Scientists at Work!

We been learning about matter!  We know that matter is anything that takes up space.

Last week in Science we talked about the ways
you can describe matter.  We learned what the word "properties" meant, and then we brainstormed for a list of words that we could use to describe different types of matter . . . . we came up with some very descriptive words:




















 Next we were challenged to find one type of matter that would fit on our desk.  We had to  take a picture of it and then import our picture into Skitch.  We labeled  the matter with at least four words that described the object we had chosen.  We could identify the matter by the feel, the shape,the size, the colour, or any other specific identifying features it had.

 After that we talked about  how the different types of matter - solids, liquids and gasses - are similar yet different. 

 Then Mrs. Betts introduced us to the term "molecules."  Molecules are small particles of matter!  She explained that in solids the molecules are packed tightly together so things can't pass through them, in liquids they are spaced out a bit so that some things can pass through them (like when we dive in a pool) and in a gas they are spread really far apart!  We got to act like molecules.  Mrs. Betts would say either "solid, liquid or gas" and we had to move like the molecules in that type of matter!  It was so much fun.

Can you guess what type of matter we are?

What are we now?

Finally we recorded our new knowledge in Book Creator! We are starting to make an "All About Matter" book.

What are you learning about in Science?

Happy Valentines Day!

  Last Friday was an exciting day in our classroom as we celebrated Valentine's Day! We started the day with our compliment hearts.  Each of us had written compliments for each other, and we exchanged them and glued them onto our hearts today.  As one student said, "I didn't know that these things would make me smile and have a warm heart!"  We all agreed that our classmates know us well, and that the compliments were a reflection of our talents.

We also exchanged Valentines and treats with each other using the heart-shaped Valentines pockets that we made on Thursday.  There were some yummy treats in our pockets by recess time!

Sharing our Math Thinking!

This week we worked our way through five different Math stations that were designed by Mrs. de Jager and Mrs. Betts to help us show what we have learned these last few months.  The first station used an Osmo on the iPads to help us figure out pattern block puzzles.  Some of the puzzles were easy, but some were pretty difficult!  We had to work together to figure out each puzzle.  It was a way for us to review our shapes.

 














The second station involved using Cuisenaire rods, which were a new tool for us.  Cuisenaire rods are rods in various lengths and different colours.  We  explored the relationship between the different coloured rods and how a mathematician would show this relationship in numbers.   For example, if the orange block represents ten, what would the yellow block represent?  How would you show this in numbers?   Using this new knowledge, we could show different ways to make ten.

 

We also did a few stations to review our number sense.  One station involved picking a number, and showing if that number was odd or even.  It took a bit of thinking and problem solving if there was an odd number of tens!

We also reviewed our fact families to remind us of the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Finally, we reviewed our geometric solids by working together to build a structure using our geometric solids.  Then we took a picture with our iPads and labelled each solid.

 How do you review the Math concepts that you have learned?

Architects at Work!

  Have you ever read the book Weslandia?  In this story, Wesley creates a community in his backyard as a summer project.  He begins by turning over the ground  and seeds are carried there by the wind, sowing a new type of plant.  This plant provides food, shelter, clothing and even recreation.  Soon Wesley's summer project becomes a place for others to notice and explore.

  After reading the story, we reviewed the five things that all communities provide for the people who live there: shelter, safety, services, recreation and transportation.  Then we worked with a partner.  Our job was to choose one of the five areas and design buildings and vehicles that would represent each area.

Next week we are going to use cardboard and other recyclable items to start building our own community. Have you ever built your own community?  What did you use?  Where did you build it?

Becoming a Social Detective!

Today we read the book You are a Social Detective.  With the help of this book, we talked about how we have 'social smarts' to notice when a behaviour is expected or unexpected.  An expected behaviour is when you do something that is expected of you.  For example, during large class lessons, students are expected to sit quietly, listen to the speaker and think and respond to what is being learned.  An unexpected behaviour might be a student who interrupts or calls out answers, which would not send a good message to those who are around you.  We will continue to be social detectives - and use the clues sent by those around us - to help us to use our expected behaviours.

Matter, Matter Everywhere!

We are using our scientific minds to find out all we can about matter.  Of course we started with the question, "What is matter?"  That was a bit tricky for some of us, so we read a few pages from a book.



That's all it took!  We could name so many things that were matter. . .  Desks, books, grass, water, juice, and the list went on and on and on!  Then we wondered, " Is there anything that isn't matter?"   We had more investigating to do.

Mrs. Betts did an experiment that used these things (which are all made of matter!)

Coloured water, marbles and oil!



First she had a glass of blue coloured water and she asked us to predict what would happen if she dropped 30 small marbles into the glass. Some of us thought the marbles would float like ice cubes ( which was a great  connection to what we already know), and some of us thought the marbles would sink and the water would rise up.  We recorded our prediction on our science papers just like scientists do. . .  very carefully and accurately!  Once we had recorded our predictions we watched Mrs. Betts put the marbles in the glass.  We helped her count by 2s so she wouldn't forget how many she had put in. Guess what?  The marbles sank and the water got higher!!!  Do you know why?


It's because matter takes up space!  The marbles were taking up the space at the bottom of the glass so the water had to move out of the way so it went up!

Next we tried the same experiment only this time instead of marbles we used oil!  What do you think happened?

If you said the oil went to the top you are right!  Can you explain why?  We had lots of fun stirring the oil and water together and watching bubbles form and then watching the oil and water slowly separate. There was lots of discussion about what was happening and why!

Science is so much fun!   Check back soon to see what we learn next in our science investigations!

What are you learning in science at school?

Fiction or Nonfiction?

Over the past few months we have spent lots of time learning about the features of nonfiction books.  We sure know a lot!  Here is a summary of what we shared with each other.
Most nonfiction books

• have a table of contents (located at the front of the book)
• have an index (located at the back of the book)
• have a glossary (which is like a mini dictionary)
• have bold words
• have pictures, diagrams, maps
• have captions and text boxes
• are fact based
• don't have to be read from start to finish. You can start anywhere!

We wrote our ideas on a Venn Diagram.  Then we talked about what we knew about stories.  This is what we came up with . . .

• they are not true
• you have to read them from the beginning to the end

Next we read a story from the Nelson Literacy series called "The Turnip Garden."  While we read we learned that stories have certain features too!  They have . . . .

• characters
• a setting
• events
• a problem
• a solution

We found out that the beginning of a story usually tells us about the characters and the setting, the middle usually tells us the problem and we find out how the problem is solved at the end of the story.  Some stories have many characters and many problems.  They can also take place in a variety of settings!  This makes for interesting reading!

We added our new learning to our Venn Diagram.

Then we were given some time to act out the Turnip Garden.  It was lots of fun!  The next story we read was . . .

We discussed the elements of this story.  First we listed the characters and then we identified the problem and solution.  Finally we had time to do more acting!  This time we tried to add some words to our acting.  Mrs. Betts video taped us and we got to watch ourselves on the big screen.  We talked about what we did well and how we could improve.  We LOVE acting out stories! 

We related all these features to the chapter book, "Clementine" by Sara Pennypacker, which we are reading aloud as a class.  We have learned lots about Clementine as a character!  She is quite the character!


Which do you prefer to read, fiction or nonfiction books?