Matter Test

There will be a test on the Matter unit next Wednesday.  You child was given a blue study guide on Thursday.  We will use and discuss the study guide in class on Monday and Tuesday.  I am copying the study guide below just in case the original goes missing.  There is quite a bit of material in the unit so the students should begin to review sooner rather than later.

 

5^th Grade

Matter Unit Study Guide

·      Know all of the vocabulary from your notes and on your vocabulary quiz

·      Know what is an example of matter and what is non-matter

·      Know the three most frequently talked about states of matter and be able to give an example of each

·      Know what determines if a substance is a solid, liquid, or gas

·      Know the differences between solids, liquids, and gases

·      Be able to label a diagram of an atom (like your helium atom diagram)

·      Be able to tell some differences of metals, metalloids, and non-metals.

·      Know how to use the periodic table-what is an atomic symbol, atomic number, etc.

·      Know why Dmitri Mendeleev is important in regards to the periodic table

·      Be able to describe one element on the periodic table in detail

·      Know the difference between physical and chemical changes of matter and be able to give an example of each one

·      Know the difference between compounds and molecules

·      Know the difference between ionic an covalent bonds

·      Be able to read chemical formulas

·      Be able to give chemical formulas for some common compounds

·      Be able to tell about radioactivity, half-life, nuclear fusion and nuclear fission

Atoms, Molecules, Compounds...Oh My!

about the elements on the periodic table.  They have learned how the periodic table is divided (periods and families) and about Dmitri Mendeleev who is given credit for creating the table.  A more in-depth biography of him is available at the following website: http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/ci/1992/Mendeleev.html

Most recently, each student picked a specific element, did a bit of research on it, and presented his/her element to the class.  Due to these presentations, the students learned a lot about some elements we may not have studied in class. They also were reminded of expectations for public speaking, and for listening to speakers. 

Next, the students will learn about molecules and compounds.  They have been introduced to these topics as they have studied the individual elements, but now they will study them a bit more in depth. 

Mid Quarter grade reports are coming home with students who have a "C" or below in science as of the current time.  Most of these lower grades are due to missing assignments.  They are not a lot of homework assignments in science, so it is quite important each student completes and turns in EVERY assignment to the best of his or her ability.  One missing assignment can significantly lower a student's grade.  

If your child is interested in learning more about the elements, you might want to check out the following book:  The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray.  It was brought to school by a student and seems like a great book for students to use to satisfy their curiosity in regards to the elements.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Baier

Matter...

The 5^th grade students have started their study of Chemistry: Matter and Change.  They have learned about different states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasmas, and Bose Einsteins).  They have also discussed the differences between physical changes and chemical changes in matter.  An excellent website for kids on Chemistry is Chem4Kids.  http://www.chem4kids.com/index.html

I have put together some materials for the students from this website in their “matter packet.”

Recently, they have learned about atoms.  They know the different particles that make up atoms and how they are arranged in an atom.  Some students seem hungry for some extra knowledge about atoms (beyond what we will cover in class).  I have found an excellent video on Khan Academy that takes what we have learned to a slightly higher level.  The first 8 minutes or so will work for anyone in class.  The rest of the video would really only be interesting to students who have an aptitude for science (chemistry and physics, specifically).    I am posting the link here in case your child would like to watch it or even just part of it to reinforce what we have learned in class.

http://www.khanacademy.org/video/introduction-to-the-atom?playlist=Chemistry

On Thursday, we will start to dive into the elements and the periodic table.  Students always enjoy this section of a unit on matter.  The students will bring home a homework assignment (due Monday) to help them begin to explore the periodic table.

Mrs. Baier

Classification

The 5th grade students are finishing their study of classification.  They will refer to the things they have learned in this unit in various other units throughout the school year.  Their test is on Tuesday, October 25th.  The study guide for the test went home on Monday, October 17th.  If the students know the information referred to on the study guide, they should do well on the test.

Another interesting website to continue learning about animal classification is the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology website.  It is a nice site for students to explore to learn more and to look up the scientific classification of different animals.

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html

Our next unit of study will be matter.  The 5th grade students will study atoms, molecules, the periodic table among the many topics.  This unit of study should continue until the end of the calendar year.

Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Baier

Classification Study Guide

Here is a copy of the Study Guide for the Classification test tomorrow.
Mrs. Baier

Classification Study Guide-5^th Grade Science

Terms to know:

Biology, organism, taxonomy, taxon, binomial nomenclature, species, invertebrates, vertebrates, vascular

Key Concepts

Scientists organize all life forms into five kingdoms.  Know the five kingdoms.  Be able to give a characteristic and an example of each kingdom. (Appendix A)

Be able to give 2 reasons why scientists classify organisms.

Be able to list the parts of the taxonomy system we have studied.

When scientists talk about a specific animal know that they use the genus and species for the name.

Know the 1^st  two kingdoms that were known to man before the invention of the microscope.

Know that animals from the same species can reproduce and that families are closely related species, like dogs, wolves, coyotes (Family: Canidae)

Know the difference between vascular and non-vascular plants.

Know appendix C on plants and be able to answer questions about it.

Know about the life of Carolus Linnaeus and how he contributed to the taxonomy system. 

Welcome to 5th Grade Science

Welcome to 5^th Grade Science!  So far, the students have learned the difference between living things (organisms) and non-living things.  They have also learned about classification/taxonomy.  In the taxonomy of living things they have learned there are five distinct kingdoms, the characteristics of those kingdoms, and some examples of organisms in each kingdom.  The students have also learned about the history of taxonomy and more specifically about the creator of the modern day taxonomy system, Carlus Linnaeus.

In October, they will continue to explore the 5 kingdoms and learn more specific information about taxonomy.  They will continue to learn more about Carlus Linnaeus.  They will do an investigation about mold in class, learning how to create a lab report while completing the investigation.  

A website good for students to explore regarding classification is:

The National Zoo website

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/giantpandas/pandasforkids/classification/classification.htm

More information about Carolus Linnaeus
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/science-of-natural-history/biographies/linnaeus/index.html

Enjoy!

Mrs. Baier