning a part of banana split for every test they mastered. The students did a great job. I am so proud of them!

Earthworms

2010-11-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

The students investigated inherited characteristics and learned behaviors using earthworms.

Ag Day

2010-11-08T05:29:00.001-08:00

The students enjoyed the field trip to the local "Ag Day". The students learned about the different jobs involved in the field of agriculture.

Gum By Golly

2010-11-08T05:27:00.000-08:00

The students conducted an experiment to see if the mass of gum changed when chewed.

Magniviewer

2010-11-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

The strudents used a milk carton and a magnifying glass to create their own microscope to see the details of a penny up close.

Droopy Drawers

2010-11-08T05:22:00.000-08:00

Students predicted which brand of diaper would hold the most water. Students then used graduated cyclinders to measure water and time how long the water took to absorb. The students then compared the two brands of diaper to see which one would hold the most fluid.

Going, Going, Gone

2010-11-08T05:20:00.001-08:00

The students conducted an investigation to see how they could speed up the process of evaporation. The students placed a wet print of their hand on a papertowel and then brainstormed various ways that they could make the hand print disappear faster.

Oranges for the Most Part

2010-11-08T05:17:00.000-08:00

The students combined their knowledge of mathematics and science to complete this investigation. The students predicted the percent of an orange that is edible. The students then used a triple beam balance to weigh the orange and record the data. The students then peel the orange and found the percentage that could be eaten and the percentage that is peeling.

Marshmallow Towers

2010-11-08T05:13:00.000-08:00

The students worked in cooperative groups to build the tallest free standing tower they could using only marshmallows and toothpicks. The students really used their skills to make some outstanding masterpieces.

Penny Lab

2010-11-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

Students used the scientific method to drop water on a penny. The students were able to predict how many drop the penny would hold before the water spilled over the side. All the student guesses were much lower than the actual data we found. The students were surprised to learn that the surface tension of the water allowed the water to make a "sort of bubble" on top of the penny before the water spilled. The students also learned the importance of keeping track of the data and having several different trials.

Gobstopper Investigation

2010-02-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

The students used the scientific method to determine what kind of liquid produce the best reation when gobstoppers where place inside.

Electricity

2010-02-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

In fourth grade one of the science TEKS is to learn about electricity and what happens when a part of a system is removed. The students built series circuits with foil wires to see if they could light up small bulbs.

Snow Day

2010-02-16T09:24:00.000-08:00

It rarely snows in this part of Texas and this video shows all the fun we had when it actually happened. The students will never forget the snow ball fights, building snowmen, and making snow ice cream. We had a blast.

Water Cycle

2010-01-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

The students created a water cycle in a plastic bottle by adding hot water to the inside of the water and a cupt of ice to the top. The students were able to see the condensation form and then the precipation start to drop from the bottom of the cup.

Geometry

2010-01-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

The students made 3-D shapes using straws and masking tape. This allowed the students to easily see the vertices and edges of the shapes. We also discussed how many faces each shape had. This is a very important concept in fourth grade and will be tested on our state assessment.

Reading

2010-01-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

This video shows what we do in our free time. The students love reading and do in when they finish their work.

Can We Make It Dance?

2010-01-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

The students made predictions about what would happen if popcorn kernels or raisins were dropped into plain and carbonated water? The students then observed whether or not there was a change in the denisty of the popcorn and raisins in regular and carbonated water. The students found that the cardon dioxide bubbles in the alka-selter attached to the raisins and popcorn and thus they raised to the top. When the bubbles broke the raisins and popcorn then dropped back to the bottom of the cup.

"Gingerbread Houses"

2010-01-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

The students decided to make "gingerbread houses" during their Christmas Party. We used milk cartons from the cafeteria and graham crackers. The students then put their imaginations to work and became creative in designing their own very unique "gingerbread houses".

Christmas Ornaments

2010-01-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

The students created Christmas tree ornaments using foam balls, old wrapping paper, and a little Modge Podge. The students tore wrapping paper into little pieces and then attached the pieces to the ball with the Modge Podge. The students were surprised when the Modge Podge dried because it gave the ornament a shiney look.

The New Playground

2010-01-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

The students are thrilled with the new playground. It is full of exciting things. Compared to a open field with a soccer goal this is like Disney World.

Crazy Combo

2009-12-10T16:23:00.000-08:00

This investigation involved studying the properties of matter. The students had to use the physical properties of the three states of matter to determine whether the substance was a solid or a liquid. The students used their investigative skills and the scientific process to determine the make up of the substance. The students determined that the substance was matter and that it had the properties of both a liquid and a solid. It is a rare substance made with cornstarch and water that has properties of both states of matter.

Owl Pellets

2009-12-10T16:18:00.000-08:00

The fourth graders have been studying adaptations of animals in science. We have been learning that owls have a special adaptation that allows them to eat their prey whole. The students dissected the owl pellets to find the skeletons of the various prey eaten by the owls.

Book Character Ornaments

2009-12-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Our school librarian, Mrs. Danner, showed the students how to created blown egg ornaments. The students were so excited about her presentation that they wanted to get in on the fun. We then decided to try to duplicate the process in the classroom and help decorate the media center tree. The students has a blast blowing the inside out of the egg and then decorating it with their favorite book characters.

Welcome to Our Site

2009-06-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks for visiting our site. Below you will find several videos that showcase the work that was completed during the 2008-2009 school year. I am already looking forward to the 2009-2010 school year. If you are an upcoming fourth grade student, take a look at some of the videos to get an idea about what to expect when you return in the fall. I look forward to seeing you then.

Ms. Parrott

Seed Dissection

2009-05-18T05:40:00.000-07:00

The students dissected lima beans and corn to see the difference in various types of seeds.

Fossils

2009-05-18T05:37:00.000-07:00

The students created plaster fossils. The students placed objects in plaster and then removed the objects to see the fossils that were created.

Balloon Rockets

2009-05-18T05:36:00.000-07:00

The students learned how to create a balloon rocket. The students tested various variables to see which type of string and balloon worked best to create a rocket that would go the fartherest.

Gallon Man

2009-05-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

The students in my fourth grade math class created these cute people to help them remember measurement relationships.

Metric Measurement Chant

2009-02-17T04:48:00.000-08:00

My students were having problems remembering the different metric measurements and what they were used to measure. We came up with this chant to remember when to use each type of measurement.

Conversion Chant

2009-02-17T04:37:00.000-08:00

The students are learning how to convert between different units of measurement such as gallons to quarts, quarts to pints, and pints to cups. We came up with a simple chant to remember what to do to perform a simple conversion.

Conductor or Insulator

2009-02-10T05:42:00.001-08:00

The students tested materials to determine whether they were conductors or insulators. The students then drew conclusions about the type of materials that made good conductors.

Electricity

2009-01-29T05:20:00.000-08:00

The students are learning different ways of making an electrical circuit. The students are using batteries, flashlight bulbs, and foil to build the circuit. We are learning about complete and incompolete circuits by trying to light a bulb.

Lava Lamps

2009-01-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

The students created "lava lamps" to see the denisty of water and cooking oil. The students were amazed that the two did not mix. We added salt to create the lava lamp effect.

Going, Going, Gone

2009-01-14T13:20:00.000-08:00

My students in the afternoon class conducted an experiment to determine the amount of time the process of evaporation might take. They then decided to speed up the evaporation process by blowing, tossing, waving the wet paper towel in the air to determine the best method.

School Board Appreciation

2009-01-05T18:13:00.000-08:00

The students and I wanted to create a video to tell the school board how much we appreciate them. We are truly thankful for all they do throughout the year to make our school a nice place to learn.

The Water Cycle

2009-01-05T16:36:00.000-08:00

The students completed an investigation to see all the different parts of the water cycle. The students placed hot water in the bottom of a soda bottle and then added a cup of ice to the top. The mixture of hot and cold air then created condensation and moisture to form. The students were able to see the condensation become heavy and turn into precipitation.

Gingerbread Houses

2008-12-24T17:04:00.001-08:00

The day we get out for Christmas break the students have a holiday party. This year my homeroom class decided that they wanted to make gingerbread houses during the party. The students were very creative in their designs as well as the materials they used to decorate. This was an exciting time for all. We hope you have a safe and happy holiday.

Decorations

2008-12-17T06:43:00.000-08:00

The fourth grade students used salt dough to make decorations. The class thought it was awesome. They used their imagination to create many different sculptures many dealing with Christmas and several other winter items including snowmen. We used food coloring to change the color of the dough. The class wanted to thank you for visiting our website and wish you Happy Holidays.

Diver Down Investigation

2008-12-16T04:56:00.000-08:00

The students placed a glass eyedropper in a 1 liter bottle to test the buoyancy of the dropper. The students were able to change the buoyancy of the dropper by squeezing the outside of the bottle changing the pressure and the level of the water in the glass eyedropper. This model showed how a submarine changes its buoyancy in the water.

Some Like It Salty

2008-12-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

The students tested the question "How can we make a fresh egg float in water?" The students observed a fresh egg in both fresh water and salt water. They then made inferences as to the water's density. The students discovered that the egg went to the bottom when placed in fresh water but when enough salt was added to the water the egg floated. Students then graphed their results and compared them to other groups in the class.

Ups and Downs

2008-12-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

The students are learning about density. We completed an investigation to see if we could change the density of popcorn kernals by adding carbonation to them. The students discovered that the kernels only floated to the top of the glass when a carbonation bubble was attached to it.

Kool Kups

2008-11-20T04:57:00.000-08:00

The students observed a change in the state of matter by conducting an investigation using cups of colored water. The students observed the changed in a glass of water and a glass of water and ice over a 21 minute period. They observed that at the end of the time the water with the ice had a lower temperature than it began with and that the outside of the glass also had water on it. We thus discovered that when the water vapor around the glass was cooled the gas (water vapor) turned back into water and collected on the sides of the glass.

I'm Thankful For

2008-11-20T04:55:00.000-08:00

The afternoon class asked for a video that just represented them. They said it was not fair that the first animoto test video only contained the morning class so they wanted their own video too. Here is the result.

Crazy Combo

2008-11-18T17:36:00.000-08:00

The students have been studying matter. The classes created a mixture of cornstarch and water and were ask to determine whether the mixture was a liquid or a solid based on criteria. The students were asked to pour the mixture to determine if the mixture confirmed to the container it was poured in to. The students were asked to roll the mixture into a ball to determine if it would hold the shape. The classes even attempted to shatter the mixture with a hammer. The final determiniation was that the mixture had properties of both a solid and a liquid.

Earthworm Reactions

2008-11-18T17:27:00.001-08:00

The students conducted several tests to determine whether an earthworm's reactions are inherited or learned. The students tested the worm's reactions to light, touch, and damp environment. The students determined that the reactions are inherited.

Morning Class Video

2008-11-08T10:17:00.000-08:00

This video was created in animoto. I am in the process of trying some different technology. This students loved dissecting owl pellets. They were amazed to find all the different types of bones in one small barn owl pellet.

Owl Pellets

2008-11-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

The class has been studying the adaptative characterisitcs of animals for the last few weeks. We have been paying particular attention to the adaptive nature of the owl. The students completed a virtual owl pellet dissection on the internet and then compared the results to actually dissecting an owl pellet. The classes found several different skeletons in the barn owl pellets.

Oranges For the Most Part

2008-09-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

The students investigated the scientific question-"How much of an orange is edible?" The kids made predictions that ranged from 2% to 100%. They then used the triple beam balance to find the mass of the total orange. Next the students peeled the orange and found the mass of the peeling. The students then found the mass of the inside of the orange. The students collected the data in a chart form and then compared the results of the groups. As a class we turned our data into a fraction and then converted it to a decimal and finally a percentage. The students were shocked to discovered that the edible portion of the oranges we tested ranged from 70% -80%. Students then compared the number of sections in the oranges to see if that made a difference in the percentage that was edible.

Looney Liquid

2008-09-09T05:01:00.000-07:00

The students placed gobstoppers in 3 different liquids to answer the scientific question--Does it matter the type of liquid the gobstoppers were placed in? The students discovered that gobstoppers placed in Sprite changed the color of the sprite. Their hypothesis was that the gas bubbles in the Sprite caused the colors to mix. The gobstoppers placed in Scope also lost their color; however, the colors did not mix. The colors stayed in the quadrants of the bowl. The gobstoppers placed in the vinegar lost their color and the colors in the vinegar began to swirl like tie-die.

Salt Dough Maps

2008-09-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

The fourth graders made salt dough maps of the state of Texas. Students traced the state and then made the salt dough. They then formed the landforms found in Texas. After the maps dry we are going to paint them according to the regions.

Gobstopper Investigation

2008-09-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

Students completed an investigation to discover the answer to the following scientific question- What would happen if you put the Gobstopper in water of different temperatures? The students had various hypothesis such as the gobstopper would melt fatser, the gobstopper would turn the water to that color, or the gobstopper would crack. We discovered that the gobstopper would change to several different colors as the investigation progressed and that the water temperature did make a difference in the amount of time it took.

Penny Lab

2008-09-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

The students made an esimate about how many drops of water would fit on the head of a penny. The students then completed a scientific investigation collecting data for each trial made.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Investigation

2008-09-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

The children followed the steps of the scientific method to discover the reaction between vinegar and baking soda. The class changed the amount of baking soda added to the vinegar and made a hypothesis about the results.