It's that time of the year again. Time for that much-anticipated science TAKS test. To help you prepare, and hopefully have a little fun reviewing, I have posted a link to a website that offers lots of fun games and quizzes. Hope this helps.
Find out how much harm that plastic bottle of water is really causing. Take back the tap.
Looking for that perfect gift for mom for Valentine's day. Why not "adopt" an endangered animal? It makes a wonderful gift (you get all sorts of goodies with your "adoption"), and you're helping out those animals that desperately need it. I know that's what I'm getting my wife and mother.
So what is the difference between and a mixture and a solution? Maybe one of the games at the following links will help you figure that out. Have fun while learning.
The oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, yet their depths remain largely unknown. It's a frontier that scientists are racing to explore using tools such as the deep-ocean submersible Alvin, shown here. Check out the link below to see some of the amazing creatures of the deep.
This green slug, which is part animal and part plant, produces its own chlorophyll and so can carry out photosynthesis, turning sunlight into energy, scientists have found. Read more at the link below.
Isn't this lovely. Plastic rocks! We don't need to recycle. Lets just dump it in the ocean. What harm could a trash island the size of TWO Texas' do?Sarcasm again kiddos. Read the article below to learn more and what you can do to help. Just another reason I'm so adamant about recycling and not using evil plastic bags!!! Spread the word.
http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/05/great-pacific-garbage-patch.php
I know everyone loves McDonald's. Read this article and you might change your mind. Now you know one of the reasons why Mr. Schlebus is a vegetarian. 
Here's an excellent article on 14 amazing plants and the unique characteristics they have that help them to survive. See if you can spot the parts of the plants we discussed this week, and how each uses them in different ways.http://scienceray.com/biology/botany/14-amazing-plants-and-their-unique-characteristics/
Here's a great website that shows you all sorts of fun activities you can do at home with electricity and magnets. And what a coincidence that we will be working with both of these items this week in lab. Enjoy 4th graders.
You all know Mr. Schlebus is a vegetarian (well actually I'm a vegan). Here are some other famous vegetarians in history.http://www.peta.org/AutomatedCards/CardFiles/Pages/PreviewFlash.asp?CardID=veg48
Here are a few lists of famous people that are vegetarian/vegan. Find out if your favorite actor, athlete, musician or scientist made the list.
http://www.famousveggie.com/people.aspx
Evolution alone is an amazing thing - but species that evolve together can be all the more spectacular, protecting, feeding and cleaning one another in incredible ways. Symbiosis in action. Excellent article with wonderful pictures. Hope you enjoy kids.
Transform a burnt-out industrial town into a thriving, eco-friendly community!
Check out the frozen baby woolly mammoth that was discovered recently in Siberia.
Check out the Earth Day Network. Get some ideas on how you can help make a difference in this world. We all have a responsibility to help out.
Yet another reason that we all need to recycle. We only have one place to live and we all need to pitch in to save it. Check out the picture below to see what part the US plays in the overall destruction of our planet. Pretty scary. 
I've found some fun review games covering the forces that help shape the surface of the Earth. Some topics covered are weathering, erosion, deposition, and... Well check out the link below and find out. And who said I never let you play games?http://www.sciencereviewgames.com/srg/subjects/topic.php?topic=Erosion/Deposition
Here's one more question from the "Parking Lot." Check out the link below to see how a battery works. If you can come back to class and explain how a battery works to everyone I'll have a prize for you. If you think it's candy you might be right. Maybe...
So I know our activity with electromagnets didn't go so well (I'll never buy that brand of battery again). To make up for it I've found a page that gives you a step-by-step guide to making your own electromagnet. Let me know what types of objects your were able to pick up. Have fun and be safe.
