Monday, September 29, 2014

Science I Can's for the week of September 29th

Look what we are doing in science this week!

K= I can experiment with smell.

1=I can understand taht amphibians are cold blooded animals that hathch from an egg and go through various stages of development. I can compare amphibians to mammals. 

2=I can reflect on what air resistence means by showing evidence. I can prove that air can be compressed and that compressed air can move things. 

3= I can explain the many properties of the mock rock. I can compare what I am doing to what geologists do to help identify real rocks and their properties. I can identify the circumference, diameter, and depth of my mock rock. 

4=I can use a compass and iron filings to detect a magentic field. I can create a compass using common items. 

5=I can test a variable using lifeboats to show the number of passengers a boat can hold and that it is affected by variables such as placement, water movement, and boat size. I can define capacity. 

Monday, September 22, 2014

This Week In Science...9/22

What are our kiddos learning this week in science? They can....

Kinders= I can hear with my ears. 

1st= I can explain that bats are the only mammals that can fly, sleep upside down, hunt at night, live in groups, and are nocturnal.

2nd=I can build a parachute to test air resistance. I can explain how things move and are effected by air. I can define air resistance. 

3rd= I can show how to measure with metrics by measuring the length and width of a rock and the weight of the rock. I can identify the properties of the rock and explain how properties help identify rocks.

4th= I can explain induced magnetism and temporary magnets. I can show that magnetic force works through materials, but gets weaker the farther they move away from the magnet. (magnetic force decreases with distance)

5th= I can explain a controlled experiment and that only one variable is changed at a time, and that the results are compared to the standard. I can explain the dependent variable of our pendulum experiment. (the length of the pendulum determines the amount of swings in a unit of time)

Monday, September 15, 2014

Is A Mammal A Cammal?

Here is a clever song to play that includes our 5 vertebrate. It's pretty can sing along!

Peek at Our Week 9/8-9/12

1st=Students will be introduced to the five vertebrate. We will learn what a mammal is and compare us to other mammals. I started my lessons with what would happen if all the baby animals got out of their cages away from their mothers? We described what the mother would look like it it was: a panda bear, a bat, a snake, a turtle, a frog, and a flamingo. We then made a chart to classify them. Hair or fur, shell (which is a type of scale), scales, moist skin, wings, and feathers. Even though bats have wings, they have fur, so we put it with the panda. I read the book, 
Image result for are you my mother

I challenged them to think about how they look like their family members and how we could fit into one of the groups we listed before. We made the connection that we are  mammals which was really hard for some to grasp. We drew our favorite animals and played a riddle game after listing the 5 vertebrate along with other clues. We then hung up the pictures under our categories to start making connections. We finished by playing the Animal Characteristics Game that we will play each week until our unit is done.

2nd= Students will learn about air through bubble experiments and answer the question, "How do we know air is there." We used the FOSS unit and the scientific process to prove that Air is there, Air is matter, Air takes up  space, and Air can be captured. Kids love water. Kids love amazing discoveries. Kids don't always like to write and reflect. We are working on that one.

3rd= Students will demonstrate the use of  the metric system to measure length, weight, and volume.
Students in third grade have not measured too much so far. When I asked them to recall what tool I would use to measure my weight, three out of the four classes replied, "a ruler." I was worried. However, after setting up stations for volume, mass, and length it got a bit better. Here is a freebie for you to use that I made to remind them of tools to use... We used this Measurement Flip Book to help us write down the definitions and tools inside the book.

We then completed stations that I placed on the smartboard. Here are some of the ideas: length and weight of the scissors and marker at your table. The length and weight of the block at your table. Show me the following volumes with your syringe: 17 ml, and 35 ml. We finished up with this free worksheet I found on line at math salamanders

4th= Students will answer the question, "what objects are attracted to magnets" and determine a pattern. Students will be introduced to new vocabulary that coincides with answering the question. We used the FOSS lesson to help us go through the scientific process. We finished up with our vocabulary reflections in our science notebooks: discoveries, observations, and vocabulary.

5th=Students will learn the difference between dependent, independent, and controlled variables through experimentation and demonstration. I started off by asking them what is a variable. No one knew. I then proceeded to have them follow the directions to make a paper airplane. I continued to use the words variable and control in context as kids struggled with the directions. When we were all finished I once again asked what a variable and control is. They got it. I defined the three types. Then I asked the students how can we change the airplane? We had to remember only change one thing and then test it. We practiced on my model airplane and found we could determine a dependent variable, an independent variable, and the controls. I showed them a power point of pictures of pendulums. I asked what they had in common and to define pendulum. I showed them a bird bobber, swing set, perpetual motion balls, a hypnotist's necklace, and a grandfather clock. I told them they were now in clock repair school because time flies when your having fun in science. My clock was going way to fast and I needed help fixing it. We first had to build a control which was this week. We build our controlled pendulum and then tested it. We all got the same results. Wallah, a control. We wrote in our science notebooks once again to wrap up.

Stay tuned for next's weeks...peek at my week!