Learning about Light

Currently in Science we are learning about light.  In particular, we're talking about the properties of light, or the way light "behaves". 

The first thing we discovered is that light always travels in a straight line.  We tested out this property by lining up four cards with holes punched out of the middles.  Then, we shined a flashlight at the first card, and observed how the light could travel all the way to the last hole and beyond.  Next, we tried moving one of the cards slightly.  We saw that when we did this, the light would be blocked by this card and it would not shine through to the cards behind.  This is because the light could not bend to go through the hole of the card that wasn't lined up properly.

 

 

The other property of light we have explored is how light behaves when it hits different materials.  We learned that some materials are transparent.  The light passes straight through so you can see clearly through the material.  Water is transparent.  Other materials are translucent.  This means that light can travel through the material, but the angle of the light changes so when you look through the object, it looks blurry.  A milk jug is translucent.  Finally, some materials are opaque.  The light is absorbed by the material, so you can't see through it at all.  A wooden door is opaque.  We tested many different materials and classified them as transparent, translucent or opaque.

 

 

 

 What is an interesting fact you have learned about light?

Sensational Similes

In Language Arts over the last couple of weeks, we have begun exploring techniques to make our writing more interesting for our readers.  One technique we have learned is how to use similes.  A similes is when you compare two things using the words like or as.  Using a simile can help make a picture in your reader's mind.  Here are some examples of the sensational similes we created:

As brave as my dad wrestling a jaguar – James

As fun as a bouncy castle – Menura

Loud like a monster truck roaring its engine – Trista 

As loud as an Arctic wolf howling – Jessica

As boring as a joke that’s not funny – Erika 

Annoying like crying all day – Justin

Annoying like the horrible sound of Velcro – Erreeze 

Hot like a summer day in California – Leah

As brave as a bear – Kayla 

Rough like my sister - Alyssa

Quiet like a tree – Drin 

As angry as a defeated wrestler – Nisha

As brave as Puss ‘n Boots – Shayoni 

As angry as Godzilla – Jeco

Slow like starfish – Najla 

As boring as my dad using Facebook – James

Hot like when the Sun burns, rising in the sky – Liliana 

Rough like rocky road ice cream – Matheus

As boring as the white nothingness of the wall – Matisse  

As black as a PS3 – Jonas  

Slow like a computer with a virus – Julie 

As brave as a walrus fighting for its life – Marcus

As boring as watching a security camera – Trinity 

As hot as being inside an oven on the Sun – Amrit 

As annoying as wrestling a shark - Kallina

Kiva

We are off to a terrific start this year, thanks to an amazing new group of students!  I have been so impressed with their effort, teamwork and love of learning so far. I think that they will be the perfect group to begin a new project that I have been planning for some time. 

We will be working with the organization Kiva.  Kiva is a wonderful micro-finance organization that helps people (like us!) make loans to people around the world. They use the loans to support their small businesses which, in turn, helps them better their lives and the lives of their families.  Check out the video below to learn more:

After our first lesson we  realized that our lives here in Canada are very different than the lives of many people around the world.  We are fortunate to have things like clean water, food, shelter and education.  As we continue, we will learn more about how we can help make a difference by raising funds for Kiva and making loans.  Along the way, we will also be learning about world geography, money math, persuasive writing and using criteria in decision-making.  I am excited!  In what ways have you made a positive difference in your community or the world?