Fifth Grade
The students began the day working on building their convergent thinking skills with a challenging brainteaser called "Crossing the Bridge". We are curious to see how it is solved. It is to be completed for homework.
Students became experts in forces that act upon bridges as they researched on a great site called "Building Big”. Here students learned the definitions of tension, compression, shear, and other vocabulary words associated with forces and actions on bridges. To further show the forces of tension and compression, students rotated through several stations to see tension and compression in action. Ask your child about these activities. You can do them at home too.
We introduced the students to the Current Event Activity. The children read and discussed an article about a bridge in Maine being washed out due to the heavy rains and flooding from Tropical Strom Irene. Some very insightful comments were made. Please look for the letter that came home explaining the program. Some students were assigned to share a Current Event Article next week.
We began the process of building our toothpick bridges as students were introduced to the jobs that are needed as part of the companies they will be running. Jobs within the company include a project director, architect, accountant, carpenter and transportation chief.
Homework: Complete Crossing Bridges and Resume.
Fourth Grade
Our students continued to wow us with their brainstorming ideas. This week they had to think of things that connect just as bridges connect land. Some of the flexible thinking included hands, ideas, words, paper clips, and the food chain.
Using a Discover Kids Bridges Magazine, the students went on a scavenger hunt to begin learning facts about bridges. Everyone should now know the names of the three main types of bridges. Check out your child's knowledge.
Finally, we explored just how much weight a pasta (angel hair) bridge could hold. Working in groups, students were given pieces of pasta, clay, wooden supports, and a paper cup that had to stand up in the middle of the bridge. Lots of thought and discussion went into how to construct the strongest bridge. Designs were interesting and it was fun to listen to the cooperative work being done. Then each group placed marbles in the cup to how much weight their completed bridge could hold. How many marbles do you think the bridges could hold? Well, believe it or not we had bridges that held over 100 marbles. Everyone had fun building, but it was nerve racking (they found out) to watch the weight be placed on their creation.
Homework: Ultimate Connection Vocabulary
Second and Third Grades
We began our day working on “Lining Fish Up, Logically…”. The students had to use clues to match the name of the fish with its picture. Second grade completed “Water , Water” worksheet from last week.
We shared our “Water in Our Lives” projects. The students did a great job of finding information and sharing some of their favorite water experiences. Who knew we had so many fishermen? Students were able to look at and ask questions to their peers about their projects. We became much better informed of the different types, different uses and historical events related to the water in our lives.
Next, students reviewed the water cycle from last week and began to discuss the man-made water cycle. Students were given the pieces to the man-made water cycle all cut up and mixed together. The students read the definitions of the different parts and attempted to re-create the man-made water cycle. Then we watched Drip and Drop off of the Clean Water Atlanta website to learn more and check our work.
Students learned more about the properties of water by making a water molecule. We colored, glued and pasted the hydrogen and oxygen molecules as well as their electrons, protons and electrons. Now we understand why water has so many special properties.
Homework: Bug-Eating Contest Worksheet
***Field Trip next week to John’s Creek Environmental Campus. Please make sure to send your child in tennis shoes. If you are sending a lunch with your child, please put it in a disposable sack.
