What a Kazoo!

Our inquiry into sound was a very noisy one this morning. The children discovered through reading, that sound is a form of energy. They made connections between light and sound - they are both forms of energy and both travel in waves. The children wondered if sound  also travels in a straight line like light? We are trying to think of a way to test this question. They learned that sound travels through matter (gas, liquid and solid). What about space? Can sounds be heard in space? The children will be reporting their findings tomorrow.
Using their knowledge of vibrations causing sounds, the children made a kazoo. They tested their kazoos in class for LOUDNESS and softness. They could feel the tissue paper vibrating as the blew into the kazoo. We ended our lesson with an enthusiastic class performance of O' Canada on the kazoo. The kazoos are coming home today so families can enjoy some of the noise too ;-).
 The children had drama instead of gym today to help them get prepared for our Gala this Sunday.
In arithmetic, the class wrote a test, but due to the extended drama time we did not get done. The children will be given more time in class tomorrow to finish the test up.
Next up was music and then French class.
In math, the grade 3s are still exploring mass, the units of mass, and instruments used to measure mass. The grade 4s began a new math unit on transformational geometry. Today they made a map while working alone or with a partner. They then had to come with a system to locate the places and features on their maps. Every one used a coordinate system on their maps. We spent the rest of our lesson using coordinates to locate places on grids.
We ended the day with the grade 3 poetry contest. I am glad that Ms. Lopez came to help with the judging because the grade 3s were awesome. What a tough job having to choose between this group of children. Congratulations to all for your enthusiasm and commitment. The following children have been selected to move on to the final competition - Rachel, Braeden, Carter, and Abel. The grade 4s had some time at the end of the day to work on memorising their speeches.
A few children have shown me the plans for their Mood Machines and have received my feedback on their ideas so far. Today's homework is to compile a list of all the materials you will need to build the Mood Machine.

Homework & Reminders

• Can you hear sound in space?
• spelling
• MMS 3 p. 134, 135
• MMS 4 p. 104, 105
• Memorise those speeches
• Mood Machine - complete p. 11 (materials list)
• lunch forms are coming home today
• There will be a Francais spelling test on Friday