Title
Science: A Conduit for Language Learning
Collaborators
MJ Moran
Diane Potts
Schools
Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary
Last Modified
April 29, 2007
Description
Every Science class is an opportunity for each student to expand their knowledge and understanding of Science and also build their literacies practices. Being a Scientist requires thinking, talking, writing, representing and reading like a Scientist.
Fall Unit - Exploring Space
In the beginning of this chapter, which is also the beginning of this unit, we find out together what we already know about our universe - no reference books allowed, only the ideas in our combined heads. There is a wonderful opening activity in the textbook that works to get the students digging into what they have stored in their memories,...
Winter Unit - Discovering the Energy Around You
11.1 What is Energy?11.2 Energy TransformationsEnegy AcrosticsEnergy Haikus11.4 Hydroelectric PowerImages of Activity: Water PowerActivity: Water PowerChapter Review: Mind MapsChapter Review: Questions
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Cover Letters and CVs
In groups of three the students researched and prepared a cover letter and curriculae vitae to apply for a position on a mission to a distant star in 2197
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Making Star Maps
Given the required supplies, the procedural instructions and each other as knowledge bases the class was set to work to build their own star maps.
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Rockets
At the Vancouver Space Centre we had a 'blast' making, launching and measuring bottle rockets. I think it was Julia and Frida who made the 'highest' launch.
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Our Trip to the Space Centre
In the Space Centre we confirmed many of the concepts we had discovered - and piqued our interest in so many more.
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What is Energy?
The first section of the first chapter of this unit begins to define energy in scientific language.
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Energy Transformations
The second section of the first chapter of this unit extends the scientific discourse to include transformations of energy from one type to another type, and introduces Newton's Law of Conservation of Energy.
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Hydro Electric Power
The fourth section of the first chapter of this unit incorporates the previous ideas of energy forms and energy transformations and introduces human's ability to generate electrical energy through the harnessing of these forms and transformations.
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Water Power Images - An Activity in Progress
One of the ways to assist with understanding of concepts is to create models. Watching the students working together to solve their structural problems, then take turns holding their 'turbine' while smiling and laughing and enjoying learning are...
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Water Power
One of the Activities (experiments) in the first chapter of this unit is to participate and write up a formal experiment about the building and testing of a water wheel, and relate this model to the generation of hydro electricity.
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Chapter Review: Energy Mind Maps
The review at the end of each chapter begins with the construction of a mind map (web) of the vocabulary and concepts of the chapter. For some of the students this is their fourth time doing this activity, for others it is their thirteenth time,...
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Chapter Review: Questions
At the end of each chapter there are questions that tie the concepts of the chapter together review them before moving on for further building and learning.
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Winter Term Unit Test
The unit test in a Science unit serves many purposes. It is a target to shoot at for the entire term for factual knowledge acquistion. It is a celebration of the ability to demonstrate said knowledge. It is proof of becoming a Scientist - I can...
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Mining for Energy - Chocolate Chip Mining
This activity creates a model of how careful extraction of energy resources from our environment can create fewer changes, also takes more time and produces less product. There is no way to end up with a complete cookie in th end whether one is...
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Chapter 12: Jason Ho
Jason's work: Energy in Our Society.
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Chapter 12: Jodie
Jodie's work: Energy in Our Society
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Chapter 12: Klassen
Klassen's work: Energy in Our Society
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Chapter 12: Kristine
Kristine's work: Energy in Our Society
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Chapter 12: Michelle
Michelle's work: Energy in Our Society
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Chapter 12: Ryan
Ryan's work: Energy in Our Society
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Chapter 12: Sharice
Sharice's work: Energy in Our Society
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What We Already Know
This is an introductory activity to dig up what we already know but might not know we know.
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The Big Bang Theory
In this activity students 'play' with the concepts of model and theory while also 'playing' with balloons.
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Scientific Theories and Technologies Timelines
In groups the students created timelines with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 items.
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What a Science Lesson Looks Like
Not all lessons are the same, but in general there is a pattern to lessons that follow the text.
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Before moving to triangulation review was required.
Triangulation, used to indirectly measure large distances is a difficult concept to grasp.
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Direct Instruction - Triangulation
Together we measured, recorded and determined the length of the perpendicular of a triangle.
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Practising Triangulation
After a class demonstration of how to use trinagulation to indirectly measure distances we gave it a go in the basement.
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Being Spiral Galaxies
When trying to remember which way a spiral galaxy turns - becoming one helps.
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Measure Angles in the Sky
In preparation for star gazing we practiced how to measure angles with astrolabs and our hands.
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Modelling the Stars in Relation to the Movement of the Earth
Some concepts are harder then others to demostrate - the relationship between the placement of the stars and the movement of the earth can be a difficult one to do.
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Preparing Test Questions
Students worked in groups to generate possible test questions as a way to prepare for the test and review the material covered.
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Constellation Boxes and Stories
The culminating project was to create a constellation, represent it in a constellation box, and prepare and tell an oral story about the creation of the constellation.
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Energy Haiku
Playing with ideas and playing with language then adding opportunity for visuals makes for an excellent learning opportunity.
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Energy Acrostic
Another opportunity to manipulate ideas and language with an eye for aesthetics.
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Stave Falls Hydroelectric Generating Station
As a summative activity for our unit Discovering the Energy Around You we took a field trip to the oldest and still power producing Hydroelectric station in British Columbia.
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