Simple Machines - Inclined Plane, Wedge & Screw

The students have enjoyed learning about inclined planes.  We tried lifting a bag of marbles straight up and then pulling it up an inclined plane and we learned that it is easier to pull the bag of marbles up an inclined plane than to lift the bag straight up.  

Our next experiment was on wedges.  First the students tried pushing a block into rice and then they tried pushing a wedge into the rice.  They learned that it was easier to push the pointed wedge into the rice.

Today, the students made "screws" with a paper inclined plane wrapped around their pencils.  The students learned that a screw is really like an inclined plane.  Also, a screw with more threads is easier to screw into wood than one with fewer threads.

After each activity the students are writing what they're learning in the Simple Machine booklets.  They are working hard and learning a lot about simple machines!

Fractions

The students have been learning about fractions.  We've talked about a whole being divided into equal parts to make a fractioin.  The students made a model to figure out which fraction is greater.  Today the students learned about fractions of a group.  We'll review fractions tomorrow morning and then have a test on fractions too.  The students enjoyed playing a few fraction games.  Some groups used the iPads and Educreations to show what they've learned about fractions.

Simple Machines - Lever

We're learning about Simple Machines.  Today we learned about how levers make work easier.  We learned that if you put the fulcrum closer to the load it made lifting the load easier.  Then we looked around our room and the students found several levers that we have in our clasrrom like scissors, clips, and our balance scales.

Measuring in Math

We've been measuring many things in our classroom with centimeters and meters.  The students have been estimating before we measure. Yesterday we measured the capacity of some containers with milliliters and liters. Today we estimated and measured the mass of objects in grams and kilograms. The students are getting better at estimating with lots of practice. We will review measuring tomorrow and we will have a math test on Thursday.

We learned that a pencil cap is only 3 grams and a container of tiles is 1 kilogram.

Poetry Sharing

Yesterday the students shared their poetry books with friends.  The students worked really hard and they're books are wonderful.

Science Review and Upcoming Test

We reviewed for the Chapter 9 test today.  The students brought home their books so they can review at home. The test is on Wednesday, April 23rd. Students can keep their books at home until Wednesday. 

Fun with Magnets

The students learned more about magnets by experimenting with what is attracted to magnets.  We also talked about opposite poles attract and the same poles repel.  The students love experimenting with magnets.

Mad Science Assembly

We enjoyed the Mad Science Assembly this morning.  He taught us a lot about science!  He showed us how sound waves move and he talked about pitch.  You'll have to ask your child about all the chemical reactions!

Science - Energy, Motion, and Force

The students have been learning about electricity, heat, and sound. They've been learning about forces that move objects.  Next week we'll be learning about how magnets attract and repel objects.  

Debra Fraser - Author Visit

We've been reading a lot of Debra Fraser's books as we were waiting for her visit.  She told us all about what she does when she writes her books.  Some students wrote a persuasive letter so they could have lunch with her today.  The following students will be having lunch with her today:  Logan, Alaina, Dominic, Caleb, Brennan, Jessica, Briley, Chloe, Conrad and Caroline.

Measurement

The students have been working hard this week measuring many things in the classroom using inches, feet and yards.  We've been talking about estimating first and then measuring. Tomorrow the students will learn about which is a reasonable estimate.  We'll review measuring tomorrow and the students will have a test on measurement on Friday, April 11th. 

Spatial Sense

The students have been learning about congruent shapes.  They've been learning about symmetry too.  The students have learned to draw a line of symmetry dividing the shape into two congruent parts.  Today they learned about slides, flips and turns.  Tomorrow they'll learn about a reflection which is like a flip.  We will review all these concepts on Thursday and we'll have a math test on Chapter 20 on Friday.