In Science Class . . . Week of 12/6

5th Grade: This week, the students have been studying digestion through reading, discussion and a video. Here's a diagram:

Of the structures shown above, students need to know the names and functions of the following:

Teeth: Used for grinding food into smaller bits
Saliva: Made in the mouth and used for wetting food and breaking it down.
Esophogus: Moves food from the mouth to the stomach
Stomach: Contains strong digestive acids for further breaking down food
Small intestine: Most nutrients are absorbed through the wall of the small intestine to the blood stream

For excretion, the students need to know the following structures:
Large intestine (colon): Condenses and dries solid waste
Rectum/anus: Used for excretion of solid waste
Kidneys: Clean blood in preparation for liquid waste excretion
Bladder: Stores liquid waste prior to urination
Lungs: Used to exhale carbon dioxide


4th Grade: Our students have been observing their terrariums. Our plants have germinated (sprouted) and are growing nicely in the science room. In particular, the barley has shot up and is now about 10-15 cm high. We have been working on measuring them, both inches and centimeters. 

In addition, students were also introduced to the concept of abiotic (nonliving) and biotic (living) factors that can influence living things. For example, in our terrariums, abiotic factors such as temperature, light, and space are very important.

We also have been studying the different living organisms in a typical North American forest ecosystem. Students put together basic food chains using cards with pictures. Next week we will begin transitioning to food webs.

Key questions:

• What plants are growing in your terrarium? About how high are they? What unit of measurement are you using? (ie inches or centimeters)
• What abiotic factors could be influencing the growth of your plants?
• What is a food chain and what does it show? (It shows the transfer of energy in living things in an ecosystem)