HOORAY!!! The 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Spectacular Science Students get to show what they know from our first science unit: How Scientists Work. Each grade will take the unit 1 test on Thursday, October 30. The fourth and fifth graders have taken home their review packets and science notebooks tonight to study. The third graders will take home their review packets and science notebooks tomorrow. We are reviewing concepts, learning test-taking skills and strategies, and are learning how to write complete, clear, and correct responses to short answer essay questions. Please help your child prepare for this test by having your child re-read the lessons, explain the main ideas of each lesson, and explain the answers to the questions in the review packet.
Science Investigation Updates: Etrog Experiments
The third graders created and experiment to test how the mass, length, and circumference of an etrog would change after the etrog was submerged in water for 6 days. The length, circumference, and mass of the etrog increased!!
The fourth graders created an experiment to sprout etrog seeds. Some of the seeds were placed on dry cotton balls, sealed in plastic bags, and taped to the window. Some of the seeds were placed on wet cotton balls, sealed in plastic bags, and taped to the window. As of today, the etrog seeds on wet cotton balls are growing mold. The etrog seeds on dry cotton balls haven't shown any change.
The fifth graders created an experiment to test if an etrog can conduct electricity. This experiment is similar to creating a lemon battery. They placed copper wire and galvanized nails into the etrog. We connected it to a meter to monitor electrical currents. The etrog did conduct a small amount of electricity, but not enough to power a light bulb or charge a phone.
We have conducted a few other scientific investigations. The third graders tested how the amount of dish soap in a given amount of water affects the height of bubbles produced. The fourth graders tested which solution, water, Sprite, or Diet Sprite, would dissolve a Skittle or M&M the fastest. They also built models of bridges. We will test how much weight the bridges will hold. The fifth grade discovered how different floor surfaces, gym floor, brick floor, carpeted floor, and tile floor affect the bounce height of a Ping-Pong ball.
Next week we will enter the SECOND quarter of our school year. We will begin a study of the engineering process. Hooray!!!!!
Monday, October 27, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Succot and Science: Blood Moons, Etrogs, Writing in Different Ways
Did you see the spectacular "Blood Moon" full moon and lunar eclipse on October 7-8? This amazing event is the second in a series of 4 Blood Moons (red-orange cast full moons with full lunar eclipses) to occur between April 14, 2014 and September 28, 2015. This rare occurance of 4 successive total lunar eclipses with no partial lunar eclipses in between -each separated by 6 lunar months (6 full moons) -is called a lunar tetrad. There will be a total of 8 lunar tetrads in the 21st century. Last Pesach and this Pesach will have full moon eclipses. This Succot and next Succot will have full moon eclipses. WOW! To find out more fascinating facts about Blood Moons and lunar eclipses, check out this website: earthsky.org/space/what-is-a-blood-moon-lunar-eclipses-2014-1015
Etrogs are interesting. They are citrus fruits, but not usually thought about much until succot. Did you know that there are several different varieties of etrog? Etrog prefer a warm climate, but we will try to sprout etrog seed and hope to grow an etrog tree - indoors. These websites have fantastic facts about etrogs: www.citrusvariety.urc.edu/citrus/ethrog.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etrog What interesting etrog facts have you found? Each science class has set up investigations about etrogs. We will conduct our investigations next week.
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Are you able to write legibly with your non-dominant hand? We conducted a series of investigations to determine how well we are able to write with our non-dominant hands, write with both hands at once, and write with our non-dominant hands on the white board. We realized that it is very challenging to write with our non-dominant hands, but it was easier to do so on the white board. We concluded that writing on a larger surface was what made it easier. Drawing with both hands at once was challenging, but fun.
We have gathered and displayed data about honey, challah, and sukkahs. Check out our data board in the hallway outside room 8.
Hag Sameach!!
Etrogs are interesting. They are citrus fruits, but not usually thought about much until succot. Did you know that there are several different varieties of etrog? Etrog prefer a warm climate, but we will try to sprout etrog seed and hope to grow an etrog tree - indoors. These websites have fantastic facts about etrogs: www.citrusvariety.urc.edu/citrus/ethrog.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etrog What interesting etrog facts have you found? Each science class has set up investigations about etrogs. We will conduct our investigations next week.
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Are you able to write legibly with your non-dominant hand? We conducted a series of investigations to determine how well we are able to write with our non-dominant hands, write with both hands at once, and write with our non-dominant hands on the white board. We realized that it is very challenging to write with our non-dominant hands, but it was easier to do so on the white board. We concluded that writing on a larger surface was what made it easier. Drawing with both hands at once was challenging, but fun.
We have gathered and displayed data about honey, challah, and sukkahs. Check out our data board in the hallway outside room 8.
Hag Sameach!!
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