Oceans

This week we are beginning our last science unit of the year! We will be doing an ocean themed unit. The kids are very excited for this unit as we have many shark lovers, and dolphin lovers! Throughout this unit we will be learning about oceanographers, ocean animals and the five oceans. 

Weather & Seasons

For the past month the students have been learning all about different types of weather. Last week we finished off our unit by focusing on the four seasons. We went over each season and matched them to the months of the year. We reviewed what clothes we wear in each season, what the trees look like in each season and how animals adapt to seasonal changes. 

Matching seasonal pictures to the correct season.

What clothing do we wear in each season?

We learned how weather changes from day to day.

Spring Tree

Summer Tree

Winter Tree

Fall Tree

Star Student

Star Student May 12-23.

Weather & Seasons

Last week in science we discussed weather changes and different types of weather. 

First, we looked at thunderstorms. How is thunder and lighting created? The students each got a paper bag and filled it up with air. They then quickly hit the bag with their hand and a sound was created. The students learned that hitting the bag caused the air inside the bag to compress so quickly that the pressure breaks the bag. The air rushes out and pushes the air outside away from the bag. The air continues to move forward in a wave. When the moving air reaches your ear, you hear a sound. Thunder is produced in a similar way. As lightning strikes, energy is given off that heat the air through which it passes. This heated air quickly expands producing energetic waves of air resulting in a sound called thunder.(Weather Wiz Kids). 

Then we did a thunderstorm experiment! First we filled a plastic container with lukewarm water. Then we placed a blue ice cube at one end and three drops of red food coloring at the other end. The blue and cold water sinks while the red and warm water rises. This happens because of convection. The blue water represents the cold air mass and the red water represents the warm, unstable air mass. A thunderstorm is caused by unstable air and convection plays an important part. A body of warm air is forced to rise by an approaching cold front therefore thunderstorm’s form. (Weather Wiz Kids).

After the students had to describe what a storm looks like, what does a storm have and what can a storm do?

The next few days we focused on Tornadoes. We watched various videos and read various non-fiction stories about Tornadoes. The students used that they learned from the readings to describe what a tornado looks like, what they are and what they have. We also did a experiment (I forgot to take pictures). We filled a mason jar with water and added vinegar and liquid soup. Then we tightened the lid and shook it up! The liquid turned into a small tornado because the swirling motion formed a vortex. 

 After that learned about hurricanes! Again we read various non-fiction books and watched some videos on Hurricane Katrina. 

Special Visitors!

Today the Cameron family brought baby chicks and ducks to school for a visit! The kids were able to pet and hold them...it was very exciting! 

Weather & Seasons

Last week in science we focused on how clouds are formed and the water cycle. 

First we read "Spilt Milk." Then the students created their own cloud pictures.

The next day we discussed different types of clouds (Cirrus, Stratus, Cumulus and Cumulonimbus).

Then we made a cloud with hot water and ice! 

After that we discussed the water cycle and different types of precipitation. 

First we did an experiment. The students had to make a hypothesis on what would happen to the food colouring...would it stay above the cloud? Sink to the bottom? Or would it disappear. The students quickly figured out that the food colouring represented rain and would sink. Eventually the clouds (shaving cream) became heavy with food colouring and it "rained." This experiment showed that when clouds fill with moisture it rains, snows, or hails depending on the temperature. 

We then learned a song that helped the students remember the water cycle (run off, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation). 

Water Cycle Song:

(To the tune of "She will be coming around the mountain."

Water travels in a cycle, yes it does

Water travels in a cycle yes it does.

It goes up as evaporation.

Forms clouds as condensation.

Then comes down as precipitation, yes it does! 

                                                 
After that ROY. G. BIV helped us remember the colours of the rainbow!