Friday May 18, 2012

Dear Friends,

Happy May 2-4 Long Weekend!

This week, we accomplished a lot! Here's a rundown:
-wrote CASI reading tests
-experimented with probability using 2 number cubes and a grid
-investigated the properties of water with an ice-cube melting race
-discussed novels in literature circles
-some of us attended Track and Field events at Varsity Stadium
-ran in relay races
-described the characteristics of a rock and a cotton ball (Understanding Properties of Matter)
-wrote a paragraph about friendship including a topic sentence and supporting details
-practiced reading script for Reader's Theater
-sketched first draft of setting for mural (Reader's Theatre)

Next week, be prepared for the following:
Monday - no school
Tuesday - Literature Circles meet, hand in journal entries #1 and #2
Wednesday - afternoon rehearsal for Spring Concert
Thursday - Spring Concert at 6:30 in the gym
Friday - possible Reader's Theater performance with props, costume

*Science 

Understanding the Properties and Changes of Matter (Grade 5)

The term characteristic refers to a feature of the substance itself, such as:
-colour
-mass
-hardness
-flexibility
-strength
-texture

AT HOME ACTIVITIES
Play a game of I Spy!  Use the characteristics of an object.  For example, "I spy something that is flexible."
Use vocabulary that describes how an object looks and feels.

Check out a website! Visit http://www.linktolearning.com/ and view your Grade level in Science.  Explore, read and learn!

Light and Sound (Grade 4)

The term reflect means to bounce back.  The term reflector means a material that reflects light.

You have seen that mirrors are good reflectors of light.  Kaleidoscopes both make use of mirrors and their ability to reflect light.

In class, we built kaleidoscopes.  How do they work? What do you see inside?

The term transparent refers to light that can pass through a material so taht anything behind it can be seen.   The term translucent refers to some light that can pass trhough but scatters it so that anything behind it cannot be seen clearly.  The term opaque refers to material that does not allow light to pass through.

What do you think can happen when light rays hit an object in their path?

a) light rays pass through

b) scatter off the object

c) be absorbed by the objects like a sponge absorbs water

d) any of the above answers, depending on the object!

AT HOME ACTIVITIES
Search for objects at home that are transparent, translucent and opaque!

Check out a website! Visit http://www.linktolearning.com/ and view your Grade level in Science.  Explore, read and learn!