In Science we have been learning about electrical circuits. We built series and parallel circuits in a recent lab and explored removing a bulb from each to observe what would happen.
We learned that in a series circuit, if one bulb burns out or is missing, then the circuit will open and none of the lights will remain lit. This is because there is only one path for electric current to flow with this kind of circuit.
We also learned that any bulb in the path of a series circuit receives the same amount of electrical current. With parallel circuits, on the other hand, there is more than one path for electrical current to flow. Therefore, if one bulb burns out, the other bulbs will still remain lit. What fun!! Check out this web site for some fun activities!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/activities/conductors.shtml
Please leave a comment regarding this blog entry. Make sure you related your comment to electricity, series circuits, and/or parallel circuits etc. This will earn you five success tickets. :)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Fractions are Fun!
Fractions are Fun!
One-fourth of 16 is 4 square units.
One-eighth of 16 is 2 square units.
Through the use of this area model, we are also recognizing equivalent fractions as well as combinations of fractions and their sums.
One-half is equal to two-fourths and is equal to four-eighths.
One-fourth +one-fourth has the sum of one-half.
One-eighth +one-eighth has the sum of one-fourth.
The next "family" we will work with is one-third, one-sixth, and one-twelfth.
Can you determine, using doubling and halving, what the NEXT fraction in this family is?
Our current math unit, Different Shapes, Equal Pieces, concentrates on the use of an area model for fractions less than one whole. In this unit, we are also studying fractions in terms of "families". For example, one-half, one-fourth, and one-eighth are all in the same family. This is due to the doubling and halving relationship between these fractions. When the denominator doubles, the area of the fraction (in the area model) cuts in half.
Look at the visual.
One-fourth of 16 is 4 square units.
One-eighth of 16 is 2 square units.
Through the use of this area model, we are also recognizing equivalent fractions as well as combinations of fractions and their sums.
One-half is equal to two-fourths and is equal to four-eighths.
One-fourth +one-fourth has the sum of one-half.
One-eighth +one-eighth has the sum of one-fourth.
The next "family" we will work with is one-third, one-sixth, and one-twelfth.
Can you determine, using doubling and halving, what the NEXT fraction in this family is?
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Plump and Perky Turkey
This week your child will find out about a clever turkey when we read November's Book of the Month, A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman. Go to www.teresabateman.com to learn about the author.
November lends itself to some humorous "turkey" stories. A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting and Diane DeGroat is one of our favorites. Visit www.evebunting.com to see her site. Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler is another holiday favorite. Who knows? This story may become a reader's theater!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)