Earth Science-Weathering & Erosion in 5th/6th

I am so proud of this project our 5th and 6th grade students have done. Because of the move to distance learning and COVID-19, I had to get really, really creative and brainstorm how I could have the 5/6 students still learn using our traditional hands-on approach to  science which makes our program so incredible at Saint John’s Prep, from a distance.

The 5th and 6th grade students are learning about Earth Science-Weathering and Erosion of the Earth’s Surface. I gave them a two-week lab project to complete while at home during distance learning and utilizing materials at home without having to leave home.  They did an amazing job! The students were asked to choose two out of four weathering labs on a menu I created. Every step of the Scientific Method were to be completed for each lab performed. While testing their hypothesis in the experiment to form a conclusion based on observations, data, and results, the students were to make slides, take photos, record data, and make a video of two weathering labs.

You can see a few examples of student work below:

AmyBeth Loesch
5th & 6th Grade Faculty
Saint John’s Preparatory School

AmyBeth Loesch is a ffith and sixth grade teacher at Saint John’s Prep. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Ms. Loesch worked in accounting for many years before pursuing her dream of working in education. She attended the College of St. Scholastica for Elementary Education. In 2017, she earned a Master’s Degree in Education and Curriculum from The College of St. Scholastica. She enjoys teaching sixth grade scholars while helping them grow as young people. She says she appreciates the desire that Prep students exude to learn, participate, and succeed in everyday activities and academics.

Ms. Loesch lives in Cold Spring with her husband and three children. They have two dogs, Colonel and Charlie. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.