What is matter?

Students have started exploring "What is matter?" They started the investigation by thinking about the different ways that we define matter.

Then, they sorted picture cards into categories of Matter/Not Matter. Some pictures that students were unsure of were: sound, heat, light and air.

Next, students will use a variety of materials to test a question that will help them determine some of the properties of matter.

In each "tub" they are testing light, air, sand, stones, and water.

Each tub has a different question, such as, "Can you pour it?" or "Does it have mass?"

It has been amazing to see students refine their thinking after only three days of this first learning cycle.

Thank you to Dr. Debi Hanuscin and the MU QuEST program that helped provide training, materials, and lessons to develop this unit on matter!

Want to learn more about this exciting program? Click Here to find out more!

Water and Waves

Students made wind by blowing or waving an object and tried to make waves. Using a long straw, short straw, fan and "half plate". They are observing how the force of the wind and the direction of the wind impacts the hydrosphere and geosphere.

    Earlier in the week we observed how the temperature of water impacts the movement of waves. We looked at direction and speed.  Did erosion or deposition occur?  Using the slo-mo feature in the camera allowed us to really look at the speed and movement of the water.

Earth Day Showcase

Students were charged with writing a persuasive essay while keeping a science outcome in mind.

Students began to collect information on a variety of conservation topics. Here is an example of the oil spill group....these are my teacher notes taken during our writing conference as we share information that we have found.

Now... Time to work! Time to research and develop our presentation!

Students are to create an engaging, interactive  presentation that is appropriate for students grade K-5!

Building a board game.

Interactive chart!

Thinking about the iMovie presentation.

Here is two examples of bookmarks that one group made.

Developing an interactive Scavenger Hunt mural!

Using the Ozobots and integrating it into the student's presentation!

Now to share the information! We have 12 classes planned to visit!

Using what we know about Properties of Matter to Identify Substances

Oh my! Who knew that drops of vinegar were such a joy to fifth graders!  Students were presented with four white substances. They knew that the cups contained salt, sugar, cornstarch and baking soda.

Students had to use observational skills and what they knew about properties of matter in order to identify the matter.

Conversation on Cornstarch VS. Baking Soda

video clip

Vinegar is so much fun! video clip

Comparing the matter and making conclusions.

Summarizing Earth's Systems

Students needed to label each system, use some key words, and then include an image as an example.