Science Unit

1. Students can easily study how plants grow in the fourth grade. I think students should grow their own plants, recording each day the progress of it and what variable they can try to be more successful. Things like placement and how much you water the plant each day can come into play. Each student could place their plant in a different area in the classroom and predict the success of their plant. The kids could take pictures of the plants every day or every couple of days then create a Frames project. One frame in the beginning could be their prediction and the end slide could be the results they found. I remember when I was in fourth grade we did something along these lines but we didn't apply it to any technology. I think we just recorded results.

2. Students in the fourth grade could study the heart and how it works. They could create a wiki book with different picture they drew and found on the internet. In the book they can also explain how the heart flows and give some facts about the heart and abnormalities. When I took anatomy this year we went over the blood flow through the heart. If I simplify it a litte it will be easy for fourth graders to understand. This one is the most interesting to me and it's important too!

3. If you gave fifth graders a battery, two wires, and light bulb they could figure out how the make the light bulb light up. They could then study Thomas Edison and make a video acting as him. As the teacher, I could come up with a list of inventors and the students could pick one and research it. They could each make their own video where they act as the inventor and give a good story line on how he/she came up with the idea. They should show all the materials they need to use and introduce themselves and explain how the experiment works. They would use iMovie and come up with music. I can remember my sister doing a similar project on the inventor of the rocket and his first one was named Nelly. It was pretty silly but still interesting!This is the one I would be most interested in.

4. In a second grade class it would be interesting to study Recycling. We could study the process as a class and have a paper box and a bottle box so the kids can get active. Then take a field trip to a recycling plant and take pictures of kids infront of the different machines. In a Podcast, the kids can record themselves explaining the machine and how it works. They can add the pictures of themselves and find pictures in other places. They can also draw pictures and scan them onto the computer. Classrooms all over have paper bins and the kids know to put their scrap paper in them but they may not know why. I'm sure they would be interested in seeing the process and why it's important for them to recycle.

5. In a first grade class you could have the students study the seasons. Each student could draw a picture of something from the season the Pixie. They then could pick their favorite season and write/type an experience they had during that time and why it is their favorite. This will give the students a chance to draw on the computers as well as practice their typing skills.