Grade 4 News
Newsletter #2: How the World Works
UOI #5 How the World Works
Transdisciplinary Theme:
An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.
Central idea: Discovery of electricity allows us to be creative.
Key concepts: function, causation, connection
Related concepts: circuits, conductors, insulators, creativity, art
Lines of inquiry:
- How circuits work (function)
- Conductors and insulators (causation)
- Electricity as an artform (connection)
UOI Field Trip
We are so excited about Math & Science Day at Six Flags on Friday, May 12 insha allah! We will be exploring math and science concepts as they relate to the games and attractions in the park. This is an all-day field trip, and we will return shortly after normal dismissal time, insha allah.
What Are We Learning This Unit?
Our Unit of Inquiry
We have been exploring circuits through extremely hands-on inquiry activities over the last two weeks. They have experimented with light bulbs and batteries to create circuits. they have tested various materials within circuits to determine their conductivity. They have also worked with conductive and insulating dough to create squishy circuits. We spent the last two Fridays have a Makerspace workshop where they were given materials to create projects involving electrical circuits. Students have created paper circuit cards using conductive copper adhesive tape, LED lights, and a cell battery. In this activity they were able practice simple and complex circuits. Today, using just a few simple materials (a plastic cup, motor, battery pack, markers and electrical tape), students created scribble bots. They have enjoyed every activity so far, but today was by far the most excitement I've seen in them from this UOI. Please be sure to ask them about it!
Squishy circuits
Using only conductive dough as our "wire" students had to figure out how to make an LED light up!
Scribble bot
A successful attempt at a bot that scribbled on paper.
Making art
Students had fun making scribble art with their bots.
Math
We are focusing on fractions during this term. As a class, we have developed a strong understanding of the concept of equivalent fractions. We are now working on using our knowledge of fraction equivalence to compare one fraction to another. We will move on addition and subtraction fractions by the end of this UOI, insha Allah.
English Language Arts
We have been working on a couple of writing pieces so far this UOI. Students worked on a narrative story about what a day in their life would be like if they did not have electricity. Some of these stories have been really entertaining. They have also begun an informational piece explaining the path of electricity in a circuit. This will be an opportunity to not only practice their writing skills but also to express their knowledge of electrical circuits.
Summative Assessment
We are doing something different during this UOI and pairing with Art for our summative assessment task. Students have been learning how to safely cut out patterns in cardboard in art. They will all be putting their designs together into a 3D form that will form a single hanging light fixture. They will be required to draw a circuit diagram showing how the electricity flows through it. Here's a picture of the inspiration for this project!
Grade 4 Team
- Ms. Shabana Ahmed - sahmed@tarbiyahacademy.org (Hmrm)
- Ms. Ibrahim - hibrahim@tarbiyahacademy.org (Quran)
- Imam Mikaeel Smith - msmith@tarbiyahacademy.org (IS)
- Ms. Taame - otaame@tarbiyahacademy.org (Art)
- Ms. Maher - smaher@tarbiyahacademy.org (Arabic)
Email: info@tarbiyahacademy.org
Website: http://www.tarbiyahacademy.com
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Phone: 844-827-2492
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