Simple Machine: We discussed mass and how the 6 simple machines help us do work and how it makes it easier.
3 States of Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases. We discussed all 3 and how the atoms work in each state. We discussed how everything has matter and that there are other classes, but focused on the main 3. I went over how the properties can change depending on what it is (water for example)
Light/ Sun and Heat: This unit was on the Sun and how it provides us with light and heat. We did an experiment with temperature in different environments based on how the Sun warmed them (outside on the playground in the sun vs outside in the shade)
Heat- How heat is from the Sun review and then focused on friction and how heat is created from different materials based on how quickly they are rubbed and then how much heat is generated and then lost based on different kinds of materials.
Sound- We went over the parts of the ear and how the ear works with receiving vibrations and how that travels to the brain. We discussed how if people with hearing lose or the lose of the cochlea can make people not be able to hear or disrupt the traveling for sound vibrations.
Electricity and Static Electricity- How electricity needs a closed circuit to work and when it isn’t all connected it loses its ability to complete the circuit. We discussed electrons and their role in a circuit. This was then related to how static electricity works with the accumulation and transferring of electrons to get a “spark”
Sun, Earth, and the Moon’s relationship- We went over how the Earth and moon orbits. The discussion of how night and day and seasons happen was also related in this unit.
Living and Non-Living things in an environment- We pretended to be in a Honey I Shrunk the Kids! kind of situation. We went over living and non and what are characteristics to make them so. We then went over how most of our living population come from insects and their perceptions are drastic from ours; that our nonliving things interaction are going to be different from their interaction with nonliving things around them and how they use them.
Forces- Who was Sir Isaac Newton was discussed. The intro to all 3 laws of motion was described.
Momentum- How momentum works into the 3 laws of motion. A Bill Nye was presented to give them ideas on how movement works within different situations. Acceleration, inertia, gravity, friction, and mass again were discussed and reviewed.
Mable Marble laws of motion/momentum mini project- This is where we are right now. March 3rd and March 10th are the classes 3rd graders are exploring the laws of motion with momentum by building a course to guide one marble to “kiss” the other marble without moving it. Students are continuing their courses or for those who succeeded in the first class, a redesign.