Thursday, March 29, 2018
02: 00 - 02:30; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Wetlands -
Arianna and I examined the nature search book about the wetlands. I explained that there are ecosystems in the world that are unique and each has their own plant and animal residents. This book has drawings of the plants and animals found at different types of wetlands. Arianna was tasked with finding several animals that were hidden in the image, and we discussed some that were not hidden. The book comes with a magnifying glass to assist in the search. There were chapters where two nearly identical images were given, and Arianna found what was not the same in the images, and she also worked through a maze presented, as the path a mother lemming should take to get back to her den without drowning in the wetland.
We began with a Brain Pop learning video on Current Electricity. We saw concepts such as DC and AC flow, how mechanical energy is changed to electrical energy, and how electricity gets from power plants to our homes. Yanuell scored a 9/10 on the follow-up easy quiz. We also watched the Brian Pop study on Electric Currents. This video covered quite a bit of material including how electrons move from one place to another and that static electricity is only one surge occurring all at once. We saw how power sources work as well as about conductors, insulators, and switches. We worked through the follow-up easy quiz together. Next, we looked at information about series and parallel circuits. We saw that series circuits have one path of flow, while parallel circuits have more than one path. We drew arrows on the pictures to show the flow of electricity for each. We also discussed what would happen if a light was to stop working in each type of circuit and how that would impact the flow of electricity. Finally, we worked through 10 fill in the blank statements about vocabulary related to electricity. This included terms such as insulator, conductor, circuit, switch, and resistor. Yanuell has done a terrific job picking up this information!
Thursday, March 15, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Crazy Maze Game -
Jayne and I played the crazy maze game again. This time we worked together to build the maze to get the treasures. She quickly responded to this approach, and was soon identifying possible directions that I missed.
We conducted an experiment on potatoes, apples, and lemons to test if they could conduct electricity. We learned that electric current is a flow of electrons and is measured in units called amperes or "amps." Voltage is the force that pushes the electrons through a circuit (like the pressure on water in a pipe) and is measured in volts. By placing a zinc coated nail and a copper nail in a conducting solution we formed the basis of an electrochemical cell, or wet cell. The chemistry behind the cell is that zinc is more reactive than copper which means zinc loses electrons more easily than copper. Next we constructed batteries from potatoes, apples, and lemons in series and tested them to see which one would produce the most electric current. We determined that 1 potato and 2 lemons can power an LED light or charge a cell phone in an emergency.
Experiment with Conductors and Insulators – We practiced using our inquiry process skills by using materials to create a closed circuit to light up a bulb. We learned that a circuit is a closed path that electrons flow along. When the bulb receives enough of these electrons it will light up. Yanuell was provided 3 alligator clips (wires), a 6 Volt power source (battery), and a resistor (light bulb) to create a simple circuit. He determined the correct setup for the circuit to provide power to light the bulb. Then we learned that some materials carry electricity better than others. These are called conductors, and things through which electricity cannot travel or travel through poorly are called insulators. Yanuell was given several items to make predictions as to whether the objects were conductors or insulators of electricity. After he made his predictions, he tested each item by placing it in the closed path of his circuit to see if it was conducting or insulating power to the bulb. His predictions were correct in most instances.
Assignment: We added notes on conductors and insulators to our science notebook.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Crazy Maze Game -
I observed how much Jayne liked to do maze puzzles, so I introduced Jayne to the crazy maze game. In this game, each player tries to move through the maze and collect the treasures matching the cards they were dealt. A player must slide a new piece to the maze, and by doing, push one piece off the board. She was challenged to observe how her actions change the options to move in the maze, and then predict how to move the maze to her advantage. She just started to get the game when our time was over, so we will play again next week.
Craig and I worked through several enrichment exercises focusing on types of energy. We discussed thermal energy, potential energy, kinetic energy etc. We also reviewed how to convert temperature from scale to scale.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
10: 30 - 11:00; 30 min. -
Science Enrichment:
Dolphins -
Jayne and I examined a National Geographic she brought to class. The issue had a section about dolphins, and we examined the images and I identified the different species and the science conducted on each.
Henry and I played a fun game of frisbee. We were creating fun ways to throw and catch the frisbee. We also practiced throwing the ball. We focused on how far and accuracy.
