Bottle Rockets!

This afternoon, in our science lesson, we took to the field to carry out some experiments with bottle rockets. The rockets were made from plastic fizzy-drink bottles, with a cork instead of a lid. Into the cork, we inserted a football pump valve. In our first experiment, the rockets were 1/4 filled with water, then air was pumped into them through the valve until they took off. We measured the horizontal distance that they travelled.

In our second experiment, we kept the volume of water the same (300ml) each time. We discussed the forces acting on the bottles to make them move, slow down and fall.

Life Cycles of Non-flowering Plants

This week in Blue Class, we have been learning about the unusual life cycles of non-flowering plants. We investigated the school grounds looking for the best habitat to find moss growing and discovered it thrives in damp, shady places. We learnt that moss is a non-vascular plant, so doesn't take in water through roots, but absorbs it from the environment a bit like a sponge.

We also studied conifers and found that they produce male and female cones. The male cones produce pollen which fertilises the egg cells in the female cones. We dissected some pinecones to search for the seeds that form beneath the scales.

Looking under the microscope we were able to see the moss close up. We also used a camera with a macro lens to photograph some of the plants and parts of plants that we collected. You can see some of the results above. All our photos can be viewed in the slideshow below.

Last week we studied flowering plants, and planted sunflower seeds, and took cuttings of geraniums, lavender and dandelions. We checked on the progress of these this week. The sunflowers have just begun to germinate and the dandelions, which we cut right down to the root, already have several new leaves. The lavender and geraniums may take a bit longer to 'take' as they have to grow new roots. We will post updates of our findings over the next few weeks.

Toothy Smiles

This week we were learning about teeth, in particular, how to look after our teeth through careful, regular brushing. To see just how well the children were brushing their teeth, they were given a disclosing tablet each. This dyes the plaque, colouring old plaque blue and new plaque pink. The children then brushed their teeth thoroughly to remove all the plaque bacteria.

Evolution

As part of our topic on Darwin, we have been learning about evolution. To finish off the term, we had a bit of fun learning about how a creature can adapt over time to suit its environment, and how changes to environmental factors can drive adaptation.

The children made small changes to a blob of plasticine to simulate the large-scale evolutionary changes that might occur as the habitat alters. These are the resulting creatures - what diversity!

Ice Balloons

On Wednesday of last week the whole school came together to experiment with Ice Balloons. Mr Pearce, Karren and Tracy had prepared the balloons earlier in the week, filling them with water and placing them in the freezer. By Wednesday they were ready to investigate.

Combining Art and Science, the children prodded and probed the ice, using a variety of different materials, including: nails, drills, hacksaws, thermometers, food colouring, salt, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and a healthy dose of imagination.

They predicted what would happen to the ball of ice before trying each experiment. They looked closely at the results using magnifying glasses and saw what happened to the ice when placed in a tub of water.

Everyone had a huge amount of fun and kept cool on a very hot day! Apologies for the colourful socks and clothing - they were all wearing aprons, but kids will be kids!

Pond Dipping

Following our science work on making keys to classify different animal species last week, we put our skills to the test identifying some less exotic, but perhaps even stranger species in the school pond. The children took turns to dip the nets into the pond and study the weird and wonderful creatures to be found within. They then used keys to work out what their creatures were.

We discovered newtlets, freshwater hoglice, water boatmen, and copious water snails. We were also visited by some beautiful damselflies and some much uglier looking leeches and larvae.

Year 5 Science Morning

Earlier today our Year 5 children attended a morning of scientific exploration and discovery at Debenham High School. The children worked on designing, making and testing a lunar landing module as well as working in an Astrodome during a presentation regarding the Solar System and the wider Universe. Wow!

Planet Builders - Planet Explorers

This week in Blue Class, the children became planet builders. They were given a fruit to act as their basic planet, and worked in groups to embellish it with buttons, dowel, pins and a range of craft materials.

Once the planets were finished, the groups became exploratory teams, trying to learn more about the other teams' planets. They constructed viewing scopes from rolled up card, through which they had to study their chosen planet. They first had a brief, distant view (to simulate earth-bound observations). They used their discoveries from this initial observation to plan the next stage: a fly-by. This simulated a planetary probe gathering information about a planet as it passed by. The third stage was to orbit the planet. This allowed the groups to see the planets much closer and to get a 360 degree view.

Combining all their observations, the children then chose a landing site for closer inspection. They could examine this point in great detail, but could not see further afield.

The explorations were modelled on the real processes involved in studying the other planets in our solar system.

How Hill - Day 2 (Evening)

This afternoon saw the children take part in two very different activities. Again, they were split into two groups, changing over halfway through the afternoon.

Owl pellet dissection was incredible, although the looks on some of the children's faces may suggest otherwise! It was simply incredible discovering the wide range of bones which the owls had been unable to digest.

The other activity was thatching. The children worked in small groups to thatch a section of roof. Their efforts were then judged on appearance, teamwork and waterproof factor. Waterproof factor was by far the most interesting category for judging as it involved a team member standing under their thatched piece and then having a bucket of water thrown at them...

And so ended another great day.

Task Tacklers - Fireworks!

The 'Task Tacklers' from Earl Soham, Bedfield, Debenham, Stonham Aspal, Wetheringsett and Helmingham met at Debenham High School for their latest challenge.
During the morning, the children experimented with a variety of compounds to produce the colours for fireworks. They discovered that green is made by using copper chloride, red by using lithium chlorine, purple by using potassium chloride and orange by using sodium chloride. They found this out by dipping the tip of a wooden splint into the substance and then setting light to it using a Bunsen burner.Iron fillings were then added which saw the creation of 'sparks' to the flames.
After more experimenting, Mr Rockett and Mrs McBurney showed some fantastic 'explosions' using gas, washing up liquid and magnesium! Then it was time to design sparklers, followed by the making and testing!
There were some fantastic ideas as the children worked hard to get the mixture of glue, iron filings, magnesium powder and compounds right to have the desired effect. This meant a continual cycle of making, testing and evaluating as the children tried to improve on what they had done previously.
It was a simply great day.

Dental Health Topic - Yellow Class

 
 
On week 3 of our Dental Health Topic Mrs Rice brought some disclosing tablets for us to investigate the two types of plaque we might find on our teeth. It caused great excitement and hilarity when mouths and tongues turned blue! The children then used their own toothbrushes to practice the correct way to clean their teeth, after a demonstration with a gigantic set of teeth!
 
 

Dental Health Nurse Visit - 2nd Session

This afternoon's session was all about tooth decay. Plaque was described as being 'like a glue stick' almost invisible, but sugar sticks to it really well. The children found out that plaque germs love to eat sugar as it helps to make them grow much faster.

The children looked briefly at brushing teeth (more on this area next week) and how plaque starts to grow one hour after teeth have been brushed - and it grows all day long... The plaque and sugar mix together to create an acid which is not good for teeth!

The children then looked at the importance of healthy snacks between meals which contain no added sugar. Having brought in tins and packets of food, it was amazing for the children to see how many foods have added sugar.A small bottle of 'fizzy cola' contains an incredible 11 teaspoons of sugar!

Dental Health Nurse Visit

This afternoon, Nicki Rice (Dental Health Nurse) joined Yellow Class for the first of three visits. This work is part of the 'Healthy Bodies' topic currently being undertaken by the children. Today's session looked at the teeth in general as part of the skull, what teeth actually do, the different parts of teeth and the different types of teeth that children, adults and animals have.

Thomas Mills - Science of the Circus

On Tuesday, children in years five and six visited Thomas Mills High School for a day of activities based around the Science of the Circus.

In the morning the children worked with Mr Gionis in the DT room to produce a tightrope walker toy. The children enjoyed using the coping saws and pillar drill and everyone produced a toy to take home.

In the afternoon, Mr Halls introduced the children to a series of experiments in the science lab. They worked in teams to build a high-dive tower, and find out the science behind the human cannonball, and experimented with different chemicals to find out how fireworks get their colours.

The afternoon finished with a bang (literally) as Mr Halls demonstrated how hydrogen and oxygen could be combined to make water. He also wowed his audience by turning water into wine, back to water and finally into milk.

Enjoy the photographs!

Year 5 Science Morning at Debenham High School

Having taken part in the 'Astronomy Roadshow', a multi-media mobile planetarium, the children moved into a science lab. Debenham High School Science Teacher, Mr Rockett set them the task of making rockets. Using simple materials including a piece of paper, card and a straw, the children set about their task.
Once their first attempt was completed they then went about testing and improving their rocket. Once outside, real testing could begin - congratulations to Jack whose rocket clearly went the furthest. Back in the lad, the children were placed in a spinning chair (to replicate the spinning action of the Earth) and fire their rocket at the 'Sun'. The children certainly had fun and learnt a fair amount about the earth and beyond...

Growth and Change Presentation Afternoon

This afternoon, parents were invited to come and share in some of the excellent work that the children in Blue Class have done over the past term in their Growth and Change project. There was an excellent turn-out and the children thoroughly enjoyed talking to parents and explaining what they had learnt. The highlight of the afternoon was the performance of the class dance: The Life Cycle of a Plant (a copy of which is available to view on the school's blog if you missed it).

Well done to all of Blue Class, who have put in a huge amount of work and produced some stunning results.

Dance Video - The Life Cycle of a Plant

Following a ten-week project on Growth and Change, Blue Class are proud to present their dance video: The Life Cycle of a Plant, filmed on location in the school grounds and at Minsmere Nature Reserve.

We are very proud of the work we have done and would love to receive your comments below. 

If you have a high-speed broadband connection and wish to see the video in high definition, please follow this link to view it on Youtube.

Photosynthesis Podcast

We have been learning about photosynthesis in Blue Class. This podcast was produced for homework by one of my Year 4 pupils. He has done an excellent job and I am proud to share it with you. Please take a few minutes to listen to his explanation.

Opposites Attract in an Afternoon of Magnetism in Yellow Class

Yellow class welcomed Mr Speight, one of our grandparents, into school this afternoon for a fascinating talk and demonstration of the use of magnets. This followed on from their current science topic of 'FORCES'.
Children watched and listened attentively as a range of magnets were produced and then demonstrated. The children had a great time experimenting with different magnets and physically seeing the effects that they had.
Thank you Mr Speight!

On a Brighter Note!

How are your sunflowers growing?

Better than mine? - PROBABLY

I took these photos this morning (can you see the bee?) and I won't use any camera tricks to make mine appear bigger than what they actually are!
My tallest sunflower now stands at a 'magnificent' 95cm. I don't think that it will be the tallest - but it is beautiful!

Remember to take photos of yours, measuring them accurately, and compile the information for when you get back to school in September - you may win a prize...
Good luck!