Harvard Natural History Museum

On Tuesday, the 4th grade traveled to the Harvard Natural History Museum. We attended an interesting program on rocks and minerals, then were able to explore the rest of the museum. From tarantulas to beautiful pieces of quartz, we saw it all!

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.

Twin Day!

As a reward for reaching 50 points, the class chose to have Twin Day on Friday!

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.