Welcome back! Hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable winter break.
No math or spelling homework will come home for next week. One-fourth of the class has not returned from break and so I will resume homework folders on Friday, 1/10.
On Thursday, we made snowflake crystals. The kids will bring these home ASAP.
To create these at home:
materials:
pipe cleaners
string
heat proof container (we used jam jars, but a mug would work too)
pencil, pen, stick, or other such to suspend pipe cleaner in cup
1 pint(ish) boiling water
5-6 T borax
blue food coloring (optional)
directions:
1. configure pipe cleaner into shape of snowflake (or circle, heart, shape of choice that will fit into your container)
2. use string and tie onto pipe cleaner snowflake then tie other end onto pencil
3. boil water and pour into jam jar or mug.
4. stir in 1 T Borax at a time (up to 5-6 T total) to saturation point.
5. add a drop or two of blue food coloring into jar
6. lower snowflake into solution and let sit for 2-6 hours (be careful! the borax will solidify)
7. take snowflake out and let dry.
8. be amazed by the beauty of crystals! :)
be super scientific:
try with rock salt, kosher salt, or sugar and observe comparisons/contrasts
