In Science, we investigated what happens when you add a switch to a circuit. Children were given equipment and had to build a circuit before figuring out how to add the switch.
Children discovered that when a switch is on it completes the circuit, therefore allowing electricity to flow through the circuit.
When it is off. It creates a break in the circuit which stops the electricity from flowing through the circuit.
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.
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.
In Crew Mcloughlin, we have been exploring friction in order to help answer our guiding question. This lesson went with a splash as we experimented with water resistance! The children really did focus on ensuring a fair test and ensured we controlled our variables. We also learnt new words along the way such as hydrodynamic and buoyant.
Today we experimented with friction! We used a range of materials (wood, tea-towel, silk and a cushion) to test out the question, ‘How does the texture of a surface affect the amount of friction?’ We used a ramp and a car and covered the ramp with different textures. We found out that the rougher the surface, the more friction. The smoother the surface, the less friction.
During our case study 2 learning, we have been learning all about gravity and friction.
We first of all watched a video introducing gravity, and we also read an informational text about Sir Issac Newton – the scientist who created the gravity law. We were then given the task to use newton metres to measure the weight and mass of objects in class.
Once our learning was secure, we moved onto delving deeper into friction. In order to do, this we carried out a class investigation, we made a hypothesis: the smoother the surface the less friction so the object will move quicker. We concluded this was in fact correct and we were shocked to realise the affects of friction on our world.
We have now began our Case Study 2 – physics! We first of all, we watched a video introducing gravity, and we also read an informational text about Sir Issac Newton – the scientist who created the gravity law. We were then given the task to use newton metres to measure the weight of objects in class. We really loved this practical activity to kick start our physics.
We each created a table to recorded our findings:
Last week, we applied all what we had learnt in physics to help partly answer our guiding question and reflect on the case study. Great understanding was shown as well as beautiful books that look Y6 standard!
After completing our science touchdown, we needed to consolidate some gaps in our learning so in challenge crew this morning we completed a Kahoot quiz. We worked together in submarine mode to consolidate learning and repeatedly answered questions to ensure our knowledge stuck. Great effort Crew Mcloughlin!
