Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Gr. 5 Weather unit - Final project

Students are getting much better identifying cloud types - cirrus, stratus and cumulus. Students have been using homemade cloud viewfinders to identify cloud types.


 Cirrus clouds are thin, wispy clouds often made of ice crystals. They are found extremely high in the atmosphere. Cirrus clouds indicate changes in weather.  Stratus clouds are low-forming clouds covering the horizon in a thick, grey blanket. Precipitation is commonly associated with stratus clouds. Cumulus clouds are the white fluffy clouds seen at mid altitudes. They look like cotton balls! Cumulus clouds usually indicate sunny and hot weather. But, be on the look-out for cumulonimbus clouds. These are storm clouds which often produce heavy rainfall, hail and high winds! 


Students are currently working on researching wild, wacky weather like flash floods, tornados, hurricanes and blizzards. Students will create a Severe weather emergency preparedness brochure with survival tips.


More details to follow.

Cardboard Egg cartons

I am asking Grade 5 students to bring cardboard egg cartons to school a.s.a.p. for a special Art project - decorating the school's showcase at the front of the school.


No Styrofoam egg cartons, please!

Gr. 4/5 Science Sound unit - Musical instruments

The Grade 4/5 students are going to make, bring to school and play a song on their homemade musical instruments on Friday, May 4. I handed out a planning sheet last week so students could brainstorm different musical instruments - percussion, wind or stringed instruments.


The Grade 5 students have the same expectation, but since they have already done this project last year, they are to create a Rock Band with their instruments and lip sync a song for the class.

Gr. 6 Sciencefair - June 12,2018

Last week, I informed Gr. 6 students that St. George would be hosting what I would hope would be the first of many Sciencefairs. It is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12, 2018. I handed out a parent Sciencefair bootklet outlining the details of what a sciencefair is, what student expectations are, the Scientific Process and the schedule of events. I am working on securing a guest judge. 

Monday, April 16, 2018

Grade 4/5 Science: Sound unit

A week or so ago, the Grade 4/5 class began a Gr. 4 Sound unit. For the Grade 4 students, one project is to have students create a homemade musical instrument, bring it to school, explain the Science behind it, and play a short musical song on it.


Since the Grade 5 students have already done this project last year, I changed it slightly so they must create  a musical instrument, bring it to school, explain the science behind it but form a band of different instruments ( ie: Rock Band) to lipsync a song in front of class.


More details to follow.

Gr. 5 Weather Science unit

The Grade 5 class began a Weather science unit last week. We have covered some properties of Air, First Nation's perspective on Air as well as the importance and types of clouds. Your child may come home and ask you to identify 3 main cloud types: cirrus, cumulus and  stratus clouds. Turn the tables on them and ask them to describe each of these 3 types of clouds!!!

Gr. 3 Structures and Materials - Bridge testing

Grade 3 students were broken into partners to build popsicle bridges using only 50 popsicle sticks! Groups had to build a bridge 30 cm long and approximately 1 popsicle stick wide. Groups had to consider strength, attractiveness and design when creating their bridges. Unique designs were created, and we tested the bridges for strength by placing weights on them. Every bridge withstood 3700 grams. But, can the bridges withstand more weight??


I am getting more weights into the school. On Tuesday, April 17 we will try to determine a winner of the strength competition!! Good luck to all teams!