Ecosystems - Online Learning Activities and Games

Ecosystem Videos from NeoK12 


PBS Kids - Ecosystem Games


Scholastic Study Jams - Interactive Learning Activities

All About Gears - Online Game

We are covering Pulleys and Gears in Grade 4 Science. Here are some interesting websites that have online games and activities involving GEARS:

Clockwork - kongregate.com

Connect It - kongregate.com

Out of Wind - coolmath-games.com

Gears and Chains - coolmath-games.com

Gears and Chains 2 - coolmath-games.com

Physical and Chemical Changes in Matter

Here is a video from Scholastics' StudyJams about the "Physical and Chemical Changes of Matter". (Don't forget to try the online quiz).

http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/changes-of-matter.htm

If you want more information, here is a Bill Nye (the Science Guy) video on "Chemical Reactions".

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Chemical Reactions


You might also like to watch Bill Nye's video on "Phases of Matter".

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Phases of Matter

ENERGY Basics

Introduction to energy, energy sources and energy conservation...

http://www.kids.esdb.bg/

Learning about Human Body Systems

Use these links to research your topic in Human Body Systems:

http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/htbw/

http://www.accuterm.com/life-sciences.html

Learning about Biomes and Habitats

Use these links to research information about your biome and habitat.

http://kids.nceas.ucsb.edu/biomes/

http://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/world_biomes.php

Rocks and Minerals - Interactive Online

Here are some online activities and games with a Rocks and Minerals theme that you can try:

http://interactivesites.weebly.com/rocks-and-minerals.html

http://www.2learn.ca/kids/listSciG3.aspx

http://www.wiley.com/college/strahler/0471669695/interactivities/flash/mineralogy/mineralogy.htm

https://jr.brainpop.com/science/land/rocksandminerals/search/

The Rock Cycle

Here is the Rock Cycle that we looked at in class. Click on it to take a closer look.

Examples of Rocks and Minerals

Check out this link to geology.com for all sorts of cool information about rocks!

http://geology.com/rocks/

Here is a PowerPoint presentation that you can download and view. It explains how the three types of rock are formed by the rock cycle.

Types of Rock PPT

Question of the Week #1 (2014)

Grade 5 Notes on "Cells"

Grade 5 Science - Conservation of Energy and Resources

Energy Street -  Help design a street that conserves as much energy as possible, yet still keeps the citizens of Electric Avenue happy.
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/energy-street-energy-conservation

Save the World - Visit different parts of the world to determine which method of energy production is most efficient in varying environments.
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/save-the-world

Energy Quest - A site by the California Energy Commission which includes many topics on energy including conservation, safety and alternative sources.
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/index.html

Energy Story
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/story/index.html

How Energy Efficient Are You? - EcoKids
http://ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/topics/energy/energy_efficient/index.cfm

All About Energy (with more links) from EcoKids
http://ecokids.ca/pub/homework_help/energy/index.cfm

Tepee Dioramas (Part 1)

Combining the Science (Forces and Structures) and Social Studies (First Nations) units, the students began constructing some tepee dioramas. Students were provided with bamboo skewers for 'tepee poles', burlap fabric for 'animal skins', yarn for 'rope' and toothpicks for 'fasteners'.

The students were not given explicit instructions on how to construct their tepee. They were asked to figure it out on their own. We'd studied the tepee at Rouge Park up close, so the students had a good conception of how the tepee needed to be built. We've also studied a variety of photographs in class so they also knew how they were usually decorated as well as the environment that the tepees were usually found.

The task turned out to be more challenging than the students initially thought, but they demonstrated good collaborative skills while problem solving. The class quickly discovered that one of the biggest challenges was to keep the skewers from sliding around and staying in place on the 'ground'. Different groups tried a variety of different strategies on how to keep the skewers fixed. When one group found a solution, they would quickly share it with other groups, just like a First Nations community would have done.

Here are some initial photos of the tepee construction in progress.

Spaghetti and Marshmallow Structures

In Science, we've been learning about forces acting on structures. Students took some of the concepts they've explored and applied them to designing and building some spaghetti and marshmallow structures. Their task was to design a structure that would stand 20 cm tall. Each group had to plan and draw a design. Then they had to estimate the amount of materials they would need. The groups tracked the amount of building material they used and recorded any modifications they had to make to their original plans. This was quite a challenging task.

Science - Forces Acting on Structures

One of the units we will be exploring in Term One is "Forces Acting on Structures". We will be looking at structures that are artificial (human made) and natural. Two of the forces that engineers and scientists study when they design a structure are compression and tension. To study the interaction of these forces on structures we will be building a variety of paper structures, and pasta and marshmallow structures. On our "Community Walks" we will be observing and sketching both natural and artificial structures.

Here are some links for students who are interested in learning more about forces and structures:

Mrs. Bader's Forces Lab
http://mrsbader.com/pdf/8-2-SystemsinAction/forces.swf

A Visual Dictionary of Forces (Forces, Levers, Struts and Ties)
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/forces.htm

Grade 5 Science - Structures and Forces

We are learning about Structures and Forces in Grade 5 Science. Here are some really interesting video clips of some design tasks involving paper structures:

Paper Tower Challenge 2012 - YouTube

Paper structure.wmv - YouTube

Amazing Paper Towers, Wisconsin Lutheran College 3D Art Project - YouTube

Newspaper Tower Final Edit - YouTube

Physics with Mr. Noon- Paper Tower Challenge - YouTube

Grade 4 Science: Pulleys and Gears

We are covering Pulleys and Gears in Grade 4 Science. Here are some interesting websites that have learning games involving pulleys and gears:

Clockwork - Smart-Kit Puzzles and Games

Connect It- Gear Game - Smart-Kit Puzzles and Games

Out of Wind

Edheads - Simple Machines

Gears - Yahoo!

Gears and Chains 2

Properties of Matter

This is the table of Properties of Matter that we looked at in class (click on the image to make it bigger):

Science: Space

http://kids.nineplanets.org/intro.htm

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm


http://kids.nineplanets.org/

http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/psgk3ex.htm

http://www.spacekids.co.uk/solarsystem/

SCIENCE: Energy Concept Map