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!
In expedition, we focused on the phases of the moon. We discussed what the moon looks like and how sometimes it can look different; it is always a spherical shape but doesn’t always appear this shape in the sky. More importantly we delved deeper to find out why…
It turns out that we can only see the moon thanks to the biggest light source of them all – the sun!
We looked at the names of the eight moon phases and then the children had an INCREDIBLE time creating the moon phases using OREOS! It was great seeing children working together, delicately picking apart the biscuits in order to accurately show the eight phases of the moon.
If only every science lesson involved Oreos…
Today in mini crews, we created the phases of the moon using Oreos cookies. Crew Elmer had so much fun.
This week we have engaged with a range of tasks in order to guess the title and guiding question for the expedition. We have been scientists by exploring our solar system, naming and ordering planets, learning all about forces and to top it off going in the wonder dome, which deepened our understanding. We also painted some beautiful art work of the Sun, Earth and Moon. We researched the artist Andy Warhol, which inspired us to create images with similar techniques and relate to outer space. We used a variety of skills and tools in order to produce these including the use of varying brush strokes, dabbing of a sponge and flicking of a toothbrush to create different elements of our image.
