We got off to a great start on our first science investigation this past week! Everyone was able to construct the pendulums with no trouble and conducted the first investigation with great success. After building the "swinger" with string, a paper clip, and a penny, groups used a pencil taped to a desk edge as a fixed point and counted the number of cycles the freely swinging pendulum went through in 15 seconds. The results showed that a 38 cm. pendulum with a mass of 1 penny swung 12 times in 15 seconds. Minor variations in swing count were discussed by accounting for a number of observed external variables, such as release point, counting technique, and pendulums that hit the legs of the desk. This coming week, we'll be investigating the effect of changing variables with the pendulum system. We also added three words to our Science Word Bank this week: pendulum, cyle, and variable.
In social studies, we started looking at latitude and longitude. (And everyone remembered the latitude-longitude dance from fourth grade!) On Friday we also took a video trip around North America that visited festivals in Mexico, Canada, Wyoming, and New Mexico. The video trip to Mexico generated a serious discussion on the ethics of bullfighting and animal cruelty.
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Outline of Next Week's Activities:
Monday
Science - Reading about the work of scientists.
Tuesday
Science - Continued science investigation of pendulum systems
Social Studies - Map Worksheet (Homework if not finished)
Wednesday
Science - Continued science investigation of pendulum systems
Thursday
Science - Continued science investigation of pendulum systems
Social Studes - Latitude/longitude worksheet (Homework if not finished)
Friday
Science - Quiz on pendulums and variables
Social Studies - Map worksheet
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Notes for the Week -
* Student Council paragraphs are due before Friday, August 17
* School pictures are set for Thursday, August 16. Send payment in with your child or pay online. (See the sheet sent home on Friday, August 10)
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