Check it out: High School to Tik Tok

Today we heard from our Reporter of the Week.  Many of you know of social media apps, such as Facebook and Instagram, but a newer craze, Tik Tok, has the younger generation addicted to 15 second lip syncing/dancing videos. Tik Tok is a fun way to interact with your friends, share funny videos, or even be discovered for hidden talents.  However, there's a darker side to Tik Tok and the social media craze.  Teens are now addicted to their phones, checking them obsessively.  People partake in inappropriate behavior and interactions online that would not typically occur in person.  And our attentions spans seem to be getting shorter and shorter.  It's an interesting time to be growing up and interacting with the internet!

We got all these articles on Newsela, which is a great resource for current events and nonfiction articles.  You have to create an account, but the basic version is free.  The articles come with quizzes to check your comprehension.  The best part is that each article can be accessed at different Lexiles.  This means that the same article can be read at different reading levels, so that students of different reading abilities can access the same content and have great conversations about it!

Check out the article here:
Vaping - Deadly Products Target Kids
NewsforKids.net (an awesome resource)

Today we had our first reporter of the week, and we learned some VERY interesting and disturbing facts.  Unfortunately, vaping (using e-cigarettes) is no safer than smoking. Vape pens and cigarettes both contain the drug/poison nicotine; nicotine is highly addictive. Even though you're not inhaling smoke, you're still inhaling dangerous chemicals and metals. Vaping products are illegal for children under 18 to buy, however, companies are marketing their products to kids as cool and safe. We talked about standing up to peer pressure and taking care of our lungs!  Also, did you know that Gunnison County has the highest rate of teenage vaping in Colorado? Yikes!

Today we were lucky enough to make ice cream with our scientist of the week.  Did you know that all you need is: an ice cream ball, lots of ice, rock salt, 1 pint cream, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and optional flavorings like peppermint and chocolate chips.  Here's how it works... The salt lowers the freezing point of the ice. Just like when we add salt to the roads in the winter, the ice will start to melt at temperatures about 32 degrees. With a lower freezing point, the ice starts to absorb the heat from the cream, because temperatures always equalize.  In the process the cream and other ingredients get extra cold and form delicious ice cream.  Yum.