THE DIRT ON DECOMPOSERS

Hello fourth-graders. So far we've learned that plants are PRODUCERS in the food chain because they make or produce their own food. Next are the PRIMARY CONSUMERS who eat the producers, followed by the SECONDARY CONSUMERS who eat the primary consumers, and the TERTIARY CONSUMERS who eat the secondary consumers. Got all that? Now what happens when all these ORGANISMS die? Let me introduce the very valuable, all important DECOMPOSER. The decomposer we've been studying is the EARTHWORM, which not only eats soil but all the decaying plant and animal pieces mixed into the soil. Then the EARTHWORM digests this tasty mixture, letting it all out as CASTINGS. Castings (basically worm poop) returns important NUTRIENTS to the soil. Nutrients are important for plant growth and health. Other DECOMPOSERS in the natural world are fungi and microscopic bacteria. DECOMPOSERS are NATURE'S RECYCLERS.

Who is that little green creature inside our classroom terrariums? Why it's the green anole, also called the American chameleon, because it changes color from brown to green. Anoles eat crickets and are considered SECONDARY CONSUMERS. And because they eat crickets, they are also CARNIVORES or meat eaters. And they are PREDATORS because they hunt for their food. Anoles live in Florida and love to climb trees rather than crawl on the ground. When the males get angry or when they are looking for a mate, the hanging skin below their mouths puffs up, sort of like a frog. This loose skin is called a DEWLAP. They also have ridges on their feet to help them climb trees and will drop their tail if a predator gets hold of it. This way, the anole runs away safe and sound, while the predator is left holding the tail. These are called ADAPTATIONS and they help the anole survive in its environment.

Hummingbird in my Brooklyn Yard

Just the other morning, right before getting ready for school, I noticed a hummingbird sipping nectar from the flowers on my pineapple sage. I couldn't believe it! So I grabbed my camera and started clicking away. (I was almost late for school too!)

I knew it was a ruby throated hummingbird because they are the only hummingbird species east of the Mississippi River. (Where my Mom lives, in Arizona, there are many species of hummingbird.) It is also the only breeding hummingbird in North America (that means it nests and lays eggs here in the summer.) I also knew it was a female because the males have a ruby throat and this one didn't.

Like monarch butterflies, this tiny bird migrates south during the winter. It was filling up on nectar in my yard for the many miles ahead of her en route to Central America, Mexico or the Caribbean. (Wish I was en route there too!) They are so tiny--about 3 1/2 inches long and weigh 1/8 ounce or 3 grams--that's three of those tiny blue gram pieces we use for measuring mass in class kids!)

Ruby-throated hummingbirds fly straight and fast but can stop instantly, hover, and adjust their position up, down, or backwards with exquisite control. This little gal would sip for a few seconds, then take a break. Here's a photo of her resting on the telephone wire and another on a butterfly bush.

I actually planted the pineapple sage hoping to attract a hummingbird. They are attracted to red, tubular flowers or long flowers. That's because they have long, skinny beaks that they stick down the long throats of the flowers to sip nectar. We have some pineapple sage in the raised bed gardens on McDonald Avenue, but they haven't bloomed yet because it's not sunny enough. Hopefully they will bloom and a hummer will visit the PS 230 garden soon!

Tortoise Siting at Brooklyn Campout

Many of you know that Ms. Seitz loves to go camping. Every year, I go camping in, believe it or not, Brooklyn! The site is in Floyd Bennett Field, which is a national park. You buy a permit and you are allowed to pitch a tent in a beautiful grassy area, surrounded by trees. There's no program. You're on your own. This was my seventh year camping at FBF. This year, just before we were leaving, one of our friends spotted what I thought was a turtle, a big turtle. I picked him up. He was so friendly. All the kids got to hold him and feed him grapes and apples. He had a big appetite! I was thinking of taking him home for a few days so I could bring him to school and show all of you, but then I thought I should just leave him in his native habitat.

On the drive home, I was thinking about the turtle the kids named "Ralph," and the more I thought about him, the more I began to think that he wasn't a turtle at all, that he looked more like a tortoise. So I did some research on GOOGLE, and discovered that he is an African Spur Thigh Tortoise from the Sahara Desert. Apparently, someone released his or her pet into the wild. I guess they didn't want him. I don't know why. He is so lovely.

So I went back to Floyd Bennett Field, in the dark, with my son and his friend and we scoured the brush for Ralph. Despite our best efforts, we didn't find Ralph. Now I'm sad because he won't be able to survive our cold winter. After all, his native habitat is the desert. I've called a Ranger at the park and asked him to keep an eye out for Ralph. Hopefully he'll be found. He is such a beautiful creature. His shell is like wood and his legs have a really unusual texture. He is great. I just hope he's okay.

HOW DO PLATE TECTONICS AFFECT THE EARTH'S CRUST?

Hello Fifth-Grades: Here's some information on plate tectonics to help you better understand this phenomenon. Remember, the Earth is always changing, always moving. The Earth's rocky crust (both oceanic and continental) is comprised of a series of plates that float on the semi-solid or magma-like mantle. Convection currents cause the magma to rise and fall, therefore, moving the Earth's plates in different directions. This movement is responsible for mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes.


Convergent Plates: When two continental plates converge or collide, the crust is squished together, folding and buckling and forming mountains. This is just one way mountains are formed.


Subduction Plates: When one continental plate and one oceanic plate collide, the more dense oceanic plate is subducted or pushed under the continental plate. As it plunges deeper into the mantle, the rock of the oceanic crust melts, becoming part of the mantle. An ocean trench forms at the plate boundaries. Volcanoes and earthquakes may happen here. In the case of volcanoes, molten rock rises until it erupts at the surface.


Divergent Plates: When plates spread apart or diverge, magma rises up from the mantle and fills the gap, creating new crust. As this continues, volcanic islands may form at the surface.





Transform Plates: When plates grind against and past each other in opposite directions earthquakes may strike along these boundaries.





This map shows the continents and oceans and the plates on which they move.

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

After a relaxing and often exciting summer hiking mountains, I am happy to be back at school. So get ready to be curious about the world around you and let's have fun doing science. And if you haven't checked out the school garden on McDonald Avenue, take a look. It's bursting with color!

School's Out For Summer!

I hope everyone had as great a year as I had! It was a pleasure teaching science to all of you. I wish all the fifth-graders happiness and success in middle school! Way to go! I look forward to seeing all of you in September for another fun-filled year of SCIENCE. Have a great summer! Peace and Hugs, Ms. Seitz

Horseshoe Crabs Galore

Went to Plumb Beach to see the annual mating ritual of the horseshoe crabs and what an event. There were thousands out there on the shore just after high tide at 9 a.m. We even found some eggs. It is a spectacular thing to witness. Check out the photos!

FOURTH-GRADE CAMPERS

From May 14-15, Ms. Nelson and Ms. Singer's fourth-grade classes enjoyed an overnight camping trip at Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field, where they compiled scientific data about the health of Dead Horse Bay, learned about the value of composting, roasted marshmallows over a campfire and layers them with chocolate and graham crackers and made delicious 'Smores, and slept outside in tents. The kids and teachers, including moi--Ms. Seitz--had a blast....and it was educational! We're looking forward to doing this again next year!

School Garden is Now Planted

Be sure to check out the new school garden on the school's McDonald Avenue side. The Urban Nature Club has planted flowers that will attract butterflies, plants like Buddleia (butterfly bush) Monarda (bee balm), Rudebekia (Black-eyed Susans), Calendula, Zinnias, and others. There's also an herb garden to tickle the senses. Check out the Lamb's Ear, Pineapple Sage, Rosemary, and Lavendar.

A STRANGE TURTLE STORY

About two years ago, I had one of my turtles escape from its tank during the summer. I had kept the tank in my yard so the turtles could enjoy the sunshine. Somehow, the lid to the tank was not on correctly and one of the turtles figured out how to get out. I thought she was lost for good.

Just the other day, my neighbor, Sally, said she had something to show me. I went next door to her yard where she lifted a big piece of black plastic that she kept over some leaves. Under the plastic was a turtle. I checked it out. It was a female, like the one I lost. It was about the size of my turtle and it appeared to be a red-eared slider, the kind of turtle I had.

So for two years, the turtle has been able to ADAPT to the environment in our Brooklyn backyards. She probably feasted on plants and dug down into the soil during the winter to keep warm. I think it's pretty amazing that she was able to survive on her own. We call this RESILENCE when something is able to succeed despite difficulties. Now the question is....do I just let her continue her life in the wild, or scoop her up and put her back in a tank. WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET ME KNOW. Signing off, Ms. Seitz

URBAN NATURE CLUB BEGINS MAY 5, 2009

Thank you to all the students who applied to the Urban Nature Club. Twelve students from the fourth grade have been chosen. Our first project will be planting a school butterfly garden and sprucing up the other gardens on the school property. We will keep a nature journal of our work, observations, discoveries and thoughts. We will also try to have the garden open during lunch periods once we post the rules of the garden on the garden gates. I'm really looking forward to being in the great outdoors with each of you!

FOURTH-GRADE SCIENCE DAY A HUGE SUCCESS

Thank you to all the fourth-graders who came out for science day and brushed up on their scientific skills and knowledge of science. We enjoyed making a literal "food chain," tested our knowledge with Quiz Boards, created awesome things with recycled materials, investigated gadgets for simple machines, worked with inclined planes, discovered what objects conduct electricity, and more. We even made our own Quiz Boards to take home. You are all AWESOME!

LANDFORMS-FIFTH GRADE

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Last summer I drove with my family from New York to California and back again. This is called a cross-country trip. We visited many wonderful places, especially out West where there are magnificent landforms, like the ones I've included here.

As part of our landforms unit, you will create an island out of clay and include six different landforms. You will then label the landforms. Next you will create a travel brochure for your island, explaining the landforms on your island and how they were formed. This project will be due in early May.

Grand Canyon, Arizona








Devil's Tower, Wyoming












Zion National Park, Utah

Some More Strange Animals

Check this creatures out. Do you think any REALLY exist? Ms. Seitz

NAME THAT ANIMAL!

Hi kids! My father-in-law recently sent me some very strange animal photos. They look real, but alas, these animals do not exist in the real world. (I guess someone was having a little Photo Shop fun.) So, take a look at these photos and let me know what you would name each of them. Don't stop there. Be creative and describe their ecosystem, diet, behavior and any other characteristics. Can't wait to read them. Bye for now, Ms. Seitz

Electricity is Hot!

Fourth-graders are currently learning about magnetism and electricity. We recently created some circuits using D-cells, wires, motors and light bulbs (components) and learned that the tiny wire inside a light bulb that makes it light up is called filament. It's made of a metal called tungsten. Tungsten is used because it stays solid at very high temperatures. Also, all the air in a light bulb has been sucked out to make it work. If air wasn't removed, the wire would burn up instantly. Electricity flows through the filament causing it to heat up. This heat makes the tungsten glow. As the filament heats up, it gives off light. The tungsten slowly vaporizes, or turns into a gas.When a light bulb “burns out,” it is because the filament has vaporized. The black film on the inside of a burned-out lightbulb is resolidified tungsten vapor (gas). Wow, huh?