Students soared through the second theme learning about flight.
In Reading, students used their strategies to identify main idea, problem & solution, story elements, cause and effect, and non-fiction text features. Students collaborated to discuss facts learned about the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, hot air ballooning and parachuting. Did you know that roosters and sheep were the first passengers to ride in a hot air balloon?? Students experienced first hand how it feels to soar through the sky in a parachute using the Google Expeditions VR Glasses! Afterwards they created a 3D hot air balloon of their own.
Students were very busy in writing this week! They soared through the sky with many activities that focused on hot air balloons, kites, parachutes and gliders. Writers imagined where they would go if they were granted a hot air balloon ride. Students mentioned places such as Italy, Disney World and Hollywood! They explained who they’d bring, how they’d feel, and how long their trip would be through a short narrative. Later, they switched their focus to kites. Students used Google Translate to find the word “kite” in other languages. Students created 3D “All About Me” hot air balloons which featured their personal interests. They participated in a Virtual Reality tour of a hot air balloon ride using VR glasses as a culminating activity!
In math, students learned about the two main forces to make an airplane move: thrust and lift. They then worked together to make their own paper airplanes, and flew them outside to measure their distances with rulers!
They also made foam glider planes and estimated the distance they could throw them.
Students also learned about symmetry. They went outside to look for symmetrical shapes
using rulers to make sure their shapes were indeed symmetrical. Then they came back inside to create their own symmetrical shapes. Lastly, students learned how to measure units of capacity, identify the three states of matter, and observe that liquid will always take the form of the container it is placed, including water balloons! Students were splashed when tossing the water balloons around!
In science students were given an opportunity to conduct an experiment to test the parachutes that they made. Each group carefully chose different materials to engineer a parachute for a fictional character, Jack. Then they were given a chance to test their parachutes by carefully dropping them from a high point. Each group tested their parachutes and measured the time it took their parachutes to land. They were all very successful creations!
In physical education class Mr. Potor had the students experiencing the push and pull of force using a huge parachute! Students had to work together to create the right movement to trap the air underneath the parachute.
We will be ROAD TRIPPIN’ next week across the United States!!
