In school, my class did experiments in science. The experiments were about electricity. We have to use different materials for our experiments. We had to pick an experiment to test. My partner Lily and I chose an experiment where you have to make a circuit and use all three types of batteries - 1 AA battery, 1 C battery and 1 D battery. A circuit is when you have a battery holder and you put a battery in it. Then you put a wire clip on the battery holder and you put wires in the wire clips. Then you have a light bulb and a light bulb holder. If you put the wires on the metal, the light bulb will light up. We had to fill out a paper with what materials to use. Science is awesome!
Sorry I haven't been good about posting student's letters. Thanks to Sophie for working so hard on this letter.
In school, my class did experiments in science. The experiments were about electricity. We have to use different materials for our experiments. We had to pick an experiment to test. My partner Lily and I chose an experiment where you have to make a circuit and use all three types of batteries - 1 AA battery, 1 C battery and 1 D battery. A circuit is when you have a battery holder and you put a battery in it. Then you put a wire clip on the battery holder and you put wires in the wire clips. Then you have a light bulb and a light bulb holder. If you put the wires on the metal, the light bulb will light up. We had to fill out a paper with what materials to use. Science is awesome!
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Throughout our electricity unit third grade scientists have asked thoughtful questions. Recently, we sorted our questions into two groups. Some of the questions were "researchable." That means we could find the answers by asking someone, searching on the internet or searching in a book. The questions we focused on were "testable." That means third grade scientists could safely find the answers by using scientific equipment.
Third grade scientists are working in pairs to answer some of those questions. They figured out which materials they need to use. They described the set up and wrote the directions so that any other scientist would be able to repeat the investigation. Finally, they are giving it a try. Third grade scientists are using many different size batteries, different kinds of wire, light bulbs, motors, and switches to answer their questions. They are collaborating to set up circuits, ask questions and observe. It's exciting work that will be continued on Monday. Ask your third grader about their questions for an electrical investigation. :o) Last week we practiced measuring things to the nearest 1/4 inch. It is tricky to identify those small lines that indicate fractions of an inch. But we reviewed our knowledge of fractions which helped us to understand. We also practiced measuring to the nearest centimeter. It's also important for third grade mathematicians to remember to line their measuring tool up carefully with the edge of what they're measuring.
The more experience with measurement that children get at school and at home, the better. Encourage your child to estimate and measure distances. Typical questions that might come up at home include these: How far is it across our kitchen table - and can we really reach that far? How many children can sit comfortably on our couch? How many adults? Will that extra bookcase really fit in the kids' bedroom? These are good questions, and they're also very practical ones! Measurement questions come up a lot in our home lives, and it's exciting for children to be involved with real-world issues. Here's how you can help during this unit: Listen to your child's strategies for measuring. Involve your child in your own measurement activities - hobbies like sewing or carpentry are a natural for this. Happy measuring! |
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June 2018
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