As part of our second case study “keep growing” we have been learning about the different parts of a plant. First we looked at a plant and learnt some new vocabulary including stem, roots, flower and leaves. We then learnt about the important job each part has to ensure the plant thrives.
Some children then went out into our school grounds to see what plants they could see! They even took some photos on the iPad.
In science, we have continued our learning about electricity by exploring conductors and insulators.
We discovered that conductors allow electricity to flow through them but conductors stops electricity from flowing through. Children explored materials in the class and recorded their findings. In our next 2 lessons, we will write our findings in a scientific report.
In expedition today, we looked at how we use switches every day and the different types of switches. The different types of switches we found out about are push button switch, slide switch, toggle switch, key switches and pull cord switches. We found out that switches open or close a circuit and therefore impacts the flow of electricity. When on, a switch will create a complete circuit. When a switch is off, it ‘breaks’ the circuit and the circuit will no longer work as the flow of electricity has been stopped. We then built our own switches following instructions and then placed it within a electrical circuit to see if it worked.
We really enjoyed learning about and investigating conductors and insulators. We discussed how to keep our test fair and what variables were keeping the same and changing. We wrote our own methods ensuring we were using time fronted adverbials. In mini-crews we then carried out the investigation to see which materials were conductors (allowed electricity to pass through) and insulators (did not allow electricity to pass through). We then recorded this in a results table and wrote our conclusion.
In expedition we have continued to be scientist by starting to learn about electricity. Children were given some equipment in small groups and they had to problem solve together to create a working circuit. This was a chance for children to demonstrate their resilience as they’d only been given the equipment and no further instructions. It was great hearing the children talk through what they’d done already and what they could try next. The majority of the groups managed to construct a working circuit and either make the bulb light up or the buzzer work.
Today we explored the energy ball a little more, continuing our learning from Friday! We acted as conductors of electricity completing a circuit. We then added other objects to the circuit to see if they were conductors or insulators of electricity.
Firstly, we recapped our learning about appliances and played a game to say whether they were electrical and if they were mains or battery powered. We then discussed what a circuit was and the different components which we use to construct a series circuit. In mini-crews, we made circuits and then drew them using symbols. We had great fun exploring what the different components did.
Next, we investigated what happened in complete and incomplete circuits. Using an energy stick, we explored what happened when we all were connected and the stick lit up. This was amazing!
Finally, we looked at pictures of circuits and then predicted if they would work. We then built them and tested them.
Some great case study reflections on the digestive system 🙂 Children used the knowledge they had gained through case study one to write an explanation of what happens during digestion.
