In Science Class . . . Week of 3/22

5th Grade: The students have been reviewing human systems content and vocabulary through some games and activities. We will be moving on to plant systems hopefully by the end of the week. If not, we will start on the Monday after Spring Break!

4th Grade: On Monday, the 4th graders read about fast landform changes that have happened recently, and saw some pretty incredible pictures! We then used our stream tables to see how a flood (excess water) affected erosion and deposition rates. We found the with a lot of water pouring over our sand and class, more material was picked up and washed away, thus having higher erosion and deposition rates. Key questions: How did the flood change erosion and deposition? How do you know? What did you see in your stream table? What are some other fast landform changes that you read about besides floods?

In Science Class . . . Week of 3/15

5th Grade: This week, the students continued their study of human systems, including the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and excretory system through readings, video and discussion. Key questions: What is the purpose of the blood and heart? What do the lungs do? What do cells need? (gas exchange, food, water, waste disposal) How do the digestive and excretory systems work together? Why are they important?

4th Grade: This week the 4th graders continued their study of land formation. They discussed slow and quick geological changes, with a focus on erosion as an example of slow change, and volcanoes as a quick one. Key questions: Name three slow geologic changes and three quick ones. What landforms result from these changes?

Note: Please send in plastic lettuce containers if you have them so we can start our terrariums after break!

In Science Class . . . Week of 3/8

5th Graders: The students are starting a new unit on living systems. Our first investigation has been exploring what all living cells need (food, water, waste disposal, gas exchange), and looking at the way the human body provides cells with those through the circulatory and respiratory systems. The students have been reading, asking questions, and watching a video about these concepts. We also have been having fun measuring our pulse, and experimenting with how exercise affects it! Key questions: What do living cells need? What is the purpose of the circulatory system and the respiratory system? What does the left side of the heart do? The right side? Why is your blood blue in some areas and red in others?

4th Graders: The fourth graders have been continuing their investigations of how water and other natural forces can shape the land. We spent Monday experimenting with sand, clay and water, and watching erosion take place. Later this week, the students read about and studied pictures of both erosion and deposition. Key questions: When rock is washed away, what is this process called? How can the rock in the mountains become sand on the beach? Why did the clay move further than the sand in our stream tables? What is the area of deposition at the mouth of the river called?