Science

This week we began our last Magnetism and Electricity Investigation.  Students were taught about the first telegraph.  Then, using what they know about electromagnets, were asked to create their own telegraph.  Students were given very few directions at first, and amazingly, all five groups were able to figure out how to construct the telegraph in 10 minutes!  After their telegraphs were up and running, students attempted to write and decipher codes written and “tapped out” in Morse code.

 

Writing

Our study of the American Revolution and information texts came to an end this week during Writing Workshop.  To complete these informative texts students added text features such as diagrams, maps and sidebars to their writing.  Students reviewed all they had learned about the Revolutionary War and then formed opinions about this research.  The result was an array a fascinating chapters that truly reflected the personality of each individual student.

 

Tinkering

On February 6th TCS will be participating in the Charleston STEM Festival by running a tinkering table.  This week Fourth and Fifth Graders were challenged with coming up with a task for visiting children to accomplish when they visit our table.  During Centers on Friday, Fourth Graders used the tinkering cart to test the task of making an object that flies using 3 materials.  Ask your child what materials made the best flying objects!

 

Important Dates:

• Friday, January 29th                          The Art Walk 8:00am-9:00am
• Saturday, February 6th                      Charleston STEM Festival 10:00am-3:00pm
• Friday, February 12th                         Valentine’s Day Concert and Bake Sale
• February 15th & 16th                           February Break