This week, 5th graders learned about the inner layers of the Earth. The students are working in teams to turn this information into a scaled model. As a class we calculated that the scale is 1cm=300km. Ask your child which layer of the Earth they are constructing.
5th graders continue to familiarize themselves with the Earth through mapping coordinates. Ask your student about the fictitious country he or she mapped today.
As a sneak peak of what is to come in the semester,5th graders read and scientifically interpreted poems about a variety of earth science topics. They will give their creative interpretations of these poems next week at our Earth Science Poetry Jam. Tune in next week for a sampling of the performances.
Using a digital heart rate monitor, 5th grade students collected data on their resting, active and recovery heart rates. The students watched their heart rate change in real time on the smart board display as they rested and exercised. Ask your child about their heart rate. Here is an example of the data display...
Students in 6S and their Grandfriends, checked-in on the bald eagle family in Decorah, IA. Here are some of the new facts that were uncovered...
According to William, humans are the most important source of mortality for this species. In fact, according to Emmet, Nick and Ashley, the bald eagle was threatened with extinction because of the pesticide, DDT, but now due to conservation, as of 2007, they are off the list.
Riya tells us that the bald eagle, native to North America, was originally bred in Central Alaska, Northern Canada, Central Arizona, and around the Gulf of Mexico.
Charlotte S. adds that they are accomplished and opportunistic food thieves and in mid-November, at least 4,000 bald eagles gather in Alaska to prey on salmon.
Nora and Arthur tell us that bald eagle nests can weigh up to 2 tons and that they are so adaptable that in one case, a couple nested on a giant cactus.
Finally, Lydia and Madison discovered that the bald eagle engages in a spectacular courting ritual in which a pair of eagles will fly very high, lock feet together, then tumble and cartwheel toward the ground, breaking apart at the last possible moment.
* It takes about 4 years for an eaglet to become an adult.
* They are considered "food thieves."
* The population of bald eagles is declining due to toxic chemicals.
* Unit recently they were considered endangered.
* Adults have white heads, white tails, dark brown bodies and wings. Juveniles have dark brown heads and wings, a spotted front, and white on the underside of their tails.
Dr. Timoney, a trauma surgeon and uncle of Pilar in 5th grade, visited us to talk about life in the ER. Much of his presentation focused on the inner workings of the gastrointestinal system. His powerpoint presentation was extremely thorough and very well received!