December

2013

Fifth Grade

Fifth Grade Theme:

Relationships
1. Relationships exist all over the world. 2. Relationships exist within systems to create a cause and effect situation. 3. Relationships can be positive or negative.
Students will become familiar with mathematical patterns found in nature and used in the design of everyday objects. Students will gain an awareness of the field of architecture and how architectural spaces impact surrounding areas. Students will build an original space using mathematical patterns. Students will develop the essential skills of communicating, creative problem-solving, and logical thinking.

LeaRniNG GoalS

THe projects were hung in the library with care.... we finally finished our designing spaces unit! The kids projects are in display in the library until the first of the year. I am so proud of how hard the kids worked. They learned so much during this project. The hardest part was how exact they had to be when transforming the blue print into the model. Several of them rushed in the beginning of the building process, but soon realized they needed to slow down in order for their building to stand on its own. Portfolios are being sent home today please send them back by the end of this week. Please check out the following pages for pictures and a description of our new unit!

They finished!

CONTACT INFORMATION: Sarah Parker -

sparker@popplano.org -

http://popquest.weebly.com -972.380.5505 x155

December

2013

Fifth Grade

DES IGN I N G S P A CES

CONTACT INFORMATION: Sarah Parker -

sparker@popplano.org -

http://popquest.weebly.com -972.380.5505 x155

December

2013

Fifth Grade

DES IGN I N G S P A CES

CONTACT INFORMATION: Sarah Parker -

sparker@popplano.org -

http://popquest.weebly.com -972.380.5505 x155

SIMPLE MACHINES
Fifth Grade Theme:

Winter 2013

Relationships
1. Relationships exist all over the world. 2. Relationships exist within systems to create a cause and effect situation. 3. Relationships can be positive or negative.

WE BEGAN THIS UNIT BY EXPLORING THE 6 DIFFERENT SIMPLE MACHINES

Students were then assigned a Rube Goldberg project. (Check out who Rube Goldberg is HERE). Students had to choose an everyday task - such as ipping a light switch and create a Rube Goldberg cartoon. They are required to use each of the simple machines at least once, and create a series of at least ten steps. This is aligned with the students science curriculum. After the Christmas break, students will be sharing their Rube Goldberg designs and we will be creating one long Rube Goldberg cartoon as a class -- we will be working on Learning goal #7! :) More details to come after the break!

Learning Goals:
1. Students will understand the difference bet ween simple and complex machines 2. Students will be able to identify the 6 different types of simple machines 3. Students will learn the science behind how simple machines work 4. Students will understand how simple machines make work easier, but do not reduce the amount of work 5. Students will be able to recognize the simple machines around us 6. Students will be able to explain force, motion, and energy, including the Law of Conservation of Energy 7. Students will develop the essential skills of communicating, creative problem solving, and logical thinking

After learning/reviewing the 6 simple machines, we discussed how simple machines do not reduce the work, but rather make the work required to do something easier. First, we talked about how work=force x distance. We discussed this concept by comparing a ramp to stairs -inclined planes. While the ramp may be longer (distance), it requires less effort (force). In regards to stairs, the distance to get to the top is shorter, but they require more effort, or force. We also learned that if you are pushing on a wall, no actual work is being accomplished. While you may be exerting a large amount of force, the wall is not going anywhere; therefore, no work is being done.

Need a Christmas gift idea? Lego sells a simple machines kit!

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