Animal Field Study

Yesterday, we used our scientific skills to identify what the creatures are that are on our hillside. Ms Elder showed us some information about the differences between groundhogs, gophers, and ground squirrels. We had to use our observation skills to determine which they are. 

If we sat quietly on the hill, we could see the animals more easily because they weren't scared. We observed in our journals. We drew scientific diagrams and added information to help us identify them. We have concluded that these animals are: ground squirrels!

We know because they have thin, furry tails with a black tip. Also, you can't see their teeth sticking out of their mouths. We can see their necks. Ground squirrels have lots of entrances and exits, which we could see. They are very social; you will see many together. We also measured the size of their entrances and exits to determine which rodent they were. 

"We came up with a new name for the ground squirrels: g.s.'s." ~ AA

"Most of the holes were 11 cm wide. It helped us figure out which animal it was." ~ Viaan
"Everything looked the same until we figured out how big or small they were." ~ HC
"At the beginning, we thought they were gophers but using all of our information, we figured out they are ground squirrels." ~ Oliver
"They were so cute and they have human like ears and that freaked me out but overall amazingly cute." ~ EF
"THEY ARE SO ADORABLE!" ~ Cora
"I was observing a hole and one ground squirrel popped out and ran away." ~ Jackson
"It took me a while to find a ground squirrel that would stay. Once I finally found one, it stayed for a really long time." ~ Gillian
"They hypnotized me!" ~ Wynn

More Magnets!

We have continued exploring magnets in Science. We tested objects to see if they are magnetic or non-magnetic. We learned that magnetic materials are made out of cobalt, iron, or nickel. 

We also tested the strength of the magnetic force by measuring the distance objects needed to be from the magnet to attract. We used our rulers to measure the distance in millimetres (mm). 

  

Today, Ms Elder gave us the challenge of trying to make a paper clip float. We used magnetic force to make it work!

Then, we tested the strength of magnetic force by putting objects in between the paper clip and the magnet. We first predicted whether the paper clip would "fall" or "float" and then we tested!

We will be having a Quiz on magnets on Thursday, May 21. There are videos we can watch and games we can play on Google Classroom under "Science" if we want to practice at home.

"Everything is possible except a big thick book between the magnet and the paperclip." ~ HC

"It was really fun experimenting to try to make the paperclip float with Oscar." ~ Jackson

"When we were testing, I thought it was crazy that you could put your hand through and it would still float." ~ Effie

"If you put a piece of thread and taped it up, then tie the paper clip, and then get any kind of magnet, it will start floating. It's just like Science" ~ Ekagra

"If things aren't magnetic, you can put a magnetic field around it and it can stick to other magnetic things." ~ Cora

"When we started this unit, I thought we were going to be sitting and writing notes but instead, we had a lot of fun experimenting and stuff." ~ EF

"I really liked experimenting because it's trial and error and when you fail, you can try it again. When you get it, it's so rewarding!" ~ Wynn

"I like how there's so many different ways to make your paperclip float. I like experimenting." ~ Gillian

"I thought it was bizarre how strong the magnets are." ~ Oliver

"When me and my partner were putting the paperclip in the cup, and then we were moving the cardboard, the magnet was spinning." ~ Fatima

"You get the thing you want to go through, then put the magnet on top, and then take the paperclips out so you don't have to shove it through." ~ Davyd

"Some magnets are really weak while some are really strong." ~ Viaan 

Conflict Resolution

Skits!

Strategies we learned.

1. What was your favourite part of your conflict learning and why? 

• My favourite part of conflict was the skits because it was fun to get to act out a conflict - Jackson
• my favrouite thing by far was the skits all though i loved every thing the skits were amazing because it gave me and my group creativity of how we could learn. - EF
• My favourite part was the game. we would have a piece of paper with a conflict then we write the conflict and how they can solve it. then run to the carpet to get a other one.
• My favourite part of conflict was that i would be prepared for in the future if when i have a conflict and i need to be the one to resolve it. I liked grabbing the papers from the carpet because i love games that are connected with learning in school. - Effie
• liked the conflict skit the most because it was fun to make a kind of funny act and doing the acting was also fun. - Viaan

2. What conflict resolution strategies do you think are most helpful in resolving conflict and why? 

• tell them to stop - SA
• I think saying sorry  or how you feel is the best way because you can do it for every conflict. - Cora 
• I think the best resolution strategy is apologizing and finding a win win solution because you say sorry and then you find a way to sit with them play or anything!!! - Oliver
• It depends on the situation - CL
• I feel like you should get Calm first so you don't punch anybody - Oscar