The weather outside hasn’t changed much with the chilly temperatures, but we have new units, in the classroom, that have changed!
On the math shelf, we have added measurement work. At their introductory lesson, younger students measured with non-standard units and were introduced to the ruler, which has inches and centimeters. Older students, will be working with story problems that have metric and standard measure. We will also learn and review measurements that include weight and liquid volume.
For Science we are learning about simple machines. Simple machines are devices with few or no moving parts that make work easier. Students were introduced to the six types of simple machines – the wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, and pulley. We are asking students to explore all work and extend their work in whatever creative way they can. We use so many simple machines daily that we hope the students become aware of how they simplify our lives.
In Zoology, our mammal study has begun. It is the last classification of vertebrates that we have in our course of study. We introduced the lesson with Miss Jennifer’s family pet hamster, Mila. Work on the shelf will give the students a chance to research many different mammals. This unit has always been a favorite of the students because of the many possibilities of exploration.