Wrapping Up Matter with Root Beer Floats

First grade wrapped up their science unit on matter in an extra sweet way—with a Root Beer Float Science Lab! This hands-on experiment gave students the opportunity to put everything they had learned about solids, liquids, and gases into action.

Students began by identifying the different states of matter in the ingredients. The ice cream represented a solid, while the root beer was a liquid. Once the two were combined, students watched closely as bubbles and foam began to form, giving them the perfect opportunity to observe and discuss gas. Before creating their floats, students used their science skills to make predictions about what they thought would happen when the ice cream was added to the root beer.

Students observed the fizzing, bubbling, melting, and foaming that occurred as the ingredients came together. They compared their observations with their original predictions and discussed what they discovered.

As the wrap-up to their unit on matter, this activity allowed students to review what they had learned while practicing important science skills such as predicting, observing, describing, and drawing conclusions.

What a fun—and delicious—way to celebrate all that our first graders have learned!

This week, students explored drums in music.

We spent some time learning about September 11, 2001. We discussed the events involving the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania in an age-appropriate way. The focus was on helping students understand why this day is important in American history. I explained to the students that one positive outcome of the events of 9/11 was that Americans came together and showed strength. We talked about what makes us proud to be Americans and completed an activity to help bring those ideas into focus.