I hope everyone had a nice break. The class seems rested and ready for learning!
We have an exciting winter planned, including time with simple machines, a visit from professional graphic novelists, a study in human geography, mural work, hockey in PE, and book groups.
This week we are starting our science unit on simple machines. Yesterday we discussed technology and our feelings about how much technology we have in our lives. We discussed different types of technology and our favorites- which included computers, lights, refrigerators, and tvs. Today we began looking at Rube Goldberg, an engineer, artist, and inventor. Our first task with simple machines will be creating a Rube Goldberg cartoon invention. Students will take a simple task and create an invention or process to make it very difficult! Later we will be working with the six simple machines (wedges, wheels and axles, screws, inclined planes, levers, and pulleys) to learn more about their important roles in our everyday lives and in complex machines. At the end of the month/beginning of February students will work in groups to create their own working invention. The building of inventions will culminate in a class competition.
For more information about Rube Goldberg, check out rubegoldberg.com.
If you have any of the following supplies around the house and would like to get rid of them, please bring them in for our building competition:
-toilet paper rolls
-paper towel rolls
-pipe cleaners
-dixie cups
-rubber bands
-ping pong balls
-3 x 5 cards
