SCIENCE, SCIEnce, science!

We've been investigating rocks as part of our Science learning this term. So far, we've looked at the earth's layers and rocks.

We've also tested a HEAP of rocks using the scratch test, another test for hardness using Fredreich Moh's ( a German minerologist) hardness scale and the acid test.

We were able to categorise rocks into 3 types - sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. We researched the qualities/characteristics of these different rocks.

Next, we investigated the rock cycle with the help of wax crayons.

First we 'weathered' our rocks. This meant grating crayons.

 
Next, we wrapped our 'weathered rocks' in tin foil and applied pressure using clamps. This was to create sedimentary rocks.

 
After applying the pressure, we unwrapped our tin foil to examine how 'rock fragments' had formed.
We observed that they had compacted together. The 3 colours had formed layers. The fragments were hard but still crumbly. This was our sedimentary rock.

 
The next step was to wrap the sedimentary 'rock' up again. This time, we were investigating metamorphic rocks. We applied a lot more pressure with our clamps this time and left the foil packages clamped overnight.

 
We then unwrapped our metamorphic rocks.

 
We observed that our metamorphic rocks were much harder. The crayon fragments were very tightly compacted. It was stronger than the sedimentary rocks.

Then, we investigated igneous rocks. We melted half of the metamorphic rock put the melted 'rock' in the freezer to cool quickly. We melted the other piece and cooled it slowly, at room temperature. We observed that the igneous 'rock' that had cooled quickly was smooth, very thin and glass like. The 'rock' that had cooled slowly, was much thicker and had little bubbles trapped in it.

Igneous 'rock' that has cooled slowly.

Igneous 'rock' that has cooled quickly.

We learnt lots about the rock cycle by testing, observing, discussing and recording.

Passion Time Progress!!

Marthajoy and Emma are really enjoying Passion Time! 

One of the girls is doing woodwork and is holding a prototype of a bedside table she is going to make this term! The other girl is learning to knit. She is holding a pompom she created that she will sew onto a knitted head band.

They are motivated and enthusiastic and learning some fantastic real world skills as well as goal setting and reflecting on what they are doing.

What learning...!

Anti-bullying Week at Ilam School!

Here is the link to all of the competition entries: 
2017anti-bullying.blogspot.co.nz/

'Quake City' and 'Rock On!'

Last Tuesday we traveled by bus to the inner city to experience the science behind earthquakes at 'Quake City' and then walked to the Canterbury Museum to 'Rock On' and learnt about igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. This was part of our geology based inquiry called 'Rocks Talk' which is all about land formations and their causes. It was extremely informative and interesting. We really enjoyed ourselves and the learning!

 

 

 

     

 

Passion Time! Construction...

Today in Passion Time the Construction group were experimenting with different materials to work out what made a stable structure that was able to stand freely.

At one station, there were straws and paper clips. At another station there were toothpicks and plasticine and at another station, there were popsicle sticks and pegs.

We found out that some materials were much easier to use than others. The most difficult materials to use together were straws and paper clips because the paper clips kept popping off. One group managed to create a standing structure by creating a triangular base and sides.

We discovered that have a central, strong core helped to stabilise the structures. We also worked out the structures required evenly distributed weight or a very stable frame in order to balance. Wide foundations were also another method that helped keep our structures stable and standing!

 

 

 

 

 

Get Writing NZ!

We participated in School Kit's 'Get Writing,'

Our writing was all about using figurative language to paint a picture in the reader's mind. We came up with descriptive similes and metaphors to describe our class and ourselves!  We based our poetry on the Iain Sharp poem.

We wrote to Oteha Valley School in the North Island and they wrote to us.

Here is a picture of their postcard writing put together. 
Underneath the photograph are some of our metaphor poems!

Clara is the tangerine sunrise, spreading over a slice of bread.

Clara is Luna Lovegood, stroking a thestral with honour.

Clara is a paintbrush, paint and canvas; creating a river flowing into a quick tempered ocean.

Whenever my partly cloudy eyes venture into water, I see my reflection, I shed a tear that shatters the beast. I hope this isn't Clara.

Clara is a warrior, not letting her feelings spill out like a glass of water on a wooden table.

Clara is a sloth, lolling around in the not wanted sunshine.

Look there and here! A trail of blooming flowers erupts through the doors. I turn around and stare at it in awe, hoping one day to be that person.

Arjuna is small black parcel filled with deadly poisons.
Arjuna is a spy sneaking through the night.
Arjuna is a ship lost at sea.
Whenever I peep in mirrors Arjuna growls back at me. It's terrifying.
Arjuna is a prison guard watching over the prisoners.
Arjuna is 15 letters bashed out of the English alphabet.
Look there and there, books of different names fly from door to door. I catch them with joy.
They might be Arjuna. 

Hannah is an otter in the gentle sea, searching for kelp.
Hannah is wild ivy, climbing wherever it pleases.
Hannah is words, waiting to be experimented.
Whenever my dark eyes examine mirrors, Hannah slides in to greet me. It's reflection.
Hannah is a tree, standing tall even in the stormiest weather. 
Hannah is a netball, achieving higher places and going further than others.
Look there and here!
Pages flying out of every book shelf.
I run in desperation to grasp the ideas.
I cling on, being swallowed into its mist.

Brodie is a tiny little falcon peeping around the wise sky with open eyes ready to dive.
Brodie is a small office and he cowers below towering skyscrapers.
Brodie is a sock, more unique than the others and always persevering.
Brodie is a banana glued to the bunch helping up green bananas.
Brodie is a blasting Lamborghini zooming past other cars not waiting for the green light shooting out fireworks from the tailpipe, forming the word 'savage.'
Brodie is an oak branch stretching from leaf to leaf venturing for the top.
I peep in the mirror. Brodie looks back at me. It's joyful.
Brodie is a light bulb full of bright ideas twisting around swimmingly in my socket for fun.
Brodie is a waving flag crashing against the wind, gaining ultimate power in the sky.
Look there and there. Footballs rocketing into the goal.
They might be Brodie.

Our Popcorn Containers!

Check out the variety of containers! Some of us were very close so we will decide on the winner tomorrow...

A cylinder, just shy of a few pieces...

The popcorn falls a wee bit short of the top..

About half the popcorn fits in to this container

Really interesting shaped container. Just a little large...

This container is a bit skinny! They realised they would need to increase the base size

A cone shape! Not quite big enough...

Very close to the top - Finalists!

Another container in the top 4! Extra frill on design...

Pleased to be in the top 4!

Lid on the design and finalists! They were going to change their dimensions but changed their mind at the last minute!

Volume Investigation 2 (too)

We were given a task in pairs to design a container that held exactly 293 pieces of popcorn for a new movie theatre opening in town. The only constraints were that the popcorn had to be as close to the top of the container as possible without spilling over. There were different shaped containers and a variety! All we had was 10 pieces of popcorn to help us estimate what 293 might look like. There was lots of discussion and problem solving and different ways that pairs came up with the sizes for their containers.

We are having a competition tomorrow to find out the winner as 4 pairs were very close!