Electricity Presentations

As part of our science unit, our class read three mini-books about different issues related to electricity and magnetism.  They then used Google Slides to create presentations showcasing the information they learned.  Great job! (You may only be able to view the presentations on a computer; your phone may not work correctly)

Simple Machines Project

As a culminating project for our unit on simple machines, our class used our knowledge to create gumball machines out of found materials. Every machine needed to include an inclined plane, pulley, lever, wheel and axel, and a working set of gears. The groups worked well together and enjoyed this foray into the design and engineering process!

Animal Adaptations Project

As a culminating project for our animal adaptations unit, our class created their own animals.  Each student thought about the habitat, prey, predators and adaptations of their animal before creating a clay model in CLIC.  We then took pictures of our animals with iPads, cropped the pictures and used the app Explain Everything to make beautiful presentations.  Check out our work!

Owl Pellets

This week, our class had the opportunity to dissect owl pellets in CLIC.  We had a blast pulling apart the pellets and seeing what kinds of bones were inside.  We then took the bones and recreated the skeletons of mice and other rodents!

Animal Adaptations and Birds of Prey

This week, our class was lucky enough to experience two enrichment activities relating to Science.  The first was a visit from Mrs. Condon, the CLIC teacher, who led us through an activity about the adaptations of beavers.  We learned a lot of interesting things about beavers, including that they can use their tail as a chair!

Mrs. Condon pointing out some adaptations of beavers.

Stephanie was a very good sport and modeled the adaptations of a beaver, including clear eyelids (the goggles), two layers of fat for insulation (the foam) and webbed feet (the flippers)!

Thanks, Stephanie!

On Thursday, we had a visit from Mr. Parks who runs a program called "Wingmasters".  Mr. Parks has spent years rescuing and rehabilitation injured birds of prey.  He brought in some of these birds, including a Peregrine Falcon (the fastest animal on earth), a Barred Owl, an American Kestrel (the only type of falcon that lives in Topsfield) and the very cute Northern Saw-Whet Owl.  We were amazed by these incredible birds of prey!

Thank you to TESPO for funding this wonderful program!

Surface tension, compasses, and Secret Knowledge of 4th Graders!

We had a great week settling into routines and learning a lot!  Here are a couple highlights:

We explored the reading strategy of visualizing by listening to different pieces of classical music and drawing what we pictured in our minds.  We found out the names of the pieces of music at the end and were surprised by how accurate some of our mental images were!

We solidified our knowledge of cardinal and ordinal directions my making compasses...

...our finished products!

We practiced using the scientific method in an experiment with surface tension.  We were surprised as to how many drops of water could fit on a penny!  We even learned a trick to make a paperclip float!

In Writing, we read parts of "The Secret Knowledge of Grown-Ups" for inspiration.

We also signed up for Google Classroom, organized our folders and began writing our "Secret Knowledge of Fourth Graders" on the Chromebooks. 

We had quite a busy week! :)

Change Is Simple

On Tuesday, we had another visit from Change Is Simple. We learned more about endangered animals and greatly enjoyed the habitat tents! Thanks again to GREEN Topsfield for sponsoring their visit. 

Change Is Simple

      This week, the 4th grade classes were visited by Change Is Simple, a group focusing on environmental education.  You can visit their website here.  Our workshop (one of four this year) focused on endangered animals and the role the environment plays in their survival.  We also learned about ways we, as humans, can prevent species from becoming extinct.  We greatly enjoyed our time with Change Is Simple and are very thankful to GREEN Topsfield for funding their visit!

Adaptations of a Beaver

     On Friday, Mrs, LaRussa visited our class to show us adaptations of a beaver.  Some things we learned were:

• Beavers have two sets of eyelids; one is clear to enable them to see under water
• They can hold their breath for 15 minutes!
• Beavers use their tales to slap the surface of the water, sending messages to their young.  A mother's slap means "come back to the lodge" while the father's is more of a warning.
• They have one toenail that is split, acting like a comb to spread oil, helping them be more waterproof.

A BIG thank you to Sophia who served as our "beaver" for the afternoon.  She did a great job!

Making a compass!

      As a conclusion to our study of map skills, we headed to CLIC to learn about compasses with Mrs. LaRussa.  We learned about the origin of the compass and got to make our very own by magnetizing needles and floating them on cork in water!

Rocks and Minerals

For the past two weeks, we have been studying rocks and minerals.  We started by learning about the different types of rocks (igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary).  We created our own sedimentary "rocks" by layering different types of bread, applying millions of years of pressure (or a dictionary, overnight), and seeing how the different layers blended together.  We also saw how dinosaurs and bugs can be "fossilized" between layers.

Then we made a solution of Epsom salt and water and let it dissolve on black paper. 

We examined the crystals that formed and then used a microscope to look at the shapes (straight edges and angular corners).

MA Science Standards, Earth and Space Sciences; 3. Identify the three categories of rocks (metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary) based on how they are formed, and explain the natural and physical processes that create these rocks.

Telegraph Machines!

      Together with Mrs. Murphy's class, we used our knowledge about electricity to create telegraph machines!  First, we watched this video for some background knowledge: Then we created our own machines using electromagnets!

Then we "sent" each other messages using Morse Code!

Massachusetts Science Frameworks, Physical Sciences 6:  Recognize that electricity in circuit requires a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass, and that electricity can produce light, heat and sound.

Electricity!

    In Science, we have been studying electricity.  We have learned how batteries work, how to build a circuit and that electricity is the flow of electrons, answering our essential questions: how does a circuit work and what is electricity?

Creating working circuits with friends from Mrs. Murphy's class

Massachusetts Science Frameworks, Physical Sciences 6:  Recognize that electricity in circuit requires a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass, and that electricity can produce light, heat and sound.

LED Valentines

During February and March, we are studying electricity and magnetism.  One of our essential questions is: how does an electrical circuit work?  Our class got some hands-on experience last week creating circuits, in a very creative way!  Using cell batteries, copper tape and LED lights, we worked with Mrs. LaRussa in CLIC to create LED valentines.  We really enjoyed creating these fun cards and learning how to make a circuit work.

Massachusetts Science Frameworks, Physical Sciences 6:  Recognize that electricity in circuits requires a complete loop through which an electrical current can pass, and that electricity can produce light, heat and sound.

Simple Machines

    Over the past month, we have been learning about simple machines.  As we have learned more and more, we have been able to notice these machines in the world and realize how important they are!  We have been asking questions such as: how to simple machines make our lives easier?  In what ways do we use simple machines?  To help answer these essential questions, we have had some great sharing from members of our class:

Kallie showing us how her gumball machine works

Maddie demonstrating how the gears in this propeller work

Matt brought in this impressive Lego truck he built, complete with a working winch!

We also experimented in small groups with levers, weights and gears.

We were very fortunate to have a visit from Mr. Woodley, a friend of Proctor who spent years as a mechanical engineer.  He brought in working models of each simple machine (we were VERY impressed with the model of an Archimedes screw!).  Thank you to Mr. Woodley for a wonderful presentation!

After learning about all the simple machines, we set out to make our own gumball machines in CLIC for a culminating project.  We have been hard at work planning then creating, and the final products are sure to be amazing!

Make sure to check back for our final products!

This ties into MA Science Framework, Technology/Engineering: 1.  Materials and Tools

Central Concept: Appropriate materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent.

1.1   Identify materials used to accomplish a design task based on a specific property, e.g., strength, hardness, and flexibility.

1.3   Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines, e.g., hand can opener that includes multiple gears, wheel, wedge, gear, and lever.