Up and ATOM!

Atoms, Atoms, Atoms... they're everywhere!!

During our PD day in January, I was lucky enough to be able to collaborate with Ms. Strobl from Proctor School in Topsfield.  She shared this great project she does during her Physical Science Unit and how her students get to know the elements of the Periodic Table, so we tried it too!

We started the project researching our assigned element learning about the atomic number, protons, neutrons, and electrons of the atom. Students also discovered where these elements are found in everyday items!

How do you know how many protons an atom has? 

What does the atomic mass of an atom tell you? 

After students completed their research and created a poster, they got to work on their  3-D model of the element. 

Some of the finished posters of the Periodic Table in our classroom!

 The element models hang from my classroom ceiling! It really makes the place shine!

 What element is this? 

 How about this one?

 Or this one? 

Want to learn the elements of the Periodic Table?:  Check out this link!

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Give basic examples of elements and compounds.

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Recognize that there are more than 100 elements that combine in a multitude of ways to produce compounds that make up all of the living and nonliving things that we encounter.

It's ELEMENTary...

Physical Science is our unit in science that we will be working on until Spring. It sounds so far away with all this white stuff on the ground but it's only 6 weeks away!  That doesn't sound as bad!
We have looked at the states of matter and physical changes that occur in the world around us.  As we move forward we have been getting to know the Periodic Table and the Elements.

The students organized sets of cards of the first 20 elements.  They had to become familiar with the number of protons (atomic number), neutrons, and electrons.
The next day we discussed the energy levels that the electrons travel on and added to our puzzle of the first 20 elements. 
Come Meet the Elements with They Might Be Giants by clicking here.

 6th Grade Physical Science:  All matter is made of atoms, which are far too small to see directly through a light microscope. Elements have unique atoms and thus, unique properties. Atoms themselves are made of even smaller particles. 

Ms. Stewart's Homeroom: Where in the World is this Biome?

Take a peek at our slide show presentation about biomes around the world! Click here to check the rubric for this project:

 Essential Question: How do biome characteristics affect life and adaptation?

We are coming to an end in our ecology unit.  The students use their notebooks to take notes but also to synthesize their understanding on the left side of their interactive notebook.

Here are some examples:

Symbiotic Relationships

Science Standards: Describe symbiotic and predator/ prey relationships.
Describe the relationships between biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.