Zixth Grade

Test time! We’ll take the test for Chapter 4: Energy on Monday. Later this week, we’ll use technology to express our knowledge of energy concepts in creative ways.

Objectives:

• Evaluate relationships of science, technology, and society.
• Review chapter concepts.

Assignments:

• Chapter 4: Energy Assessment
• Potential and Kinetic Energy Poster
• Writing Fluency Recording
• Series and Parallel Circuit Photos
• Law of Conservation of Energy Rap/Poem
• Spring Toy Wave Commercial

We will compete in the Cannonball Fun game. Make sure to aim for the right answers!

Click here for full screen version

We’ve investigated potential, kinetic, wave, and electric energy. This week, we link it all together to answer the question What is a Circuit?

Objectives:

• Build circuits.
• Define a circuit, and distringuish between series and parallel circuits.
• Describe  how an electromagnet works.

Assignments:

• Persuasive Essay: What is the best way to turn a generator?
  • Persuasive Sample Essay (via Time for Kids)
  • Electricity Generation (via Wikipedia)
  • Use Textbook pages 180, 181, 182, 192, 198 for details
• Lesson 5 Worksheet (RS 37-38)

Coming next week:

Unit 4 Assessment

Use the directions on the link below to create a generator strong enough to light up a small bulb.

Ultra-simple Electric generator

Special instructions:

Test out the magnets before wrapping the wire to get them to spin freely and quickly.

Twist the wires of the light together with the red wires so that copper touches copper.

Squeeze the box gently to keep the magnets spinning freely.

Spark by wizetux

What is electricity? How is electricity produced? We’ll be answering these questions and observing how energy powers the devices on which we depend. Because of the short week this week, we’ll be working with electricity next week as well, with some shocking activities.

Objectives:

• Investigate static electricity.
• Define current electricity as a flow of electrons.
• Describe how electricity is produced.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Experimenting with Charges
• Lesson 4 Worksheet (RS 35-36)
• Performance Challenge: Create an electrical generator.

This week we’ll pour our energy into exploring the question How is thermal energy transfered? We’ll turn up the heat on two different types of cups to find the best way to keep a drink warm (or cold).

Objectives:

1. Investigate the transfer of thermal energy through different materials.
2. Define thermal energy and explain conduction, convection, and radiation.
3. Describe how insulation works.

Assignments:

Worksheet – Lesson 3: How is Thermal Energy Transfered?

Investigate: Losing Heat Data Sheet

Hermosa wave by watch4u

We’re making waves in Science as we continue to investigate energy. What are waves? How can slinky show us how energy travels? We’ll find out this week.

Objectives:

• Describe the behavior of waves.
• Identify the properties of two different kinds of waves.
• Recognize how waves carry energy.
• Main idea and details – Look for details about different kinds of waves.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Making Waves
• Lesson 2 Worksheet (RS 31-32)

Look at the picture below and then anwer the following question with your group.

Bed Jump by jamesjyu