Alpha’s Weigh Anchor…
We started the week talking about the smallest living things in the ocean: PLANKTON!
Alpha’s learned that one teaspoon of ocean water can contain over one million plankton! We learned that out of all the plankton in the ocean 90% is phytoplankton. Alpha’s already knew a lot about plants- we get the air we breathe from them, but they were surprised to learn that we get over half of our air from those microscopic plants in the ocean! Alphas also knew what all plants need in order to live: water, sunlight and nutrients, but they weren’t so sure how phytoplankton got its nutrients, because phytoplankton just float around in the water!
Alphas thought phytoplankton must like to live in shallow water, because, they figured, that’s where the waves would be.
They realized that the areas phytoplankton lived would also be areas where humans would be too- with their trash and their chemicals flowing into the ocean from rivers and streams…One student exclaimed during circle, “So guys, that means: don’t litter- or there won’t be enough oxygen and you’ll die!”
We also did a demonstration about sunlight and water and discovered that even very clear water blocks out the sun.
Alphas realized that phytoplankton could only grow in the most sunlit part of the ocean- the top 30 feet!

Alphas measured off 30 feet…Over half of the oxygen on the earth gets made near land, within the top 30 feet of ocean water…!
Not only do we get over half our oxygen from plankton, it is also the base for all life in the ocean…Alphas liked playing the food chain game…
Alphas enjoyed sharing their journal-work with their peers. We went on a gallery walk in order to find inspiration for our ocean-animal-research-project…
Closer to Home…
Thanks to Alexa, we got to host a visit from Dowser Dan! Our fellow Beta and Gamma friends got to watch a performance about water conservation. Dowser Dan was surprised AHB students knew so much about water in our area…
We learned a lot about things we can do around our homes to conserve water and keep the ground water clean and healthy!
Alpha Practice…
Here’s the author reading from one of her books!
Alphas have lots to share!
And on THAT note…
Kudos to…
Thanks to all of you who showed up to the Spring Parent Night- We appreciate your insight and support! We LOVE our team!! What a wonderful community!
Thank you Alexa for connecting us to Dowser Dan!
Thank you Gabi for your amazing cleaning skills! Oceans can wreak havoc on a classroom…
Thank you Gabriel for all the library support!!!
Upcoming Events…
- 2/5- Shipe Park Make-up Day!
- 2/12- Friendship Day
- 2/16-Presidents’ Day- No Monday Camp
- 3/5-End of Q3
That about wraps up another week in the amazing world of the Alpha Class! We hope you all will have wonderful weekends and we look forward to seeing everyone next week!
Kim & Eliza