Where Challenge

Hello Room 209 Scientists,

  Based on our favourite Scientist, Bill Nye, and his "Stuff Happens" series I have devised an exciting Science project for you to work on. We spoke very briefly about this in class, but here is a little more info about the Where Challenge to get your mind working....

  Earth Sciences Canada challenges kids all over the country to ask the simple question - Where?

  What makes your stuff? WHERE does it come from? Think about the things you use everyday, they don't just appear out of nowhere, although it might seem like that sometimes! Everything that we use, from toilet paper to pencils to computer mice to our chairs, use minerals, energy and resources to create!

  Your mission for this project is to select an item that you haven't really thought about before, but use regularly and then ask WHERE?

We'll talk a lot more in class about the expectations, but for now, get thinking!

Here are some links to inspire you:

The WHERE Challenge
How It's Made

We are going to do the WHERE Challenge as a class project, and when our projects are completed, with your parents' permission you MAY send in your project to enter officially.

Molly and I LOVE the How It's Made crayons video, check it out!

Grade 4 Science Big Ideas

All grade 4s now have this chart in their Science duo-tangs.

How did our Rocks and Minerals Big Ideas tie into the themes and message of this picture book?

Grade 4 Science by Sophia

In Grade 4 Science, we are doing an assignment on Rocks and Minerals. I, Sophia C. am feeling very organized. I feel like a teacher, because I hold a clipboard to do my work.

First, I did my KWL chart. The K stands for Know, the W stands for Wonder and the L stands for Learned. I already know that: -rocks are one of the many materials that builders use to build houses -rocks are very easily found I wonder: -can rocks become metal over time? -how does a meteor become a meteorite? -where do minerals come from? -is rock harder than titanium? -is rock harder than ice? All the students did a KWL chart and we're going to add in the L part after.

Next, we sat on the carpet and discussed the cartoon and what it meant. This girl is taking a test on Geology (studying rocks) and on the top of the page, it says, "Name the three types of rock". And, she's meant to write: igneous rock, metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock, but she writes: classic, punk and hard. Those are the types of rock music! I thought it was a funny joke.

I have gotten really good at saying the types of geology rocks.

Then, we had to find the definition to the terms and write or glue them onto the glossary page in our Science duo-tangs. That's what I'm working on now.

 I'm working behind the stage curtains. I like working there because I feel like I'm in an islolated space working with a friend.

-by Sophia