Plants
Hopefully you already know that we are getting deep into plants because your child is coming home and talking about it. So far, all the parts of the plant, the plant life cycle, and what plants need to grow have been researched (books, ebooks on Epic, and videos from Youtube) and discussed. Students were able to dissect a section of soil and remove plants to take a look at all the parts. They created a picollage or a Show Me final product labeling all the parts. They have also decided on an experiment to start to see the effects of removing one of the important "ingredients" plants need to grow (e.g. no sun, no water, no air, no soil). Of course, like true scientists, they are keeping everything else constant and have one experiment where the seed has everything. We will keep you up to date on how it's going as it happens.
Today, students had the last opportunity to do independent research to find out how plants affect humans and the environment as well as how humans affect plants and the connection between other living things and plants. Next steps are - sharing of information students found about the above topics -a deeper look at photosynthesis -of course, monitoring our experiments.
Today, students had the last opportunity to do independent research to find out how plants affect humans and the environment as well as how humans affect plants and the connection between other living things and plants. Next steps are - sharing of information students found about the above topics -a deeper look at photosynthesis -of course, monitoring our experiments.
Exploring How To Make Structures Strong and Stable
Three different experiments are up and running. One is to find out what is needed to make a structure stable - won't fall down. Another is to find out what is needed to make a structure strong - hold a heavy load. A third is for exploring the various shapes that are used in existing structures.
Structures Have 2 Main Purposes!
Students discovered that all structures made (by animal or human) and those found in nature (tree) have a purpose:
1. To support a load of some sort
2. To provide shelter, protect
The next step will be to conduct some experiments to discover if their hypothesis for why structures are stable and strong are correct.
1. To support a load of some sort
2. To provide shelter, protect
The next step will be to conduct some experiments to discover if their hypothesis for why structures are stable and strong are correct.
Structures Unit Has Begun!
Right now we are taking a look at different structures made by humans and in nature. Students are creating a slide show to document their learning as they go this time. The first task is to find photos of various structures, analyze them and come up with a few ideas why they are strong and stable.
Great News! Forces aren't completely finished with as students will be using their understanding of compression and tension when analyzing structures and building their own
Great News! Forces aren't completely finished with as students will be using their understanding of compression and tension when analyzing structures and building their own
Final Look At Force
Explored a few natural forces and how they are helpful as well as hurtful (floods, forest fires, hailstorms, and volcanic eruptions. We are aslo doing a review and then test on Friday. Don't worry, all practice and reviewing will be done at school so no studying at home needed.
More Force Exploration
Use what you know to create a pom pom launcher using more than one force.
Discovering Some Forces In Nature!
Read the bin definition and the suggestions of what to try to find out if these natural forces are a push, pull or both.
Can you tell which pictures are showing the exploration of tension, magnetism and muscular force (pushing)?
Started With A Book, Some Exploring In the Room and Finally a Title Page to Start Our Forces Unit
Here are some examples of title pages that meet the success criteria!
We Will Be Exploring Forces Next
Check out the Wish List for items we need to do some experimenting.
One More Opportunity to Wonder and Hypothesize Then Investigate
We were wondering if plants would grow in any type of soil. Most of us were pretty sure that seeds grow well in loam soil because it has all the types of soil mixed together and it has humus which helps it be rich in nutrients. We weren't sure what would happen if seeds tried to grow in just clay, just sand or just silt. That was our wonderings, so we then made our hypothesis...yes it will, no it won't.
Take a Look at Our Layers of Soil - 3D
Adding On To Our Soil Knowledge
After reading some texts, playing a few games, and disucssion, students decided these were the top uses for soil.
A Work In Progress
On Friday, work continued on the wall mounted soil layers project. Everyone took a turn. It is so close to completion.
Also, on Friday, students worked hard to complete their soil slide show. If you have internet at home and a device, have your child show you his/her soil slide show found in the Google Drive in Slideshows.
The Layers Underground
Students discovered that soil is actually teeny tiny rocks mixed with organic material. They then decided to recreate the layers of soil we would see if we were to dig really far down. Here is the plan so far. As they build it in the hallway on the side wall, I will take photos to show you their progress.
What Will Happen When All 4 Types Are Mixed Together in Water, Shaken And Then Settled?
Are All Soils The Same?
Students take a look at loam soil again to compare it to silt, sand, and clay soil.
Let's See If We Can Separate the Organic From the Inorganic
Sharing More of What We Think We Know and What We Want To Know
I can't get over how much they already know! I am also so excited about what they want to know. I will do my best to provide them with opportunities to find out as much as possible to satisfy these questioning minds.
Analyzing Our Loam Soil
Using magnifying glasses, microscopes, and their hands, students analyzed and recorded what was in loam soil.
Collecting Our Soil Samples
What Do You Know About Soil?
Our first step was to discover what we already know about soil. Next week will be taking a closer look at it!