Living Things

(List created by the class)

What are characteristics of all living things?
-reproduce
-respiration
-homeostasis
-respond to stimulus
-growth
-metabolize
-cells
-contain water
-carbon based
-DNA

What do living things require?
-nutrients
-water
-energy
-environment
-air (O2 & CO2)

Group 1 Bag: Is it alive? Was it alive? Is it non-living?
We were asked to fill a bag full of different items: a cotton ball, a rubber band, popcorn kernels, a toothpick, weeds, air, pinto beans, etc. Then we had to identify if these things were: alive, were alive now dead, never alive, or product of a living thing.

After gathering items and identifying, we took paper towel and dampened it, wrapped the our items in it, sealed it in the bag, and set it by the window! We'll see what happens....

The Goldbug Mine

My husband and I took our honeymoon this August and traveled to Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, California. While there, we were able to travel a bit out of Sacramento to the small, historical town of Placerville. In Placerville is The Gold Bug Park & Mine, where you can pan for gold & other precious metals, hike around the park, or see the Joshua Hendy Stamp Mill where you will receive "a full explanation of the gold extraction process from the ore." All, of these things we did, and had a great time! Our most treasured memory of this excursion was entering the actual mine. The entire time we were there I kept thinking how exciting this would be for kids to see and explore! The cool air that hit us upon entrance of the mine, the water that trickled through the rock, and the old gold vein that ran through the quartz was exciting, and brought not only many historical teaching moments to mind, but many Earth Science and environmental concepts as well! This place would provide such a great field trip- granted I live in MI, and will not be moving to CA any time soon- but, the experience there could be used across curriculum.

Here is a picture of Ethan and I in the Gold Bug Mine! Notice our lovely hard hats- safety first!