Fourth Grade Water Cycle

 Recently, the students participated in an enjoyable water cycle game demonstrating the movement of a molecule of water through the system.  I attach the materials and procedure:
https://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/NR_WQ_2011-13.pdf

Great Ocean Conveyor Belt

A very important but little-known network of currents constantly circulates the water in Earth's oceans. What's more, these currents redistribute heat, moving it from the tropics toward the poles, and keeping some regions far more habitable than they would be otherwise. In this audio segment from National Public Radio, scientists discuss the hypothesis that global warming might be causing the Great Ocean Conveyor to slow, and may ultimately cause it to shut down.

Examine Global Surface Currents

Part I   INTERACTIVE

http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.globalsurf/

 

Part II AUDIO
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_aud_convey2/

 

 

 

Posted by Calvin

Minerals and Crystals

Mia and mica.

The fifth graders at Redeemer Lutheran learned about minerals and their properties when Mrs. Keyburn, the elementary science enrichment teacher, brought out many different kinds of rocks for the 5th graders to explore, study, and learn about. Some of the rocks she brought out were gneiss, feldspar, granite, and calcite. Ethan found a website that pronounces names of things outloud. Here's the website  http://howjsay.com/index.php?word=gneiss
Mrs. Keyburn explained where all these rocks were formed, and whether they were intrusive(underground formation) or extrusive(above ground formation).

  We looked at the crystal shapes in calcite, galena, halite, iron, feldspar, mica, and other minerals.  Then we identified minerals present in granite. 

Reported by Emily



Ainsley's rhombic dipyramid.      photo by Serenity