Friday, November 14, 2025

November STEM Challenge

In November, we are going to design free-standing pendulums that can draw or paint as they swing to and fro!

A pendulum is an object, hung from a fixed point, that swings freely back and forth under the action of gravity. The back and forth movements of a pendulum are called oscillations.


(I could watch that sand pendulum allll daaaay 😍)




Kids love to ride the swings at the playground. The motion of a tire swing demonstrates the physics of a pendulum. The swing is supported by chains that are attached to a fixed point at the top of the swing set, which allow it to move freely back and forth. 



The Foucault Pendulum is named for the French physicist Jean Foucault, who used it to demonstrate the rotation of the earth in 1851. It was the first experiment to give simple, direct evidence of the Earth's rotation.

Check out this cool video that explains how the Foucault Pendulum proves the rotation of our amazing planet, Earth. 



Let's design a pendulum!




Research pendulums and use items from around your house to complete this challenge.

Send Mrs. Sol pictures or movies of your experiment to share in class.

DUE DECEMBER 19





Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Let's Write a Narrative




Think of interesting characters, 
a setting for your story,
and a plot.

What problem will your character(s) face?
How will the problem be solved? 

      




An engaging narrative includes thoughts, feelings, details, description, and dialog.

These things will bring your story to life for the reader!




I love this song about writing a personal narrative.

Turn up your speakers! 

The lyrics are typed below, so you can sing along. 



Thanks Mr. Laughton!





Write me a Narrative…
Beginning, Middle, and a Clear Cut End
Go on and tell me about…
Where you’ve been,
Moments small or big,
or you can…

Make up a tale from your imagination!

Kick it off with a strong lead.
Make it interesting.
Let us know who’s in it,
and the problem they’re facing.

Build up the action,
and pace your story right.
Make a solid sequence,
and use transitions
that help your story flow all the way along!

Bring it to a close with a
LESSON
or
REFLECTION
or
Some kind of THOUGHT.


Write me a Narrative…
Beginning, Middle, and a Clear Cut End
Go on and tell me about…
Where you’ve been,
Moments small or big,
or you can…

Make up a tale from your imagination!

T. F. and Triple D
Will make your words a story…

Thoughts
and Feelings
Details
and Description
and Dialog
Will make your story strong!

We want to
Feel what you feel.
See what you see.
Make it as real as it possibly can be.
WE’RE ALL ALONG FOR THE RIDE
and we see it through your narrator’s eyes!

Write me a Narrative…
Beginning, Middle, and a Clear Cut End
Go on and tell me about…
Where you’ve been,
Moments small or big,
or you can…
Make up a tale from your imagination! 


Make it your own creation.

IT’S TIME TO WRITE
BECAUSE THE WORLD IS WAITING.