Electricity and Magnetism Questions to Guide You...

Today we had an "enlightening" day discussing the similarities and differences between series and parallel circuits!  With our quiz behind us, it's time to look ahead to next Tuesday's test.  We have completed a copy of the study guide in class, and it should be located in your child's science section of the 4th grade binder.  It is here for your reference as well.  Happy studying!  I know the students are going to do a wonderful job!

Magnetism and Electricity Study Guide

Name 2 examples of conductors:

1. ______________________________ 2. __________________________

Name two examples of insulators:

3. ______________________________ 4. __________________________

Match each definition to the correct term:

A. circuit                  5. ____ Any material that has magnetism

B. magnetic field          6. ____ A path along which negative charges move

C. electric current        7. ____ When electricity is used to make a magnet

D. magnet                8. ____ The area around the poles formed by lines of force

E. electromagnet          9. ____ The flow, or movement, of negative charges through a conductor.

10. The drawing shows iron filings sprinkled around two magnets. Label these bar magnets below.  Which one shows North Pole facing South Pole?  Which one shows North Pole facing North Pole?

11. Cranes use electromagnets to pick up iron and steel from piles of other materials. The iron and steel objects are then moved to another area. Explain why the cranes use electromagnets rather than regular magnets.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. If you rub a balloon on your hair, the balloon becomes negatively charged. What causes this?

______________________   _____________________

13-15. Illustrate and label a complete circuit using a battery (power source), a wire, and a light bulb (receiver). Label each part.

16.    Who invented the usable light bulb? __________________________ 

Who experimented with a kite in a storm to investigate static electricity and lightning? _______________________ 

Legend says that Magnus’ sandals stuck to what magnetic rock? _______________________

Draw 2 bar magnets below numbers 17 and 18 that would:

17. Repel each other…                   18. Attract each other…

All magnets are attracted to anything made of these materials:

19. __________________ or 20. ___________________

Magnets may also be attracted to these 2 metals:

21. __________________ or 22. __________________

23. Draw a picture that shows a series circuit that contains wire, a battery, and two light bulbs.

24. Draw a second picture that shows a parallel circuit with the same items in it.

***Also, be sure to know all of the vocabulary/definitions from the vocabulary quiz that we had Wednesday, 3/12/14.***

 

Fable Writing on Tablets

This week students have been busy writing their own fables.  First, they selected a moral, and then they carefully chose characters and events that could be used to teach the moral. Now, after taking their fables through the writing process, they are publishing their fables in the form of a power point presentation.

Be on the lookout for a copy of your child's fable to come home soon in signed papers.

Upcoming Events in Science

Hi!  Just a reminder that we have an Electricity and Magnetism vocabulary quiz tomorrow (Wednesday, March 12th) and a test next week.  The children received their study guide for the quiz last Monday, but I am attaching it here for your convenience as well.  The test will be next Tuesday (3/18) so watch for more information coming home about that as well.  We will be completing the study guide in class over the next few days.  Thanks so much!!!

Vocabulary Study Guide—Electricity and Magnetism

1.Circuit—a path along which negative electrical charges move

2.Conductor—any material that allows negative charges to flow freely through it (examples: wire, metal)

3.Electric Current—the flow or movement of charges through a conductor

4.Electric Motor—a device that uses electricity to make objects move; it contains a spinning electromagnet

5.Electromagnet—a magnet that is made by passing a current through a conductor wrapped around an iron core

6.Generator—a device that changes the energy of motion into electricity; often used to make power when normal power sources fail or cannot work

7.Insulator—any material that does not allow negative charges to flow freely through it (examples: ceramic, cotton oven mitt or potholder)

8.Magnet—an item with magnetism; it has both a north and south pole

9.Bar Magnet—a magnet in the shape of a bar or rectangle, which has its north and south poles at opposite ends

10.Horseshoe Magnet—a magnet in the shape of a horseshoe, which has its north and south poles at each opposite tip

11.Open Circuit—an incomplete path that does not allow electrical current to flow

12.Closed Circuit—a complete path that allows electrical current to flow (if it’s closed, it flows)

13.Static Electricity—an electric charge that collects or builds up on the surface of an object

14.Watt—a unit of measurement for electrical power

"Breaking the Force" Magnet Lab

In Science we are currently studying Electricity and Magnetism.  Below are just a few pictures of today's lab entitled "Breaking the Force."  Students used a balance scale, magnets, washers, and plastic chips to determine how much force it takes to interrupt a magnet's pull on an object.  After hypothesizing and experimenting, students graphed their results.      

Please also note that on the right hand side of our 4th grade blog, we have uploaded a few videos for you to enjoy.  You will see videos of our recent guest speaker from Georgia Power, as well as students working in small groups to make open and closed circuits.  We hope you enjoy! 

Fraction Practice

Today fourth grade used tablets and went to the Everyday Math site. They practiced working with fractions through games and journal pages. The students even found some neat tutorials to help with just about any skill we have covered this year! Ask your child to show this to you.

Happy Valentine's Day and Polar Quiz Reminder

Happy Valentine's Day!  

We hope that you enjoy a wonderful break over the President's Day holiday weekend!  This is just a reminder that our Polar Regions vocabulary quiz will be on Thursday, February 20th.  Students received their study guides last week, and a copy of the words is provided here for your convenience.  

In His Love,  the 4th Grade Team 

Polar Regions Vocabulary Study Guide

1.Prey—an animal hunted and eaten by other animals

2.Predator—an animal that hunts and eats other animals

3.Hibernate—to remain in a deep sleep, in order to survive low temperatures and a lack of food

4.Tundra—ground that is frozen almost all year long

5.Taiga—evergreen forests just below the arctic tundra, known for cold, dry weather (Taiga is the Russian word for forest.)

6.Global warming—the rise in the average temperature of the air and oceans around earth

7.Migrate—to move from one area to another for feeding or breeding

8.Plumage—the feathery covering of a bird

9.Nomad—a wanderer who moves from place to place, following the food supply

10.Habitat—the place where an animal or plant lives

11.Burrow—a hole in the ground or snow dug by a small animal

12.Camouflage—colors and patterns that help an animal blend in to his surroundings

13.Ice floe—a sheet of floating ice

14.Permafrost—ground beneath the surface that stays frozen all year round

15.Northern and Southern Lights—beautiful lights that appear in the sky as dancing columns of different colors of waving curtains of light

16.Glacier—a giant frozen river that moves at a very slow speed

17.Blubber--a thick layer of fat between the skin and the muscle layers of whales and other marine mammals

18.Inuit—people who live in the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada, and the United States

Update for Our 4th Grade Families

In an effort to stay on schedule during this month of crazy weather, we plan to give The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe test and the Unit 6 Math test when we return to school this Friday, February 14th. 

 We will NOT give the unit 21 Spelling test this week. Spelling unit 21 homework will be due next Friday the 21st. The unit 21 test will also be on the 21st. Hope you all are staying warm and safe! We look forward to seeing our sweet little “Valentines” on Friday!

Blessings to you,

The Fourth Grade Team