Bean Bag Conversation

NetForum - Message Replies

Forum: Bean Bag Conversation

Topic: Designing New Experiments

Posted by: Ingrid N. Allardi
Organization:Potter Road Elementary School
Date posted: Wed Oct 28 10:29:32 US/Eastern 1998
Subject: New Bean Bag Experiments
Message:
There are a variety of ways to alter the bean experiment to meet the needs/interests of your own classroom. My students were involved in an investigation of water pollution. They were interested in discovering how pollution affects plant life. They determined several common sources of water pollution and set these up as variables. Students created four different solutions they used to water the beans. One solution was a mixture of water and oil. Another was soap and water. A third was a mixture of water and gasoline and the final solution was plain water. Students collected data over a two month period. They came up with very interesting results and conclusions! After this experiment we launched into a study of the water purification process. Students designed and built their own water filters!

Subject: Student-Designed & Built Water Filters
Reply Posted by: Kathy Woodard (kwoodard@hsv.k12.al.us )
Organization: Hampton Cove Elementary School
Date Posted: Thu Nov 5 12:59:22 US/Eastern 1998
Message:
I read your response on the NetForum Bean Bag Conversation regarding your particular students' use of the bean study to look at the effects of water pollution. I am just starting a unit on water with a group of third grade gifted students and want to proceed onto water pollution, water usage & conservation, and water purification. I would like to get more information from you about the water filters your students made and also what grade level you are teaching. Also, I'd be interested in any other information you used in your study of water pollution.Much Thanks,Kathy Woodard

Subject: Reply to Kathy Woodard
Reply Posted by: Ingrid Allardi
Organization: Potter Road Elementary School
Date Posted: Thu Nov 5 19:14:55 US/Eastern 1998
Message:
Kathy- I am currently on a maternity leave, but have taught first grade and a first-second combination. The beans experiment I described in the NetForum Bean Bag conversation is part of a larger unit that I have developed for students in grades 1-3. Most of the activities and experiments described in the unit are actually more appropriate for older students. There are also many suggestions for ways to enrich and expand on particular experiments. I would be happy to send you a copy of this unit if it would be helpful to you. I would love to have you add any new ideas or suggestions! Please contact me and send me your postal address. I will send the information out to you directly. Good luck and have fun!

Subject: Bean Bag Conversation-Water Filters, Etc.
Reply Posted by: Kathy Woodard (kwoodard@hsv.k12.al.us )
Date Posted: Fri Nov 6 9:03:39 US/Eastern 1998
Message:
Ingrid, Congratulations on your new arrival! I hope you are getting some rest, and I really appreciate your responding to my e-mail. My surface mail address is: Kathy Woodard, Hampton Cove Elementary School, 261 Old 431 Highway, Owens Crossroads, AL 35763. I am especially interested in the water filters your class made and would also like to have any other information about the water pollution/bean bag unit you have to share. Thank you so much, Kathy Woodard

Subject: Response to K. Woodard
Reply Posted by: Ingrid N. Allardi
Organization: Potter Road Elementary School
Date Posted: Mon Nov 9 12:39:38 US/Eastern 1998
Message:
Kathy- I am going to put in the mail to you tommorrow a unit that I put together on water. I hope it will be useful. Some of the activities in the unit were abstracted from an AIMS publication on water. I don't know if you are familiar with this source. There are some excellent activities and experiments in this publication that you may be interested in. The AIMS (Activities Integrating Math and Science) book is called Water Precious Water. It is written for students grades 2-6. Their address is AIMS Education Foundation, P.O. Box 8120, Fresno, CA 93747-8120. Phone (209) 255-4094. Good Luck!





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