We have learned a lot since September. Sometimes it's best to hear straight from students what they are learning. What have you learned so far this year in GT?
Last week, classes were challenged to an ice cube melting race! Using limited supplies and focusing on the the reflective property of aluminum foil, individual students created ice cube melters. The best designs won extra stickers. Students made observations about the transfer of energy, insulation, reflection, and the water cycle.
Due to SOAR testing, Ms. Bradberry's class hasn't tested their ice cube melters yet. Please do a little sunshine dance tomorrow so they can complete their experiments! This week, students will get class time to work on virtual labs, and you will get to hear directly from them about some of the things they have learned so far. This week, 3rd grade GT classes experimented with solar energy. Students learned about the transfer of energy and reviewed the concepts of absorption and reflection by making observations and recording temperatures for five different surfaces as affected by the sun's energy: a black surface, a white surface, a concrete surface, a wooden surface, and a grassy surface. Ask the students which surfaces were the warmest and the coolest - and why!
Over the weekend, students would love some computer time to work on another homework assignment - some more energy experiments. There are a variety of virtual labs available online at http://www.wecanchange.com/elementary-school/resources/virtual-labs. Here, students can learn about carbon footprints, renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and much more. Thursday classes have already begun these labs in class. Tuesday and Wednesday classes have not yet, but they will spend some class time on them soon. Students should be prepared to share at least three things they learn from the virtual labs. Next week, we will break out the cereal boxes and work on our secret project. Here's a hint: It's a race! Have a wonderful weekend! I will hold an informational meeting about the GT program during conference day on Monday, October 21. This will be a chance for you to find out what GT is all about. We will discuss identification and programming, and I will answer an questions you might have. Please join me at any time throughout the day!
We love energy! Potential energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, gravitational energy, heat energy, and "mmmmm" chemical energy were just a few we studied this week. We also learned about renewable energy and non-renewable energy: fossil fuel energy, solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, steam energy, nuclear energy, tidal energy, hydroelectric energy, and more. You should have felt the energy in the air as a giant rubber band helped demonstrate the difference between potential and kinetic energy!
Let's celebrate our love of energy by making an energy wreath! Please send one item that represents some sort of energy. Hearing this from YOU will be new information for your child - a chance for you to ask them about what they are learning in GT. (I slipped and asked one class to bring trash. Please note that this is a change of plans if your child is confused.) This should be something you can part with permanently, and it should be able to be tied in some way to the grapevine wreath pictured above. Students should be prepared to explain what kind of energy their items represent and why, as well as whether they are renewable or non-renewable. Thank you so much for your support of our upcoming projects! We have received or are expecting everything we need to conduct some awesome energy experiments! (Get it? Conduct! Ha ha ha. Pun was intended!) Next week, we'll investigate solar energy by looking at how energy is transferred and absorbed. It should really heat up our curiosity! Okay... I'll stop before I hurt anyone with the corny jokes. Have a wonderful weekend! |