The last day of school for a fifth grader is a BIG DEAL. So we make it a BIG celebration! We started out the morning with wacky olympics. Then we made our graduation hats and signed year books. Then we had an awesome glow in the dark DANCE PARTY! Then pizza, memories, and then the graduation walk! Wow!
0 Comments
We painted nails, went on a scavenger hunt, pitched some tents, sang some karaoke, and made friendship bracelets. Not a bad way to end the school year! Sleep over in the commons was super cool!
Solar System Flocabularly
We are the planets song The Sun is the source of energy on earth and the source of water cycle Day/Night and Apparent movement of the sun across the sky are caused by the earth rotating (think RoDAYtion)= 24 hours Rotation vs Revolution crash course What causes seasons? Revolve and tilt Bill Nye explains seasons Sun, Moon, Earth Comparisons Renewable and Nonrenewable resources Natural Resources Flocabularly Reading Weather Maps Cold/Warm Fronts There is continuous movement of water above and on the surface of the earth through the water cycle because the sun is a majors source of energy in the water cycle- evaporation Water Cycle Flocabularly Water Cycle PPT Water Cycle Quiz Practice Weather vs Climate Best Video ever Weather vs. Climate Practice Shadows changing- because of earth's rotation Tides- 2 high tides, 2 low tides, each day Moon Phases Weathering, Erosion, Deposition Practice Quiz Earth I Jeopardy After learning about Newton's laws of motion, we took the concept of equal and opposite and applied that to rocket science. We built our own rocket models, exhibiting the exhaust pushing down, causing the rocket to propell forward/up. We have some pretty smart rocket scientists in the HOUSE!
Check out this video of one of them taking off!!!!! DUE MONDAY, APRIL 30th
For a TEST GRADE, you are building a model of a generator at home. This project is due MONDAY, APRIL 30th. You have two and a half weeks, not including spring break to make this generator. You do not need to work on it during Spring Break, unless you want to. You have a week and a half before Spring Break and a week after Spring Break to build the generator. This is an individual project. Remember it's for a TEST GRADE. If you lost the rubric, go to the GRADES tab and you'll find the rubric for building a model generator. (Remember, if you make it work, you get extra credit! You can ONLY work with a partner if you are trying to make a working generator. You can have 3 people max in a group ONLY if you try to make it work. If you are making a model then it is an individual project. This is because it will be harder to make it work, and you will have to buy specific materials to make it work. It's fair to have more brains and resources available for a more challenging project.) Here are Pictures of projects from previous years Here are some helpful links for building your generator: How do generators work? start at :28 (also difference between motors and generators) How to make a simple generator THIS IS VERY HELPFUL! How to build a simple homemade electric generator, video THIS IS HELPFUL TOO! What is a magnet (since there is a spinning magnet in a generator) Magnetism explained What's inside a wind turbine_ (advanced) Wind Energy Facts Bicycle wheel, wind, and generator make electricity, video Want to know what real generators look like? Here are some images of large generators in coal plants, dams, and geothermal plants. Google Image Search, Coal Plant Electric Generator Google Image Search, Hydroelectric Dam Generator Google Image Search, Geothermal Power Plant Electric Generator Interactive Infographic, How Wind Turbines Work For more information on alternative energy, then go to the Alternative Energy Links Page Here is some background information about how generators work: You should USE YOUR NOTES FROM CLASS to help you, but here is additional information to assist you as well. Electricity= electrons moving in the same direction Magnet= electrons aligned, forming a magnetic field around the object A magnet has aligned electrons. When you spin a magnet with wire coiled around it, the electrons in the magnet can cause the electrons in the wire to move in the same direction, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy using magnetism. A generator is a type of electromagnet. You can make a nail a temporary magnet, if you coil wire around it and connect to a battery. The electrons that are moving in the same direction in the wire, cause the electrons in the nail to be aligned, magnetizing it. Similarly, a generator has a spinning magnet. The magnet spins, causing electrons in the wire to flow in the same direction, thus converting to electrical energy. We use generators to generate electricity with both fossil fuels and alternative energy. In all these forms, the generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It’s either steam from boiled water, or it’s the source itself, like wind or water. Fossil Fuels use generators COAL, OIL, NATURAL GAS We burn fossil fuels to heat and boil water which turns into steam. The steam turns the magnet in the generator, causing electrons to flow in the same direction in the wire that surrounds the magnet in the generator. Alternative Energy Sources that use generators: (When you make your project, you can attach your generator to one of these forms of energy.) WIND- Wind turns the magnet in generator which causes electrons to move in the same direction in the wire. HYDROELECTRIC- Falling water turns the magnet in generator. GEOTHERMAL- heat from the earth turns the magnet in generator (FYI- these forms DO NOT USE Generators so they shouldn't be in your project: SOLAR ENERGY and BIOFUELS are the only alternative energy sources that don't use generators. ) How they Work:WIND Energy 101: Wind Energy Wind Turbines How do Wind Turbines Work? (advanced) How do wind turbines generate electricity Interactive Infographic, How Wind Turbines Work Infographic, Wind Energy in America HYDROELECTRIC Animation Energy 101: Hydroenergy How it works? GEOTHERMAL Energy 101: Geothermal Geothermal for heating a home How it works? Geothermal energy in Iceland, video How geothermal power plants work, video "Renewable Energy 101: Geothermal Energy" video SOLAR Bill Nye Explains How Solar Panels work How Solar Panels Work How do Solar Panels work? (advanced) How do we convert solar to electric? D News BIOFUELS Energy 101: Biofuels Algae to Fuels Algae Tech Pros and Cons (Advantages and Disadvantages)WIND
Pros and Cons of Wind Energy Article Article 2 Wind What is wind energy and what are pros and cons video Wind Energy Facts How does a wind turbine generate electricity video Wind Energy The Truth Video HYDROELECTRIC Pros and Cons of Hydro Power Video on Pros and Cons Article on pros and cons from concerned scientists GEOTHERMAL Pros and Cons Geothermal Energy Article How geothermal works energy 101 video and text Table of Pros and Cons Geothermal Energy SOLAR Pros and Cons of Solar Energy Article Pros and Cons 2 Solar Panels How do Solar Panels work? Pros and Cons video Problems with solar panels BIOFUELS Pros and Cons of Biofuels article Article 2 Biofuels Problems with Biofuels- video President of the United States: President Donald Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 The Governor of Texas: Governor Greg Abbott Office of the Governor P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711-2428 The Mayor of Austin: Mayor Steve Adler Office of the Mayor P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767 The Director of Austin Energy: Mr. Robert Cullick Austin Energy Corporate Communications Attn: Mr. Robert Cullick 721 Barton Springs Road Austin, Texas 78704 CO2/O2 Cycle, Photosynthesis & LeavesStation 1: CO2/O2 Clay Make a model of the CO2/O2 cycle with clay, and label what is taking in CO2 and what is taking in O2. Include animals and plants that would actually live in the same ecosystem together. Here are some ideas: Ecosystem Pics from Google Station 2: Photosynthesis Copy the notes from my science notebook. Then, research photosythesis in more detail and include some notes in science notebook. Be sure to include these parts of the plant and what they do: chloroplast cholorphyll stomata Thylakoid Xylem Peticle Stem PHOTOSYNTHESIS Photosynthesis Infographic on photosynthesis Photosynthesis Article Photosynthesis Images Photosynthesis Video Advanced article- very good- with diagrams Article on photosynthesis for kids (thylakoid, cholorphyll and cholorplast) What is thylakoid? wiki Structure of plants- study video stops after while Photosynthesis light reactions video advanced Photosyntheis for kids article Pictures of photosynthesis Station 3: Take a look at the leaf and seed samples at your table. Draw at least two different leaves from the samples at the table. Be sure to include the name, information and label the CO2/O2 Cycle, showing what it takes in and what it releases as waste. Next, Answer these questions below (and use computers if neccessary): 1) What are possible different leaf arrangements? Draw the different types in your science notebook: Leaf Arrangement Picture 2) Coniferous or Deciduous? Does it have needles or cones? Then it's coniferous. Draw a picture of coniferous, and then a deciduous to compare: Dediuous and Coniferous- 2 main types Deciduous (broad leaves, lose leaves) and Coniferous (cones/needles) 3) Now take a look at specific types of deciduos and coniferous: There are two general types of leaves: Simple or Compound? 4) How do you identify a tree or plant? Take a look at these links and then write down notes on how to identify plants.
Ways to identify plants: What tree is that? Simple Plant Key Dichotomous Key for plants iNaturalist (app) Station 4: Leaf Observation and Plant Books 1) Observe the different leaves and flowers at your table. Draw them on your science notebook and describe their physical properties. (use descriptive words and describe their texture, shape, size, length, color, density.) You can also place the leaf under your paper and light sketch over them to capture the texture in your drawing. 2) Read at least one of the books at your table and look into different types of trees and plants. Find a few favorites and draw them. Make sure to include their name, where they are native to, and what environment they live in. 3) Research different native plants in Texas and Austin. Draw a few and name them. Native Plants Explanations from students AFTER the lesson but good to see now that we have completed the lesson:
Sam explains wind energy Evan explains a wind turbine and how it converts and generates electricity Lesson Plan: PART 1: With your partner, learn and review how to generate electricity. What are Alternative Energy Sources? (They are called "Alternative: because they are alternative sources to burning fossil fuels! We need to use alternatives because we are using coal and oil faster than it can be remade AND when we burn fossil fuels, it releases CO2, causing our atmosphere to thicken up and trap more heat. We have to slow down Climate Change! How to Generate Electricity How to generate electricity video Energy 101 video Energy 101: Electric Generation Alternative Energy Intro What are alternative energy sources? Nat Geo PART 2: Now research how to generate electricty using WIND. Take a look at these articles, videos, and pictures to understand how WIND can turn a magnet in a generator: Wind Energy Required Links: Energy 101: Wind Energy Wind Turbines Interactive Infographic, How Wind Turbines Work Infographic, Wind Energy in America How do wind turbines generate electricity Wind Energy Facts Optional Links: How do Wind Turbines Work? (advanced) Texas- leading Wind Energy State Diagram, Wind turbine size comparison Images: Google Image Search, Wind Turbine Farms Google Image Search, Wind Turbine 18 Wheeler Google Image Search, Wind Turbine Person Google Image Search, Wind Turbine Cross Section PART 3: Let's try to better understand generators. First copy the notes on magnets and generators. Then review these links to help you better understand. Inside a Wind Turbine is a generator. How do generators work? start at :28 (also difference between motors and generators) How to make a simple generator THIS IS VERY HELPFUL! What is a magnet (since there is a spinning magnet in a generator) Magnetism explained What's inside a wind turbine_ (advanced) Part 4: Design your own wind turbine. Be creative and think about effective wind turbines. Where would you build it? How would you build it? Make sure to show inside your turbine HOW a generator works (with a drawing and lables). Also make sure you have a complete circuit with the wire. Use the project description & rubric that was passed out to you as a guide and check off the required elements as you go. Fun Ideas and creative wind turbines around the world: Unique Wind Turbines- check out some of these ideas before you think about your wind turbine Very Creative Wind Turbines Wind Energy Phone Chargers- creative way to use wind energy to charge your phone! Micro Wind Turbines- tiny wind turbines! This guy designed a floating city with wind turbines and solar panels- maybe something we will see in the future!? |
Hannah the HarpistHannah Cotten is a Fifth Grade Science Teacher, and Professional Harpist in Austin, Texas. To view her harp website, click the above link or picture.
Author: Hannah the TeacherMrs. Cotten and her fellow explorers and students co-author this blog. Archives
May 2018
Categories |