Monday, November 21, 2016

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Tectonic Plates KomaKoma Videos

In order to demonstrate their understanding of tectonic plate movement, the kids made KomaKoma stop motion videos.  See if you can understand how tectonic plates move at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries after watching these videos.

Tectonic Plate Koma Koma videos

These pictures show you the process the kids use to make these videos.






Cardboard Challenge Games

The kids worked hard designing and building their Cardboard Challenge Games.

They recorded their videos to explain their game and demonstrate how it worked.  They did a great job of using their game to collect data.  They also used the data they collected to make modifications to their game.  They utilized a lot of problem solving and critical thinking skills throughout this project.  I was amazed at what they accomplished!

Cardboard Challenge Game Videos
Veronica & Ashlyn's Ferris Wheel
Olivia, Erik, & Jack M's target balance throw


Ben, Costa, & Gabi's dunk tank

Xander, Sam, & Grant's Angry Bird's game

Henry, James, Jack, & Zachary "What's Inside Silkie?" game



Jadynn, Kylie, Jessica, & Ola Mr. Cookie Toss




Earth's Changing Surface Imovies


Check out our Earth's Changing Surface IMovies!

The kids used the Chatterpix app to explain all the ways that they know the Earth's surface changes.
They demonstrated their learning in such a creative way!  At the end of our unit, we merged all of the videos into one Imovie.



Enjoy!

Monday, November 7, 2016

Scientists at work!

The students in our class have been designing experiments to explore the concepts we're learning in our Earth's changing surface science unit.

Grant and Henry led us in an experiment using baking soda and vinegar to simulate a volcano eruption.  After performing this experiment we analyzed the similarities between this experiment and what happens during an actual volcanic eruption.

Gabi noticed a rock experiment in her book club book and introduced it to our class.  We all closely observed several different types of rocks.   We practiced documenting our observations precisely like scientists by weighing, measuring, and noticing size, color and texture.  We observed quartzite, slate, pumice, limestone, and sandstone and noticed their similarities and differences.





Ashlyn was inspired by that and wondered if rocks would change in water and grow like gummy bears do in water.  We discovered they don't get bigger, but pumice did get heavier.  The students noticed different characteristics of wet rocks than dry.





During these rock observations, we started noticing what happens when rocks rub together.  We noticed that abrasion creates sediment.

Keith is now working on an experiment  in which we're shaking rocks in jars of water to see if that will create sediment.

Just today, the students created a variety of experiments to observe how water, wind, and ice transport materials and build up the earth's surface.  They made some interesting observations and connections to things they've seen in the world.