We started this unit a bit differently by having our students come up with ideas about activities that we could do to investigate materials.
They came up with plenty of interesting ideas, one of which captured everyone's interest: pulling things apart to see what materials they are made from.
So, on that note, you will most likely have your child ask you if they can take something to school to pull apart. If they do, please make sure that you don't need it, as it will not come back home.
However, there was a catch!
They had to achieve their activity without using any item in the class that had metal in it.
Students, with much enthusiasm, set about with their investigation.
After 20 minutes, they then reported their findings to the rest of the class.
Here are the activities and what they discovered:
Group 1:
Wanted to see if they could create a boat that floated. They discovered that plastic worked best, but only if there was very little in it, because it would then get too heavy.
In their words: things float if they're hollow, the boat has to be light, no holes, don't use too much tape, no cracks, no heavy objects.
Group 2:
Investigated static electricity and had balloons stuck on the wall and straws picking up bits of paper. They discovered that if you squeezed the straw then you broke the connection and the paper fell.
In their words: if we rub a balloon against the wall, it sticks there because of friction, some plastic materials have static electricity, friction is created when we rub balloons on clothing, rub a straw against a wrapper and a small piece of paper will stick to it, it is called static because of the fibers that stick up and hold the electricity.
Group 3: Investigated different types of plastic and discovered that they had different strengths through making towers.
In their words: plastic is strong, you can make a tall tower with it, glue sticks can balance well, but not too long, heavy things at the bottom and light things at the top, if you consider the different types of baskets and how to place them they are very good for making towers.
Group 4: Pulled apart a marker to see what it was made of and explained to the class how they believe markers actually work.
In their words: there was a tube with cotton-like fabric inside, the fabric absorbs the ink and brings it to the top.
After this fun activity that had students actively conversing about their discoveries, they set about doing their spelling work, but without using any item made of metal.
Students then problem solved, as they discovered that their exercise books had metal staples in them and a great discussion ensued as to whether or not the lead within their pencils contained metal. A fact we will have to investigate tomorrow, when we can use computers.
We had many things spread around the room and students working on the floor as our desks and chairs contained metal.
Our last challenge before the shorter day came to an end, was to do multiplication with decimals using an area model.
It was achieved, but the conclusion was drawn that we will still have to write all this work in our exercise books tomorrow.
You have to love their enthusiasm to present work of quality!
After 20 minutes, they then reported their findings to the rest of the class.
Here are the activities and what they discovered:
Group 1:
Wanted to see if they could create a boat that floated. They discovered that plastic worked best, but only if there was very little in it, because it would then get too heavy.
In their words: things float if they're hollow, the boat has to be light, no holes, don't use too much tape, no cracks, no heavy objects.
Group 2:
Investigated static electricity and had balloons stuck on the wall and straws picking up bits of paper. They discovered that if you squeezed the straw then you broke the connection and the paper fell.
In their words: if we rub a balloon against the wall, it sticks there because of friction, some plastic materials have static electricity, friction is created when we rub balloons on clothing, rub a straw against a wrapper and a small piece of paper will stick to it, it is called static because of the fibers that stick up and hold the electricity.
Group 3: Investigated different types of plastic and discovered that they had different strengths through making towers.
In their words: plastic is strong, you can make a tall tower with it, glue sticks can balance well, but not too long, heavy things at the bottom and light things at the top, if you consider the different types of baskets and how to place them they are very good for making towers.
Group 4: Pulled apart a marker to see what it was made of and explained to the class how they believe markers actually work.
In their words: there was a tube with cotton-like fabric inside, the fabric absorbs the ink and brings it to the top.
After this fun activity that had students actively conversing about their discoveries, they set about doing their spelling work, but without using any item made of metal.
Students then problem solved, as they discovered that their exercise books had metal staples in them and a great discussion ensued as to whether or not the lead within their pencils contained metal. A fact we will have to investigate tomorrow, when we can use computers.
We had many things spread around the room and students working on the floor as our desks and chairs contained metal.
Our last challenge before the shorter day came to an end, was to do multiplication with decimals using an area model.
It was achieved, but the conclusion was drawn that we will still have to write all this work in our exercise books tomorrow.
You have to love their enthusiasm to present work of quality!
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