Snowstorm in a Jar!

This morning during morning meeting, we read Will it Rain or Snow? 

The book gave wonderful facts that help us to predict the weather.

For example:

 -If it is going to rain, ants look for houses on higher ground.

-In places where there is a lot of snow in winter, rabbits fur changes to white to hide from other animals.

-Spiders spin webs on fine weather days, because insects won't fly in the rain.

After morning meeting, the Sparrows went into choice time. Friends played very creatively and collaboratively. 

In the above picture, friends hopped in the car to take a trip to the beach. They packed their bathing suits and sunscreen, along with lots and LOTS of snacks.

Friends built homes for the animals with magnatiles.

Friends also enjoyed snack. Today's snack: bagels (with or without cream cheese) and orange slices.

One friend proudly wrote their name using lowercase letters!

On Friday, to go along with our Weather Study and cold weather theme, the Sparrows started decorating mittens using a paper cutout and tissue paper. Friends continued to work on and complete their mittens today.

Soon after choice, we did an experiment. We made a snowstorm in a jar! We went over the ingredients used for the experiment and what a chemical reaction is. We started with a clear jar filled 3/4 of the way full with baby oil. 

Next, friends took turns mixing a white paint and water mixture.

Once the mixture was stirred up, we poured it into the jar with baby oil.

The Sparrows observed tiny bubbles form, before the mixture settled at the bottom.

Next, we added some iridescent glitter, which also soon settled at the bottom with the paint mixture.

We also added a couple drops of blue food coloring.

Next up, it was time to add Alka-Seltzer tablets and watch the "snowstorm."

Friends took turns placing their tablets into the jar. Together we watched the mixture start to bubble, fizz and swirl around like a real snowstorm!

The best part of this experiment...you can do it again and again and again!

To do this experiment at home, you can find the directions below.

After the experiment, we went downstairs for a change of scenery and some space to run around.

Ask your Sparrow what the snowstorm in a jar looked like.

You can also ask your Sparrow what a chemical reaction is.

Snowstorm in a Jar:

Ingredients:

-Tall glass jar

-Baby oil

-White paint (small amount)

-Water

-Iridescent glittle

-Blue food coloring (optional)

-Alka-Seltzer tablets

Directions:

Fill the jar 3/4 of the way full with baby oil. Mix small amount of white paint and water in separate bowl, and then pour into the jar with baby oil. Let the paint mixture settle at the bottom. Next, sprinkle in the glitter (as little or as much as you would like). Add blue food coloring (optional). Drop in Alka-Seltzer tablet and watch the snowstorm! You can do this experiment over and over again!