The Dangers of an Oil Spill

There has been a lot of discussion in the news today regarding the potential threats of an oil spill with the talk of an oil pipeline being built through British Columbia.  As part of our unit on Renewable and Non-Renewable resources, Mr. Mackenzie set up a lab to show the difficulties associated with cleaning up oil.  Watch the videos below to see what the student learned about the difficulty of cleaning up oil.

What happens to a feather covered in oil?

Can you separate the oil from the water?

Pulleys -- How to Double Your Strength

This lesson had to be one of the most exciting lessons of our all our simple machines.  To illustrate the strength of using a movable pulley, students participated in two short experiments.

First, students partnered up and took part in a short tug-a-war were we kept track of who won, loss or tied. With that said, anyone who lost their tug-a-war got another chance using the pulley to provide an advantage. Little did the winner know that they would then end up on the wrong side of the pulley!

Mr. Mackenzie would get even!

Below are the clips using the movable pulley.  By tying the string to the door, running it through a movable pulley (reduces friction) and back to the person pulling, the person was able to double their strength.  These videos are a clear example of why one should not end up on the wrong side of the pulley! :)

                                           Caleb versus Caleb

Katie's boots will not stop her now!

Will Mr.Mackenzie redeem himself?

Random Shost from our Simple Machines Unit

Below are some pictures showing students working on two of our simple machines labs dealing with screws and levers.

Screws:  Students were learning that the distance between the pitch on a screw makes a difference.  The closer ther pitch, the easier to turn, but the more turns it would take.  The farther the pitch, the less turns required but it needed greater force.

                                          Levers:  One of three labs dealing with the lever.  

 

Math Quiz -- Monday March 4

Math Quiz layout:

1. Students will be given two questions on two digit by 2 digit multiplication.  Students will be expected to give an estimate (approximate answer) and the exact answer.

Example Question:  37 X 82 =

2.  Students will be given 3 division questions on three digit by one digit.  Students will be expected to give an estimate (approximate answer) and the exact answer.  Note:  Estimating these answers has been a challenge for many students.

Example Question:  456 / 5 =

_____________________________________________________________________________

With report cards and working with Mr. Mackenzie, I have gotten behind on my regular posts.  With that said, I do have all the pictures and movies needed.  Over the next week or so I will be posting more clips:

1.  Scientist in the classroom.
2.  Oil Spill lab in Science
3.  Compound Machine Projects
4.  Car races (held next week)

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick
ARES -- Grade 5
mblick@sd8.bc.ca

Wooden Race Cars -- Race Day: Thurs. Mar. 7

Each student has been given a wooden car.  To help us learn about force and friction, students will be using these cars in a Science Lab.  At home, students have the options of decorating and modifying their cars with the intent of making them go faster.  All cars need to return to school on Thursday Mar. 7th for the big race.  Our class will turn the inside ramp (leading to the upstairs) into a race track, where students will be able to calculate how fast their car can travel (in meters per second) and race in friendly matches against their classmates.

Rules for Modifications:

• While students can modify the existing body, students cannot change the material (must keep the original wood)
•  Students can modify the wheels and axles (wooden doweling).  With that said, if you take apart the wheels from the doweling, there is a strong possiblity you will wreck the doweling.  In the past, students have replaced wheels and axles (with either wood or metal) and have used metal washers.   
• Students can add weight to the vehicle.  Note: Ensure the car is balanced, as it will need to roll in a straight line.
• Students are strongly encouraged to sand the wheels.  While doing this, explain how the friction from the sandpaper is allowing the wooden wheels to become smooth (thus producing less friction).

HINT:  Last year, the two fastest cars had the least modifications.  With that said, if the modifications are made correctly, it can increase the speed of the car. 

HINT:  Lubricate the axle (wooden dowel).  This will create less friction and will increase the speed.  Cooking spray works extremely well!

 Rules for Decorating the Car:

• There are NO RULES!  Students can decorate however they choose.
• Prizes:  The top five cars will win a prize.  Cars will be voted on by another class (or classes) to keep the process fair. 
• Group Prize:  Students will be put into six groups of four.  A group prize will also be given.  This encourages all students to decorate their car (to the best of their ability) while reminding students that they have a responsiblity to the rest of their group as each students score will go towards the groups overall mark.     

Race Day:  It will be a whole day process.  Students will perform a series of experiements using their wooden race cars dealing with force and friction.  After completing the lab, students will then race their cars (generally take 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes).  Parents are welcome to attend some or all of the race.

Special Event: Which car can travel the furthest?  A prize will be given to the car that can go the farthest on level ground   Last year, a student accomplished this feat without even touching the car!

 
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Special thanks to Wynndel Box and Lumber for donating wood from their scrap bin. 

Read-A-Thon and Novel Study: DIVE

Read-A-Thon

What makes a great reader?  Believe it or not, studies show that there is one simple thing students can do each day.  PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!  The idea of reading everyday is the premise behind Read-A-Thon.  Students are encouraged to read 1000 minutes.  Therefore, students should aim to read 37 minutes each day.  Please record the minutes in your child's agenda.  All reading minutes that are entered into the agenda must be done by an adult.  Lastly, a total of these minutes and their daily average will be reported on their Report Card.

Dive -- Book One:   The Discovery
By:  Gordon Korman



Synopsis:

4 Divers.  1 Treasure.  1 Incredible Challenge.  Kaz, Dante, Adriana, and Star aren't the best divers in the world.  But they've been chosen to spend the summer exploring the depths of the sea.  There are only a few problems.  First, the sharks.  Killer sharks.  And then the fact that the people running the program are covering up something big . . . and mysterious.  These for kids are about to make the discovery of their lives -- and put themselves in danger because of it.

This novel study will be part of Mr. Mackenzie's practicum.  In order to complete this book before spring break, while also taking into account a number of shorter weeks (skiing, Prod-D and Family Day), Mr. Mackenzie will be asking students to read chapters at home regularly.  Anytime a chapter is assigned for homework, please check their agenda.  Reminder:  students can use their reading minutes when reading Dive at home.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick (Grade 5 Teacher)
Mr. Mackenzie (Student Teacher) 

The Lever

Out of all the Simple machine experiments, this has to be one of the most popular.  Students learnt that when describing the lever, they must be able to identify the fulcrum, the load and effort/force.  With that said, students performed three different experiments (1st class lever, 2nd class lever and 3rd class lever).  Below, students are demonstrating how a 1st class lever works.  It is this knowledge that they then applied to learning about the wheel and axle.

This video represents how a lever works when the fulcrum is placed equally between two loads of equal weight.

This video represents how moving the fulcrum closer to the load makes work easier.

This video represents that when you move the fulcrum away from the load the more difficult it becomes to lift the load.  

The Wheel and Axle

What is the Wheel and Axle?  Simply put, the wheel and axle is a circular lever! The wheel and axle is one of the greatest inventions of all time and a simple machine that many students use regularly.

 In this lesson, students used wooden dowel that varied in diameter to prove that the larger the wheel, the easier work became.  

Attaching our cup to the wooden dowel.

                                          For once there was more than one girl in a group!

                                          Working as a team!

                                          She must really enjoy Science!

SUSHI with YUKI

As many parents are aware, Yuki has been visiting our class for the last three weeks.  Yuki is a teacher from Japan who has come to Canada to learn about our culture, educational system and to improve her English. Yuki has taught three different lessons with our class, the last being how to make Sushi.  The students thoroughly enjoyed the lesson and I hope you enjoy the pictures and videos.

Looks like fun!

                                                                 Teamwork!

                                          Yuki and Mr. Mackenzie

                                          One happy fellow!