Boat Challenge During science as part of our unit on matter, we used the design process to build boats out of 6 inch square pieces of foil. The boat needed to hold at least 40 pennies without sinking. As students tested their boats, they used knowledge gained from the previous boat to improve their designs. By the end of the first round (3 boats) we discovered that the shape and size of the bottom of the boat made an impact on the number of pennies it could hold. We lined up all the boats in order of the number of pennies the boat could hold without sinking, and noticed many of the boats had a flatter, square shaped bottom. The next day, these young scientists improved their designs even more as they built more boats. One boat held more than 90 pennies. Using Bar Models & Strip Diagrams and Working on Division During math, I challenged my mathematicians to represent a division problem and a multiplication problem using rods. There were some creative representations. We made connections between some of the models and strip diagrams. Then, we practiced using bar models, (like strip diagrams) using a website called Thinking Blocks. This week, we also solved division problems using math tools, visual representations such as arrays, and equations. Exploring Magnetism After enjoying our Root beer/Coke floats, (I forgot to get pictures of the floats), and reviewing the states of matter, the kiddos explored the magnetism. I set out a variety of materials as well as different types of magnets and let encouraged the class to conduct their own investigation and discover concepts about magnetism. This was partially for science, but also part of ESLOT. There was lots of excitement throughout the room as new discoveries were made. I loved seeing the joy of learning in action!
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November 2019
Mrs. Swyers3rd Grade Teacher |