Snowpocalypse Follow up!

As promised, the students were out in full force this morning getting new snow measurements in the playground following the blizzard that occurred the past couple of days.

In our previous blog post students found an average depth of 7.5cm in a certain area in the playground.
Today, they took 4 additional readings in approximately the same places and found a new average of 14cm. 

They also re-measured the snow bank near the playground and the measurements all increased as well.

and... we all enjoyed our "snow days"! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Snowpocalypse?!?!

We're tracking storms again! In anticipation of tomorrow's blizzard, we've done some tracking and measuring. We couldn't believe the length of the weather forecast on Environment Canada's site! Some of us had some turns reading the forecast in our best meteorologist voices from TV. All I can say is

 "Look out Cindy Day & Kalin Mitchell!" 

Some grade 5 students taking on the role as TV weather people!

Currently, Max & Kristina are measuring the amount of snow outside in the school yard / playground area. The average depth of the snow there is 7.5cm (the 4 readings they took were 7cm, 7cm, 6cm, 10cm). Innis & Jamey measured the height of the snowbank near the playground area. Currently, as of today March 25th, 2PM, the height is approximately 110cm in one area & 60cm in another area.

Making sure their snow bank measurements are precise.

Tune in in the coming days to see how our data has changed!!!!!!!!!
(special thanks to Mairi for being the photographer!)

The day the lesson plan went out the window...

Looking at the Night Sky

As part of our science unit on Space and the Planets, we're beginning to explore vocabulary associated with these topics and also some cultural beliefs.

Here are the vocabulary graphic organizers we created. Using an organizer like this helps us to keep track of the information we researched. Students used dictionaries, books from the classroom science library or the internet to gather the information on the word they were assigned.




As this unit continues, we are also looking at understanding the sky, stars, and constellations. Students are reminded to use these websites to guide their nightly sky viewing:

http://www.astronomynovascotia.ca/
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance
http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury

Be sure to check the nightly forecast to see if it is going to be clear enough to view the stars:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/ns-31_metric_e.html

We are also lucky to have a Mi'kmaq elder coming into our class this week to share Mi'kmaq beliefs about the stars and space. Here is the Mi'kmaq tale of Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters, which we are exploring in class:



Stay tuned for more information about this topic!

Tracking Hurricane Sandy

We're looking at Hurricane Sandy today as part of our lessons.
Check out the neat way we're keeping track via Storify:

Weather / Storm Predictions

We researched weather/storm predictors that happen  or are talked about in our families.
Here are some of the sayings/ predictors that we think can be tested to be proven right or wrong:

• Red skies at night, sailors delight. Red skies at morning, sailors heed/take warning.
• To test this theory: keep track of the sunset colors and the colour of the sky in the morning.
• Calm before the storm.
• To test this theory: When there is a forecast of a storm, watch the sky/environment to see if it's calm. Then see if there's going to be a storm.
• If the wasps' nests are high in trees, there is going to be a lot of snow.
• To test this theory: In the summer, watch to see if their nests are hig in the trees or not. Then you'd have to wait to see how much snow came that winter.
• When a storm is going to come, you can hear the sea or the lake.
• To test this theory: Listen outside on a winter's day.
• When the cows lie in the pasture, rain is coming
• To tests this theory: Pick more than 1 farm/pasture to watch. (because cows lying in a field could just be a coincidence) If the cows are lying down, see if it's going to rain.
• Birthmarks/Scars get really red or change color when a storm is coming.
• To test this theory: First, find someone with a birthmark/scar. Then, make sure you're watching the birthmark/scar to note any changes in colour. Do the colour changes align with the weather changes?
• The TV goes fuzzy when a storm is coming.
• To test this theory: Note when your TV is turning fuzzy when you're watching it.
• Hamsters will start to shake when a storm is coming.
• To test this theory: Watch your hamster; make notes.
• Seagulls on the land is a sign of a storm.
• To test this theory:  Make note of land near water. Are the seagulls on the ground?
• If the frost on the trees is sparkling, it is going to rain.
• To test this theory: Note when there is frost. See if it sparkles. Wait.
• Little snow (flakes), Big snow (lots of it).
• To test this theory:  Look at the snowflakes. Make note of their size. Then note how much snow actually fell and for how long. Alternative: If you see small snowflakes. In 2 hours go check how much snow has fallen. On another day, if you see big snow flakes, check in 2 hours again to see how much snow has fallen. Then compare which has more.

Made on  http://www.wordle.net/

Gr 5/6 Storm Watchers make the news!

Hey, guys!
Hope you're enjoying the snow day!
I received  tweet this morning from CBC NewsWorld saying they were going to mention us on their Weather report this morning, for our storm tracking yesterday! I recorded it for you, in case you didn't see it!
Here it is:


Here is a http://www.twitvid.com/SC309 sent us in a tweet as well.
We put Iona on the map!
Enjoy!

Thanks, CBC!