Thermometers and Compasses

Two simple tools that we take for granted. Grade 3 has been learning about significant people. Last week we talked about Fahrenheit and Celsius plus Carl von Linne's contribution to how we measure temperature. We made glass bottle thermometers. As the water in the bottle warms up it expands and moves up the straw. The was a great exercise in patience for these kids who are so used to immediate results. 

In grade 6, students explored magnets fields and learned about the magnetic field of the Earth. They used compasses and iron filings to see the magnetic field around a bar magnet. 

Today they made temporary magnets by  stroking a needle with a permanent magnet. They could pick up paper clips. They could also use the needle floating in water to see the Earth's magnetic influence. 

 These girls had a magnetized paper clip pointing to magnetic north. 

 Magnetic needles floating in water.  

We briefly discussed the connection between electricity and magnets. We were able to make a homemade compass move when put an electric current through a wire nearby. Next lesson we will investigate electromagnets. 

Lever Fever

Grade 4 is exploring simple machines. This week we looked at how a first class lever can change both the size and direction of a force. 

 Besides commenting on the fact that our levers were hard to balance, they did find out that they could balance the lever if the sum or products of the masses were the same. Above you can see 7 balances with 3+4 and below you can see that 3x7 balances 7x3. 

 We just started testing moving the fulcrum to lift heavier masses. We talked about Archimedes who lived over 2000 years ago and said, "Give me a lever and a place to stand and I shall move the Earth."

http://quoteimg.com/archimedes-lever/

Students should be looking around for levers in their homes this week. 

MRS Gren, cells and development

Grade 6 has been studying life and cells since we came back in January. They made some booklets about the characteristics of living things that we will share with grade 1 students. They also made posters about different body systems. You are welcome to come see them on the 3rd floor. Here they are working together to put some review cards in a sequence. They (6v) will write a test on these topics on Monday March 9. They have a review sheet on Managebac.