Experiment day!

Today I conducted my first Experiment day in Science class. It rocked. I handed out an instruction sheet and all the kids sat on the floor around the teachers desk, where I'd set up our three experiments.

Experiment 1: Make a Fire Extinguisher (aka Vinegar + Baking Soda = Carbon Dioxide). After using several volunteers to make our mixture I needed help lighting the candle. I must've tried 5 matches before Eduardo said, "Miss, let us do it!" I said something like, "The wind must be blowing through the window." Brilliant, right? Eduardo and Cristian raised their eyebrows at me. I laughed, shrugged, and handed the matches to Eduardo. He lit it with the first match. Haha! (These kids have been lighting fireworks since they were 2.)

Experiment 2: Super Chain! Each kid brought an index card and scissors. We cut the index cards so that it formed a big circle--Alessandro could fit it over his entire body! (It was an exercise to illustrate the Changes between the States of Matter--the index card still had the same texture and color, but the shape was entirely different!)

Experiment 3: Expanded Air. I plugged in the electric stove and had Amy pour water into a pan. Then I put a balloon over the top of an empty glass bottle, and put the whole thing in the pan. As the water heated, the air in the bottle heated, and the balloon filled with air! My little scientists had to answer the questions on their handout.

Also, today I started tutoring a 7th grader in English. His dad went looking for a tutor after Parent Teacher Conferences on Friday, so I agreed!

Yesterday we watched the Superbowl at one of the Honduran teachers' houses! I think that was the first time I've heard the US National Anthem in almost 6 months. It was definitely the first time I've ever heard American Football announced in Spanish! haha!

Happy February!