Miss Macias 5th Grade Class

Hello Parents and Students,

Thank you for being part of this virtual class that provides an opportunity to explore science outside the classroom and at home. On this page you will find readings, science experiments, important dates on school events, and a calendar where parents can practice science at home with their kids.

Reading for Students on the States of Matter

Students, please read about the states of matter, solids, liquids, and gases, by clicking on the three links bellow.

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_solid.html

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_liquid.html

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/matter_gas.html

Experiment at Home

Students, and parents, please complete the experiment bellow on the states of matter. This is an experiment guided by the learning cycle.

Title: States of Matter 

Materials

Ice

Juice

Balloon

Spoon

Water

Ziploc bag (any size)

Milk

2 blank pieces of paper

Lesson Overview

Students will explore the states of matter with materials around their home.  

Activity Using the Learning Cycle

Engagement-

• Think about the readings on solids, liquids, and gases. What are the states of matter? Why is it important to know these states of matter? How can I tell what a solid, liquid, or gas is? Are these part of my everyday life?

Exploration Phase-

• Next, around your house look for the materials mentioned above. Blow the balloon and add air to the zip lock bag and lock it.   

• Look at all of these materials and on a paper write the materials down and write under them whatever you can say about these materials. Try to describe all of these materials. For example, if we had a pencil we would say that it is hard and it is difficult to bend or move around, it is visible, and if I tap it I can hear a sound.  

Explanation/Invention Phase-

• Next, based on your readings, and your description, sort these materials in the items that are either a solid, a liquid, or a gas (you can look at your readings if you need to).

• Once, you have sorted them look at your descriptions and find any similarities. For example, if we have fruit punch and a Capri sun we would say they can move and spill and that it can be separated.

Elaboration/Expansion Phase

• Next look at the fun videos on solids, liquids, and gases  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gez2rmeCpfE

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btGu9FWSPtc

Evaluation/Assessment

• Lastly, fold a blank piece of paper in three and write the words Solids, Liquids, and Gases. Try to list as many solids, liquids, and gases. This will be turned in to me on Tuesday, December 17, 2013. 

Parent's Note - Events for the School Year 2013-2014

Hello Parents,

Welcome to the virtual 5^th grade class! Parent involvement is so important you staying about events and content your student will be learning! The following are dates of important school events for the school year 2013-2014!

August – 2013
Monday the 19^th – Back to School Night

Wednesday the 21^st – Leadership Group Meeting at 5:00 p.m.

September

Wednesday the 11^th – STEM Group Information Meeting

October

Thursday the 17^th – Leadership Disco dance 4:00p.m.

November

Wednesday the 13^th - Parent Workshop on Being Safe Online at 6:00 p.m.

December

Tuesday the 10^th – Parent Workshop on supporting students at home at 4:00 p.m.

January – 2014

Tuesday the 21^st – Art Show at 4:00 p.m.

February

Thursday the 13^th – Honors Ceremony at 5:00 p.m.

March

Thursday the 13^th – Science Fair at 4:30 p.m.

April

Thursday the 24^th – Parent Presentation from Mark Middle School for 5^th grade parents at 6:00p.m.

May

Thursday the 29^th – 5^th grade graduation at 5:00 p.m.

June

Friday the 6^th – Last day of school

Parent to Student at Home Science Explorations

Parents,

Please have conversations, online explorations, and experiments with your students as much as you can for every month on each topic. I have layed out a calendar to do basic learning at home with your child. Thank you!

Miss Macias

January – This month we will focus on the sates of matter

14^th – Talk to students about the fact that EVERYTHING is matter; our food, body, the ground.

16^th – Go online and look at videos with your child on matter.

20^th – Talk to your child about solids, for example, water, juice etc.

23^rd –  Talk to your child about solids, for example, wood or a  hammer.

27^th –  Talk to you child about gases, for example, the air.  

30^th –  Try to name as many liquids, gases and solids around the house.

February – This month we will focus on Physical and Chemical Changes

4^th – Talk to your child about water turning into ice. This is a physical change.  

6^th –  Talk to your child about paper burning and this being a chemical change.

11^th – Go online and learn more on physical and chemical changes.

13^th – Try some physical changes at home.

18^th – Try some chemical changes at home.

March - this month we will focus on forces and motion

4^th – Talk to your student on how forcing weight on something can change its location.

6^th – Move things around at your house and explain to your child that the objects are in motion. Introduce the words motion to them which is the change of location of an object.

11^th – Go online and explore Newton’s Laws of Motion.

12^th – Play a game of marbles with your child and talk about Newton’s Laws of Motion and how they apply to the game.

18^th –  With your child, come up with other examples of forces and motion.

20^th –  If possible, go bowling with your child and remind him or her about the laws of motion.