The picture on the right shows the terrarium me and my partner put together in science class. A terrarium is a mini garden inside a container of some sort. We had the choice of planting corn, pea, radish, barley, or clover.

Terrarium life
We put darkling beetles, or isopods (pill bug, or rolly-pollies) into our terrarium. We tested environmental factors on our animals. An environmental factor is something that will effect the environment (hot or cold, water tolerance, ect.). Me and my partner tested grassy soil vs. regular soil on our beetles. We fed them carrots. Our beetles preferred the grassy soil.

How to Build a Terrarium...
First, take a container, and fill it with soil.
Then, plant the preferred seeds in your terrarium.
Next, give the proper amount of water, and cover the top of your terrarium with ceram wrap.
Place terrarium in a sunny spot, and watch it grow!!

Terrarium Observations

There is a lot of condensation on the top and sides of our terrarium. Our soil looks dry. All of our seeds have sprouted, except the barley. Corn and radish are flourishing. Our plants have grown a lot, but our beetles have not changed. The beetles like to dig, and the soil in our terrarium is perfect for digging.

The key to planting seeds is to make sure they have plenty of water and sunlight, and are kept at the right temperature. You should only lightly sprinkle soil onto your seeds. Different seeds do not require different planting techniques, but different seeds may have different requirements.

Barley isn't the only seed that hasn't sprouted, we have one corn and one pea seed that has not sprouted. Next time we observe our terrarium, I think those seeds will have sprouted.

My Variable eJournal

A few days ago, my whole class made FOSS planes. This picture shows some of the kids in our class testing out our planes.



Me and my partner made our plane by sanding down two craft sticks, and hole-punching two jumbo straws. We put another straw through the holes we punched in the jumbo straw, and then stapling the bottom of the jumbo straws in between the craft sticks. We then added a propeller by inserting a plastic tab that had the propeller on it, so the craft sticks were inside it. The propeller had a small hook on it so a rubber-band could slide into it. On the back of the plane there was one more plastic tab with only a hook on it.



We tested our planes by stringing fishing line through the straw on the top of the plane, and taped each side of the fishing line to a chair, so we had our plane on the string. We then hooked a rubber band on to the hooks. To make the plane go, we wound our rubber-band clockwise, then let it go.

One of the things we experimented with, was how many winds it took to get our plane to the middle of the fishing line, and all the way across. We also did this with more than one rubber-band, and different sizes of rubber bands. It took me and my partner's plane 30 winds to get all the way across, and 20 to get half way.

In this experiment, we learned about tension, and how the rubber-band makes the plane go. We also learned that you shouldn't change more than one variable at a time. The bigger and thicker the rubber band, the plane goes farhter, the smaller and skinnier the rubber band, it doesn't go very far.

MID WINTER BREAK

On the 21st, I had to wake up at 6am to go to my swin meet...my first event was 50 Free, and I got.............................1ST PLACE!!!! My next event was 50 back, and I got......................................................drumroll please.....................4th place :P ......moving on......and I also had my b-day party that day, I got a lot of Japanese candy, and gift cards, and the City of Ember. The movie leaves out a lot from the book, like in the book, they got to the Village of Sparks, but they didn't in the movie.....and I have my 4th Japanese class this thursday....I was dressed OK, you can even wear hats. We have a lot of tests in Japanese school, but it's still a lot of fun :D Anyways, it feels weird to be back in school, but I'm sure that'll change...............................

My second school

Today I'm REALLY excited, because after school, I'm going to Japanese school. It's not like math and all those subjects though. I'm going with my friend Sho. I'm not sure if I'm dressed "appropriately" because it's in a Japanese church and all......I'm really looking forward to it, but this is just a "practice" class, to see if I "like" it. I'll guarantee anyone who's reading this that I will love it. I don't know if the class is taught in Japanese, but I'll have by best friend/Japanese translator. I'll post about it later!

Spelling Bee (and science BA too) (let's squeeze in the twilight series too)

Ok, first, I'll yap a little about the 100% I got on my Science BA! *applause*
And the Spelling Bee's today at three. I hope I do well, but I hear the winner advances to like the state Spelling Bee and stuff........I do NOT like big crowds, and the entire 5th grade is probably the most comfortable crowd I'll ever be in front of. I'm up against like three of my best friends, and I don't know how they'll feel if I win. But I guess I'll have to try......I thought you just sign up for the spelling bee, not try to win the class one. Anyways....I'm reading the Twilight series and they're pretty good. I'm on page 545 in the second book. Anyways...I'll wrap up this post now....wish me luck in the Spelling Bee!!

2009 Inauguration

Today Barack Obama officially became the U.S. president. Even though I don't have a lot to say, I still think it's great we have our first African-American president. In school we watched the inauguration ceremony, and we listened to Obama's speech. I found it really interesting, and I'm definitely going to watch when the next president is elected. I think it would be awesome to go to D.C. on inauguration day. I hope he'll do things that will conserve energy (solar panels, etc.) and keep the promises he talked about in all the debates (I only watched like 15 minutes of one debate though). I just hope he makes good decisions.

Mixtures and Solutions eJournal

DON'T DO IT JOHN!

John found a barrel of odorless clear liquid. He needed to get rid of it, so he decided to dump it in a river. Agree, or disagree?

I disagree with John, because it could be dangerous dissolved chemicals, that created a solution that looks and smells like water. If he dumped it in a river, the liquid could be harmful to animals, and possibly people.

Visitors feel free to respond to this!

SPRING BREAK

I'm really excited for Spring break (and I know it's still way too early to be talking about that, but still) me and my family are going to Florida, and staying in Hilton hotel (Y'know, the really fancy ones?) And I'm so PUMPED! I'm looking forward to swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, and doing lots of other stuff. Anyways, that's pretty much it, sooooo.....SEE YA!

Donate to your local food pantry!

Dear Citizens of Walled Lake and Wixom,

When you come home from work or school, you probably don’t have to worry about grabbing a snack, or dinner, right? Well some people do. Donating food can change lives.
A few weeks ago, my class and I went to the local Hospitality House. We were shocked at how much food they had stacked in their warehouse. It turns out that “needy” people can come in, and take home a limited amount of food for their families. Walled Lake Elementary donated 970 pounds of food that helped people have a nice
Thanksgiving. I think you should donate to your local Hospitality House.
Many families cannot afford food; you can help them by donating to your local charity. We also helped stack the food. It was an amazing experience, and I felt good knowing I helped a family who really needed it.
Imagine if you were in need, and had to feed a family of four, or more! The Hospitality House has helped over 4,000 families, and 4,059 children! All communities have families that are in need, think of the children, you’d be helping your community, and all the people in it.
Everyone should be grateful for all the food they have. Over all, 199,858 pounds of food have been distributed in the Walled Lake/Wixom area between January and September of this year. People who need food depend on Gleaners food bank, and donations. I greatly encourage you to donate food, or hygiene items (toothbrushes, diapers, etc.). If you can’t donate food, donate your time, and volunteer at your local food pantry. You can also go to www.hospitalityhousefoodpantry.org and learn more!

Thank you!

Sincerely,


Jared G.